The Connection A Magazine by Connect Global - May 2022 - Issue 4

ISSUE

4

MAY

2022

THE

A MAGAZINE BY CONNECT GLOBAL

A special series focused on Anxiety A devotion from the Bible App

Honor

mothers

with

us

as

caring for them every day through the Maternity Home

we

focus

on

Our blueprint for sustainably helping communities in need

THE

A MAGAZINE BY CONNECT GLOBAL

CONTENTS 05

MOTHER'S DAY FEATURE Learn more about Maternal Heal thcare around the worl d

EDUCATION UPDATE

11

We are abl e to support over 200 students, teachers and staff each month

17

FOOD SECURE COMMUNITIES Endi ng hunger and empoweri ng communi ti es wi th aquaponi cs

19

ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING A devoti on from YouVersi on and the Bi bl e app on Anxi ety

LAST WORD

24

An i ntervi ew by the edi tors of Canvas Rebel Magazi ne

THE

A MAGAZINE BY CONNECT GLOBAL

12 N Broadway Loft 3B Yonkers, NY 10701 (214) 725-4352 Email: hello@connectglobal.org www.connectglobal.org

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Future

PROOF

The future of our lives is being written right now.

Every chance we take, every decision we make is setting in place a future that will inevitably come racing into existence.

Many people believe we have no providence in the way things happen and that life is already set out ahead of us. I think the simplicity of cause and effect reminds me that while there may be a destiny set out for me, I am still in need of setting waypoints and implementing guardrails to keep me from causing unintended effects in the future.

The future is ours for the making but we must forge ahead diligently and with great intention.

While the future is still unknown and we can not exactly predict the future or avoid certain outcomes, I believe we can prepare and plan out a future we can be proud of. The trick is finding out what we truly want and prioritizing our life in a way that will

When we started Connect Global it was faith In Jesus that led me to want to build a better future for as many people as possible. To leverage the purpose I have received for the betterment of someone else. To see them, to hear their story, to fully know their hopes and dreams, AND to help them realize those dreams is one of the greatest ways we can make a difference in this world.

Connect Global is not here for now -- We are here for the Future.

The future we are creating is one that is better for our children and our grandchildren. Connect Global is not only investing in education, healthcare, and sustaiable solutions.

lead toward that end.

We are investing in the future hearts and souls of people.

You can not want a great marriage while failing to

People living on the street and people working on Wall Street.

work on communication with your spouse. You can not get the promotion you are seeking while not

People we already know and people we have yet to meet.

People who hope, dream, create, and love. People Like You!

being honorable at the job you already have.

Our future will be a reflection of what we value today. A future

You will not have kids who grow up emotionally

did the right thing and made the right decisions today.

healthy if you are not investing in their mental,

full of hope, positivity, and love and it will serve as proof we ...

spiritual, and physical well-being now.

Javier Mendoza The Connection Magazine | May 2022

Mothers Day

BY DANIELLE MENDOZA

Our Maternity Home exists

We welcome every mother with

because mothers who are in the

open arms and share the love of

This month people across the US

fight of their life for their baby in

Jesus in tangible ways.

and some around the world took

the NICU historically had no place

time to celebrate Mothers Day. It is a joyous occasion and we have

to safely rest and recover from

We offer clean beds, warm meals,

birth.

new clothing, baby supplies, and

much to celebrate.

access to medications, and lab We opened the Maternity Home on

tests when needed.

We are proud to be able to

September 11, 2019 and this month,

champion and celebrate mothers

we will surpass serving 1500

We are so proud of the hard work

every single day. Our 24 bed

mothers. These mothers come from

that our staff and volunteers put in

Maternity Home is open 24 hours a

many different cultural and

every day and we are honored to

day and 7 days a week.

socioeconomic backgrounds.

serve each new mother as if they are our own family.

There is rarely a minute that goes

Some are from the city and some

by when our halls and rooms are

have traveled 8+ hours by foot,

This Mothers Day I invite you to

not full of precious voices, love,

and bus to reach the hospital.

pray with us for the mothers who

and prayer. This is simultaneously

Some travel all this way alone,

are facing unimaginable

scared and uncertain about the

circumstances and give thanks for

reminder of the challenges that

care they will receive for their

those in the trenches walking

moms face around the world.

newborn.

alongside them.

a wonderful thing and a direct

The Connection Magazine

Every Day

We are Grateful for our board of directors, staff, volunteers, and financial partners who make the

This work takes a financial, emotional, and spiritual toll every single day.

