Links Magazine 2017 Issue 1 by Links International

Plus much more besides, all showing Links in Action - God at Work!

Malawi + Zambia

MED SUCCESS

London Marathon

RUNNING THE DISTANCE

Joe Gisbey

NEW CEO NAMED

CHANGING LIVES, TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES 2017 Issue 1

DEAR PARTNERS LINKS INTERNATIONAL ‘LINKS’ WITH PARTNERS IN THE WEST AND IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO INSPIRE, EDUCATE, EMPOWER AND RESOURCE INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES TO BREAK FREE FROM POVERTY AND DISEASE. LINKSINTERNATIONAL.ORG.UK

I have had the enormous privilege of serving as CEO of Links International for six and a half years. Now the time has come for another new day and another transfer of leadership. In March this year I had a landmark birthday as I reached 60. Not old by today’s standards (honestly!) but a significant milestone nonetheless. More importantly, it coincides with what I (and others) perceive to be a significant time for Links International. It feels like the stage is set for greater growth and development - a tipping point. As I have thought, prayed and dialogued with the Links Board and trusted friends, over many months, I have become more and more convinced that the time is right to hand over the reins to a younger man, with a different gift set to my own. That man is Joe Gisbey. I will not be disappearing altogether. I will remain available to Joe and the team, and indeed will still be travelling with and for Links to visit partners and carry out training and ministry. I want to thank Joe, the Links Board and all the Links team for the tremendous support they have been giving me over the last 12-18 months as we have journeyed together towards this point. They have all helped to make this a very positive process, shot through with love, honour and purpose.

Andy Read

EDITORIAL TEAM Joe GIsbey // Andy Read // Lynda Hubbard // Holly Bollinger

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Dear Partners Welcome Joe Malawi + Zambia Marriage Ministry Malawi CHC Links Gifts London Marathon Nicaragua Links USA Famine Relief MED Success Stories ACT4YOU Kingdom Resources Contact Coming Soon...

DESIGN Sam Hubbard

Dear Partners, It is with great excitement that I write my first introduction to the Links magazine as CEO. My journey with this amazing organisation began back in 2003 when my friend and mentor, Rich Hubbard, invited me to travel with him to The Gambia, following on from which I was hooked! Hooked on seeing what God could do through the loaves and fish that we could offer. Hooked on the impact that the men and women of God that I encountered around the world would have on me. Hooked on how Links brought genuine lasting impact. That journey has taken me to over 40 nations and I have had the amazing privilege of seeing God move in incredible ways. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions! From highs of seeing transformation impacting communities, the supernatural power of God on display, nationals empowered to grab a hold of their destinies on the one hand, to the ongoing heartbreak of hearing the cry of the poor on the other. Links’ vision has always been to confront poverty and create potential. We believe that tomorrow can be better than today. God’s Kingdom is advancing and a new world is being formed in the shell of the old! As you look through this magazine, once again you will see the many varied ways that we as an organisation, together with our partners, carry out this vision and mission, from lifting up communities through healthcare training, micro-enterprise development to empowering leaders to live, love and lead like Jesus. You will also read about how people sacrificially spend their time and resources to join with us, whether that be through giving or fundraising initiatives like the London Marathon. Something that has always inspired me about Links International is that we are a huge family of ordinary radicals, achieving extraordinary things. Together we really are seeing lives changed and communities transformed. Several of the Links team have recently returned from Malawi where the testimonies of change were, as always, incredibly inspiring. One of our partners commented to me how often he is visited by representatives of large NGOs and charitable organisations always with the same question, “What is your secret? Why are your projects and initiatives working so well?” He told me with tears in his eyes that it was because of Links International. That it was because Links doesn’t just come with ideas but with relationship, “They sit with us, they love us, they join with us to make real long-term, sustainable differences.” I felt so honoured and humbled that God would take the seeds that we have to offer and do such wonders through them. There is still much work to be done, but I fully believe that together we can be the generation to see massive transformation across the nations of the earth. Thank you for partnering with us to see this dream fulfilled. Let’s continue to confront poverty and create potential!

