City Church - Madison

During our mission trip to Mozambique to serve with SAM Ministries in 2022, we were introduced to little Amelia. She was a 17-month-old girl who came to the clinic one morning suffering from extreme malnutrition. Her mother's body had stopped producing milk, and given the extreme poverty in the area, Amelia's family could not afford formula even if they could find it. Amelia was so malnourished that her skin was peeling off her little body. Her legs were swollen because her veins were so weak they were hemorrhaging, her teeth were grinding uncontrollably, and her little eyes stared vacantly into space. Amelia was immediately transported to the "hospital" in the nearest “big city” of Vanduzi where she received IV nutrition. Despite hanging on for several days, we were devastated to learn that Amelia ultimately lost her fight against hunger.

Inspired by her story and our belief that AMELIA'S LIFE MATTERED, we have organized a fundraiser in her name supporting SAM Ministries' annual campaign to fund their feeding program. A program that would have saved Amelia’s life had she reached the clinic a few days sooner, where she would have had access to milk and formula. We believe it is unacceptable for any child like Amelia to die anywhere in the world of malnutrition. We are choosing to honor Amelia’s memory and bring good out of her tragic death.

We will make a 3.2 mile walk on Saturday September 30th, raising awareness and funds to support the SAM Ministries feeding program (https://www.stepswithsamm.org). City Church in Madison Wisconsin (SAM Ministries' US Partner) will send 100% of the donations directly to support this program. We humbly ask that you consider donating $5, $10, $25 or whatever you might be inspired to give in support of this cause. We thank you for your consideration.

Gratefully,

Matt Huelsman, Dan Wolking, Jeff DeRamus, Kayla Stucke, Jay Powelson, and John Cleveland

Help support SAM Ministries’ life-saving and life-changing work in Mozambique!

In April 2022, Shook Construction and SAM Ministries partnered to send eight Shook teammates to the village of Mucombeze in Mozambique, East Africa to build teacher dormitories. To help them further their mission and to spread the message that helping others can and should happen on a global scale, Shook created the documentary Obrigado Mucombeze in hopes of sharing the impact we can each have when we simply offer our time to help others. In conjunction with the premiere of this documentary on January 19, 2023, we would like to send a monetary donation to SAM Ministries to continue the support of their tremendous work. Please consider helping bless the beautiful people of Mucombeze, Mozambique through the blessings you have received in your own life.

These donations will provide vital help to people in dire circumstances. Here are some examples of how far your US Dollars could go in helping the people of Mucombeze.

The mission of SAM Ministries is to love God and love the people of Mozambique so they can be empowered spiritually, physically, and economically to help reach and teach their own people. More on SAM Ministries: https://samministries.org

City Church in Madison WI is currently the United States financial partner of SAM Ministries Mozambique. 100% of tax-deductible donations received through this fundraiser by City Church will be sent to SAM Ministries Mozambique.

Join me in gifting a local Mozambican farmer a unique Christmas present!

At our November YCP panel discussion, our three panelists shared about becoming better stewards of our workplaces, communities and faith.

"As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace." - 1 Peter 4:10

Panelist Dan Wolking shared about the Mission Trip he went on earlier this year to build a teacher dormitory for a local school in Mozambique, Africa, and the impact it had on his life. Dan was one of eight of my coworkers that traveled to Mozambique for the trip, and the stories they have shared since returning have also deeply impacted me. At the end of our panel, I challenged everyone to write down one way they would strive to be a better steward of their workplace, community and faith through a donation of their time, talent or treasure. I also offered a few ways to take action for anyone unsure of where to start.

One way I mentioned giving back was to give the people of Mozambique a unique Christmas present this year by helping me raise money for a cow and ox cart for a local farmer. I put up the $550 for the cow and challenged the rest of our group (and anyone else who wants to support the cause) to raise $1,050 for the ox cart. Please consider giving the people of Mozambique a unique gift this Christmas! No amount is too small. Any donations over the $1,600 for the cow/ox cart will go toward a plow for the farmer, medical supplies for the local clinic and/or baby formula to help end malnutrition.

More on Shook Construction's Mission Trip to Mozambique: https://www.shookconstruction.com/mission-trip-2022

All U.S. donations to SAM Ministries, the local ministry in Mozambique, funnel through City Church in Madison, WI. City Church will send 100% of our donations directly to SAM Ministries for the Cow & Ox Cart.

More on SAM Ministries: https://samministries.org

A school shooting is a tragic event where an individual or group of individuals open fire in a school, causing injury or death to students, teachers, and staff. These incidents not only result in the loss of lives but also leave lasting emotional scars on the survivors and the community. The aftermath of such events can be incredibly challenging, especially during the holiday season when families are meant to come together and celebrate.

Raising money can provide significant support to the affected families. Financial donations can help cover funeral expenses, medical bills for the injured, and provide counseling services for those dealing with trauma. Additionally, funds can be used to create scholarships in memory of the victims, ensuring their legacy lives on and providing hope for the future.

To the families who have lost loved ones, we extend our deepest condolences. Our hearts break for your loss, and we stand with you in this time of unimaginable grief. May you find strength in the support of your community and comfort in the cherished memories of those you have lost. Know that you are not alone, and we are here to support you in any way we can.