There is great reward when we embrace others in need and equip them with skills (not handouts) so that dignity and sustainability can be passed on to others!
Without an investment there can be no return. From prayer to a variety of caring actions, the door to make a difference is open for you, your family, and your friends.
I will crush poverty with HOPE!
Your network is a powerful tool! Explore the incredible difference you can make when you advance the cause through your office, church, small group, VBS, school, clubs, business, alumni networks, family, the web, social media, and more.
Overview
Karibu tena (Welcome back) and asante sana (thank you very much) for joining us as we journey into day 2 of our virtual trip in Africa!
Yesterday, we heard from ELI's founders, Don & Amy Rogers. We hope your heart was stirred as they shared about the history of Empowering Lives, the mission, the purpose, and the heart of the ministry.
Hopefully, the term “Igniting World Changers” is taking on a special meaning to you and the Spirit is stirring in your heart and vision as you learn more about His work in your world today.
We also hope you were challenged and encouraged by the time you invested with the Lord as you went through your devotional.
Watch: “Imagine How it Feels”
Years of poverty have been slowly drying out the soil of hope for people all around the world. Millions of people live on less than two dollars a day, and abject poverty chokes out dreams and often life itself. Hunger, disease, alcoholism, spiritual emptiness, and lack of knowledge move through the hearts and homes of countless villages and generations where struggling parents repeat the cycle of raising malnourished, uneducated children who hope for a better life. For many of us, we have to imagine what poverty feels like. Set everything aside—pause for a few minutes before watching this video and imagine as best as you can what a person in poverty WONDERS, FEELS, and DREAMS OF.
Reflection Question: What insights did you gain or feelings did you have after watching this short video?
Feel free to watch it a second time and let the images and statements sink in.
-
689 million people live in extreme poverty (less than $1.90/day)
-
144 million malnourished children under the age of 5 suffer from stunted growth and mental development
-
5,000 children die every day due to unclean water and poor sanitation
-
79.5 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes
-
Half of the global population can’t access essential health services
Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above)
-
Low income: 61% (54% for women versus 69% for men)
-
Middle income: 86% (83% for women versus 90% for men)
(these numbers are estimated based on research conducted in 2021)
Watch: “Our Journey to Empowering Lives”
The vision of ELI is to Ignite World Changers. The mission is to provide training and skills to orphans and families so they can crush poverty, embrace Christ, and share their transformation with others! It is our joy to have you on this journey with us.
Reflective Questions:
As you watch this video, how many different business ideas can you count? Where are the locations?
Why do you think it is so vital that the message of Christ is shared in order for someone to be truly empowered?
If you dream big along with the ELI team, how many more lives do you think our combined efforts could bring out of poverty and into the arms of God over the next three years?
ELI began very small yet has grown in size and Kingdom impact over the years. What do you think are two reasons for this? How might you apply this to your own life journey?
One of the projects of ELI, is Business for Life, a powerful year-long training program that exists to empower the poor and unemployed through effective business training to break out of the cycle of poverty.
Students of Business for Life are relationally engaged with direct, hands-on mentoring. The students are personally equipped to practically implement business skills rather than merely given business “knowledge.”
Through continued and ongoing on-site shadowing, the students build their competence in the effective execution of various strategies to grow the scale, scope, and size of their ventures.
Family Corner
"When Hope Comes Home: A Miracle in Motion"
Today you will have the opportunity to learn a skill ELI teaches that helps some families begin a business to crush poverty. Get ready to prepare and taste the flavors of Kenya! Join our friends as they walk us through, step by step, how to prepare this much loved Kenyan delight.
Ingredients to make Kenyan Chai
- Milk 1 cup
- Water 1 cup
- Loose black tea leaves 1 tablespoon
- Sugar 2 heaping tablespoons (to taste)
- Tea Masala seasoning (optional & to taste available on Amazon)
Bonus Challenge: LIVE Animal Webcam
Join us, in the evening, at 4:30 PDT, 6:30 CST, and 7:30 EST for a conversation with Jim Caya, CEO of Empowering Lives International.
We will dive more deeply into the effects of poverty and discover the ELI way to liberate and empower people out of its trap.
