A M A G A Z I N E B Y C O N N E C T G L O B A L THE I S S U E 8 THE NEXT GENERATION Our children are our future and we need to be strategically investing in their success.
3 W A Y S W E I N V E S T I N E D U C A T I O N0 9 Building and maintaining a great team is paramount in 99.9% of the endeavors worth pursuing 0 3 O N L Y M I S S I O N A R I E S I N T H E B U I L D I N G How do we complete the great commission 0 5 O U R F U T U R E I S O U R C H I L D R E N How the choices we make now affect our kids tomorrow 1 5 A S A F E H A V E N Maternity Home update on our 3rd anniversary A M A G A Z I N E B Y C O N N E C T G L O B A L THE Contact PO BOX 47381 (214) 725 4352 Email: hello@co Website www connectg g 2 2 L A S T W O R D Deep in the heart of Texans Editor in Chief Javier Mendoza Writers, Contributors, and Editors Danielle Mendoza Jordyn Conley Mwila Agatha Zaza Alicia Arthur COVER PHOTO: Students in front of Republica de Alemania 2 in Honduras August 2022 where we completed our most recent water project BACK COVER PHOTO: Mendoza Family at New Life School in La Ceiba
"Bestrongandcourageous Donotbefrightened, anddonotbedismayed,fortheLordyourGodis withyouwhereveryougo.”
Joshua1:9
At the time of writing this there are just about 17 weeks left in 2022. Can you believe that? It has seemed like the year has flown by. In some ways this is an encouragement and reminder of all I have been able to accomplsh and complete this year In other ways It serves as a challenge to make the most of the time we have left in the year One thing that I know is that many successes only come as a result of us getting out of our comfort zone We don’t grow where it is comfortable We grow when we are stretched We make impact most often when we put ourselves in positions where we do not have all the answers, where we are forced to learn new things and come up with solutions that did not exist before It is in this ‘discomfort zone' that many thought leaders world changers, and heroes live They pursue the tension of the unknown, and embrace the feeling of not having it all figured out Having a goal and being aware of the parameters of that goal are important We have to realize that if we are only making safe and well calculated moves the outcomes will be neat and predictable Neat and Predictable is great and can give us a sense of safety and security, but adventure and innovation are a result, often times, of risk and a leap of faith
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
The author of the book of Hebrews puts it this way, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen " Things that are unseen are scary and the mere thought of missing out or making the wrong step sometimes prevent us from the reality that awaits Some act as if those who found great success or those who have made a major impact in this life had a way of telling the future This is simply not true World changers make intentional decisions to get out of their comfort zone and live in the liminal space between what they have learned through experience and what they intend to accomplish We can not predict all the variables of taking a step of faith anymore than we can predict the stability of the path we currently occupy On our most recent trip to Honduras we did some new things and are committed to learn new ways of doing what we have done before in order to continue innovating and improving, I encourage you to do something with the time remaining in this year that is out of your comfort zone Do something for someone else even though it may feel foreign or out of the ordinary As you step into the "Discomfort Zone" my hope is that you will encounter the "substance and evidence of things you been hoping for
THE CONNECTION MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2022
Discomfort Zone
Jorge Amador, Connect Global Director in Honduras, sharing the love and message of Jesus with 100 students from the Escuela Republica de Alemania where we recently repaired the water source and had our Dia Del Nino celebration in August 2022
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. ”
In 2018, church research firm, Barna Group, published an article stating that 51% of Churchgoers Don’t Know of the "Great Commission” Another 25% knew of it but not the meaning The Great Commsion is one of the premiere establishing statements of the church. These words of Jesus are one of the most directly recorded statements of Jesus and according to the Bible, the very last thing Jesus said before ascending to heaven. This statement and 4 other variations of it are described in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and at the beginning of the book for Acts.
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It is safe to make the assumption that Jesus and the authors of each of these books felt that this was of great importance. Why then if it was of such great importance and it was written about so many times in the bible does the modern church not always maintain reverence for it and why would a survey come back bearing results stating that most church members have no point of reference for what the great commission even is?