Connect Global Maternity Home such an oasis.

This work is worth all of the challenges, As we near the milestone of 1500 mothers who

heartache, and expense each time we get to

have been cared for by our wonderful team, We

see one more mom head home with their baby in

reflect on the miracles and amazing testimonies

their arms.

of babies, some who were given zero chance of viability, be restored to health and head home in

We are proud of the team we have and honored

the loving arms of their mother.

to have supporters from 13 states, dozens of churches, and hundreds of individuals who give

We’ve also experienced tragic loss, but we

with us to make this home possible.

continue to fight to make sure that every child in the NICU can get the care they need and an

Together, we are making a great impact and I

equal opportunity to go home, healthy.

thank you for your generosity, kindness, and compassion.

CONNECTGLOBAL.ORG |

MATERNITY HOME FEATURE

By Mwila Agatha Zaza

Dedicating a day for the reverence of

However dreadful, it has to be

mothers is a practice as old as human

acknowledged that on this day, as on every

civilization. Celebrating Mother’s Day is

other day, 830 women and girls will die as a

today an annual practice that’s building in

result of becoming mothers – 303,000 a

momentum with more and more being

year according to the World Health

spent on showering mothers with gifts

Organization’s 2018 estimate.

with affection.

Moreover, in 34 countries, mostly in Africa, This year social media was abuzz in the

more than 150 in every 1,000 mothers will

race to share the most ostentatious and

experience the death of an infant. In fact,

outrageous tributes to mothers and

maternal health is a key indicator of global

television ads reminded us that mothers

inequality, with outcomes for mothers in

are “worth it”.

low-income countries being far more tragic than in wealthy nations.

The Connection Magazine

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period.". In a broader perspective, maternal health can be seen as all of the personal and physical aspects, social and cultural challenges, health conditions and practices, in a woman's life and body that allow her to thrive after pregnancy and delivery.

Maternal health is crucial in every aspect of a woman's life; it impacts not only the mother but also the child and their future.

Furthermore, in developing countries, a mother’s death not only creates an emotional crisis, but can lead to financial instability due to the loss of livelihoods, girls dropping out of school to take care of siblings, and higher mortality among the children of the household.

Inequality and conflict are among the drivers of maternal mortality, in Brazil, which has the largest economy in Latin American, maternal death rates remain alarmingly high. Brazil's maternal mortality

However, due to various economic,

rates are five to 10 times higher than in nations with

political, cultural, and societal factors,

comparable economic status.

women are frequently denied access to adequate health care, which can

Additionally, in Venezuela, thousands of women are

leave women and children with

fleeing their homes owing to a lack of maternity

lifelong injuries or, for the 830 women

health facilities. It has to also be acknowledged that

per day, be fatal.

the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the availability of maternal health services and increased the mortality

As women are celebrated with flowers,

rate in developing countries.

the emotional, economic, and social consequences of losing women in pregnancy and childbirth reverberate throughout societies, especially those with the fewest resources to promote safe maternal health. According to WHO, developing nations account for 99% of all maternal mortality. Maternal mortality is also more significant in women living in rural regions and in impoverished communities where education levels are low.

MAY | 2022

In Honduras, Connect Global is working with the regional hospital of Atlantida which serves around 5,500 new baby deliveries a year. Our maternity home ensures women no longer have to endure undignified and unsafe conditions while in recovery and while their newborns were in the NICU. On Mother’s Day, as on every day, in our work with women in Honduras, Connect Global goes beyond simply providing a bed to lie on - we champion the rights of women to safe and respectful maternity care. We ensure that mothers have a place to recover while their babies are receiving care which allows women and their children the time they need to heal.

Safe childbirth and the best start in life with Connect Global’s maternity home in Honduras Any community’s wellbeing is tightly linked to the quality of its maternal health. Healthy women have a greater chance of having healthy children, which equals stronger generations contributing to their communities. As a result, it is critical not only to increase awareness about maternal health but also to help communities and governments to provide affordable, highquality maternal health care.

