Have you seen any documentaries lately that spoke to you? At CGI, we love documentaries because they are REAL. Real life for real people facing real struggles…that often stirs something very real inside of us.
We’ve compiled a list of the ones that have opened our eyes further to the plight of the developing world and the vulnerable, inspiring us to act on the injustices we see.
Worth Watching:
Which documentaries have inspired YOU? We’d love to hear.
Center for Global Impact’s 3rd annual Empower Golf Outing was a huge success! We had a great turn out and we really enjoyed spending the day with friends of CGI. Thanks to Chicago’s Pizza, Pinocchio’s Italian Ice Cream, McAlister’s Deli, and Chick-Fil-A for keeping our participants energized and hydrated! We had some very yummy treats out on the course.
Let me tell you, it was so fun, and might have been the highlight of my day to watch over 80 men and women praying before the outing, and then zipping off to their designated tees. We are so blessed by all those who love and support our mission.
Thank you to all of the participants, volunteers, and sponsors who helped make this happen. Because of you, CGI is able to continue our work of empowering the poor, protecting the vulnerable, and sharing the gospel.
Also, big congratulations to the winners of CGI’s 2014 outing: Bill Krohne, Brent Drake, John Moran, and Steve Wallace with a score of 47! That is impressive!
By: Hali Mynatt
My introduction to CGI was through our Center United Methodist youth going on a mission trip to Cambodia last year and then having the purses at our church for sale. I purchased one immediately!
Then, when my daughter, Susan Lukich, came to Arizona (where we spend our winters) to visit last January, she brought along 10 purses and 4 scarves. It took only one hour for them to be sold in our RV park in Arizona! Ladies started asking if I could get more purses! I called Susan who purchased a box from FedEx, went to CGI, purchased 40 purses and shipped them to me.
After those were sold rapidly, I called Susan to say we needed more! She again visited the store and a staff member said, “We will ship them to your mom!” So, then began the phenomena. I would call Hali at CGI, she would ship purses and send me the tracking info, I would let the people know when they would arrive…and my deck was full of women by the time the FedEx man would arrive.
On one of the first shipments, the FedEx young delivery man handed me the large box and stated “Your purses are here.” Since the box had stereo equipment pictured on it, I was curious as to how he knew they were purses. He laughed and said, “Three women stopped me here in the RV park and wanted to know if I was taking purses to Jane’s!” The ladies started to gather well ahead of the delivery time each week and were actually arguing about who arrived first so they would have first choice. MANY purchased multiples to take home for gifts.
We attend a church in Arizona and I had told the pastor that I would be bringing in some of the purses to sell there. He was looking forward to that and was excited about telling the congregation all about CGI.
It was such a wonderful experience for me and what a great opportunity to tell so many different people from so many different places about CGI and the wonderful work they are doing in Cambodia. One friend said, “What a great cause; it is truly women helping women around the world.” The ongoing question to me has been, “Will you have more next year?!”
By: Jane Speedy, byTavi rep
Courtesy of joshuaproject.net
In conversations about missions, you may have heard the term “10/40 Window.” But what exactly does it mean?
In simple terms, it is the area of the world between 10 and 40 degrees north latitude; a rectangular box that encompasses parts of Northern Africa, the Middle East and Asia. This is a small area, but about two-thirds (two-thirds!) of the global population lives within this area. Not only is this window heavily populated, but its also characterized by extreme poverty and the highest concentration of people groups without access to the Gospel, due to both resistance and lack of opportunities to reach them.
Cambodia is one of those countries. At CGI, our greatest desire is to bring the Kingdom of God to the Kingdom of Cambodia. This isn’t accomplished overnight, and we have learned that bringing the Gospel to this small portion of the 10/40 Window we’ve been given access to is a slow and purposeful process. We rejoice in each life that is changed by the love of Jesus…each light that can start to flicker in the spiritual darkness of the Window.
Please join us in praying for this specific portion of the world that God desires to redeem for Himself.
“ It was during our trip to Angkor Wat that I first thought Pa was a god. I was only three or four years old then. With my hand in Pa’s, we entered the area of Angkor Thom, one of the many temple sites there. The gray towers loomed large before us like stone mountains. On each of the towers, giant faces with magnificent headdresses looked out in different directions over our land. Staring at the faces I exclaimed, ‘Pa, they look like you! The gods look like you!’”
Excerpt from First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by Loung Ung
As children, we often see our dad as a hero, a god… it should be a precious time in the life of any family. Unfortunately, Loung Ung lost her father as a 6 year old to the Khmer Rouge, the leaders of a terrible genocide in Cambodia throughout the 70’s.
Reading this story, we are reminded of how evil life can be, but also how precious and fragile. Have you taken time recently to let your family know how much you love them? Have you taken time to tell your dad (whether he be your father from birth, your figurative father, or even your father in Heaven) that you couldn’t be who you are today without him?
This Father’s Day, treat a man in your life with something a little extra special. Brand new wallets and skinny ties made by women in Cambodia, many of whom have survived the Khmer Rouge and horrors of sex trafficking, are on sale now! Not only will you show your dad or your guy some love, but you will also be showing love to some beautiful women.
By Kristen Baynai
The Red Chili is officially open for business!
After many months renovating the lower level of a 3-story space and transforming it into a Mexican grill, CGI’s second restaurant is now up and running! Chef Ryana DeArmond has been working hard to develop the concept and menu, which features burritos, nachos and salads that can be customized with a variety of meats, salsas and toppings. With tourism on the rise in Cambodia, this is a great time to embark on new and innovative restaurant ventures. This will also serve as a wonderful venue for advanced training and employment for graduates of our CTC program. God has been so good to open this door!
The grand opening followed an initial “soft opening” a few days prior, and turnout was positive! The opening featured fun contests, a photo booth for customers and of course, lots of delicious Mexican food. Please continue to support the Red Chili through prayer, sponsorships and social media support!