Life changed for Maria when she became a participant in a community program offered by the Reformed Church of Mozambique (IRM), World Renew’s partner in Mozambique. IRM’s programs reach out to communities to help them improve their lives in a variety of ways including food security and agriculture, literacy, small business development and community orphan care.

When World Renew staff visited the village of Nhankhuvi to check on the progress of IRM’s programs, Maria was among the individuals who gathered to express a warm welcome and demonstrate some of the news skills they had learned. After writing something down, she bravely read what she had written.

"Zindu za vuta tiku pempha Mulungu kuti atipa tse mvula." In English, this means: “The situation is difficult, we are asking God to send us rainfall."

Through Gift Catalog gifts, 689 literacy sets were purchased for students in Tanzania and 1,839 literacy books can be given to help adults in Zambia learn how to read and write.

In a community where many farmers struggle with lack of rain, Maria was able to write down and share a short but powerful prayer to God. Through World Renew programs, she is learning to use the beautiful gift of literacy—a blessing that allows people to connect with each other and live out our God-given gifts.

In addition to being able to write a prayer as Maria did above, the other beneficiaries of the Nhankuvi literacy class testified that they are now able to read their Bibles, give the correct change when they sell at the market, and read road signs when they travel such as the name of towns and hospitals. They can now teach their children literacy skills as well.

Every year, people throughout North America peruse World Renew’s Gift Catalog and decide to use what God has given them to bless families in some of the world's most difficult working to overcome disaster, fight injustice, and renew their hope for a better future.

Donations to this year’s gift catalog program totaled $1,050,0000—and included items to help more of God’s children overcome illiteracy. Through Gift Catalog gifts, 689 literacy sets were purchased for students in Tanzania and 1,839 literacy books can be given to help adults in Zambia learn how to read and write.

The gift catalog is not just for Christmas.  Many people use the items in the catalog as wedding favors, birthday presents, gifts for teachers, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and a variety of other occasions.  Take another look today, and prayerfully consider what you can give to help people like Maria embrace their God-given potential in new, life-giving ways.