WELCOME JOE GISBEY

WELCOME JOE GISBEY Many of you will know Joe already. He was actually involved with Links more than 10 years ago, before taking some time out to church plant in Colombia with his wife Carolina for a couple of years. He is a fantastically gifted and anointed man, with a heart for the world. He carries the Links DNA – in fact, even before I became CEO, Joe was helping to shape that DNA. When I took on the leadership of Links back in 2010 I had a great sense of peace that, although it was a time of great upheaval, I was the right person for the hour. I have every confidence that Joe is now the man for the new hour in which we stand. Andy Read, Former CEO of Links Those of you who have followed the Links story for a number of years will already be very familiar with the name Joe Gisbey. Joe joined the Links team back in 2004, before planting a church together with his wife Carolina in Colombia in 2009, where they resided for nearly four years. At that point, even while he was responding to God’s call in Colombia, I had a strong sense that it felt like it was only the end of a chapter rather

than the end of the story, as far as Joe’s relationship with Links was concerned. So when he returned to the UK, it wasn’t a surprise when there was a positive re-connection and he once again started working as part of the team – picking up some of the responsibility for leading trips, delivering training and connecting with our partners around the world. Joe is an excellent communicator and facilitator with a passion to see God’s Kingdom released across the earth. If you’ve met him you will know that his enthusiasm is contagious! And he has a wealth of experience both in overseas mission work, as well as leading and working with the local church to empower and release God’s people to see His mission outworked. We believe that Joe is the perfect choice to take on the role of leading Links into this next season. It feels to us that this is a ‘for such a time as this’ moment for both Joe and for Links, and we’re excited as we look ahead to the future. Please join with us in praying for Joe as he follows in the footsteps of some great,

godly men! Let’s also pray for his family and the wider Links team (who do such an amazing job!) as they continue to serve God faithfully and dare to dream and build on the rich heritage of those who have gone before. Thank you for your support in so many ways. It’s an old Links motto but still at the heart of Links today – “Together we can make a difference” #linksfamily! Matt Bell, Chairman of the Links UK Board

In Links we have said so many times before that “constant change is here to stay” and here we are at another change. First, let me say what a great job Andy has done over the last few years stepping into the very large shoes of our dear friend Rich. Andy has worked tirelessly on behalf of Links and brought us into the 21st Century! He has worked hard at developing relationships, which in part is the secret of our success story, and what a story it is! It takes a courageous man to know when it is time for change and Andy is that man. I am delighted that Andy has decided to hang around with us; we highly value his ongoing input. So a new day dawns and now we have Joe as the new CEO and I cannot be more pleased. I have had the joy of working and travelling with Joe over a number of years now and oh how he has grown and his passion for mission has grown with him. To be effective as the CEO of Links it has to be that one has ‘heard the cry of the poor’ - for it is the driving force, the heartbeat of Links International, and Joe lives that life both with his family and his ministry. He takes on the mantle of CEO at a time

when change is in the air, internationally, politically, socially, financially and without a doubt missionally. A fresh wind is blowing and we in Links are in a critical place to pay attention to that fresh wind that is blowing regarding mission around the world. So I am delighted with the appointment of Joe as the next CEO and my encouragement to him is “Go where we have not been, do what we have not done before, embrace the change with courage, faith, prayer and boldness” and always remember it is “Together we make the difference”. In closing, I would have never believed that in 1979 when I first went to Ghana that we would see and witness the growth of what we now know as Links International. I am humbled and thankful for all who have journeyed with us knowing that there is yet more to come.

We owe such a debt of gratitude to Norman and Grace Barnes, Rich and Lynda Hubbard, Andy and Lina Read, for having invested in and created what is not only an organisation, changing lives and transforming communities but also a movement, confronting poverty and creating potential. We believe that the God who works generationally the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob continues to lead us into His great promises to be good news to the poor and to see the earth filled with the glory of the Lord, like the waters cover the sea. Together we are making that difference, as we advance God’s Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven. Joe Gisbey, CEO

Norman Barnes, Founder and Former CEO of Links I am both deeply humbled and honoured to be asked to take on the role of CEO of Links International and forever grateful to those whose footsteps I am now to follow in.

MALAWI/ZAMBIA

MALAWI/ZAMBIA IN FEBRUARY/MARCH, A LARGE TEAM INCLUDING ANDY AND LINA READ, JOE GISBEY, IAN LINTON, ANN EDMUNDS AND NIKKI HAMBLEY TRAVELLED TO AFRICA TO VISIT OUR PARTNERS IN MALAWI AND ZAMBIA. Lackson and Fainess spent time with us, reviewing the various projects and financial investments that Links has made and were very honouring of us as an organisation being both grateful for the past and excited for the future in Zambia.

