Greetings!
Some may know, but 2 weeks ago I got back from a mission trip to Romania. What an awesome experience I was blessed with. God used us to impact many people with the Gospel and He also used this trip to give me more direction for Cultivate Global. I’d love to share more with you, just reach out anytime. 🙂
Cody (me) taking a picture with local Gypsy village children after a church service.
I am so excited to update you all on what is new and current with Cultivate Global. First, I want to reflect on Easter this past weekend. I hope you were able to spend this Easter holiday with family and friends. Most of all I hope you were able to spend time to meditate and thank the Lord for his goodness to us! My prayer is that the Gospel never becomes mundane in our hearts and minds! If you haven’t, thank the Lord for His love for us, in reflection of this past Easter! He has Risen Indeed!
God has been so good to us this past year. When you last heard from me, we were at 20% of our CASA Phase 1/3 goal of $85,000 in commitments for 2023. As of current, we are at 60% of total giving, and 90% in total commitments toward that goal. A total of $40,000 has been safely wired and received to our bank account in Tanzania. God has been able to use your donations in mighty ways and your generosity is not in vain. The current CASA Daycare center was able to go through an update and remodel. Currently, an expansion of classrooms is in play. We were able to add playground equipment and a recess area for the children. A fence was put up for the safety of the school. A van has been purchased to pick up kids who come from a distance and allow for easier travel for the school administrators. The CASA staff was treated to a formal meal and a timely bonus in income. Most importantly, a children’s Bible for each student and a copy of an NIV study Bible for each staff member have been purchased and gifted. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is being preached and new ears are hearing of the love of Jesus. I want to emphasize how large of a thing it is to get a copy of the Bible in the hands of each one of the people whom we are serving through CASA. The students come from Tribal Religions, Muslim, and Christian homes. Through the means of education and agriculture development, we have a reason to be involved in this community and share the Gospel. God is so good!
CASA Administrator Justine MMbaga proudly standing behind newly purchased bibles.
We are excited to announce that 3 members of our board are going to Tanzania from May 10-25. This is no small thing. I am anxious to get over there and meet the local people and see in person the CASA projects we are developing. This trip is not just a ‘business’ trip, however. It is a mission trip. In addition to days spent with our CASA partners, our team will be visiting many villages, churches, and orphanages to preach and share the Gospel. I want to emphasize again how I feel our partnership with CASA gives us good reason to make a difference economically, but ultimately a reason to be there and impact lives with the Gospel. Please be in prayer for our team. (We plan to open this mission trip up to our supporters in the near future and take a team every spring and potentially the fall as well. If you may have interest in serving in this way please reach out to me for more information. Thanks)
We are doing ministry through gospel evangelism in education and agricultural development! This is humbling and it does not happen as a result of a single person. With that, I will state our needs. In order to continue to develop this Gospel preaching agricultural school system with CASA and more in the future, we need to continue to receive financial donations and diligent prayer. Would you consider more? I humbly ask this not for me, but within our surrender of resources and ultimately our hearts, God uses us the most. Complete trust of the Lord with our needs. What a cool position for us to be in. This is an ask I will continue to bring forward as the Spirit moves.
It has been cool for me to see God provide more resources exactly when we need it. When I may become anxious, He brings me peace with His calming grace. He has not, and will not, fail to amaze me. A verse I read the other day that has stuck with me is Psalm 37:23. It is a great reminder for all of us to just lean in and delight in the Lord, and He will take care of the rest according to His plan.
I’ve said before and I’ll say again, God does not need us or our resources to do incredible things. However, He has chosen to use us. What a privilege and a joy that is! We, and so many others in Tanzania, are so grateful for you and your support.
People often ask why I do what I do with Cultivate Global, and I often think of 1 John 3:17, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” This verse is convicting to me and may it be to you as well.
If you are blessed in this way and able, would you consider committing to a year total of one of these 4 levels. If you feel led this way, I would love to talk to you more prior to any commitment. If you are unable to commit to a backbone level, amounts of any size are received with much gratitude. Reminder, recurring monthly donations can be set up online. Above anything, we ask for your diligent prayer for this ministry.
*Giving can be done online at cultivateglobal.net or checks sent to 793 Worms Rd Grand Island, NE 68801 for the time being. Check for updates every so often at the website.
This is His mission, not ours.
I am beyond grateful for all of your support and what the Lord is doing.
“For His Kingdom!”
– Cody J. Griess