Columbia-Willamette Women of Vision

August 2023 Enews

We each come to Women of Vision in a different way. I started when a friend, Nancy Johns, invited me. Nancy and I got to know each other when we traveled to Senegal with our church. While there, we met with World Vision staff at the headquarters in Dakar and visited World Vision’s work in communities supported by our church members. We also spent time with our sponsored children, which was a highlight of the trip. So, I came to Women of Vision already somewhat familiar with World Vision. My experience with Women of Vision has added another facet.

Women of Vision events are an opportunity to learn more about World Vision’s many projects throughout the world. It has been wonderful to gather regularly with a group of women focused on specific World Vision projects. Next year, we will continue supporting the same projects we've had this past year: Christian Discipleship in Central America, Global Emergency Response, and Kenya Big Dream.

I was especially drawn to the events where we heard stories from people involved in the projects. Hearing individuals’ stories about how their lives had changed as they learned and worked with World Vision staff is heartwarming and a blessing to me. I have also appreciated hearing from guest speakers who have visited the projects we support. And I am always moved when hearing from our women who go on Vision Trips to see the work we support first-hand and spend time with the local people. I had the opportunity to be one of those women this past February when four women from our chapter traveled to Honduras on a Vision Trip.

I also like reading World Vision’s impact reports on each project. I’m inspired by the number of people who are impacted each year. It’s nice to see the stories backed up with statistics and explanations of how the programs are carried out. What World Vision is doing makes a big difference in the lives of children and families. (Click on each photo below to read the most recent report for that project.)

Christian Discipleship

in Central America

Kenya Big Dream

Global Emergency Response

The holding power to stay involved with Women of Vision for me comes from the Lord. We have the opportunity to pray together, learn together, and enjoy fellowship, all while raising funds for our projects. The Lord is making all this possible. Women of Vision is a gift from God.

Our chapter’s four Focus Teams (Global, Gatherings, Connections, and Chapter Development) give every woman the opportunity to use her gifts, and this makes for a powerful workforce for the Lord. When I think about the women involved on our Teams, I am so thankful to the Lord. It really is exciting. In addition to the Focus Teams, we also have opportunities to spend time with each other through our Book Group discussions, local service projects, and large and small gatherings. I enjoy the book groups because they’re related to our specific projects, and we can discuss and share how we have been touched by the story. I find our annual “Share the Light” event to be very special. To me, it’s a wonderful time to share with friends about Women of Vision and to give them the opportunity to support the projects with us.

Share the Light 2023

A few years ago, I started giving to Women of Vision/World Vision through a monthly auto withdrawal in order to be more consistent with my support. I still give additionally at different times through the year. As we come to the end of the fiscal year on September 30th, I am thinking again about my giving. I invite you to consider giving at this time or perhaps starting an auto withdrawal to Women of Vision/World Vision. Your support is greatly appreciated. You can explore different ways to donate on our giving page.

I hope you will join with me in thanking the Lord for this group of women. Thank you to each woman who is involved in any way. I look forward to seeing you at the Kick-Off event October 14th, 2023, at Lake Grove Presbyterian Church. And bring a friend!

Blessings,

Lynne Sears

Co-Chair

Columbia-Willamette Women of Vision

Fall Kick-Off 2023

Saturday, October 14, 2023

9 to 11:30 a.m.

Lake Grove Presbyterian Church

4040 Sunset Drive, Lake Oswego

Watch your email for the invitation so you can RSVP.

We are excited about our Fall Kick-Off event in October! Columbia-Willamette Women of Vision was founded 25 years ago. Since 1998, we have supported World Vision's transformational work in fourteen countries. The Fall Kick-Off will be an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the successes of the past and invite new women to participate with us as we strive to continue God’s work with Columbia-Willamette Women of Vision.

Our time together will start off with fellowship along with great food and coffee. Then, the amazing Sandy Grubb will take us through our awesome history and share stories from her recent trip to Kenya. Come and see how the Lord is working though World Vision in this part of the world. We will also have time in the program to highlight each of our chapter's Focus Teams and how you or someone you invite can join us.

Your presence at this year’s Kick-Off event is what is MOST important—your unique gifts, talents, and willingness to serve are what sustains Women of Vision. Keep an awareness of those in your life that you can invite to this special event: sisters, aunts, mothers, grandmothers, neighbors, co-workers, and friends. We look forward to seeing you in October as we all renew our commitment to World Vision by serving through Columbia-Willamette Women of Vision.

Click on the video below to hear Sandy's one-minute greeting from the field, then come on the 14th to celebrate with us and learn more. Punchbowl invitations will be sent soon.

See you there!

Laurie Jones

Kick-Off Event Co-Chair

Opportunity to GIVE

Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness.

Our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so.

Each year we see the lives of thousands transformed because our good friends demonstrate the will to make it so. If you'd still like to make a donation this fiscal year (ending Sept 30), you can do so online by CLICKING HERE. If you'd like to mail a check or give by other means, please click on the GIVE tab of our website for more instructions.

Your gifts make all the difference! Thank you!

Please join us in prayer

Pray for the Christian Discipleship work in Central America to bring hope to children and families as they learn they are loved by God and created in his image. As hope grows, violence shrinks and lives are changed.

Pray that many more girls in Kenya will return to school this fall and have the opportunity to finish secondary school. And pray that more and more communities say no to female genital mutilation and child marriage.

Pray for the protection of World Vision staff in the field, especially those working in dangerous conflict zones. Pray for the relief efforts in Maui, Ukraine, Syria, and many more.

Calendar

Save These Dates

2023 Fall Kick-Off

Women of Vision Then and Now: Finding Hope in Our History

Saturday morning, October 14, 2023

9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Lake Grove Presbyterian Church

The invitation will be coming to your email soon!

Women of Vision in Action

Wednesday, September 20, we will be serving with Transitional Youth.

Click here to see how you can donate a "Welcome Basket" for youth entering one of their facilities.

Thursday, October 26, we will be serving at the Children's Book Bank. Watch your email for more details.

Winter Book Group

Saturday morning, January 20, 2024

We'll be discussing I am an African Girl by Elizabeth Nyamayaro.

Share the Light Gala

Sunday evening, April 14, 2024

Mark your calendar now!

About Us

Women of Vision is a volunteer ministry of World Vision that cultivates dynamic partnerships resulting in significant investments of time, talent, and treasure in support of World Vision’s work, facilitating transformational impact in the lives of the poor and our supporters in the name of Christ. Please partner with us! Click here to learn what that means and update your commitment for this year (or for the first time).

The Columbia-Willamette Chapter of Women of Vision supports World Vision's work in Kenya, Central America, and areas around the globe struck by disasters. We also volunteer at many local organizations to help the disadvantaged in our own community. Please read about this work on our website.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.