“Mother is the heartbeat in the home; and without her, there seems to be no heartthrob.”

—Leroy Brownlow

MATERNITY HOME

The Connect Global Maternity Home compassionately restores dignity, safety, and peace of mind where it is needed most.

We are working to create a sustainable solution for the operations of this Maternity Home Program at the Hospital for these mothers. We are partnering with the hospital, local business owners, and local churches to ensure the best ongoing care in this home.

Our plan is to share the operational cost responsibilities with these local partners as well as others who see the value in caring for these moms. Connect Global will continue to provide oversight and management of the Home to ensure fiscal responsibility and stewardship.

If we are to see massive positive change come to Honduras and to see Honduras increasingly become a more giving country, we need to continue investing compassionately into the nation's most vulnerable citizens.

"Yes, it takes a lot of work, time, and money but these moms, and the future sons and daughters of Honduras are worth it."

WE HAVE HAD THE HONOR OF SERVING 1500 MOTHER AS OF MAY 2022

600 WE SERVE ON AVERAGE 600 MOTHERS AND THEIR NEWBORNS EACH YEAR

$210,623 WE HAVE INVESTED $210K IN OPERATIONS AND CARE AT THE MATERNITY HOME

84% 84% IS THE SURVIVAL RATE OF NEWBORNS IN THE NICU AMONG THE MOTHERS IN OUR CARE

Each month, on average, we care for 40-50 mothers and their newborns. We provide food, safe and clean beds, as well as support for the NICU nursing staff who are fighting every day to save lives.

While not every story has the ending we pray and work so hard to achieve we are always happy when we get to see one more healthy baby headed home in the loving arms of their parents.

With their baby in their arms and Jesus in their hearts Our team is blessed to see miracles happen everyday. We have had the honor of serving and caring for 1500 mothers and their newborns.

It’s a great blessing for us to be a part of this work and we are grateful for each person who chooses to Give with Us. Your gift goes a long way to making sure life is preserved and celebrated. We serve mothers 24 hours a day and 7 days a week because of the support we have been entrusted with.

GIFT With US

MATERNITY HOME

A WISH LIST OF NEEDED ITEMS Connect Global Maternity Home Team

Connect Global has been able to bless over 600 mothers each year through our daily operation in the maternity home. We have collected, prepared, and distributed many items to these mothers and their newborns as well as helped pay for vital medicines and exams.

This ministry has allowed Connect Global to bless thousands of families in the city and nearby communities. We have been blessed by many friends and partners who Give with Us to make this home a reality and we want to continue providing these blessings to as many families as possible.

Donating financial gifts as well as physical items helps Connect Global meet the needs of so many.

LIST OF ITEMS NEEDED FOR THE MATERNITY HOME IN HONDURAS Newborn Clothes Maternity and Post Maternity Clothing Diapers, Newborn and Up Baby Wipes Money for Exams Wal Mart Gift Cards Dry Detergent Clorox Wipes Hand Sanitizer You can make a donation at ConnectGlobal.org or you can send us the items listed and we will ensure they go to a mother in need.

While a financial donation is preferred so we can buy items locally, feel free to email us if you would like the shipping address to ship your physical items.

Thank You

EDUCATION IS KEY TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ALL Reaching the next generation through educational, cultural, and faith based developmental programs has long been a value of Connect Global.

Our teams are constantly finding new ways to reach communities. We have a deep commitment to raise up the now and next generations to lead in community empowerment, enrichment of faith, and compassionate care for others.

We are grateful for the many donors who Give with Us to help keep teachers employed, improve learning environments and give students the opportunity to stay on track with their educational journey.

We are able to support over 200 students, teachers and staff each month and with support from generous people like you, we can expand the Global Education Fund to do even more.

THANK YOU NOTES "Thank you for supporting my project and my students! Your kindness and generosity is you supported our class and helped fund our project.

Thank you for getting us these tools to help us learn and play in our class each day."

