ISSUE
3
APR
2022
THE
A MAGAZINE BY CONNECT GLOBAL
How helping educate and provide healthcare is vital to making a sustainable change
NICU Nurses, our staff, and volunters working together to make miracles happen
A special segment from our Founder Javier Mendoza
THE
A MAGAZINE BY CONNECT GLOBAL
CONTENTS 03
PRAYER FOR UKRAINE A prayer for peace to be spread al l over the earth
05
HEALTHCARE HEROES Your gi ft goes a l ong way to maki ng sure l i fe i s preserved and cel ebrated
09
EDUCATION IS KEY We are abl e to support over 200 students, teachers and staff each month
18
LAST WORD What are chari ti es doi ng to bui l d trust wi th donors? by Javi er Mendoza
"Spread l ove everywhere you go. Let no one ever come t o you wi t hout l eavi ng happi er." -Mother Teresa The Connection Magazine is published monthly by Connect Global 12 N Broadway Loft 3B Yonkers, NY 10701 (214) 725-4352 Email: javier@connectglobal.org www.connectglobal.org
New
STARTS
“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are. - JP Morgan
Spring is a time in which things are made new. I am sitting in New York right now looking at the trees starting to bud again. The temperature is creeping up to a new warmer average each week. In the park a couple of days ago there were many more people reemerging from their hibernation and starting a new routine or restarting old habits and it was really fun to watch. In life, New Starts come in waves or cycles like the seasons. Many employees are coming back into the office and starting a new pace of work. Some have left their job for a new opportunity altogether and others are moving into a new house, new city or even a new unknown. Taking a step towards something new can be a little scary because you have never been there before. At times a new start may be more like the beginning of a new chapter in your favorite book. You are in the same story and it is somehow connected to what came before it but it feels all
For Connect Global spring is a time in which we start refining plans for our summer mission trips and projects. We are planning and expanding new opportunities for our aquaponic systems and other projects. Now that much of the winter rain is gone we can focus on pouring concrete floors for women raising their families in less than hospitable living quarters. You have heard us talk about how a new start with a concrete floor can change so much for a family and we love being a part of this type of life-changing effort. If you are stepping into a new start for yourself or your family I want you to know that we here at Connect Global are praying with you. New Starts are inherently filled with unknowns and
new.
questions but I am praying that your steps are illuminated
There are new plot twists we were not expecting
what is next.
and there is a foundation being laid that will be revealed in full in a later chapter but now is the
and that you will have peace as you traverse the path towards
Life is better with friends and we are here for you. We
time that we start anticipating what is to come.
launched a new way to connect and we can't wait to
I know many friends, family, as well as people
a prayer request, or you want to share your New Start
around the world, are all experiencing some form of a New Start this spring and we are excited to see what this chapter holds for each of us.
The Connection Magazine | April 2022
hear from you, whether you just want to say hi, you have with us, we would love to hear from you! You can text us at (844) 397-4679 and someone from our team will be in contact with you.
Javier Mendoza
Prayer for Peace JOIN CONNECT GLOBAL IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN UKRAINE AND FOR ALL THOSE AROUND THE WORLD WHO ARE DEEPLY IMPACTED BY RECENT AND ONGOING ACTIONS OF WAR AND TERROR.
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R I G H T
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THE
A MAGAZINE BY CONNECT GLOBAL
april 2022 | issue no. 3
H E A R T S
C O U R S E
U N J U S T I F I E D
P R A Y
E A R T H .
W O R L D .
T H E
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F O R
P E A C E
SUPPORT UKRAINE GIVE
Connect Global invests in many different ways to help when the world is in need. Our everyday programs and projects are vitally important to the fulfilling of our mission and there are times when situations, natural disasters, and other life-threatening circumstances require our imminent action. We believe that the conflict in Ukraine is one such circumstance.
We are giving to a variety of people, non-government organizations, and programs that align with our overall mission and vision.
