As I sit in front of my computer to write this update, the old-time hymn, I Love to Tell the Story, is floating around in my head.
I love to tell the story,
’Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
of Jesus and His love.
As Secretary of HWHL, I’m humbled and honored to tell you a few stories of Jesus and His love as we partner with our brothers and sisters in Liberia. A Love Story in a Picture
A love story in a picture. A story of Christ’s love for us and our responding with love for our neighbors around the world. A story of the love of a husband and wife who have recently been reunited.
Dr. Chris Hena provided this photo of a husband and wife of many years who are both physically challenged and had been living apart in different homes due to their need for care and their lack of mobility. Chris says, “We were told about their situation and decided to help. She needed the wheelchair and he needed the walker. What a joy it was when they were finally able to come together and actually see each other. There were many tears of joy that day.”
Building Bridges
These photos show our Community Health Workers crossing a bridge to reach one of the 36 Margibi County villages they serve. Dr. Chris writes, “Imagine this during the rainy season and having to carry a pregnant woman in labor over this!” I began to think, Jesus’ message to us is to build bridges to connect with others to share His love in our homes, our communities, our nations and around the world. These are not one way bridges. Our Liberian friends are richly blessed by the ministry of HWHL and in turn we, as partners of HWHL, are also richly blessed by their love and caring for us. As my sister was undergoing major heart surgery in Tennessee, the Community Health Workers came together in Kakata to sing and pray her through the operation. Take a moment to listen to their beautiful gift to our family. We may be separated by an ocean but yet connected by the love of Christ.
Barrels of Love
As partners in ministry with Healthy Women, Healthy Liberia you may have heard of Barrels of Love, the semiannual shipments of clothing and medical supplies & equipment to HWHL and other Liberian agencies. We thought you might be interested in learning about the founding of Barrels of Love in 2001 when Dr. Chris Hena requested books for the children of Liberia. It’s a heartwarming story of God’s plan at work.
“How beautiful are your feet in sandals,
O noble daughter!”
Song of Solomon 7:1
Flip-flops from Barrels of Love were recently distributed to residents in one of the communities HWHL serves.
Soil-transmitted helminth infection (parasitic worms) thrive in the warmer climates of the earth. Unfortunately, these are the areas of most of the world’s poverty. This poverty is accentuated by the presence of worms that cause the depletion of already scarce nutrients in the body. Worms enter the body in various ways. Hookworm larvae (immature worms) mature into a form that can penetrate the skin of humans. Hookworm infection is transmitted primarily by walking barefoot on contaminated soil. Flip-flops are a simple and effective means of combating the transmission of hookworm.
Qualified Charitable Distributions
With the higher IRS standard deduction, you might find that you will be unable to itemize your charitable giving on your 2021 tax return. Did you know the gift of a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) benefits donors aged 70½ and up? The Qualified Charitable Distribution is an excellent way to show your support for Healthy Women, Healthy Liberia and receive tax benefits in return. As you plan your required minimum distributions (RMD) for 2021, consider using your IRA account to make the most of your charitable giving. You receive a tax benefit even if you take the standard deduction!
It’s important to consider your tax situation before deciding whether to make a charitable contribution from your IRA. Be sure to share this gift plan with your financial advisor before proceeding.
To qualify
You must be 70½ or older at the time of gift.
Distributions must be made directly from a traditional IRA account by your IRA administrator to Healthy Women, Healthy Liberia.
Gifts must be outright, meaning they go directly to Healthy Women, Healthy Liberia.
Tax Benefits
IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions are excluded as gross income for federal income tax purposes on your IRS Form 1040.
The gift counts toward your required minimum distribution for the year in which you made the gift.
You could avoid a higher tax bracket that might otherwise result from adding an RMD to your income.
About HWHL
Healthy Women, Healthy Liberia is a 501(c)(3) charity
EIN 27-4540631
Send Distributions to:
Healthy Women, Healthy Liberia
PO Box 816
Waxahachie, TX 75168
Our plan is to continue to send out these newsletters on a quarterly basis so we don’t overwhelm your inboxes with emails! For updates between newsletters, please visit our web site and Facebook page.
We treasure your partnership in this mission. We’d love to hear from you anytime with your comments or questions.
