"In our culture, we think of the holiday season as a time of giving
and the new year as a time to reflect back on the year. What's nice for
all of us involved with MPI is that we can look back and know that
we've somehow, either as a volunteer or as a friend or donor, supported
a culture that believes that giving is not just about a few days a
year, but as a way of life, all year and every year.'
"While we have
written to a lot of you to ask for your support as 2007 comes to a
close, we want to reiterate that we truly think of the Manna
project network of people as a network of people who give every day.
Each day that a volunteer walks into a program at one of our college
chapters or in a town in Nicaragua or Ecuador, they are there because a
lot of people like you are helping them be there, and you are doing so
because you care about the needs of those who struggle in this world.
Everyone receiving this email has somehow, at some point, given the
gift of just thinking about the needs of others, people far away
geographically, socio-economically, and just in terms of life
experience. That's not such an easy thing to do, but it might be the
best thing any of us can give to this world, and you probably do it
everyday. For that, as we on the staff and Board of Directors of MPI
look back at 2007, we are warmed by knowing that we are connected to
such a caring and giving group of people, who give more than just
gifts, but love and care and a few minutes of their precious lives to
think about others.'
"And so, as I think about what to give to my family and
friends, I also look back at the emails in my inbox, received from
Nicaraguan friends from my time there and the thanks they send
for MPI's service to them and their families. I think about how much
it means to them to know we are just thinking about them. They thank
you for the wonderful care you have given this year."
- From MPI Board Member Greg Pasquali