ONLY MISSIONARIES
Written by Javier Mendoza
Rated E for Everyone IN THE BUILDING
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MORE THAN A SUGGESTION
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The Great Commission is more than a suggestion. It is referenced in the Bible multiple times and is the driving force of the sharing and growth of Faith in Jesus throughout the millennia Christians must find ways in which to share their hope and love of Jesus with the world. Culture is in short supply of hope and the Church should find ways to help. | 2022 I think part of the reason is we have wrongly placed priority on comfort and ease of mission. We want things in our life to represent a straight line from "A to B" when in reality our lives rarely ever fit into such a simplistic pattern. Our lives are full of ups and downs. Wins and Losses. We have many things going on in our personal lives that it makes it very difficult to see the plight of others. It is hard to see how we might fit in to a mission so grand as "go into ALL the world" when our world is quite full already In order to get aligned with this Great Commission we are going to need to position ourselves as a unified community who believes and more importantly lives out our beliefs. As we believe in a God who is sovereign and a Savior who in His grace wants people to reach others with hope and a future we need to be able to take action We need to occupy the space between life and death We have to go towards the tension that others are living in We need to be genuine in our pursuit of others and exist in their life as someone who contributes to the wholeness and healing of others As we share the love we have for God and express that as Love for our neighbors lives change Circumstances change Outcomes improve If you call yourself a Christian and you ascribe to the teachings of Jesus and the Bible, you have a responsibility to reach others and share the same love you have experienced with the world Let others know you by your love and your joy Let us not be known as a group that excludes but as a group that invites, and who creates community instead of division As we learn more about the Great Commission and our part in completing it, I want to encourage you to take a step towards someone this week Take them a coffee, buy their lunch, and pray with them. You will be glad you did.
Now over seventy years since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want” seems to have been deferred
ByMwilaAgathaZaza
To turn these ideals of equality, non conflict, and environmental sustainability implicit in this call to action into a tangible, living, reality for the current, post World War Two generations that have been guided by the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is highly unlikely. However, with a collective mindset focused on a better future for our children the next generation we can direct or resources and ambitions to ensuring the children of today can achieve the peace and prosperity we want for them and ourselves
Human history has been one of a ceaseless, often simultaneous crises Never at any known period in human history has humanity been free of conflict, environmental disasters, and social and economic inequality Yet this era, defined by a global interconnectivity never before known, is probably the first in which a call to action as valiant as to “end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity” is possible
Today, with speed at which news and information can be shared, with the largest human population in history fighting for resources, and the greatest level of inequality ever known, the youth of today can be prone to seeing the world as conflict riddled, disease filled and environmentally doomed
OurFuture isOur Children
In the wake of COVID 19, the war in Ukraine and continuing tension in regions such as Central Africa and South America, the escalating desire for social, economic, ethnic, and ideological dominance by leaders at every level is devastating young lives across the world We are now discovering that the new economic and democratic systems that in the last century promised a future of shared economic prosperity for everyone are deepening inequality, accelerating conflict, and have created climate change that will affect every being in some way, if not already then soon
As a worldwide community we seem unable to find a clear path forward; we create new technology to halt climate change but find it dependent on near or actual slave labor, we elect new leaders who perpetuate kleptocracy, and youth and minority led rebellions are crushed while world leaders seem unwilling and unable to prioritize saving the planet over their own and corporate goals
The defining factor of childhood is of an individual’s dependence on their parents and society for both their physical and non-physical needs. Unable, to divest themselves of this dependency, it is no wonder that young people across the world despair of their future and believe that their parents’ generation has failed Mostthem.youth of today have to some extent been inculcated with the idea of their worth. Unlike those of century ago, children today have some understanding of human rights even if it is as basic as the rights to school, medical services, and peace. The gulf between what they have been promised and what has been achieved is still enormous. Though, they may make many suggestions to improve the future through organized consultation processes as well as vocalized protests, in the end the power holders and duty bearers – their parents – hold the key to actual change. The time has come for those in any form of leadership positions to regain the passion that led to the drafting of the Universal Declaration, to congregation of many disparate groups over common ideals and aspirations following the horrors of World War Two.
We need to invest in, that is, to direct our resources, towards our children and their future and orient our societies to goals beyond those of our own generation. If we want to leave a legacy worth remembering, the most significant action we can pursue is to equip our children with the tools they need to create better futures from themselves and the earth such as; a meaningful and useful education, the desire for equality and a willingness to be equal, a love of the earth and the willingness to protect it, and the desire to overcome the delineations of ethnicity, ideology, and politics that feed conflict.
Young people are a well of innovation and are the world’s future leaders. We, their parents, still have time to leave a better legacy, to be a generation that will be remembered for more than climate change and perpetual warring.
The COVID-19 pandemic has offered us an opportunity to assess and to alter our global trajectory. Our successes and failures in dealing with the pandemic have highlighted our national and global weaknesses in dealing with such substantial threats to our common good. We saw increasingly nationalized responses and an unwillingness to share resources by some countries, while in others we saw governments refusing to change their expenditure and consumption patterns and continuing to pursue elitist and individual agendas rather than saving the lives of their most vulnerable citizens.
