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To our LifeNets Supporters and Friends!
First, we thank you for opening and reading our latest eNews. We want to share some very encouraging news from the people we help, as well as some facts about LifeNets itself.
One highlight of this past quarter is that we have awarded seven Ambassador Bible College scholarships for the upcoming 2025–2026 academic year. This was part of LifeNet's 25th anniversary commemoration as a charity. The scholarships cover tuition and a substantial portion of housing for the students. We have named this scholarship the Rick Beam Memorial Scholarship to honor the beloved elder from Rome, Georgia, and Chattanooga, Tennessee. These awards were in addition to the many scholarships we support worldwide.
This achievement would not have been possible without the generosity of our faithful donors, who have supported scholarships worldwide for the past 25 years. We sincerely thank you for making this lasting impact possible.
This issue also features a variety of stories, including:
- A report on the Women’s Enrichment Retreat in Eastern Zambia, where 83 women gathered for prayer, learning, and encouragement.
- Updates on international scholarships in Zambia and the Philippines.
- Ongoing aid for victims of the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year since the Russian invasion in 2022.
- A look at a new program for parents of young children, addressing the unique challenges of raising families in today’s world.
Finally, at the end of this newsletter, you’ll find important notices on how to contribute through Qualified Charitable Donations (QCDs).
| Thank you for your trust and for making LifeNets your charity of choice. Only a few stories are featured in this newsletter--please go to our website http://lifenets.org for more stories from the past quarter. Together, we continue to make a difference. Thank you for standing with us. | | |
How to Effortlessly Double Your LifeNets Donation
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Many companies will match their employees' charitable contributions. Check with your personnel office to see if your company will do so. They will provide the necessary forms and instructions. Thank you very much! Donations to LifeNets are tax-deductible in the United States.
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Eighty-three women from the United Church of God in Zambia and Malawi gathered for the 2025 Women’s Enrichment Retreat at the Madzimawe UCG Community Center in Kasenengwa District, Zambia. Held from July 9–12, this three-day retreat emphasized prayer, spiritual growth, and defining the role of women in the Church. The event was sponsored by LifeNets and generous women from Colorado, USA, whose support provided food, tents, and mattresses, making the large gathering possible.
This year’s theme, “Faithful Foundation: Building Our Lives on God’s Promises” (Matthew 7:24), guided a full schedule that included daily physical exercise, morning devotions, Bible studies, Christian living topics, family-focused discussions, health talks, household skills training, and evening choral practices. Six pastors' wives and several deaconesses led the sessions.
Participants traveled from across Zambia—some over 1,000 kilometers—and 20 women came from neighboring Malawi. The event was hosted at a multi-use church facility. complete with a new six-room building used for sleeping quarters.
The retreat concluded with a Sabbath service attended by 152 people, featuring sermons from Malawian pastors focused on Christian virtue and the vital role of each Church member. The event ended with heartfelt farewells and a collective sense of spiritual enrichment and unity.
During the final session, thanks were extended to the sponsors and hosts, and it was unanimously decided to hold the 2026 retreat at Verino, the Church’s Lusaka property. Malawi was proposed as the potential host for 2027, continuing this inspiring tradition of fellowship and growth among the women of the Church.
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Report on Vital Aid to Ukraine from Singen, Germany
Our German LifeNets volunteers send regular shipments of aid from Germany to Ukraine. See more stories at https://lifenets.org/category/ukraine-war/
Due to the closure of a hospital in the small German town of Radolfzell, the LifeNets Foundation received medical equipment on April 28, 2025. The items included electric care beds, bedside cabinets with tabletops, IV stands, and other medical devices and equipment. The estimated value of this donation is approximately €25,000.
This equipment was promptly delivered to Ukraine, where it will be used to improve the quality of care in hospitals and medical facilities.
The LifeNets Foundation continues its charitable mission by providing essential support to medical institutions, civilians, and care centers for the elderly.
Vlad Yurishko LifeNets Team in Germany
Singen, April 30, 2025
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Featured Scholarship Testimonials
Philippines
I am Alexandra Joy Bacaro, daughter of Jhoefil Bacaro, and a deeply grateful recipient of the LifeNets Scholarship. I write to express heartfelt thanks for how your generosity has transformed my life and lifted my family.
After high school, college felt out of reach. My widowed mother was raising four children, and we couldn’t afford tuition. I hadn’t been accepted into a state university, and I nearly gave up on my dream—until your email arrived. LifeNets was going to sponsor my education.
In that moment, hope returned. I enrolled in college, a path I thought had closed. Your support rekindled not only my dreams but my family’s spirits.