For the first leg of the trip I was able to join Andy and Lina in visiting the inspiring work of Shiloh Hands of Hope, led by our partners there, Lackson and Fainess. It was great being able to see Andy and Lina in action, training and interacting with our partners. I think it would be fair to say that of all our partners and areas of work, Zambia and Malawi hold a special place in their hearts. We began by visiting an array of microenterprise projects in a number of different villages and it was clear that the committees are doing an excellent job of ongoing training and support. It was very encouraging to see the commitment and obvious success of these businesses alongside the influence that Links has also had in other areas of their lives, an example of this being the huge benefit that treadle pumps have had in their agriculture projects. Lina and Ian Linton went on to train the MED committee and a select group of loan recipients in issues and challenges that they are currently facing but also to

More in Malawi

focus on saving and moving forward to the businesses becoming completely self sustainable. Andy and I focused on leadership training and had a group of just over 20 people, comprised of village headmen and people of influence within the various communities. I really appreciated the opportunity of seeing Andy deliver some of the Heartstyles material to this group and could see what an impact this type of teaching was having on them.

The Church of Pentecost, Blantyre and our partner Patrick continue to lead the work with CoP in Malawi and they are clearly doing an amazing job. I feel very excited about the future development of our partnership with CoP in Blantyre.

We were able to see the irrigation project that Links has invested into. As it presently stands, it is approximately 60% completed. The reservoir is built and the pump system to fill the reservoir is complete, along with a hybrid system of both fuel pumps and solar powered pumps. As water needs to be pumped from streams at a lower level up to the reservoir, and therefore needs greater power than can be generated through solar, initially this will be done using fuel. Solar powered pumps will then carry water out through the sprinkler system. There is great work happening with our projects in Malawi.

In the village of Gunde in Malawi, Andy Read once again led through a day of leadership training with the group of local chiefs. Over the past three years these sessions have become deeper and deeper in content, and the relationship of the chiefs with Andy has also deepened. Hope Missions had told the chiefs of Andy’s planned transition from leadership of Links and so, whilst they knew it wasn’t Andy’s last visit to them (a point about which they were quite insistent!), they decided that their protocol dictated that the event should be marked with a gift. They arranged for a shirt to be made - most fittingly by the tailoring group Links has helped to set up and train in the village - and at the end of the day this was presented to Andy, with some ceremony!

Joe Gisbey CEO

MARRIAGE MINISTRY

MALAWI MARRIAGE MISSION After arriving in Lilongwe, we travelled with Steven and Winess, our partners there, and all the luggage (including 11 tents we had brought from the UK) to ‘La Exotique’ lodge on the lake shore in the Northern region. Steven erected the necessary tents prior to the participants arriving. The participants arrived late and after the evening meal we just had time for a few introductions. The lodge staff were excellent and an offering was taken for them (this is not usual in Malawi). We also spent some time with Steven and Winess. We had an evening meal with their family at their home. This was a special time for us because we have been friends for 17 years. It was a surprise to see how their children had grown during that time. We were also able to visit the school run by Winess and gave some toys for the children. We then visited a community project overseen by Steven that helps the local villages with eggs, pigs and maize. Our next visit was to Vibitac and particularly the Clinic that we had raised money to build and assist with the actual building of. The Clinic has

THANK YOU GRAHAM & RUTH! their marriage all over again (we learnt later that the marriage had been very bad, starting on the wrong foundations). Another man said that he had always controlled the money and would now share openly with his wife (we met this couple later and he had already made a good start).

been open since 2012 and has a very good reputation in the surrounding area. The ambulance that was supplied by supporters from Wales has been of great help. We then travelled to Salima for the second Marriage Encounter with the BEITCure Hospital. This was a great time as we met some old friends, Scriven and Annie, who we have known over many years. This year the Encounter was arranged by Pastor Jimmy, who is the Spiritual Director at the hospital, and held on the hotel public camp site. The feedback was very positive with one lady saying that they were going to start

We finally said goodbye to our many friends in Malawi as this was our last visit. We had a formal and prayerful handing on of the ministry to our many African partners back in 2015 at our October conference. Farewell Malawi! We are now looking at how the marriage ministry can continue with Links International, as we further release the ministry.