With gratitude, One way we are supporting educators is by funding

Mrs. Ford, Yonkers Early Childhood Academy -

classroom projects on DonorsChoose.org

Yonkers, NY

"DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. Public school teachers from every

"Thank you for supporting school libraries, literacy and

corner of America create classroom project requests,

public-school children. These last two years have been

and you can give any amount to the project that

difficult for children but they have regrouped and

inspires you."

come back stronger. Now they are ready to use eBooks and your donation will help them do that."

We have helped fully fund projects including school snacks and iPads, specialized learning equipment,

We are so excited to get started. Thank you again and

furniture and other requested materials.

God bless you.

These donations help get teachers the tools they need to get the job of educating our kids done more effectively.

With gratitude, Ms. Wong, Gorton HS Library - Yonkers, NY

SEVITAITINI NOITACUDE

heartwarming. I cannot wait to tell my students how

Prayer for Peace JOIN CONNECT GLOBAL IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN UKRAINE AND FOR ALL THOSE AROUND THE WORLD WHO ARE DEEPLY IMPACTED BY RECENT AND ONGOING ACTIONS OF WAR AND TERROR.

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THE

A MAGAZINE BY CONNECT GLOBAL

may 2022 | issue no. 4

T H E

E A R T H .

SUPPORT UKRAINE GIVE

Connect Global invests in many different ways to help when the world is in need.

Our everyday programs and projects are vitally important to the fulfilling of our mission and there are times when situations, natural disasters, and other life-threatening circumstances require our imminent action.

We believe that the conflict in Ukraine is one such circumstance.

We are giving to a variety of people, non-government organizations, and programs that align with our overall mission and vision.

WITH

US

You can give with us by scanning the QR Code or by visiting our website

Mission Possible International Rescue Committee World Central Kitchen Kingdom Ministries International

ConnectGlobal.org |

S U S T A I N A B L E

MISSION

SUSTAINABLE by javier mendoza

Connect Global was born out of the simple idea that we could discover and implement sustainable, community-driven solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues.

Problems such as food and water scarcity, the lack of access to education, and inadequate healthcare can all be solved if we just could just rally our friends and family around embracing solutions and empowering those around us to make a difference.

One of the first issues we took on was food scarcity and the solution became creating a way for local leaders to gain knowledge about fish farming and help them source the materials needed to build basic, but efficient aquaponic food growing systems.

These systems can grow fish and vegetation in the same space it takes to grow a traditional in-ground garden.

ConnectGlobal.org/aquaponics

I N I T I A T I V E S

We sought out training from others who had expertise in each of these different disciplines as we knew that in order to make a long-lasting impact we would need to be able to provide holistic solutions.

We called our plan, Connected Community. It would become our blueprint for helping communities in need and provide us with a way to measure our impact.

We sit with local leaders to hear firsthand what problems they are facing and we learn as much as we can. Being informed by those closest to the issue proves to be one of the greatest assets in the work we do.

I am so proud of the leaders we have working for Connect Global and I could not be happier with how we have been able to rise up and meet new challenges together in order to continue to keep creating solutions every day.

We have much work to do but together we are making a huge impact on food insecurity for many families across Central America and we are grateful to our supporters and partners for making this work possible each day.

SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES

SHARING A BETTER WAY TO FARM Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

MECHANICS OF AQUAPONICS In an aquaculture environment, effluents accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity for the fish. In our system, water is led to a hydroponic growbed where the byproducts from the aquaculture are filtered out by the plants as vital nutrients, after which the cleansed water is recirculated back to the fish.

FROM CONCEPT TO REALITY Since the founding of Connect Global, we have focused on and invested in sustainable solutions to problems like food scarcity. One of the continuing projects we are expanding as a part of our overall strategy to serve those affected by hunger is Aquaponic Food Systems and Small Urban and Micro Farms like the ones on the left.

PLANTING FOR THE FUTURE New Aquaponic systems work all year, using 90% less water to produce food for people in need. We are actively building systems throughout Honduras, Costa Rica, and Colombia this year.

Partner With Us

Give With Us

Your business or church can partner with us on one of our upcoming builds.

A gift of any amount will help us continue to build & maintain new systems.

Travel With Us If you want to get your hands dirty, you can travel with us to mount a system in person.

