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ICDM: October Update

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Dear friends of ICDM,

This is Jim Govatos, one of Yvan Pierre’s volunteer assistants writing to you. The other day I walked into Lowe’s to purchase something for a home repair, and Lo!, there front and center was a full display of Christmas decorations! Christmas seems to come earlier and earlier every year.

This encounter then got me thinking about my Christmas shopping list. I have six grandkids, not to mention their parents to shop for. I better get busy! This, in turn made me think about what I would like for Christmas. I am not sure I want more stuff for my kids to sort through when I am gone. I am blessed to have what I need at my disposal.

A couple of years ago I tackled this issue by starting a new tradition. I started asking my loved ones to buy me livestock! No, I didn’t build a chicken coop or pig pen in my back yard. I asked them to buy livestock for the families of Bayonnais, Haiti through ICDM’s GOATS (Gift of Animals to Succeed) program. For the people of Bayonnais, a gift of a goat or chicken or pig can make all the difference to their future success.
I am so glad I started doing this! I look through some of the unused or worn-out gifts of Christmas past and I realize nothing lasts forever. It is different with a gift to GOATS. The families who receive animals pay the gift forward by sharing offspring with other families. A gift of and ICDM animal is a gift that keeps on giving.

What I do to make this happen is simply mail an ICDM Christmas brochure to the people who generally give me gifts and ask them to consider making a gift to ICDM. The brochure contains the option of helping to feed students at the school as well as purchase animals. People are often intrigued by this request, and it allows me to open up a conversation about the outstanding work of ICDM! You can view or download the brochure using the link below to share with others or print a copy for yourself.
View Brochure
As I think about it, the gift of animals at Christmas makes sense. Jesus, God’s gift to the world, was born in a manger surrounded by animals. How about joining me in spreading some of the real Christmas spirit this year?
 
Warmly,
Jim Govatos