Graham and Ruth Swaffield

Back in 2015, Graham and Ruth felt it was time to pass on the ministry. They have spent the last several years continuing to teach and train those who would continue the work in Malawi, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. This most recent trip in March/April was their final trip to Africa. “We will not be going back to Africa. This however does not mean we will not go overseas, if we think it appropriate. Our partners in Africa all came to our Conference that we held in Uganda during October 2015. This conference was when we released them into the ministry. We gave them notes on various resources and a small amount of cash. We then prayed over them and released them into the ministry.” - Graham and Ruth Swaffield “Back in the days when I was the editor of the Links Magazine, I always looked forward to receiving reports from Graham and Ruth. First of all, as an editor, I knew there would be some fantastic content

for the magazine! But, as an individual, their reports touched my heart as again and again I read testimonies from couples who had participated in their Marriage Encounters - powerful stories of changed lives, decisions to change and relationships restored. As CEO of Links, I was once again always encouraged by Graham and Ruth’s work, and also very impressed by the way in which they have sought to ‘pass on the baton’ to the local people in Africa. They have impacted so many lives and have left a huge legacy. Well done!” - Andy Read “It has been an exciting journey, watching Graham and Ruth as they have empowered couples in Africa to enjoy healthy Bible-based marriages. Over and over again it has been evident that when people’s marriages are healthy and strong the effect can be seen in all the other areas of their lives. Their work has prospered and their families have thrived, as couples have learnt how to walk hand in hand, living out the calling God has given them. Because Graham and Ruth have been so intentional in raising up

national leaders and empowering people to carry on the work, we know that the seeds that they have sown will continue to grow and go on much further than they could have ever hoped to achieve alone. Thank you Graham and Ruth!” - Joe Gisbey Thank you Graham and Ruth for your investment into all of your partners in Africa over the years. Well done good and faithful servants! The Marriage Ministry of Links will continue, but please pray with us that the right leaders will come along at the right time to continue the work of training up couples in godly marriages and relationships for more generations to come.

Please contact us at: office@linksinternational.org.uk if you would like to find out how to get involved in this area of our work.

COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE TRAINING - MALAWI March 2017 saw a return visit to Blantyre, Malawi, for community healthcare (CHC) training. Links International works with two different partners there and the focus was to continue the NUTRITION module with both. It was especially good to be accompanied by Dr Nicky Hambley, as a Links volunteer. Nicky accompanied me last year and over these two weeks we saw first-hand, the change and progress made by the CHC teams in Blantyre. Week 1 was spent with the Church of Pentecost. They have one volunteer CHC team in the Mpemba community. It was a privilege to spend the first day observing this team in action, as they were at the very beginning of training a new CHC team to work in the village of Mkwapatira and the surrounding locality. They proudly wore their uniform tabards and did an excellent job of presenting healthcare teaching to the 30 participants. The Links vision is that those we train will go on to train other new CHC volunteers, so that the health messages can be spread widely. It was a thrill to see something of this beginning to happen in the Blantyre area.

Over the next four days we continued with nutrition teaching, stressing the importance of having both enough food and a variety of food to eat. There are

LINKS GIFTS

needs of the group. These participants were also very enthusiastic and worked hard over the four days.

many challenges for these people in both of those areas. However, the group did a great job of engaging with the potential barriers and this was particularly evidenced in the presentation ideas and role-play activities they developed during this training. The team are also working closely with the government Health Surveillance Assistants (HSA) in the locality and it was a privilege to have two of them and their valuable input at the training throughout the week. Week 2 was spent with the nongovernmental organization, FESODEV. Three volunteer CHC teams, from different localities, attended the training, making a total of 52 participants. We followed a similar programme to the first week, adapting to the specific skills and

It was great to be able to present, to each of the teams, copies of the book, ‘Where There is No Doctor’, in the local Chichewa language. These will be a real asset in their voluntary work. We were also able to gift a copy for the HSA’s office. Finally, we had the privilege of spending one day with some girls from the ‘Taomboka’ project, run by FESODEV. The vision of this project is to encourage and empower girl’s education, especially into senior school and beyond. We spent the day with 57 girls, aged between 12-19 years, incorporating activities and discussion around the broad theme of SELF-ESTEEM. We extend our thanks once again to both partners for all their work in preparation for this visit. It is great to see the progress and their commitment and dedication to CHC work in their communities. Thanks also to Nicky for coming as a volunteer and giving of herself so generously over the two weeks. Thank you to everyone who supports Links both in prayer and financially. It is truly changing lives and communities.

