SAUP Launches MothersSistersDaughters Across the Waters

We believe in the power of each person to make a difference in this world. But when those people come together, miracles happen beyond measure. The South Africa Ubuntu Project recently hosted the launch of MothersSistersDaughtersAcross the Waters, an intergenerational connecting group that provides support woman to woman, mother to mother, daughter to daughter and sister to sister across the waters. This year, the US MothersSistersDaughters group will be leading SAUP's in fundraising for school fees and other necessities for our partners in South Africa through Faith in Action. Dawn Eddy is taking the lead on producing an informational outreach video for SAUP. Pictured above are Rev. Franshonn Psalter of Restoration Outreach Community (ROC), SAUP Mission Director Rev. LaDonna M. Sanders, Rev. Dr. Qiyamah Rahman of Meadville-Lombard, Dawn Eddy and Justice Eddy (our youngest member) of the Storehouse. MothersSistersDaughters is focusing on prayer and positive energy support for our South African partners, especially the mothers and grandmothers on the frontlines as well as for our own Rev. LaDonna and our fundraising initiatives for the upcoming mission. See details below for how you can support. If you are interested in MothersSistersDaughters across the waters, email us today.

Support the South Africa Ubuntu Project's World AIDS Day Solidarity Mission

The focus of this year's World AIDS Day Global Campaign is Leadership. There is a call for leadership at all levels move on their commitments to end the grave impact of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic.

This January, we will be going to serve with our partners at Faith
in Action in Durban, South Africa. Since 2003, we have been working with Pastor Sylvester Cele and the 12 Faith in Action communities to work together to make a difference as we raise resources and support for Children's Homes and other initiatives that support the education, leadership and economic development of communities impacted and affected by HIV/AIDS.

With your help, Rev. LaDonna will be able to serve on the frontlines, joining Pastor Cele in providing Chaplain support for HIV/AIDS workers in area hospitals, conducting needs assessments for new and current partners who serve children and families who have lost their parents, and will assist these grass-roots community organizations to find funding and resources to support the growing numbers of children. Additionally, Rev. LaDonna will be organizing the South Africa Ubuntu Project's 2008 Bridge Missions to South Africa, where people like you can participate in an immersion/educational/service experience as we work together to make a difference in reducing the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Rev. LaDonna is set to travel beginning in January, once all funds are raised, and she will continue serving and reporting from the frontlines for as long as the funding support allows.
Make your tax deductible contribution today. Together we can make a big difference! Together we can change the world.

Inspiration for the Journey

Festive Season greetings sent by friends and co-laborers have meant more this year than ever. A few days ago, we received one from the South African Consulate in Chicago. It was like getting one from the President, and the messages came right on time. These quotes were on the inside:

• "Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world. " ~Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Winner
  

• "If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness." ~Nelson Mandela, Nobel Peace Prize Winner

May you be encouraged, inspired and empowered these and in the days to come. Thank you for your support and being apart of this beautiful web of connection. We are thankful for your tax-deductible donations. Thanks to all our donors and supporters. When we go to serve with our South African partners, you go with us. Check out the site and join us today! Thank you so much! Siyabonga! (Pictured above Rev. LaDonna's photo of Nomusa and friend of Sister Mabusi's extended family's home, entitled "Mapumulo Grace." Nomusa means Grace in Zulu.

Imagine: "A World Without AIDS"

RevL's Question of the Week: What will it take to make a shift in the HIV/AIDS pandemic--in your community, in your city, in your family, in the world? What can you do in your circles? What can we do as a collective?

Rev. LaDonna's Question of the Week: What is your DREAM?

IndianOcean Answered Prayer Color
Originally uploaded by revladonna

What is your dream, what is your hope, what is your inspiration? If you were empowered to do and/be a certain something in the world what would it be? If you could be anywhere in the world, doing and being your dream, where would it be?

As for me, I'd be right here every morning at the Durban, South Africa sunrise over the Indian Ocean before I would start the day with Faith in Action and plan South Africa-US bridgebuilding trips and experiences. I write this today from snowy Chicago as we are preparing for the South Africa mission. And I realize that this right now, right here, writing this message, inviting partners to join us on the World AIDS Day Solidarity Mission to South Africa (see below), this is the dream, unfolding itself right now. To meet with each of you, to have shared together with you in the past--THIS too is the dream. Building bridges across the waters and bringing people together from different backgrounds and corners of the Earth to make a big difference locally and globally. This is my dream. Meeting the morning sunrise at the Indian Ocean next month, this is my dream. What about you? What is your dream? Share with us if it moves you to do so. Either way, take moments today to breathe, see, and remember your dream. Read on and join us as we live into the possibilities. RevL, SAUP Founder and Mission Director (Photo by Rev L at morning meditation, SA Mission 2004, Durban, South Africa)

RevL Takes Up Cyberspace Residence: Global-Internet Housewarming Begins Now

Well, it has finally happened, Beloved. RevL, your Global Pastor, Bridgebuilder, Catalyst, Mayor of 53rd, 55th and 57th Streets in Chicago and on and on is finally taking up cyber-residence in Blog Space. I had to ask myself, does the Dalai Lama have a blog, or Thich Nhat Hahn, or others? But as Israel of Israel and New Breed invites us to ponder, what "if the disciples had the internet."I can only imagine with the foot soldiers of the US Civil Rights Movement would have done with these internet capabilities. Imagine the reach for Fanie Lou Hamer, Sojourner Truth, the multiplication of the message and ministry of Rev. Harriet Tubman. Or what about the Steve Bikos, the Mandelas and the more. And so we offer up and open these Cyber Doors for this Ubuntu Community, globally and locally.

These days, I feel my life flashing before me. The time at Mizzou, Syracuse University, DePaul, Loyola, Chicago Cares, Women Employed, McCormick Theological Seminary, Students Organized Against Racism, Peer Multicultural Education, and on and on. I am truly thankful. Everything prepares us for our time, what we are called to do, even the trials, the barriers, the blocks, the losses, all strength for the journey, bringing out exactly who you are and what you need to do and be what you are here for. So I am thankful. Thankful mostly for the people, each one of you, I have learned so much. And I know if we can bridge these communities across the waters, share the resources and the wisdom for the healing of the nations, the U.S. and South Africa and across the globe, I know the world will be changed. So join me, in living into the possibilities. I am thankful to be called to this ministry for the masses, church and community without walls, connection of humanity across the waters, across real, imaginary and socially constructed lines. As we each share what is on the inside, the truth of who we are, what we have been created to be, the world will be changed. I pray your joy, peace and empowerment in this time. Join us as we live into the possibilities. Thank you for your prayers, positive energy, financial support and for standing with us! May the blessings of your giving return to you beyond measure. Thank you so much! Blessings, Peace, Joy and Power, Rev. LaDonna M. Sanders, Global Pastor, Public Poet and Founder, The South Africa Ubuntu Project