WITH
US
You can give with us by scanning the QR Code or by visiting our website
Mission Possible International Rescue Committee Wolrd Central Kitchen Kingdom Ministries International
ConnectGlobal.org |
"Her oe peop s are or dina le w them ho mak ry extra selves e ordin ary." -GE RA
HEALTHCARE HEROES BY JAVIER MENDOZA Each and every mother we have the
Over the years and especially since
pleasure of serving in the Maternity
the opening of the Maternity Home
Home is directly referred to us by the
we have worked towards
staff at the hospital just steps away.
strengthening these partnerships and providing support where and when
They have a busy neonatal area that
we can. It not only encourages the
treats each and every baby that is
NICU staff but has also made a life-
born at this hospital.
saving difference for the newborns in their care.
While the Maternity Home is not a
RD
WA
Y
We also regularly donate other items such as blood pressure cuffs, bloodoxygen meters, medications, laundry machines and other much-needed resources as specific needs arise.
We have been blessed by several generous partners who see this as a
medical facility we work in
Connect Global continues to provide
partnership with the nurses and
the essential protective items such as
doctors who are delivering and
masks, gloves, gowns, and shields
caring for the babies.
that the hospital depends on.
great opportunity to provide these items directly and who have donated financially to help us purchase these items locally.
600
$10,400
84%
WE SERVE ON AVERAGE 600 MOTHERS AND THEIR NEWBORNS EACH YEAR
WE HAVE INVESTED $10K IN OPERATIONS AND CARE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2022
84% IS THE SURVIVAL RATE OF NEWBORNS IN THE NICU AMONG THE MOTHERS IN OUR CARE
THE CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 2022
ConnectGlobal.org
ACTION STEPS Pray With Us This is a home that compassionately restores dignity, safety, and peace of mind where it is needed most. One of the greatest tools we have is Prayer. We belive that God listens to our petitions and we have seen dozens of miracles every day. We know that when you pray with us it makes a difference. We invite you to pray with us daily.
Give With Us Our Connect Global Maternity Home provides a clean, safe, and dignified space for each mother to find rest both physically and spiritually. The women in our care receive prayer and emotional support along with other tangible items that aid in their care and comfort as they make their way back to their own home. Your donation allows us to make this ministry a reality.
"EMPATHY IS SEEING WITH THE EYES OF ANOTHER, LISTENING WITH THE EARS OF ANOTHER AND FEELING THE HEART OF ANOTHER." -ALFRED ADLER Each month, on average, we care for 40-50 mothers and their newborns. We provide food, safe and clean beds, as well as support for the NICU nursing staff who are fighting every day to save lives. While not every story has the ending we pray and work so hard to achieve we are always happy when we get to see one more healthy baby headed home in the loving arms of their parents.
DAILY MIRACLES With their baby in their arms and Jesus in their hearts
Our team is blessed to see miracles happen everyday. We have had the honor of serving and caring for over 1450 mothers and their newborns. It’s a great blessing for us to be a part of this work and we are grateful for each person who chooses to Give with Us. Your gift goes a long way to making sure life is preserved and celebrated. We serve mothers 24 hours a day and 7 days a week because of the support we have been entrusted with.
GIFT With US
MATERNITY HOME
A WISH LIST OF NEEDED ITEMS Connect Global Maternity Home Team
Connect Global has been able to bless over 600 mothers each year through our daily operation in the maternity home. We have collected, prepared, and distributed many items to these mothers and their newborns as well as helped pay for vital medicines and exams. This ministry has allowed Connect Global to bless thousands of families in the city and nearby communities. We have been blessed by many friends and partners who Give with Us to make this home a reality and we want to continue providing these blessings to as many families as possible. Donating financial gifts as well as physical items helps Connect Global meet the needs of so many. List of Items Needed for the Maternity Home in Honduras Newborn Clothes Maternity and Post Maternity Clothing Diapers, Newborn and Up Baby Wipes Money for Exams Wal Mart Gift Cards Dry Detergent Clorox Wipes Hand Sanitizer You can make a donation at ConnectGlobal.org or you can send us the items listed and we will ensure they go to a mother in need.