AQUAPONICS CREATING FOOD SECURE COMMUNITIES USING SMALL SPACES

BY MWILA AGATHA ZAZA

The glossy, high-tech future of agriculture

When we see the future of agriculture, perhaps we imagine lab-grown meat, massive seaweed farms, robots, and indoor farming. These farmers are marked by their size and run with an app to monitor and regulate everything including automating lighting and temperatures. It’s an attractive prospect; farming, in our imagined future, could become glossy and high-tech, with farmers becoming celebrities. In this future, farming remains industry dominated, requires substantial investment and highly-educated workforces — a venture that excludes many that make their living through farming today.

The question of how we feed the future billions is made even more pressing by climate change. The future of food is complicated by the seemingly intractable nature of global poverty — according to World Vision, in 2019, 689 million people were living in extreme poverty.

The question of how we feed the future billions is made even more pressing by climate change. The future of food is complicated by the seemingly intractable nature of global poverty — according to World Vision, in 2019, 689 million people were living in extreme poverty.

When it comes to food production, low incomes and poverty are often marked by inequitable access to fertile land, poor methods of agricultural production, and a low-skilled workforce.

The world’s population is set to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. As we see cities grow, fewer children raised in proximity to agricultural production, and larger numbers of climate refugees, we will see a growing number of people without the means to attain food security.

Furthermore, this disconnection from food production is intensified for the poor because they lack the income needed to sustain themselves as consumers in the modern economy.

FOOD SECURITY IS MORE THAN A SUPERMARKET

Food security is defined by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) as having “physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”.

Over the last few centuries, an increasingly globalized food chain has created a system in which climate change, conflict, and fluctuations in energy prices and supply, among other factors, can disrupt food value chains.

For instance, many were unaware that Russia and Ukraine together supply more than a quarter of the world’s wheat until the February 2022 invasion.

Moreover, according to FAO in 2021, the world has seen very little improvement in food security in the last decade. FAO said “the world has not been generally progressing either towards ensuring access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food for all people all year round (SDG Target 2.1), or to eradicating all forms of malnutrition (SDG Target 2.2).”

It’s acknowledged that food security is more than being able to purchase food from a supermarket, it’s also about creating sustainable systems for production, especially in the context of climate change. Furthermore, with an increase in urbanization, these methods of food production must be able to function in smaller and smaller spaces.

Enter aquaponics — a relatively low-tech solution to boosting food security. Aquaponics enables food production by families, communities, and entrepreneurs in limited spaces.

AQUAPONICS: A SUSTAINABLE AND EMPOWERING METHOD OF FOOD PRODUCTION

Aquaponics is a closedloop system of growing crops using the byproducts of fish farming in tanks. Aquaponics is not an entirely new concept; it’s been used to grow rice in Asia for centuries.

Aquaponics is a mix of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (growing vegetables in a soil-free culture). Aquaponic systems grow vegetables in trays, which are fed by a flowing cycle of water. As part of the cycle, the water passes through a tank of fish and carries away fish waste — a concentrated mix of nutrients and minerals — to be absorbed by the plants.

Aquaponics creates an ecosystem that mimics nature, it is largely self-regulating and does not require chemical additives or fertilizers. In addition, the systems are covered, therefore limiting exposure to sunlight, ensuring minimal evaporation and leading to a 90% reduction in water use.

Aquaponics holds incredible potential, especially among urban and displaced communities, by being workable in small spaces. Aquaponics could mitigate food insecurity because it is cheaper to initiate, is less labor-intensive, and has little environmental impact.

The impact of aquaponics is visible in the projects Connect Global has built together with the communities in which they work, which helps to supplement food sources in Honduras.

ENDING HUNGER AND EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES WITH AQUAPONICS An aquaponics system can be constructed almost anywhere. The method is adaptable to every climate making it a sustainable and future-proof technology.

These benefits are why Connect Global is tackling food scarcity in Honduras, Costa Rica, and other future sites. By investing in and cooperatively working on Aquaponic food production systems, Connect Global not only provides a viable solution to closing the gap of food scarcity in underserved communities, we also lend a helping hand in nourishing our planet with sustainable farming practices.

CONNECTGLOBAL.ORG

| MAY 2022

FEEING LONLEY, ANXIOUS, OVERWHELMED

Many have felt this way and it’s not very fun but you can find someone to talk to.

ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING What if anxiety can bring you closer to Jesus? Jordan spent a whole year praying his anxiety away until he discovered something deeper—a stronger relationship with Jesus. Maybe you can relate to his story: Devotion reposted via YouVersion and the Bible App

“I think I’m going to die.”

That’s exactly what I thought to myself numerous sleepless nights last year. I would try to fall asleep, only to be woken up in terror for no particular reason. My chest was tight. I felt like I was choking, and I couldn’t breathe at times. The cycle would repeat, and eventually I resigned myself to sleep on the couch so I’d stop waking up my wife.

One day, I went to a doctor and explained my symptoms— the chest pain, the trouble falling asleep, and the panic attacks. After a couple of tests over a few visits, he diagnosed me with anxiety. Can I be honest? It made me feel like a failure as a Christian. Hadn’t I been praying against this the right way? I’m not supposed to deal with this, I would think to myself, I’m supposed to have peace and not worry—that’s what Jesus said to do!

After following the doctor’s instructions and starting to take a small dose of medication, I continued praying for anxiety to just go away. I didn’t want to have to deal with it anymore.

In 2 Corinthians 12, in the NIV translation, Paul described his “thorn in the flesh.” While we never know for sure what Paul’s “thorn” was, anxiety can certainly feel like one for a lot of people, including me. Paul said that he pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away, but instead, Jesus told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (emphasis added)

The grace of Jesus is sufficient, no matter the circumstances. As I began praying for healing, I began to draw closer to Jesus. Like Paul, God hasn’t taken away my “thorn.” However, I’ve found myself more passionate about reading His Word, and I’ve prayed more than I ever have before.

I thought what I needed was healing for my anxiety. In reality, I needed more of Jesus. Now, I’m not saying if I had been closer to Jesus that I wouldn’t have had anxiety. I’m also not going to stop praying for anxiety to leave. I keep praying to be delivered from this thorn just like Paul did.

But something even better is happening to me than being instantly healed from anxiety: I’m developing a deeper understanding of God and a richer relationship with Him. Instead of just praying for peace, I found myself drawing closer to the Prince of Peace. When I began to worry about my future, I reminded myself that He is the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

I prayed for my anxiety to go away, but I found something much better: the overwhelming, loving presence of Jesus in my life—even in the midst of anxiety.

-Jordan Text 'Pray with Me' to 844-397-4679 Someone from our team will text you back and can talk with you about anything.

Your texts are important to us and will be prayed for by our team.

Don’t do life alone. We are listening and encourage you to reach out today.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255

National Domestic Violence Hotline 800.799.SAFE (7233)

National Alliance on Mental Illness 800-950-6264

The Connection Magazine | 2022

2022 MISSION TRIP HONDURAS

DATES ARE FORMING NOW

MISSION TRIPS

We visit locations in need of selfless and

Our Mission Trips are booked inclusive of air

sustainable support. Every trip is full of

travel, lodging, food, projects, insurance,

adventure and designed for maximum

and more. Trips are typically 4-7 days

impact in each community we serve.

including all travel days.

Connect Global is able to share the

Our projects vary from hospital visits to

message of Jesus by providing collaborative

leadership conferences, and from light

and sustainable solutions to needs around

construction to long-term discipleship

the world.

programs with Children's homes, and our partner Schools.

If you would like more information on a mission trip with Connect Global, please visit our website and send us a message.

CONNECTGLOBAL.ORG/TRIPS

Very often we think that things are NOISSIMBUS RENTRAP

going to turn out as we thought or as we planned, but suddenly we realize that God has intervened in

Carried Our Guilt

the course of our lives, and he has

By Pastor Nahun Flores

done so because he wants to perfect us, he wants to show us

In the book of Isaiah in chapter 53 and verses

that adversity is part of our

5 and 6 it says: "But he was wounded for our

formation, God wants to forge our

transgressions, crushed for our sins. For giving

character to take us to the

us peace punishment fell on him, and by his

measure of the stature of his

stripes we are healed. All of us Like sheep we

beloved son Jesus.

have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, but the Lord has laid on him the

Our Lord Jesus has left us his most valuable legacy,

iniquity of us all."