Alongside my studies, I now work part-time with Mr. Garry W. Johnson under Covenant Concepts – Church of God Prison Outreach. The work is meaningful and helps with school supplies, transportation, and daily needs.
Covenant Concepts’ mission mirrors that of LifeNets: restoring lives, offering second chances, and sharing God’s love. I feel honored to contribute to that mission.
Thanks to you, I now pursue something I love with hope and purpose. Though we may not share the same church, your kindness reflects Christ’s compassion, and that connects us deeply.
I pray that one day I can help others as you’ve helped me. Thank you for believing in me.
With sincere gratitude,
Alexandra Joy Bacaro
Philippines
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Zambia
On July 18, 2025, we witnessed the graduation of Abigail Kwenye who was pursuing her diploma in English language and Civic Education as a secondary school teacher. A journey that started in 2022 came to a wonderful and sweet conclusion, a journey that was fought with sleepless nights and hard work was indeed worth celebrating as we saw Abigail walk away with three respective awards proof enough for her hard work and commitment.
This story would not have been successful without LifeNets and the help of those involved in handling scholarships in Zambia and our sponsors overseas. We say thank you so much, and may our God Almighty continue blessing you.
"I am beyond gratitude for the help you gave me to turn this passion into a career. Thank you for validating the effort I have put into my career and for placing your trust and support in my future.
I will always have in mind your generous investment in my education and will forever be grateful for this scholarship you have bestowed on me thank you for changing my story and shaping my future." Abigail Kwenye.
Thank you so much once more.
Epomba Rodrick. Pastor, Solwezi, Zambia
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The Grove
Parenting today isn’t easy. With the challenges of new technology and social media, growing cultural divides, and just how everything changes so quickly, it can sometimes feel like you're alone in your struggle to create a Godly family.
That’s why Kayleen Schreiber created an online group specifically for Church of God parents and grandparents. The Grove is a space to connect, share resources, and talk honestly about the challenges and strategies of parenting today. Her hope is that this group becomes a place where multiple generations come together to offer wisdom and learn from one another.
The Grove already includes over 100 members from five different Church of God groups across six countries. If you’ve ever wished there was a place to discuss tough parenting topics, explore how to navigate today’s digital world, or simply connect with others on a similar journey—this group is for you. We’d love to have you join us!
We have 134 now and adding more! Yes, that would be great if you could invite parents (and grandparents) to join! Let me know if this works.
The group is live and people are joining! Kayleen shared the group on Facebook and tagged LifeNets. She would love for you to also share the group with your network. Here is the link to join: xxxxxxxxxx
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Madzimawe Skills Center in Eastern Zambia
This area, which has been a Community Center, is now becoming a library, printshop, resource center for UCG publications, a future skills training center for school drop-outs, and accommodation during Church functions, such as Feast of Tabernacles and special leadership seminars.
The foundation box for the structure was built in 2022, but work stalled for three years due to funding challenges until LifeNets International provided funds in April 2025.
Key building materials such as cement, timber, and building aggregates were provided along with windows, doorframes, and reinforcement materials.
Filius Jere
Pastor, Chipata, Eastern Province, ZAMBIA
May 13, 2025
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Tributes On Our 25th Anniversary
We thought we'd add this one as well,
From Roy and Michelle Waterhouse:
Congratulations to LifeNets for setting the example on how to help others around the world. You really get to the specific needs of those who have so little. We have been happy to help with the Annual Calendar and look forward to seeing the pictures and accomplishments highlighted there each year. We look forward to many more years of supporting the LifeNets mission!
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Qualified Charitable Contributions
LifeNets reminds IRA owners age 70½ and older that for 2025 they can individually make up to $108,000 in tax-free charitable donations from their IRA using a technique called Qualified Charitable Distributions, commonly called QCDs. IRA owners can contact their IRA provider to make a QCD by year-end.
With a QCD, the distribution does not get treated as income to you and if you're age 73 or older and need to take RMDs, your QCD counts toward your annual IRS requirement.
QCDs should be reported on your tax return. IRA providers will issue Form 1099-R, Distributions from Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc., in early 2026 documenting IRA distributions.
Per IRS rules, QCD donors will receive from LifeNets a written acknowledgement showing the contribution date, amount and confirmation that no goods or services were received.
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The Kubik Report Podcast
Please check out our eclectic and popular podcast that regularly features episodes about what LifeNets is doing in people's lives and speaks to world events of common interest. Tune in at https://vkubik.podbean.com/
We are also found across many major podcasting platforms, including Pandora, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and many, many more by simply searching for "The Kubik Report."
We have just started a YouTube channel as well and you can find us at http://youtube.com/@thekubikreport.
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