Columbia-Willamette Women of Vision

wishes you peace and joy!

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation,

who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!"

~Isaiah 52:7

A few days ago, as I read this verse as part of my Advent readings, an image came to me of a runner waving as he crests a hill to let his neighbors know he's bearing good news. I thought perhaps he has news that war has ended. But then I realized that this verse isn’t necessarily about peace from war. The word used here for peace is shalom. It has a much broader meaning of harmony and right relationship with God and with each other. I thought of some who would especially welcome this message: those in Central America living with horrific gang violence, those who have fled their homes due to conflicts over food or water or power, children and families living with domestic violence. The image I see now is of those living in the most broken places who especially welcome the good news that God brings peace and salvation.

In this Advent season, we celebrate Christ’s arrival with thanks and joy because we know Jesus IS the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy. He is the Good News. He is Peace. He is Salvation and He reigns. You and I, my friends, are helping to bring the good news of peace and salvation to communities and individuals served by World Vision projects we support. Thank you for each one of your prayers, for each gift and for each time you share stories of the projects with a friend or family member. You support the work that brings good news to individuals and communities, news that leads the way out of darkness. 

Listen now to this video greeting from Edgar Sandoval, World Vision US President. Edgar and his wife, along with children and staff around the world, share their joy in the good news of Christmas.

I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas!

Ruth Nottingham

Co-Chair, Columbia-Willamette Women of Vision

A Journey to Hope

World Vision’s mission is to “follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice, and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God.” Promoting human transformation is a complex endeavor that involves short-term and long-term interventions.

World Vision founder Bob Pierce in Korea, 1950

When World Vision started in 1950, they only provided food and shelter to children in need, first in Korea and then in other parts of the world. Over time, their mission expanded. World Vision began collaborating with vulnerable communities and learned how to effect long-term sustainable change by tackling the root causes of poverty. Today, two-thirds of World Vision’s ministry is long-term development work. World Vision is committed to working in the most difficult contexts in the poorest counties. They partner with community leaders and, where possible, local churches, to implement the kind of change needed to empower children and families to experience “life in all its fullness.”

However, World Vision never moved away from its commitment to supporting people in times of crisis and has grown to be one of the largest and most respected organizations providing emergency humanitarian aid around the world. They can respond to a disaster within 24-72 hours. When earthquakes rattle cities, cyclones blow through villages, or war ravages countries and causes massive refugee crises, World Vision is ready and waiting to provide food, shelter, clean water, and other important lifesaving services to the distressed.

Responding to natural disasters

Protecting children in all emergencies

This fiscal year, Columbia-Willamette Women of Vision is raising funds specifically to help World Vision meet emergency humanitarian needs wherever needed in the world. This project is called the Global Humanitarian Response Fund and one-third of the funds raised by our chapter will go to this project. Our gifts will provide food security, health care, education, clean water, sanitation services, family reunification, trauma care, and child protection, among other things.

Some crises are well known. We’ve all seen images of the war in Ukraine and World Vision is there. World Vision handed out food boxes in Florida after Hurricane Ian. But did you know that in 2022, World Vision responded to 58 emergency crises in 57 countries with aid that touched over 31 million people? Many of these events are not in the news. World Vision is responding to the global hunger crisis in Africa, upheaval and war in Northern Ethiopia, a chronic food shortage in Yemen, and economic crises in Venezuela and Afghanistan, among others.

Our donations multiply. Responding to huge global crises requires massive resources so World Vision leverages private donations to unlock large grants from governments, international organizations like the World Food Programme and large foundations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Every $1 in private donations on average leverages $8 in public and institutional grants for World Vision. Our gifts unlock 8 times more aid that will be used to care for people in their most desperate time of need.

Join us for "A Journey to Hope"

(in-person event)

Come “travel” with us to some of these places on March 11, 2023, as we go on a “A Journey to Hope.” We invite you to learn more about how World Vision is responding to emergency crises around the world. Watch for more information to come.

If you have any questions, please contact Anne Huiskes with the Global Focus Team.

Calendar

Women of Vision in Action

January 16, 2023

Supporting First Image/Pregnancy Resource Centers

Click here to learn more and to RSVP

SAVE THE DATE!

A Journey to Hope

"Travel" with us to communities in Kenya, Central America, and areas struck by disaster where we support World Vision programs.

March 11, 2023 (morning)

Columbia Presbyterian Church

More details coming soon!

Share the Light Gala 2023

April 16, 2023 (evening)

Multnomah Athletic Club

Watch for more details!

If you're still considering a year-end gift, you can use this button to give online. Thanks for all your support! You're changing the future for precious children.

About Us

Women of Vision is a volunteer ministry of World Vision that cultivates dynamic partnerships resulting in significant investments of time, talent, and treasure in support of World Vision’s work, facilitating transformational impact in the lives of the poor and our supporters in the name of Christ. Please partner with us! Click here to learn what that means and update your commitment for this new year (or for the first time).

The Columbia-Willamette Chapter of Women of Vision supports World Vision's work in Kenya, Central America, and areas around the globe struck by disasters. We also volunteer at many local organizations to help the disadvantaged in our own community. Please read about this work on our website.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.