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The difference between helping and hurting often comes down to one critical question: are we empowering and dignifying people or creating dependencies and disabilities? In this eye-opening conversation with Sheree Reece, Global Missions Director for a UMC Mega Church - Church of the Resurrection, Laura and Yaz unpack the profound shift happening in mission work worldwide—moving from traditional charity models that often foster dependence to sustainable approaches that build genuine capacity and dignity.

Drawing from her 14 years of experience coordinating global missions across Africa, Asia, and Haiti, Sheree reveals why simply showing up with resources and doing things for communities ultimately creates more harm than good. She shares powerful examples of transformation, including how one Haitian community went from passively waiting for outside help after the 2010 earthquake to confidently leading their own recovery efforts when Hurricane Matthew struck in 2016.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is the practical wisdom Sheree offers. She explains how organizations can make this difficult transition, emphasizing the patience required with both donors and partners. The importance of building trust before sending resources, identifying true community leaders rather than just the loudest voices, and creating "50-50 covenants" where both parties contribute their unique assets all feature prominently in her approach.

Most compelling is Sheree's reminder that Jesus himself modeled empowerment—not by dictating solutions but by engaging people in their own transformation, preserving their dignity, and recognizing their God-given abilities. Whether you're involved in mission work, charitable giving, or simply want to make a more meanin

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Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.

https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html

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A bible study for groups and individuals, One Twenty-Seven: The Widow and the Orphan by Dr Andrea Siegel explores the themes of the first chapter of James, and in particular, 1:27. In James, we learn of our duty to the vulnerable in the historical context of the author. Order here or digital download

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Family Empowerment Advocates support the work of family empowerment experts at the Child Reintegration Centre, Sierra Leone. Your small monthly donation, prayers, attention & caring is essential. You advocate for their work to help families bring themselves out of poverty, changing the course of children's lives and lifting up communities. join

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Organize a Rooted in Reality mission experience for your service club, church group, worship team, young adult or adult study. No travel required. Step into the shoes of people in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Helping Children Worldwide takes you into a world where families are facing impossible choices every day.

Contact support@helpingchildrenworldwide.org to discuss how.

Shout out to our newest sponsor: The Resilience Institute

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