LINKS GIFTS We know that the needs of the less privileged nations of the world seem enormous, and it is easy to feel we are powerless to make any difference. But at Links International we have decades of experience that tell us that we CAN make a difference together! Even seemingly small things can help to change lives and, when we all do the things that we can do, the effect can be amazing. That’s where Links Gifts come in. They provide opportunities to provide targeted financial support across a range of prices and areas of our work. Use them as gifts for others – birthdays, Christmas, other celebrations. Or perhaps they provide a helpful focus for fundraising for youth groups, staff teams, coffee mornings, men’s groups and so on. Please use Links Gifts to help us Change Lives and Transform Communities.

THANK YOU!

Ann Edmunds

Community Healthcare Director

LINKS GIFTS Training course places - Worldwide

Moringa Trees - Worldwide

Mosquito Nets

Solar Lamps

Our trips usually provide training in healthcare, micro-enterprise and education. Attendees are keen, so we’d like to accommodate more.

This amazing tree grows at a rate of five feet per year, is super-nutritious and anti-bacterial. We’d like all our partners worldwide to have some!

Malaria kills more people around the world than the AIDS virus and a mosquito net can protect a whole family.

For school children to study in the evening, for families, and to generate income from mobile phone charging.

One place at a training course: £20

Five trees: £10

One net: £7

Large: £40 Small: £10

Clean Water - Worldwide

Lifewater Filter Kits kill 99.99% of harmful bacteria, producing ten litres of clean water per hour for a year.

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LINKS GIFTS

One kit (including spare candle) provides clean water for more than two years: £45

Micro-Enterprise Investment

Setting up a family in a sustainable business helps them work their way out of poverty. Loans are repaid over six months, so the investment helps two families each and every year!

One initial investment: £100-£250

Links Air Miles

Contribution to Trust Fund

We have calculated that, on average, it costs Links £7.50 per 100 miles to send a central team member to monitor progress at one of our communities.

Our Trust fund pays for the central costs of all that we do and, whilst we aim to be good stewards, core funding is often a challenge.

100 Links Air Miles: £7.50

Sample contribution: £5

These are just some of the gifts that are available. Please have a look at www.linksinternational.org.uk/shop to see the full range of ways in which you can bless others. Thank you for your support.

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FUNDRAISING

Joe Gisbey and his son Luca went to London for the Marathon and were able to meet up with the runners. He interviewed one of our runners, Greg George. When asked “What would you say to other people thinking about doing the Marathon,” his response was:

Greg George - 03:04:40 Chris Hinsley - 04:32:24 Wes Hinsley - 04:50:17

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Paul Stock - 04:35:52 WELL DONE ALL!

The runners all had amazing times and we are so proud of their HUGE accomplishments. THANK YOU RUNNERS for giving of your time and for making Links your #reasontorun this year in London.

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“It is really worth it. I think doing the London Marathon is a very good choice because of the amazing support. Everyone is so generous in their support, shouting for you along the way and it really makes it worth it, and you feel like you are part of a bigger thing. I think it’s just about people and relationships and friends and the whole sense of community which is great because I know that Links - the ethos of the charity - is to partner with people and to work with them in terms of relationships and that’s what is so important. I think it really fits with the whole ethos of the charity and that is what the Marathon is about as well.” - Greg George

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I ENCLOSE AN ADDITIONAL DONATION OF £

ON 24 APRIL, FOUR RUNNERS TOOK TO THE STREETS OF CENTRAL LONDON TO RUN JUST OVER 42 KILOMETERS IN THE LONDON MARATHON TO RAISE FUNDS FOR LINKS. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION, NOT ONLY TO THEIR TRAINING, BUT TO FUNDRAISING AS WELL.

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PLEASE TICK IF GIFT VOUCHERS ARE REQUIRED

r and want Links International to reclaim tax on all my donations from the date below onwards. must pay sufficient tax to cover the amount reclaimed. I become a non tax-payer or if I change my name or address.

LINKS GIFTS ORDER FORM

If you, or someone you know would love to run for Links in the London Marathon next year, it is never too early to apply. Please email our office at: office@linksinternational.org.uk.