Get your questions ready as our Q&A time will be open to all.
*Please test your link at least 30 minutes before the conversation. We will be utilizing Zoom for all LIVE events. Our conversation will last approximately 90 minutes. 
Overview
Karibu tena (Welcome back) and asante sana (thank you very much) for joining us as we journey into day 2 of our virtual trip in Africa!
Yesterday, we heard from ELI's founders, Don & Amy Rogers. We hope your heart was stirred as they shared about the history of Empowering Lives, the mission, the purpose, and the heart of the ministry.
Hopefully, the term “Igniting World Changers” is taking on a special meaning to you and the Spirit is stirring in your heart and vision as you learn more about His work in your world today.
We also hope you were challenged and encouraged by the time you invested with the Lord as you went through your devotional.
Watch: “Imagine How it Feels”
Years of poverty have been slowly drying out the soil of hope for people all around the world. Millions of people live on less than two dollars a day, and abject poverty chokes out dreams and often life itself. Hunger, disease, alcoholism, spiritual emptiness, and lack of knowledge move through the hearts and homes of countless villages and generations where struggling parents repeat the cycle of raising malnourished, uneducated children who hope for a better life. For many of us, we have to imagine what poverty feels like. Set everything aside—pause for a few minutes before watching this video and imagine as best as you can what a person in poverty WONDERS, FEELS, and DREAMS OF.
Reflection Question: What insights did you gain or feelings did you have after watching this short video?
Feel free to watch it a second time and let the images and statements sink in.
-
689 million people live in extreme poverty (less than $1.90/day)
-
144 million malnourished children under the age of 5 suffer from stunted growth and mental development
-
5,000 children die every day due to unclean water and poor sanitation
-
79.5 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes
-
Half of the global population can’t access essential health services
Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above)
-
Low income: 61% (54% for women versus 69% for men)
-
Middle income: 86% (83% for women versus 90% for men)
(these numbers are estimated based on research conducted in 2021)
Watch: “Our Journey to Empowering Lives”
The vision of ELI is to Ignite World Changers. The mission is to provide training and skills to orphans and families so they can crush poverty, embrace Christ, and share their transformation with others! It is our joy to have you on this journey with us.
Reflective Questions:
As you watch this video, how many different business ideas can you count? Where are the locations?
Why do you think it is so vital that the message of Christ is shared in order for someone to be truly empowered?
If you dream big along with the ELI team, how many more lives do you think our combined efforts could bring out of poverty and into the arms of God over the next three years?
ELI began very small yet has grown in size and Kingdom impact over the years. What do you think are two reasons for this? How might you apply this to your own life journey?
One of the projects of ELI, is Business for Life, a powerful year-long training program that exists to empower the poor and unemployed through effective business training to break out of the cycle of poverty.
Students of Business for Life are relationally engaged with direct, hands-on mentoring. The students are personally equipped to practically implement business skills rather than merely given business “knowledge.”
Through continued and ongoing on-site shadowing, the students build their competence in the effective execution of various strategies to grow the scale, scope, and size of their ventures.
Family Corner
"When Hope Comes Home: A Miracle in Motion"
Today you will have the opportunity to learn a skill ELI teaches that helps some families begin a business to crush poverty. Get ready to prepare and taste the flavors of Kenya! Join our friends as they walk us through, step by step, how to prepare this much loved Kenyan delight.
Ingredients to make Kenyan Chai
- Milk 1 cup
- Water 1 cup
- Loose black tea leaves 1 tablespoon
- Sugar 2 heaping tablespoons (to taste)
- Tea Masala seasoning (optional & to taste available on Amazon)
Bonus Challenge: LIVE Animal Webcam
Join us, in the evening, at 4:30 PDT, 6:30 CST, and 7:30 EST for a conversation with Jim Caya, CEO of Empowering Lives International.
We will dive more deeply into the effects of poverty and discover the ELI way to liberate and empower people out of its trap.
Get your questions ready as our Q&A time will be open to all.
*Please test your link at least 30 minutes before the conversation. We will be utilizing Zoom for all LIVE events. Our conversation will last approximately 90 minutes.