Season Of Change

Hello friends and family!

I've been so blessed to all the people who have sent messages of support and encouragement over the past month as I have made my move out to BC.

Im happy to say as of beginning of November I'm officially living in Chilliwack! This has been a dream and plan for so many months, it feels like an out of body experience to be living it as my reality.

Hungry For Life Fundraiser

As part of the 100% model that HFL holds, we ensure that 100% of the finances specified for international projects go there. That leaves the operational overhead costs for running the organization to be fundraised separately by donors and a piece of that from our annual fundraising event. Our gala took place a few weeks ago as we also celebrated the 20th anniversary of Hungry For Life. Starting as a new staff and seeing the 20 years of history that this organisation has been through makes me appreciate the work of the staff that have been there from the beginning and excites me for the future. We saw many miracles in the 'behind the scenes' to pull off an event of this importance with over 400 guests attending. God provided and it was a beautiful evening with friends, donors and guests. It felt extra special having my sister fly out for the event as well! By having this event we are able to continue to uphold the 100% model and this year see over 2.8 million dollars sent to projects in 14 nations. Wow!

If you want to see the impact video for this year click below!

https://f.io/ItNtFwgp

When Life Feels Full

Over the past month I have faced some ups and downs in my personal life. I was unfortunately in a car accident a few weeks ago which led to a whole bunch of logistics to be figured out.

Thankfully no one was hurt in the accident and my car is repairable but at that time I had not switched my insurance or registration in BC yet so dealing with the Alberta system while the accident happened in BC has been an interesting process. I am able to get my vehicle fixed and covered by insurance but due to delays and my insurance being in AB, my vehicle won't be repaired until at least the new year. Emotionally it has been a hard few weeks processing the accident but I am really thankful for the friends and support I have had around me.

Through all the changes taking place I am learning my way around town, connecting with people at church, finding my favorite coffee shops, and some rhythms and routines.

Additionally, I am preparing to move into my new house in a few weeks, a carriage suite apartment style home on a farm just outside of Chilliwack. I'll be living with a friend and I'm really excited to settle into a place to call my own and decorate it right before Christmas.

Working At Hungry For Life

I watch videos like the 2023 impact video or have regular calls with our partners and am taken back at the amount of transformation happens due to the heart and passion of our local partners and donors. The world is changing before our eyes; kids going to school, families have clean water to drink, widows are cared for, leaders are growing, hungry orphans are being fed and cared for, the sick are receiving healthcare, people have the opportunity to start businesses, girls are able to have access to the hygiene products, farmers are learning and have the resources to better care for their crops, and those impacted by the war in Ukraine are able to access basic aid resources, all this beautiful work happens yet we have so much more to do. Know that because of the work done here in Canada and with our local partners, change is able to happen around the world.

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As I have shared before, I am hired as the Executive Administrator for Hungry For Life which is a crucial role in providing administrative assistance to the leadership team and central admin for the office as a whole. As I shared above, HFL holds the 100% model which is one of the pillars of our organization. We want to ensure donors that they know exactly where their gift of finances are going and we do so by promising that 100% of the funds given towards a project, go directly to that project, no deductions, or amounts taken by HFL.

The reality is that it takes money to run any organisation, no matter the cause. Since we dedicate to the 100% model we rely on donors, partners, friends and family to support the other operational costs and staff salaries.

I have worked with HFL to create a fundraising goal for my monthly salary and HFL promises to match 20% of what comes in to help meet my goal that much more. HFL cares for its staff by ensuring we have health benefits, resources to continue growing, and the supplies needed to do our jobs well. They also are able to give charitable tax receipts to Canadian and US donors as well.

I am so happy to share that I am just over 50% of my monthly fundraising goal which is a miracle in so many ways. Thank you to the ones who have committed to monthly partnering with me, whether it's $20, $50 or $100, it all enables the work at HFL to be done.

That being said, I still have a lot of fundraising to do! I would ask you take some time to pray and consider monthly supporting me and the ministry HFL is doing. It takes an army to create change and I would invite you to join in and be a part of that change!

If this is something you would like to do please follow the link to set up monthly support or you can see my 'partner' tab above for more information.

www.hungryforlife.org/donate#staff

(Any US donors, please contact me for an additional form to fill out for tax purposes.)

I am really excited to settle in, to have my car repaired and to begin settling into my new routine here. Im also ready to celebrate the Christmas season with friends and experience new traditions and celebrations. I am thankful for God's faithfulness and that when times feel unstable I hold to the promises God has given us, God being my shelter and safe place as Isaiah 40 promises.

My prayer is that you all have a peaceful and joyful time preparing for the Christmas season.

Thank you for continuing to take the time to invest in the work God is doing in and through me.

Love always,

Char

Hungry For Life Staff Team!