NICARAGUA

NICARAGUA MARCH 2017 In March of this year, one of our teams was able to participate in the grand opening of a brand new library in an impoverished community in Nicaragua. The Biblioteca William Minor resides in The Hope Center just outside the city of Matagalpa. I was honoured to speak and share a blessing over the families in the community, and I saw mothers and children moved to tears as they opened books and sat in front of brand new computers. You could sense destinies changing. Their gratitude and appreciation revealed the significance of this gift to their community. The children will now be able to excel in their studies, and the families will be taught to read and write among other important life skills. This library, as part of a comprehensive community development initiative, will literally change lives and transform this community. Other than paying some baggage fees to take the computers, Links International didn’t invest one dollar (or pound) for the library or its contents. As I thought about that, it occurred to me that sometimes the greatest work of Links is

the way but, in the end, it was two of our friends we were able to connect who completed the project. Another way we contributed to this project was by providing construction support for The Hope Center when it fell behind schedule. We organized a team from four different churches in Texas to help the project catch up to the necessary timeline. not work on the ground that we actually do. Sometimes our greatest work is providing the ‘link’ between strategic partners who serve each other in ways above and beyond what we could ever accomplish on our own. In only a short period of time, we have seen our opportunities in Nicaragua multiply exponentially. A vision trip in early 2015 has led us to not only several trips of our own, but also to connect individuals, churches and businesses with significant opportunities to take GOOD NEWS to the poor. The library is an example of that. While we didn’t fund the library, we introduced the donors to the partner who needed the library. We provided support along

Our partners in Nicaragua are keeping us busy as we network and strategize to help them do the most good possible through sustainable and holistic solutions. Through strategic partnerships, we have seen provision come to fruition in the form of stoves for a nutrition program, sewing machines for vocational training, leadership development, funding for housing projects and much more.

The new library and all of these other blessings are evidence of the power of building strong relationships and the importance of one of our core values…

“WE BELIEVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITHOUT OWNERSHIP.” We delight in knowing we were able to connect people who were able to work together to create a better outcome than was possible on their own.

In addition to stories like these, we are also working toward launching Micro– Enterprise Development and Community Healthcare training there later this year. This Nicaraguan Network doesn’t show any signs of slowing down, and we are continually encouraged and excited to see how our work there will bring restoration to communities all around the nation. Please let us know if you have an interest in being a part of our work in Nicaragua

or if you know of someone doing good work there that we should connect with.

Jason Bollinger

CEO, Links International - USA Office

FAMINE RELIEF

LINKS USA EARLIER THIS YEAR, IT WAS OUR PLEASURE TO HOST JOE GISBEY AND ANDY AND LINA READ FOR OUR FIRST BOARD MEETING OF 2017. The new year brought some change to our board. After serving Links USA since the founding of our office, Paul Brownback has decided that his season of serving on the Links USA board has come to an end. There are not enough words to express how grateful we are to Paul, Perrianne and The Abbey Church for their ongoing support and involvement in Links USA. Paul is a man that you always want at your table. His wisdom will be missed, and we wish him the best as he continues to serve faithfully in many different places. We are excited to announce, though, that Paul’s vacancy on our board will be filled by Andy Read. We believe Andy’s experience and gifting in strategic vision are a tremendous asset to our

team, and it is also important to us to maintain our close relationship with the UK office. Andy’s presence on our board will strengthen us and help us navigate moving forward as an organization.

LINKS HAS THE GREAT PRIVILEGE OF PARTNERING WITH SOME AMAZING ORGANIZATIONS IN MALAWI SUCH AS HOPE MISSIONS. AFTER THE FLOODS IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS IN MANY PARTS THROUGHOUT MALAWI, THE FOOD SUPPLY THERE IS EXTREMELY LOW. WE HEARD STORIES COMING TO US ABOUT HOW FAMILIES THERE HAD NOT EATEN ANYWHERE FROM TWO DAYS TO TWO WEEKS. Recently, we were able to send relief funds to help with their Feeding/Nutrition Program. This is just one testimonial we have received from our partners there:

Though Joe and I have known each other for many years, this was actually the first time we travelled together. We went to Nicaragua to start Micro-Enterprise Development there, and then we went to Lubbock, Texas, to visit our friends at Church on the Rock. The relationship between our offices continues to grow stronger which increases our capacity and effectiveness in the nations.

“A big thank you for the relief funds that were sent to us earlier this year. The money has been used to purchase maize for feeding 350 children in our four nursery schools (Kayabwa, Biwi, Thugwalugwa and Lemensi). This has helped to reduce malnutrition and school absenteeism in children.”

