August,  2013  

We  are  excited   to  present   the  annual  Social   Justice/Compassion  Project   to   you   in  a  new   format.    The  enclosed  DVD  contains  two  options:  

• A  two  minute  trailer  –  perfect  for  use  in  a  church  service;  

• A   ten  minute   version   of   the   DVD   –   for   use   at   fundraisers   or   special   events   to   promote   the  project.  

And  as  always,  the  DVD  also  contains  versions  in  French,  Mandarin  and  Cantonese.  

Also   new   this   year   is   the   opportunity   to   give   on   line.     Go   to   National   Women’s   Ministries   website:    www.allwomensministries.ca  for  more  details.    

Tarahumara:    A  Forgotten  People  is  a  compelling  story  of  a  Mexican  pastor  who,  over  17  years  ago  was  called  by  God  to  minister  to  an  isolated  group  of  Tarahumara  Indians,  located  in  a  remote  region  of  the  Copper  Canyon,  Mexico.      Relying  on   resources  provided  by   his   local   Alliance  church   in   Juarez,   Pastor  Thomas  has  for  years  faithfully  visited  the  people  of  the  Canyon,  initially  bringing  essential  supplies  such  as  food,  blankets  and  clothing,  and  ultimately  bringing  the  love  of  Christ  to  a  hurting  people.  

When   our   ministry   team   visited   the   canyon   in   February,   it   became   immediately   apparent   that   the  challenges  facing  the  Tarahumara  are  significant  and  daunting.    50%  of  the  children  die  before  the  age  of  ten.    In  addition  to  a  lack  of  food  and  water,  there  are  horrific  social   issues  –  substance  abuse,  physical  violence,   incest  and  sexual  abuse.     In  many  ways,   the  hunger  problem  seemed  easier   to  address   than  the  abuses  directed  toward  women  and  girls.  

Tarahumara  Ministries  has  patiently  and  obediently   spent   years  working  with   the  Tarahumara  people,  building   trust,   building   relationships,   and   demonstrating   God’s   unconditional   love.     Because   of   this  faithful   service,   they  are   in   the   last   few  years,  now  seeing  doors  opened  and  opportunities  created   to  discuss   matters   of   faith.     Through   biblical   teaching   both  men   and   women   are   coming   to   understand  what   it  means  to  have  a  relationship  with  a   loving  God  and  to  know  that  He  values  each  person.     It   is  through   these   changed   hearts   and   new   perspectives   that   God   is   doing   remarkable   work   in   changing  attitudes  and  actions.    There   is  still  a   long  way  to  go  –  but  the  Spirit   is   continually  moving  the  people,  especially  the  men,  toward  greater  understanding  and  a  desire  to  change  their  behavior.  

Women’s  Ministries   is   seeking   to   raise   $150,000   to   build   a   clinic   and  women’s   shelter   in   the   Copper  Canyon.    The  facility  will  be  used  by  Tarahumara  Ministries  to  meet  the  critical  health  and  physical  needs  of  the  Tarahumara  people.    The  clinic  will  provide  basic  medical  care  as  well  as  emergency,  TB  and  child  birth  assistance.    The  shelter  will  be  a  place  of  refuge  and  counselling  for  women  in  desperate  situations.    Both  will  provide  another  avenue  for  Tarahumara  Ministries  to  reach  the  people  with  the  love  of  Christ.    

The  enclosed  DVD  is  a  tool  for  you  to  use  in  raising  funds  for  the  project.        The  DVD  is  available  on  the  National   Women’s   Ministries   website:     www.allwomensministries.ca   by   clicking   on   “International  

Project”.    The  website  also  contains  additional  promotional  materials  that  may  be  downloaded  for  your  use.  

Donations   to   “Tarahumara:   A   Forgotten   People”   can  be  made  online  or   submitted   to   your   church  or  women’s  ministry  treasurer,  and  then  sent  to  your  district  women’s  treasurer  or  district  office.    Clearly  mark  the  donation  “Tarahumara:    A  Forgotten  People  –  National  Women’s  Ministry  Project”.    PLEASE  DO  NOT   SEND   MONIES   FOR   THIS   PROJECT   TO   THE   NATIONAL   MINISTRY   CENTRE   DIRECTLY.  All   monies  must  go  through  your  district  representative.    Should  you  misplace  this  letter,  instructions  for  directing  donations   and  district   office   addresses   can  be   found  on   the  DVD  under   the  heading   “Where   to   Send  Funds”.    If  you  have  any  questions  regarding  the  project  please  contact  your  district  women’s  ministry  director  or  other  district  representative.    A  directory  of  the  NWM  team  and  their  district  teams  are  also  available  on  the  website.    In  Christ,    Laura  Delfs,  International  Project  Coordinator  Edmonton,  Alberta    *If  due  to  unforeseen  circumstances  the  funds  cannot  be  dispersed  in  accordance  with  the  project  goals,  funds  will  be  re-­‐designated  to  another  approved  project.  Please  note  that  80%  of  project  funds  go  directly  to  the  field  while  the  remaining  20%  is  used  for  DVD  production  and  administration  of  National  Women’s  Ministries.        

District  Treasurers  List  

Canadian  Pacific           Western  Canadian  

Evelyn  Harrod           John  Siebring  2221  Harrow  Gate           330-­‐30  Springbourough  Blvd.  SW  Victoria,  BC             Calgary,  Alberta    V9B  0B9             T3H  0N9      

             Canadian  Midwest           Central  Canadian  

Linda  Hynne           District  Office  2950  Arens  Rd           155  Panin  Road  Regina,  SK           Burlington,  Ontario  S4V  1N8             L7P  5A6    Eastern  Canadian           St.  Lawrence  

Margaret  Van           St  Lawrence  District  Office  911  –  509  Beecroft  Ave.         4824  Chemin  de  la  Côte-­‐Des-­‐Neiges  Toronto,  Ontario               Montréal,  QC        M2N  0A3             H3V  1G4