he himself was perfected through harsh trials, and has given us to understand that the brief tribulation

The Word of God affirms in the context prior

that we go through on this earth is nothing

to these verses that on that day all those who

compared to the eternal weight of glory that awaits

were kings of the earth will close their mouths

us in His presence.

in amazement, since they will see for themselves what was never told to them and

The story narrated by the prophet Isaiah apparently

understand what they had never heard. But,

begins in a tragic way, what's more, it says that the

what will they see and what will they

holy face of Jesus was disfigured by so much so that

understand...? They will see and understand

the people of his time thought and affirmed that

that Jesus Christ the son of the Almighty God

God himself had forsaken him. As the Prophet says:

stripped himself of his glory, became a servant

he was wounded for our rebellions, he was crushed

and came to this world of perverse people to

for our sins, the punishment of our peace was upon

serve because we preferred to be served, to

him, and by those wounds that he had to endure, all

teach us humility because we lack it, he came

of us have been healed, he has borne our sins on

to teach us the correct way to us closer to God

himself before a holy and pure God, he has paid the

because we were astray, he came to save everything that had been lost and above all he came to teach us that in this life it does not matter what we are or what we have, our personal achievements do not matter if they are not aligned with the purpose and the God's plans for our lives, because here in our earthly dwelling what matters most and what should challenge us the most, is to be under the perfect will of the Lord, Jesus said in the book of John: "Because I have not come to make my own will but the will of the Father who sent me, but in order to learn to do the will of the Father it is necessary that we die, it is necessary to die to all our desires, dreams and ambitions, knowing that we will change them.

The Father's gods are higher than our paths and that his thoughts are more sublime than ours.

price for us to be free from all curses, free from all guilt and eternal damnation.

At the end we read that everything that Jesus had to endure was worth it, we see today that he defeated death and that his victory is ours, and not only that but that he has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. land and that will distribute the spoils of their enemies and they will see the one they pierced and all will be silent, because they will see what was never told them, and they will understand what they had never heard.

Jesus took our faults upon himself and that is why we are now free for eternity.

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The Connection - A Magazine by Connect Global

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We sought out training from others who had expertise in each of these different disciplines as we knew that in order to make a long-lasting impact we would need to be able to provide holistic solutions. We called our plan, Connected Community. It would become our blueprint for helping communities in need and provide us with a way to measure our impact.. We sit with local leaders to hear firsthand what problems they are facing and we learn as much as we can. Being informed by those closest to the issue proves to be one of our greatest assets in the work we do. We have become relationship builders as much as we have become solution providers.

Whether we are building water wells, replacing roofs and floors for widows, or investing in education we always start by building relationships. This is the best way to learn about the marketplace and find the gaps within the community that need support.

I firmly believe that the reputation we have built with our supporters, our employees, as well as those we serve is in direct correlation to the emphasis we have placed on relationship building.

Relationships are not always easy, but they are always worth it. Earning trust through transparency is something that comes over time. There is no fast track to building your reputation. It is built one impression at a time. Each time you clearly communicate, and more importantly, execute your plan is one more reason for which someone might trust you and your reputation is the accumulation of each of those instances. This will ultimately determine whether you have a good or bad reputation.

Building a reputation and legacy on trust, kindness, generosity, and gratitude is essential to building and maintaining a successful endeavor.

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Connect Global was born out of the simple idea that we could discover and implement sustainable, community-driven solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. Problems such as food and water scarcity, the lack of access to education, and inadequate healthcare can all be solved if we just could just rally our friends and family around embracing solutions and empowering those around us to make a difference. One of the first issues we took on was food scarcity and the solution because creating a way for local leaders to gain knowledge around fish farming and help them source the materials needed to build basic, but efficient aquaponic food growing systems. These systems can grow fish and vegetation in the same space it takes to grow a traditional in-ground garden.

We moved into providing quality education through scholarships and school infrastructure as well as partnering with local hospitals to help care for the most vulnerable.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

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Javier, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Originally Published on CanvasRebel.com

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Interview with Javier Mendoza

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A MAGAZINE BY CONNECT GLOBAL

12 N Broadway Loft 3B Yonkers, NY 10701 text (844) 397-4679 email: hello@connectglobal.org www.connectglobal.org