Former Links CEO Andy Read visited in March and saw for himself how appreciated and effective this support has been. “It was so encouraging to see these children for myself, and understand in an even deeper way how important this response was. I felt so grateful to all those who made it possible.”

Hope Missions, Malawi Our office in the US is available to connect with your church or business to talk about ways to engage in holistic and sustainable mission opportunities. We are also available to serve families and missionaries currently serving in different contexts. If we can serve you in any way, please let us know.

Here are just some of the nursery school children fed by Hope Missions Ministries, through the recent food crisis in Malawi, helped by funds sent through Links by our wonderful partners.

Jason Bollinger

CEO, Links International - USA Office

ACT4YOU

MED SUCCESS STORIES Links International’s micro-enterprise development (MED) schemes have always provided a powerful way of helping some of the poorest in communities to climb out of the poverty trap. Over the last few years we have been continuing to develop and refine our training and the way these projects are run. On the most recent visits to Zambia and Malawi, it was very encouraging to see how this development is resulting in lives being changed. Here are a few examples: This is a lady called Roida, who lives in Lundazi, Zambia. When the first loans in this scheme were given out we visited Roida’s hairdressing business, which then operated on her front porch. This time we visited and she has a wooden shed in front of the house and an expanded business. As you can imagine, she is very happy with this, and the increase in financial resources that is following.

This lady from a district of Lilongwe, in Central Malawi, is a beneficiary of our newest scheme in this country, working with Trinity Church International. The way we have developed the training - plus the way in which we have been helped by the presence of Sam Walkerliving in Malawi and helping us as a volunteer- has made it possible for this new scheme to get up and running very quickly. And so, people like this lady, have been able to start new businesses - in this case selling firewood and provide for their families.

HAPPY CHILDREN’S HOME - NEPAL

This is Jerman, from a village again in Central Malawi. He is a recipient of a new type of loan which we have initiated in some schemes called MED Plus One. It has the aim of providing a larger loan for recipients who have already proven themselves to be real entrepreneurs in the way they have used previous loans. The new loan enables them to grow their business more and to then employ at least one other person - someone who would not have the skills necessary to run their own business. Jerman’s business is a very successful tea shop and the MED Plus One loan has enabled him to extend the premises to cater for even more customers!

If you would like to partner with us to provide MED micro-loans to places like Malawi and Zambia, please email our office at: office@linksinternational.org.uk

Happy Children’s Home began in the home of the Sunuwar family in Kathmandu for house children who were orphaned or whose families were unable to support them. They were inspired by their Christian faith to help others. Sue and Paddy Gallaugher, through their friendship with the Sunuwars, wanted to support this work, and in 2008 brought together a group based around Marlow Methodist Church who have raised funds to support the Home. We have provided ongoing support over the past eight years by finding families who will sponsor children in the Home in order to provide their food and education. Some of the children helped by the Home have been supported in their own homes when families were in need of help. We also send funds in the Spring for the start of the new school year to help with uniforms, equipment and school fees. Sponsors are encouraged to send gifts and cards for birthdays and Christmas. Swornim and Mamata, the managers of

the Home, are very good at providing information of the children’s’ progress and the children send greetings to their sponsors at Christmas. The earthquakes that struck Nepal in 2015 were a challenging time for the children, though there was only superficial damage to the building. With the generous support of friends and family in the UK, we were able to raise additional funds to repair the boundary wall of the property, and to help some of the families connected with the Home to rebuild their houses. We have been very grateful for the support we have received from Lynda and the staff at Links International over the years. We are a small group and their help has made the task of supporting the Home much easier.

their funds have been put to good use to support the children in a happy and secure environment. With local help and a guide, the group took the three eldest teenage boys from the home on a trek into the Annapurna region of the Himalayas. It was an amazing experience for the boys to see the wonders of their country. Nepal is a poor country and there are many families and children in need of support. We are pleased that we have been able to help some of them in this small way and plan to continue as the children grow up and become proud citizens of their country.