The children of today will be the ones to pay the price for our inaction when it comes to stopping this downward trajectory in the protection and realization of human rights, a shared safe and affluent future for everyone and the preservation of our climate and environment.
Investments of time, care, money, and teaching have been a great addition to my life and I am grateful Over the past 18 years I have had the opportunity to travel around the US as well as internationally and I have relaized more and more how many kids do not grow up with the same type of advantages that I feel I had Some don’t have two caring parents, others are missing the support and care from siblings, and still others face far worse circumstances We have been able to invest in their education, support their families, and share with them about the love and compassion of a God who cares deeply for them Our teams regulary spend time investing in the next generation and giving to kids what many people lack Kindness, compassion, love, and sometimes just a smile and an encouraging word can make all the difference in the life of children who circumstantially may have little to look forward to otherwise BY JAVIER MENDOZA
I THE CONNECTION MAGAZINE CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
can remember as a kid growing up in West Texas, I had the advantage of having several adults in my life who invested in me and genuinely cared for my well being In adition to my parents and older siblings, I had a handful of teachers, pastors, and others who took time to intentionally give to me and make deposits into who I would later become
In the Bible, in the book of Jeremiah, the author and namesake of the book, encourages a group who has survived a treacherous exile by a determined and narcissistic king saying, "For I know the plans I have for you, ” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart
The disciples came to Jesus and asked, “ Who then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? “ He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them And He said : “ Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “
Matthew 18:1 5 CONNECTGLOBAL ORG | SEPTEMBER 2022
Jorge Amador and his daughter (pictured below) pray with and share their love of Jesus with 100 young students in La Ceiba
As I read that I lean into the promise that was made in a time of massive need to a group of people who had no Hope as a promise without expiration This promise of a Hope and A Future is still just as true today as it was almost 1400 years ago This is the same promise we share with the next generation No matter their start they can and deserve to have a good finish We choose to not walk past those in need, rather we take every opportunity we have to share with others, meet their needs, and empower them to do the same We can provide and should desire a better future for the next generations We have been given much to steward and care for in our time on Earth and we should want to set up the following generations for success I am grateful for the dozens of families who give with connect global every month in order to help make a life changing difference in so many We will continue to provide sustainable solutions addressing poverty, food scarcity, lack of education, and maternal & infant mortality As we continue to make an impact we will also continue to raise up the next generation to do the same Thank You for giving with us
The investments that Connect Global has chosen to make in the sector of Education have been vast but strategic We believe that one of the most sustainable ways we can make a difference in the lives of children as well as shape a future that is prosperous is by providing access to high quality education.
We invest in education smartly because we know that every dollar has to be maximized and stretched as far as possible in order to make a measurable and life changing impact Over the years we have been able to make long term investments in the education of the next generation in 3 distinct ways
3 Ways we invest in education
“When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments tenderness for what he is and respect for what he may become.” Louis Pasteur
By Danielle Mendoza
ConnectGlobalEducationFundUpdate
THE CONNECTION MAGAZINE
Infrastructure CONNECTGLOBAL ORG | SEPTEMBER 2022
Every single month we support students at 3 schools on their educational journey We help provide tuition assistance, books, supplies, uniforms, and many other items that make it possible for over 200 students to stay in school and get the education they deserve.
