ESSENTIAL EDGE
THE
NEWS OF THE WORLD LEADER IN ESSENTIAL OILS
Volume 4.11 | November 2014
The Sistas’ Love
The story of love, hope, compassion, and Young Living Essential Oils in the desperate yet hopeful African nation of Uganda.
YL members Robin Maiocca, Kendra Barnwell, Jessica Gianelloni, Hailey Aliff, and Peggy Miranda.
FOR JESSICA GIANELLONI, being a Young Living member is a labour of love. Her mission has spread far beyond her neighbourhood, her Facebook friends, and even the United States. Her seemingly inexhaustible reach—and that of her team—has extended into the heartbreaking slums and agonising villages of Uganda, a place where poverty doesn’t even begin to describe the reality. But it’s here, among the poorest of the poor and the hurting and the starving, that Jessica has found so much purpose.
“I feel we were created to serve others and to serve ‘the least of these,’” said Jessica. “The people there give me more than I give them, and with Young Living it’s just a perfect fit. I’m able to make a difference in the lives of people who otherwise would never receive such hope. To me, the oils are about hope; and I really feel like they do give people hope. It’s really just serving and living out what God created us to do, which is serving and helping others.” When it began a few years ago, Jessica first arrived in Uganda on a service mission trip to help however and wherever she could. Over the span of a few weeks, her life was forever changed as she cared for the orphaned infants and children. “I just literally fell in love with the country, the culture, the children, and the people there,” she said. “For some reason, I was just pulled to Africa.” Her connection to the country and its people was cemented when she and her husband Rit soon began the adoption process that would lead to adding Ugandan-born Solomon to their family; his addition meant five Gianelloni kids eight years of age or younger. The number will increase by one again, as Jessica and Rit are in the midst of their second Ugandan adoption. After consecutive summer trips to Uganda, Jessica began noticing a trend she wanted to change. She was watching wealthy American groups consistently bring their vaccines, medicines, and junk foods. She would see them driving into the slums taking pictures, but not getting out to relieve pain or show love. While grateful for the efforts to help, she knew she needed to start doing things differently. She knew she needed help. Almost serendipitously, in February 2014 Jessica found herself in Kona, Hawaii, with Gary Young as part of the Drive to Win promotion. On the beautiful island, she relayed her experiences in Uganda with Gary, who
was so moved that he made a promise to “get essential oils over there.” Four months later, loaded with donated Young Living products and the hope of being able to help 500 children, Jessica went back to make a big-time difference. This time, she took 17 team members, as well as her mother Peggy, her sister Hailey, and her friends Robin and Kendra. Empowered with healthy snack packs; Oregano, Melaleuca Alternifolia, Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint essential oils; and Thieves essential oil blend, the small group spent the next three weeks serving and showing love to more than 1,000 children in the slums and orphanages—and using every last bottle doing it. “It’s interesting because when I first stepped foot in an orphanage years ago, I thought it was the worst thing I had ever seen in my life,” said Jessica. “But then I quickly realised that the babies and children in there have somehow kind of made it, because you see the kids on the streets and in the slums, and your heart just literally breaks for them. You see how dirty and filthy the conditions are, and you cannot understand how children live that way. They’re starving and they sleep on the streets. You feel that there are just too many of them and that you can’t make a difference. But you can. You just take the children one at a time and clean their feet and hug them and love them and show them that they matter, and you just keep doing that. Those are very special days for me. “This is a true reflection of Gary’s heart, too, because he listened to my experiences and offered donations. I never thought it was something Young Living could or would do. It’s just a reflection of the company and the founder, which is to give, to help, and to heal all over the world. I feel so blessed. Young Living was God’s way of getting me to where I needed to be.”
Founder’s Message THINGS JUST KEEP getting better at Young Living! This year has brought with it remarkable growth for the company and for our members. People are flocking to our ideals of wellness, purpose, and abundance. People are looking for alternatives and we are helping them! All of us have so much to be thankful for, so let’s remember everything wonderful in our lives as Thanksgiving Day approaches. So much of what we have accomplished together in 2014 is directly related to your leadership and to your dedication to take these amazing gifts into every home in the world. Quite literally, without you, there is no Young Living. Can you imagine a world without Young Living’s opportunity or essential oils and life-changing products? What a sad thought! Your role as a Young Living member is a vital piece to making the world a better, more abundant place. Never forget how important you are to this cause. It doesn’t matter to me if you are a Royal Crown Diamond or the newest member, you are important to Young Living. Thank you deeply for your determination to bless your life and the lives of everyone around you. As we get together at our many events, I hope you feel our love and appreciation for you. We hope for your success and celebrate with you when you achieve your dreams. My promise to you is that you can put your trust and assurance into Young Living. In this season of gratitude, let’s be grateful for the wonderful opportunity we have to take Young Living Essential Oils to every home in the world!
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