In April this year some of our sponsors visited the Home taking clothes, games and tents to provide shelter in the event of the next earthquake. They received a very warm welcome and were delighted to see

If you would like to help the children at Happy Children’s Home in Nepal, please email our office at: office@linksinternational.org.uk

KINGDOM RESOURCES LINKS INTERNATIONAL PROVIDES ‘SPIRITUAL FAMINE RELIEF’ TO WORKERS AROUND THE WORLD, MANY WITHOUT ACCESS TO CHRISTIAN RESOURCES. WE CURRENTLY SEND 125 PARCELS TO 35 NATIONS TWICE A YEAR. THESE WERE IN THE LAST PARCEL. Rodney Kingstone: ‘Faith and the Fiery Furnace’

£45 blesses someone with two parcels a year. The parcels remind missionaries and workers that they are loved and thought of. Here are some of the many ‘thank you’ emails we recently received:

Just got the Package with the Discipleship course, the worship CD and Faith and the Fiery Furnace teaching CD. Thanks so much. We are praying that someday one of your staff can visit us. - Philippines

Book: Discipleship Course

We just wanted to write and say how much we enjoy and appreciate the parcels you send to us. We have really been enjoying the last CD. We are often quite ‘starved’ for resources, your packages are like streams in the desert. Thank you for ministering to us so faithfully. - India Many greetings from my husband and I in Lahore. We are serving with the FGA Bible College in Lahore which is a growing ministry. We are very thankful to you for sending us a parcel every few months. This

Live Worship: from the ONE Event 2015

time we received the worship CD from ONE event, a teaching CD and the very useful discipleship course. May the Lord keep using and blessing you in all different aspects of your ministry. - Pakistan Praying that you guys have a huge 2017 – we truly value our partnership with you! Thanks so much for the teaching material and music tape – very much appreciated, and never taken for granted! Every blessings! - Colombia

TRUSTEES

Matt Bell (Chairperson) // Sim Dendy // Leigh Hills // Phil Moore // Lina Read // Cathy Stewart // Andy King

LINKS OFFICES UNITED KINGDOM (HEAD OFFICE) PO Box 198 Littlehampton West Sussex BN16 3UQ +44(0)1903 778515 office@linksinternational.org.uk linksinternational.org.uk Facebook: Linksintl Twitter: Linksintl UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 503 FM 359, Suite 130-116 Richmond, TX 77406 + 1 512 765 4657 office@linksintlusa.org linksintlusa.org Facebook: LinksintlUSA Twitter: LinksintlUSA

DIRECTOR

Joe Gisbey CEO

BANKERS

Lloyds Bank plc North Middlesex Group, Business Centre, PO Box 2135, Marlow, SL7 3HG

AUDITORS

Hewitt Warin Ltd Harlow Enterprise Hub, Edinburgh Way, Harlow, Essex CM20 2NQ

COUNCIL OF REFERENCE

Norman and Grace Barnes, Founders of Links International // Fran Beckett, Charity Consultant // Stuart Bell, Team Leader, Ground Level // Dr Steve Brady, Principal of Moorlands College // Rev Steve Chalke, Founding Director Oasis Trust // Gerald Coates, Pioneer // Dr Patrick Dixon, Global Change // Dr Rowland Evans, Nations // Mrs Faith Forster, Ichthus Christian Fellowship // Dale Gentry, Prayer Breakout Network // Floyd McClung, Formerly International Director YWAM // Micha Jazz, Peaceworks // John Noble, Spiritconnect

ASSOCIATE MINISTRIES

Links International works in association with the following ministries to present the challenge of world mission to the Church.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Links Magazine is sent free of charge to our partners and on request. All gifts to Links International are acknowledged and used as directed and designated; if the designated project has already been fully funded, discontinued, or cannot be completed for reasons beyond the control of Links International, the Board of Trustees reserves the right to use the funds for other similar projects, where most needed. Undesignated gifts are used for the general purposes of the Trust under the direction of the Trustees. Our accounts are audited annually. A copy of our report and accounts is available upon request. As a registered charity, Links operates its own Gift Aid scheme. Further details are available on request. All cheques should be made payable to Links International. Links is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Reg. Charity No: 1168872

Links International is a member of the Evangelical Alliance and Global Connections.

COMING SOONâ&#x20AC;Ś We are very excited to announce the new Links International website, which will be going live in June! The new site will allow us to share the inspiring stories of our work around the world, to help the amazing efforts of all our incredible volunteers who fundraise and raise awareness and also to facilitate the many teams travelling out from our church and business partnerships every year!

We will be announcing the date of the big reveal through social media and our e:link in due course, so pleaseâ&#x20AC;Ś

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