While a financial donation is preferred so we can buy items locally, feel free to email us if you would like the shipping address to ship your physical items.
Thank You
EDUCATION IS KEY TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ALL After 24 months of lockdowns, government mandates and online/hybrid learning students at our partner schools in Honduras are back in their classrooms. The secretary of Education in Honduras is still requiring social distancing and mask mandates for in-person learning but we have experiencing a quantum leap from where we were for 2 years.
We are grateful for the many donors who Give with Us to help pay teachers, improve learning environments and give students the opportunity to stay on track with their educational journey.
We are able to support over 200 students, teachers and staff each month and we plan to expand the Global Education Fund to do even more.
in unique ways here in the US as well.
One way we are supporting educators in the US is by funding classroom projects on DonorsChoose.org
"DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. Public school teachers from every corner of America create classroom project requests, and you can give any amount to the project that inspires you."
We have helped fully fund projects including school snacks and iPads, specialized learning equipment, furniture and other requested materials.
These donations help get teachers the tools they need to get the job of educating our kids done more effectively.
TOGETHER, WE ARE PROVIDING
Teacher Support Community Development New Learning Environments Economic Stimulation Educational Tools Scholarships Mentorship Every $1 you give towards this Global Education Fund allows us to help hundreds of kids get the education, materials, and tools they deserve.
SEVITAITINI NOITACUDE
We have taken the opportunity to extend our support
S U S T A I N A B L E
I N I T I A T I V E S
AQUAPONIC UPDATE Connect Global has continued our commitment to building and maintaining aquaponic systems that porovide nutirent rich foods for people in need. We train members of the community to build and operate these systems and have seen hundreds of families beneift over the years. Our newest system is built in a town called San Juan Pueblo, where one of our partner schools, Las Huellas Del Maestro, resides. The system is being built by our national director, Jorge Amador, and the men and women of the rehab facility it will ultimately serve. Jorge met with the director of the rehabilitation center, Pastor Pedro Gonzalez, to make plans to mount this new system which will help the group members grow and cultivate their food source. This system will be able to supplement the food supplies at New Covenant (Nuevo Pacto) Rehab for the over 100 members and 20 staff and pastors. Thank You for making projects like this a reality! ConnectGlobal.org/aquaponics
SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES
SHARING A BETTER WAY TO FARM Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. MECHANICS OF AQUAPONICS In an aquaculture environment, effluents accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity for the fish. In our system, water is led to a hydroponic growbed where the byproducts from the aquaculture are filtered out by the plants as vital nutrients, after which the cleansed water is recirculated back to the fish. FROM CONCEPT TO REALITY Since the founding of Connect Global, we have focused on and invested in sustainable solutions to problems like food scarcity. One of the continuing projects we are expanding as a part of our overall strategy to serve those affected by hunger is Aquaponic Food Systems and Small Urban and Micro Farms like the ones on the left. PLANTING FOR THE FUTURE New Aquaponic systems work all year, using 90% less water to produce food for people in need. We are actively building systems throughout Honduras, Costa Rica, and Colombia this year.
Partner With Us
Give With Us
Your business or church can partner with us on one of our upcoming builds.
A gift of any amount will help us continue to build & maintain new systems.
Travel With Us If you want to get your hands dirty, you can travel with us to mount a system in person.
FEEING LONLEY, ANXIOUS, OVERWHELMED
Many have felt this way and it’s not very fun but you can find someone to talk to.
ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING "Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God." Philippians 4:6
Living with anxiety feels a lot like living on the run— except you’re running away from your own life. Panic settles in your chest as you try desperately to escape to a safe place that seems just out of reach. Worries swirl around in your head at a speed that makes it hard to breathe, and fear wells up, causing indecision and self-doubt. Sound familiar? There’s a constant pressure never to shut off your life—emails never stop, notifications pile up on our phones, and let’s not forget the comparison trap social media brings. So, how do we live with that, when we know that as Jesus followers, we are called to live anxious for nothing? Too often we feel weighed down by guilt because we think we aren’t supposed to feel this way. But what if we can stop running from something and start running to someone? We can. You can. The promise that we can live anxious for nothing isn’t based on what we can produce but on the presence of God. Check out what it says in Philippians 4:6-7 NIV: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
On our own, we are hopeless in the fight against anxiety. But with God? We have access to His presence, which offers peace we can’t even begin to understand. What’s even better about that promise? It’s a continual process. In every situation. Every time we start feeling anxious, we can go to God for His peace because peace is a by-product of God’s presence. Anxiety will not often disappear instantly. It’s a moment-by-moment, continual process of seeking His presence. Over the next few days, we’ll share stories of everyday people who have battled with anxiety and what they’ve learned along the way. Want to learn more about living Anxious for Nothing? Check out the accompanying message series to find more peace. *If you are struggling with anxiety disorder, it’s important to seek the help you need. If you think you have an anxiety disorder, see your doctor. Seeking help doesn’t make you weak; it makes you wise.
Text 'Pray with Me' to 844-397-4679 Someone from our team will text you back and can talk with you about anything. Your texts are important to us and will be prayed for by our team. Don’t do life alone. We are listening and encourage you to reach out today.
The Connection Magazine | 2022
2022 MISSION TRIP HONDURAS
DATES ARE FORMING NOW
MISSION TRIPS
We visit locations in need of selfless and
Our Mission Trips are booked inclusive of air
sustainable support. Every trip is full of
travel, lodging, food, projects, insurance,
adventure and designed for maximum
and more. Trips are typically 4-7 days
impact in each community we serve.
including all travel days.
Connect Global is able to share the
Our projects vary from hospital visits to
message of Jesus by providing collaborative
leadership conferences, and from light
and sustainable solutions to needs around
construction to long-term discipleship
the world.
programs with Children's homes, and our partner Schools.
If you would like more information on a mission trip with Connect Global, please visit our website and send us a message.
CONNECTGLOBAL.ORG/TRIPS
NOISSIMBUS RENTRAP
WHERE IS YOUR HEART by Pastor Nahun Flores
On a certain occasion our Lord Jesus told the parable of the sower saying that when he went out
The apostle Peter exhorts us in his letter saying that every time we suffer persecution or find ourselves in the midst of various tests we should not be surprised as if something strange were happening to us, but we should rejoice in our Lord since we are also participants in the sufferings that our Lord Jesus experienced and not only that but also these tests perfect and make us more humble. It also tells us that those same tests are being fulfilled in all our brothers and sisters around the world.
Thirdly, there are times when our heart is in the midst of thorns, the thorns represent the
to sow a part of the seed fell by the roadside and
cares and deceit of the material riches of this
the birds of heaven ate it, another part fell among
world, Jesus said that no one could serve God
the stones, it sprouted but as it had no depth could
and money, it is necessary to know that God
not grow, another part fell among the thorns and
he is generous with all his children and will
these were responsible for drowning the seed and
never leave or forsake them, we do not need
never bore fruit, but the last part of the seed fell on good ground and it did bear fruit at thirty, sixty and one hundred percent ... Many people did not understand the comparison and even his disciples had doubts about it, so Jesus
to get entangled in the various businesses of this life so as not to fall into the greed of foolish and harmful things that rather bring sadness because where our treasure is, there our heart will also be.
privately explains its meaning to them.
