Newsletters
With our regular newsletters, we aim to keep you posted on all the interesting and important news and updates of our programs and various activities. Enjoy reading!
September 2004
Dear friends and partners, It has been a very hectic month since I last wrote to you. We found a new building - its in a better location - as a friend of mine said - "its fun to go through the store - every room is another room of treasures" - a fine compliment and explains our joy and thanksgiving. The actual act of moving was not so much joy - we were horrified at how much stuff we have accumulated so it became an opportunity to clean house. Our old landlord was horrified that we would leave - our new landlord was delighted - he agreed to do all the repairs and additions that we wanted. We had customers before the displays were ready - a steady flow each day - so different from our old location. And all of this was accomplished in three short but very long weeks.
As soon as we settled into our new location, we began work on our plans and budgets for this New Year which begins in October. It's a plan of dreams and visions - it speaks of dedication of our staff to the people they serve - it speaks of the assurance you give us to go out and do. We desire to reach out to 20,130 families affecting 152,550 people. What is so amazing is that the cost of helping each family to achieve 4-6 dreams this year is only $10.00 US per family. We are so thankful for that gift. Now, we ask that each of you help us to find 20,130 families that would partner with a family here at $10 per year - for Singaporeans, Canadians and Australians it means $18.00 per family. Can you help us achieve these dreams? We are blessed with new opportunities to sell our products. Tabitha USA is in process of opening an on-line store with all our products. The Friends of Tabitha in Singapore has held another Silk Fair and plans several more; individuals like Margret are promoting our goods to large corporations, Living Silk in Australia has begun to sell. All of these as well as our regular customers enable us to pay for many of our administrative costs - leaving the costs of development to a minimum. Tabitha Foundation Singapore has become a registered charity in Singapore. Their new web - address is on the signature below. This makes five foundations - all volunteers who give so freely of their time and skills - it makes so much more possible. Now we are busy with teams and expansion areas - next month we hope to produce a 10th Anniversary report on all that we have achieved - all the dreams the people have created and done - all the work which would not have happened without the support of each of you. I ask you to come and see what you and we have done together. All of this, of course. takes time - sometimes another 10 hours a day would suit me just fine. But it is the staff that amaze me most - they are working very long hours and not a word of complaint. I suggested that maybe we should slow down accepting new teams for house building - their response was quick and loud - we can do more. I suggested that perhaps we don't need new customers - their response was to bring in 4 young ladies whose choice was to work for us or to work in brothels. Big grins as I just laughed. I suggested maybe we should be content with the families we had - their response was to tell me to come and see and to tell these families that are waiting myself that we will not come. I suggested to make sure that our dreams are one - their response was to show me that we are only just beginning our quest. So it has become a time of rejoicing - a time of renewal - a time of continuation of what is started - a time of reaching out to more. It is a time of thankfulness to our God and His Grace - a time of thankfulness for each of you. I don't think life can get much better except for a bit more time for Miriam - even she, in her young age - says its okay mom, there are many people to help. Janne