Administration Support
Student Scholarships ConnectGlobalEducationFundUpdate
On our most recent trip to visit one of the schools we are in direct partnership with, New Life School, we were able to be a part of providing computers and technology investments that will not only serve the students but make life much easier for teachers as well. Over the past two years we have had the opportunity to invest over $53,000 into infrastructure such as building renovations, computers and technology upgrades, and other necessary improvements. We appreciate people like you who choose to give with us and help make a difference in the lives of children here in the US as well as internationally Thank You
One of the biggest expenes of any school is administration and staff salaries This is the case within the schools we support on a regular basis We have invested over $85,000 into supporting schools and keeping teachers employed
CONNECT GLOBAL EDUCATION FUND SUPPORT EDUCATION WITH CONNECT GLOBAL SCAN THE CODE TO LEARN MORE
When you Give With US by investing in the Global Education Fund, you are helping provide education and so much more GIVE WITH US Connect Global has made an impact, thanks to generous people just like YOU! It has long been our desire and one of the guiding pillars of our work around the world to provide quality education to as many people as we can Connect Global has provided logistical support, aided in classroom construction and rehabilitation efforts, and we have provided clean water access to schools since 2004 YOUR IMPACT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS Full and partial scholarships are awarded to help keep kids who are most vulnerable to dropout in school COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Working with leaders, churches, and businesses we can share the responsibilities and success of a more education focused community ECONOMIC STIMULATION While investing in education certainly has individual benefits, the community at large is improved when teachers and administrators are employed. TEACHER SUPPORT We invest in teachers and educators through grants, payroll assistance, and continuing education programs CONTACTUS M A I L I N G A D D R E S S PO BOX 47381 Tampa, FL 33646 P H O N E N U M B E R (214) 725-4352 E M A I L A D D R E S S hello@connectglobal.org $48 $48 $48 MONTHLYHELPSUSKEEPA STUDENTINSCHOOLALLYEAR
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“Comingtogetherisa beginning. Keepingtogetheris progress. Workingtogetheris success. ” -HenryFord We invite you to join the Connect Global Volunteer Team by sharing your skills and talents with us so we can help more people around the world. www.connectglobal.org Ways you can volunteer today: Social Media Creation Copy Editing Prayer Team
a Safe Haven C O N N E C T G L O B A L M A T E R N I T Y H O M E B Y J A V I E R & D A N I E L L E M E N D O Z A THE CONNECTION MAGAZINE
The work we do and the care we provide would not be able to be completed without the generosity of many churches, individuals and business partnerships Mothers from all across the department of Atlantida are cared for by our staff who treat this work as a ministry first by providing spiritual care as well as meeting tangible needs Together we have cared for over 1682 mothers and their newborns. We have provided medications, food, warm beds, and many other vital needs
Connect Global is fighting to save the lives of newborns everyday This month, as Connect Global celebrates the 3rd Anniversary of the Maternity Home, we also surpassed serving 1682 mothers and their new borns
CONNECTGLOBAL ORG | SEPTEMBER 2022
This is no small feat Mothers make the arduous journey from up to 8 hours away or more via bus, motorbike, and many by foot. Ages range from as young as 14 and many moms are malnourished and come in without having ever received prenatal care or even a preliminary doctor’s visit Some are very underweight and their babies are being born early with many complications such as pulmonary difficulties and blood issues. Our team works hand in hand with the NICU doctors and nurses to provide the most excellent care possible and we have been able to help with medications, prescribed medical exams, medic transport, as well as specialized medical equipment and maintenance when possible Each mother in our care is battling for the life of their newborn and we do everything within our power to fight right alongside each of them Many times (84%) we are successful and the babies survive their stay at the neonatal ICU but still at other times the battle for life ends tragically Despite all odds and with a great deal of faith we start everyday with prayer and the hope that each mother will be able to leave with their baby in their arms and Jesus in their heart We are thrilled to be able to do ministry in this way and we invite you to join us!
Find out more by visiting our website or scanning the code on the following pages
M A T E R N I T Y H O M E C O N N E C T G L O B A L N e w a n d E x p e c t a n t M o t h e r s w e r e d i s p l a c e d w h i l e t h e y w a i t e d f o r b e d s t o o p e n u p b e f o r e d e l i v e r y & w e r e g i v e n n o r o o m t o r e c o v e r p o s t d e l i v e r y . N o w , w e o f f e r 2 4 / 7 s u p p o r t a n d c a r e f o r o v e r 6 0 0 m o t h e r s a y e a r . CONNECTGLOBAL.ORG SCAN THE CODE TO LEARN MORE
When you Give With US by investing in the Maternity Home, you are helping provide life and so much more GIVE WITH US The Maternity Home was opened on September 11, 2019. Our team has been on full time rotation providing 24/7 care for the moms of La Ceiba We care for over 600 moms a year It is great to see the community jump in and serve and give towards this ministry. Please consider making a monthly donation to help us maintain and operate this ministry to these precious mothers. YOUR IMPACT DIGNITY AND COMPASSION The Connect Global Maternity Home compassionately restores dignity, safety, and peace of mind where it is needed most ECONOMIC RESPONSIBILTY Our plan is to share the operational cost responsibilities with these local partners as well as others who see the value in caring for these moms. PRO LIFE CARE Mothers from across the northern coast of Honduras, the bay islands, and many underserved communities have a safe and clean Maternity Home to receive 24/7 care in a dignified and safe facility. CONTACT US M A I L I N G A D D R E S S PO BOX 47381 Tampa, FL 33646 P H O N E N U M B E R (214) 725 4352 E M A I L A D D R E S S hello@connectglobal.org
FEEINGLONLEY, ANXIOUS, OVERWHELMED Manyhavefeltthiswayandit’snot veryfunbutyoucanfind someonetotalkto.
ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING 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. Philippians 4:6 7 NIV Breathe in that truth. We often fixate on the word “peace,” but it says, “peace of God.” True peace is found only in the presence of God So what if the answer to anxiety isn’t less stress but more God? Consider: How might I more regularly invite the presence and peace of God into my life? For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well balanced mind and self control] 2 Timothy 1:7
Maybe one of these stories stuck out to you Or maybe your story with anxiety is completely different. But whatever battle you’re facing with anxiety, the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead is living in you. And He didn’t give you a spirit of fear. That doesn’t mean that if you’re struggling with anxiety you don’t have enough faith It doesn’t mean that you’re not trusting God enough In fact, what if anxiety could be the very thing that helps you learn to rely on and trust in God? Could anxiety actually be a catalyst for drawing you closer to God? Anxiety becomes a gift when it helps us depend on God. That doesn’t mean we stop seeking help or hope. It does mean that we know pursuing peace is a process. So, is it possible to really live anxious for nothing? Yes That doesn’t mean there won’t ever be anything to be anxious about But because of Jesus, we can live anxious for nothing even when there’s something to be anxious about not by our efforts but by His presence Check out these verses again:
Text'PraywithMe'to 844 397 4679 Someonefromourteamwilltextyoubackand cantalkwithyouaboutanything Yourtextsareimportanttousandwillbe prayedforbyourteam Dontdolifealone Wearelisteningand encourageyoutoreachouttoday. NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline 800 273 8255 NationalDomesticViolenceHotline 800799SAFE(7233) NationalAllianceonMentalIllness 800 950 6264 Devotion reposted via YouVersion and the Bible App SERIES PART 7 of 7 FIND US ON THE BIBLE APP Pray: Lord, thank You for your constant presence I come to You today asking for the peace that only You can provide. I want more of You. I invite you into every part of my life. Help me rely on You more fully and completely today. I give you all my worry and fears. Help me live anxious for nothing by depending on You. I trust You. I give my all to You In Jesus’ name, amen
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It is your generosity that allows us to impact so many lives. Whether you are giving towards a specific project or to where it is needed most, you can rest assured Connect Global will make sure every donation is used for maximum impact We take our work very seriously and we operate responsibly. We have focused on learning as much as we can about the issues we tackle and we invest our time, energy, and resources smartly and with great care We personally visit the places you see on our website and will always take great care in reporting to you our successes as well as our failures on the field We keep You, our partners, informed of the ongoing programs and share the joy of each completed project. Our regular reports to donors as well as our public messages give everyone the chance to oversee the operations we are committed to We are committed to the highest standards for the use of funds. We use the donations for the purpose, for which they are given. We keep our administrative and fund raising cost as low as possible. We provide food for the hungry, hope for the hopeless, and a place for people to become who they were created to be. We invite you to join us by giving and also by visiting the places we serve. You will be glad you did.
Don't Mess With Texas is not just an advertising tagline, it is simply a way to let everyone know we stick together and take care of our own. It is not a threat, it is just a fact. Loyalty and friendship are trademarks of this rustic place and we are glad to be recipients of both If you are from Texas or know someone who is I am sure you agree Texas produces some of the strongest, most loving, and genuine people in the country if not the world Please join Connect Global in praying for our friends, family, and partners who live in this amazing, and awe inspiring state
Texas Texas, or the Lone Star State, is very special to us and our family. All texan natives, our founders have many special memories and an amazing group of family, friends, partners, and churches we love who reside in Texas. We are gratful for our Texas roots and brag all the time on the greatness of our home state. Texas has a diverse culture of hardworking, men and women who love deeply, are passionate, and will wave at you as you pass them in traffic I’ve known many Texans who will drop everything they are doing to drive across the state, which is HUGE, to help you out or even just pick you up at the airport so you don’t have to drive Texas is full of great schools, good people, beautiful landscapes, a vibrant art and music culture, and yes sometimes cowboy hats and boots ONE LAST WORDTHE CONNECTION MAGAZINE CONNECTGLOBAL ORG | SEPTEMBER 2022
We loveTexas for it's beauty and grace as well as for it's amazing food. Tacos anyone? We mostly love Texas because of the care and kindess that marks its population of almost 30 million folks.
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