Finally, the parable teaches us that to please What most calls my attention in this parable is the
our redeemer and Father we must allow and
comparison that Jesus makes with respect to the
ensure that all the time our heart is that good
earth, he compares it with our hearts, many times
land that God wants to use so that it
our hearts are next to the road, it is so because sometimes we hear the word of God and it produces joy but a short time later we allow the enemy to tear that word from our hearts and we do not put it into action, whether due to forgetfulness,
produces fruit in abundant measures, that will bring glory and honor to his name. In conclusion, God wants to trust us with his
negligence or simply rebellion,
power to bring salvation to the ends of the
The word of God reminds us that every day of our
that through us the nations are also blessed,
lives we must submit to God and resist the devil,
God wants to bring new things to his Church,
this is the only way to get him away from us, once
God wants to perform miracles and wonders
he is far away he will not be able to have more
through of his people, but, if our heart
access to our hearts and that is how he will no longer be able to uproot that precious word that has been sown within our being. Secondly, there are times when our hearts are in the midst of stony places, we hear the word and receive
earth, God wants to bless us abundantly so
remains along the road God cannot work there if our heart is in the middle of stony or thorny ground he cannot either, let our heart always be that good land that God seeks to bring his complete blessing and so we can
it, but, when the tests, temptation and persecution
live in the abundant life that our Lord Jesus
come we fail.
promised to all his children.
APRIL 2022
WHAT ARE CHARITIES DOING TO BUILD TRUST WITH DONORS? By Javier Mendoza What is Philanthropy Philanthropy is defined by the “desire to promote the welfare of others”, yes sometimes by giving money, but also by giving your time and attention. Philanthropy in practice is the giving of money, goods, or time to help make someone else’s life better. That’s it. Philanthropic endeavors of any size make a difference in the world every day. Charities are organizations that leverage philanthropy to provide assistance and relief for people in need. Typically, charities, are the experts in their chosen field of work. They have put in the long hours of research, work, and hustle and can provide “proof” that a philanthropist's investments were put to work. A charitable donation is defined as any amount of money given voluntarily without expecting something in return. It is a donation given in order to help people in need. The return of investment on a donation to a charity may be that a child is fed, someone receives an education, or a small business is started in order to better someone's life in a long-term and effective way. Anyone can be a philanthropist. Some philanthropists might not be as well-known as others, but they all have something in common: they want to make the world a better place, and they’re willing to put their money where their mouth is.
Knowing where to start giving can be overwhelming because there are so many needs still waiting to be met. It is essential to think about what your values are and what you want your money to do before you donate any funds. It can be hard to know what causes are worth donating to, and it can be even harder to find a trustworthy organization that will allocate your donation responsibly. Connect Global has impacted the lives of many people in need. Connect Global is a non-profit organization that is unique in the way it builds trust with donors, thereby changing the way people give. In the past, people have donated money to charities without knowing exactly where their money was going. Connect Global’s transparency helps people donate with confidence by providing accuracy and accountability for every dollar donated. Our new website is designed to help generous people like you connect to a cause you are passionate about and be able to confidently donate towards that cause. This truly allows for a gift of any size to make a difference. There is no more doubt about where your money went, or if it is making an impact.
Donors expect more than a ‘Thank You’ The expected level of access to the information on where charitable giving is invested is at an all-time high. A smartly written thank you note is no longer sufficient. The intentional focus on proving investments and building a deep relationship with both donors and those being served is unfortunately uncommon in many charitable organizations. Connect Global seeks to provide donors with confidence in where their money is going. This, coupled with a transparent look at the metrics we use to label investments as a “hit” or “miss”, enables us to provide more than just a ‘thank you’ with every gift. You can find out more about how Connect Global builds relationships and trust with our donors directly from our leadership.
The Connection - A Magazine by Connect Global
THE
A MAGAZINE BY CONNECT GLOBAL
12 N Broadway Loft 3B Yonkers, NY 10701 text (844) 397-4679 email: hello@connectglobal.org www.connectglobal.org
