2016 International Newsletter - Holiday Edition

International Voice happy holidays! 2016

a publication of Mosaic International | www.mosaicinternational.org

Happy Holidays 2016!

Sometimes we know our purpose in this world looking forward. More often, we see our purpose by reflecting back.

Mosaic’s purpose is to serve by providing lives of possibilities to people with intellectual disabilities. Stewarding the gifts that our donors provide along with the gifts of passion and purpose that

Mosaic Motivation Trip our staff contribute allows Mosaic to embrace God’s call to serve.

Wondering what is the high point of African travel?

Reflecting back on this year, we offer our deepest gratitude to our donors and all our past, present and future staff for their partnership to provide extraordinary lives for people with intellectual disabilities all over the world!

The highest point in Africa is found on Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, but by all accounts, the high point of visiting Africa is the people and the relationships you discover.

“All of God’s people are ordinary people who have been made extraordinary by the purpose he has given them.” –Oswald Chambers

We are excited and honored to welcome 22 exceptional people to share Mosaic International’s Motivation Trip in July 2017. Unlike other “volunteer” trips, we have no structures to build. We are building relationships—through connecting trip participants to the people Mosaic serves in the Building a Caring Community Centers.

We will also venture on a three-day safari to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater and view the amazing wildlife at Tarangire National Park. For those who cannot join us in 2017—we are holding you a place for our trip in 2018!

Donna Werner, Senior Vice President of Advocacy, is retiring after 28 years working on behalf of Mosaic.

She is a great example of a seemingly ordinary person who does extraordinary things by being faithful to the purpose God has given to us all, to serve others.

The high point, Mt. Kilimanjaro.

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Why we do what we do.

Mosaic conducts its international work through partnerships with domestic and overseas organizations. One of Mosaic’s partners is Donna Werner IMPACT, a multinational alliance, dedicated to advocacy for people with disabilities and the development of successful and sustainable demonstration projects for serving children and adults.

IMPACT was formed in 2001 by Mosaic and partners from the U.S., U.K., Norway, and Germany. This alliance sponsored demonstration projects in Latvia, Russia, Romania,

Kenya, Tanzania, India, Bulgaria, and the Dominican Republic. The projects in Latvia and Russia are now completely funded by their governments. Romania and India are also financially independent through a combination of government funds, grants, and the income from social businesses.

Just as the projects have grown and matured, IMPACT has evolved over the years. The current members of the alliance are: Mosaic, Motivation Romania (formerly a grant recipient), Bethphage UK, and Christian Horizons Global (Canada). The mission and function statements for IMPACT were recently reviewed

and refreshed.

IMPACT works internationally to promote the human rights, quality of life, and social inclusion of people with disabilities. The function of the alliance is to share knowledge, experience, promising practices, build networks and leverage resources to respond to the needs of people with disabilities in less resourced settings.

Mosaic and IMPACT are motivated to do their international work led by the words in Luke 12:48: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” This is why we do what we do.

It’s in the cards If these cards could tell their story… they would say, “We were 100% handmade by some pretty neat young adults who live in Tanzania. They not only design the cards, but they make the paper! We hope when you hold each uniquely created card that you can feel all the love and joy that went into making us.

And you share that with the people you send us to!”

Pictured at right: Card papermaking crew.

Contact Mosaic International to learn how to buy a card and support the young adult program that creates them!

Handmade cards made with love from recycled products.

Mosaic International Voice is published by Mosaic International | 4980 S. 118th Street Omaha, NE 68137 | 402.896.3884 | www.mosaicinternational.org Resource Development Manager

teresa.roll@mosaicinfo.org

Relationships Mosaic is an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a member of Lutheran Services in America.

Mission Embracing God’s call to serve in the world, Mosaic advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and provides opportunities for them to enjoy a full life.

Non-discrimination Mosaic will not discriminate in matters of employment or service delivery on the basis of race, creed, age, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status or veteran status.

Integrity at Mosaic If you have a concern, call our national Confidential Reporting Hotline at 800.443.4899, or email integrity@mosaicinfo.org

To be added or removed from the mailing list or to receive information via email, please contact Mosaic at the address given. ©2016 Mosaic. All rights reserved. Mosaic is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

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The True Meaning of Building a Caring Community As we endeavor to truly build a caring community that supports and empowers children and young adults with disabilities, we begin at the most personal level—the family. In order to change the societal attitude surrounding people with disabilities, it is essential to first educate parents about disability and support them to become advocates in their community. I can think of no better example of this than the mother of one of the young adults in our program, Mudi Machui.

When Mudi first came to BCC, he was not at the center often. When he was, his clothes were dirty and the staff knew that he had not been fed at home.

The reason for his poor attendance was that his mother was ashamed of him and didn’t want him to leave the house.

He was still occasionally attending the center because his father saw the progress he was making and wanted him to come, but his mother’s shame inhibited his participation at BCC.

When Mudi’s mother heard about the young adult program, she was excited at the prospect of vocational skills training. Seeing his potential for a transformation, she finally allowed Mudi to fully participate in the activities and trainings available.

Giving Thanks for Giving Tuesday Donors!

Mosaic International is grateful for the outpouring of support and donations on Giving Tuesday. Special thanks to a generous donor who matched all the gifts made throughout Mosaic’s 52 agencies nationwide.

BCC expanded its young adult program to include farming skills.

After his first harvest, Mudi shared vegetables with his family. Mudi’s mother, overcome with pride, displayed the vegetables to neighbors, exclaiming, “Come see what Mudi has done!”

Mudi’s mother now believes in his ability to learn and contribute. She is more attentive to his needs and his attendance at the center is nearly perfect. She went from hiding him away in their house to showing the community what he can accomplish and contribute. BCC’s programs are impacting lives and catalyzing change, one heart at a time.

Have you included Mosaic in your estate planning?

There are ways to increase your income now or in the future and save money on taxes.

With a planned gift, you can also ensure that Mosaic’s mission of providing a life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities continues long into the future.

Contact Jaime Corsar at 877.366.7242 or jaime.corsar@mosaicinfo.org to discuss how planned giving can help you.

Grateful for the harvest, Mudi’s smile says it all!

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4980 S. 118th Street Omaha, NE 68137

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A life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities.

Connect with Mosaic International! mosaicinternational.org livesofpossibility.wordpress.com www.facebook.com/mosaic.intl twitter.com/mosaic_intl donate.mosaicinfo.org/sslpage. aspx?pid=298

Tracking Baba Krismasi!

Godson has a great name for the amazing job he does as a Health Coordinator. Although Baba Krismasi (Father Christmas) might also be an accurate description for his work.

Thanks to our donors, Godson has been able to make 3,480 health

outreach visits to the people Mosaic International cares for who are unable to travel to our program centers in Moshi, Tanzania. Your support and donations are making a difference!

Please consider a year-end gift to Mosaic International, a nonprofit

501(c)(3) providing lives of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities – all over the world.

Learn more about Godson and the life-changing mission of Mosaic International at livesofpossibility. wordpress.com/2016/02/18

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