[3 minute read, 8 minute watch]

Hello EMCC,

Today, Galatians 5:14 is standing out to me as we focus on our collective work with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbour as yourself."

As one member of this organization, EMCC co-participates with fourteen other Christian member agencies in an ecumenical partnership to address the continued issue of global hunger. If you would like to learn more about our participation in this larger entity, see the interview with CFGB's Executive Director Andy Harrington below.

It has been a privilege to work with on-the-ground partners, like the Ethiopia Kale Heywet Church Development Commission who continue to demonstrate a commitment to loving their neighbours as themselves. Whether addressing international disasters or the long-term food security of the vulnerable, I have seen both partners and members of CFGB care for the dignity of all involved. This attention to agency is part of loving others as ourselves.

The stories below illustrate the types of activities we are engaged in as a part of this larger network for greater collective impact.

Grace and peace as you consider how Jesus may be speaking through these stories,

Director of World Partners, EMCC

The beauty of being part of a larger network, is that we, as EMCC, can be part of responding to the ever-evolving conflicts and natural disasters throughout the world. Below is a thank you video from fellow CFGB member, ADRA Canada, to those of you who contributed to the Ukraine Relief Fund.

Over the years, we as EMCC, have been able to contribute to the important work of responding to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, Cyclone Idai, the Rohingya refugee crisis, the Beirut blasts, and protracted conflicts like Ukraine. When it comes to loving our neighbours as ourselves, this is a practical way to engage with followers of Jesus offering practical help to their neighbours.

In collaboration with Tearfund Canada, EMCC is working with our long-standing partner, Ethiopia Kale Heywet Church Development Commission in an area known as Zala. We are in phase two of this initiative which sees conservation agriculture (CA), self-help groups, and church and community transformation training occurring concurrently. We have shared stories in the past from participants in this initiative. Today, here is Mrs. Elfita Elima describing her experience with the abundance from implementing conservation agriculture.

"We were amazed to see the yield difference between the two farming approaches. We are happy that we can now send our children to school without fear of not being able to provide for them. We have been able to fulfill their educational needs. Despite the community being affected by drought for the past two years, we were able to harvest food thanks to CA. 

We have decided to apply CA techniques to all our farms and teach others to adopt this approach. We glorify God and bless the project and the neighbour who advised and encouraged us to start using CA.’’

Mrs. Elima is our neighbour, and I hope you are encouraged that your co-participation in prayer and financial contribution can make a difference for someone's economic and food security.

Here were the results of Phase One!

World Partners invites you to join with us in an EMCC Connected Across the Globe event on Friday February 9th (11 am EST/9 am MNT), as we connect with partners in South Asia and engage in prayer for the stories shared this week.

#IDW2024