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Global Newsbite - Labour Day
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Remembering Labour Issues in CambodiaLeading the Way for a New Generation with Love and Sacrifice In Baray, a tight-knit community smack dab in the middle of Cambodia along the road from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap ... God is at work. To give opportunity for vulnerable moms, many older women who have made handicrafts for VillageWorks for years/decades - have given up their paying jobs with VillageWorks, which has given them access to National Social Security Fund (NSSF). This is a picture of love and sacrifice, especially since many of these older women have lost their husbands in the past few years. Now a younger generation can avail themselves of NSSF which helps with employment injury, emergency services, medical care, disability, funeral and some retiral. By offering their jobs to others, it means that the older women no longer qualify for NSSF, increasing their personal vulnerability. This is a powerful kind of love. Can you imagine giving up your income and benefits to help a vulnerable person? I am still processing this. This community in Baray is the origin story of VillageWorks. I was deeply moved by the initiatives led by the women of Baray. They have two primary goals:
Anak, the Director of VillageWorks, has a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal): to employ more of these faithful and sacrificial women by increasing sales of their fair trade, environmentally sustainable products while developing partnership with Tenth for short term support and JUSTBAG sales. Learn more about VillageWorks here. One of the key objectives for VillageWorks is to increase the number of women on their payroll, ensuring they earn at least the minimum wage of $80 per month. This would not only provide them with the better means to support their families but also allow them to benefit from the National Social Security Fund. Wouldn't it be truly wonderful if at least 10 women could be hired at a minimum of $80 per month. These women work hard to produce beautiful handicrafts, and by securing stable employment, they can pass on their skills while mentoring the next generation. Exploitative labour in Cambodia remains a significant issue, particularly in industries like garment manufacturing, construction, and agriculture. Workers often face poor working conditions, long hours, and inadequate wages, with little protection from exploitation. Despite efforts to improve labor standards, many Cambodians, including children, are trapped in cycles of poverty that make them vulnerable to forced labor and human trafficking. We are grateful for Anak and VillageWorks, as they not only model best fair-trade practices for their employees but also share these principles on local, national, and regional stages. Recently, Anak spoke about leading a fair-trade business at an ASEAN conference in Malaysia. As you may know, we are leading an exciting Justice Journey in Cambodia this October. We have a strong team that will be serving in two key areas, and we welcome your support:
We are grateful to partner with Hungry for Life to help manage some of our Cambodia projects and our Justice Journeys. Inspired by our Cambodia partners, Patrick Elaschuk I Global Missions Pastor Picture of Anak in pink sharing with her team in Baray from my August 2024 visit For more infomation visit:
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Mexico Justice Journey Q&A - September 3 at 7:30pmFor February and March 2025 Journeys Tenth Church will be leading two Justice Journeys to Rancho El Camino in La Paz, Mexico, in early 2025, and registration is now open! If you’re interested in joining us:
Patrick Elaschuk | Global Missions Pastor For more infomation visit:
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Our Mission for Sustainable Business EnterprisesSome Labour Day Thoughts As we reflect on Labour Day, it's an opportunity to think about the value of work and how our labor can contribute to a more just and sustainable world. At Tenth, our commitment to love and justice extends beyond our immediate community and into the global marketplace. Through our global initiatives, we are dedicated to fostering sustainable business enterprises that uplift marginalized communities and promote long-term economic development. One of the key ways we engage in this work is through our partnerships with redemptive businesses around the world. For example, our collaboration with VillageWorks in Cambodia has not only helped provide dignified employment for artisans with disabilities but also supported the growth of sustainable, fair-trade practices. The products they create are sold through initiatives like JustBags, an ethically sourced product line that connects our congregation to these artisans' stories and crafts. By supporting these enterprises, we are participating in a cycle of empowerment that honours the labour of others and promotes sustainability in the global economy. On this Labour Day, we are reminded that work is a gift and that through it, we can contribute to God’s restorative work in the world. Tenth remains committed to creating and supporting business ventures that align with our values of justice, dignity, and sustainability – locally and globally. We invite you to join us in this mission, whether through supporting fair-trade products, participating in our Justice Journeys, attending local Business is Mission events, or praying for our global partners who are working tirelessly to create sustainable futures in their communities. Together, we can make a meaningful impact, ensuring that our labour - both near and far - advances the Kingdom of God in tangible and transformative ways. Labour Day is also intended to be a day of rest (from a biblical worldview). A pattern of work and rest is essential for human flourishing and the well-being of the world we care for. However, it has been disrupted by human greed and laziness. Instead of true work and rest, we often find ourselves caught in toil and leisure, neither of which brings the flourishing life we were designed to live. Andy Crouch (one of my favourite authors, Strong and Weak, Culture Making) describes toil as excessive, never-ending labour that leaves us exhausted with nothing meaningful to show for it. Leisure, on the other hand, is a fruitless escape from labour. It’s a kind of rest that doesn’t truly refresh our souls, restore our relationships with others or God, or give others the chance to rest. Work and rest are foundational to creation, and we are invited to redeem our relationship with them. Let’s reflect on how our lives can be shaped by working and resting for the goodness and glory of God. If you resonate with Tenth's practices of supporting sustainable enterprises, feel free to give [email protected] a quick email and share some thoughts. Photo credit - Joel Krahn from October 2024 Justice Journey For more infomation visit: http://tenth.ca/news/tenth-church-and-our-mission-for-sustainable-business-enterprises
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JUSTBAGSFall Event Announcement - Saturday, September 14, 2024 We're excited to announce our first fall JUSTBAGS event of the season! Join us as we kick off the season with creativity, community, and celebration. Come and be part of our community while we craft beautiful handmade products and share a delicious meal together. To make it even more special, we've prepared a little appreciation gift for all attendees to thank you for contributing to the richness and beauty of our community. Location: Tenth Church Mt.Pleasant / Lower East Hall Date: September 14th, 2024 Time: 10am-3pm Don't miss out! Click the link below to register and secure your spot. See you there! And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:14) Questions? Ask Ana For more infomation visit:
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Global PrayerMonday September 9 at 7:30am on Zoom Be part of a global prayer time on Zoom early in the morning to accommodate our partners in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. For more infomation visit:
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Labour Day Quote
We recognise the fact that the church has a huge and largely untapped resource in the Christian business community to meet needs of the world – in and through business – and bring glory to God in the market place and beyond. Lausanne Movement BAM Manifesto. |
Cambodia Catch-up and PrayMonday, September 23, 2024 For Cambodia with Cambodians! For more infomation visit:
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P.S.Just a few final thoughts.... Cambodia: Upcoming Cambodia Justice Journey will be leaving October 18, 2024. Registration is closed. After that, our next Cambodia Journey will be October 31, 2025 and will focus on Spiritual Formation. Registration will open up in December 2024. More Labour Quotes: There is a need for job creation and for multiplication of businesses all over the world, aiming at the quadruple bottom line: spiritual, economical, social and environmental transformation. – BAM Manifesto Every single social and global issue of our day is a business opportunity in disguise. – Peter Drucker Give now to support Tenth Global projects. Email [email protected] if you are interested in being part of our global team or a Justice Journey. May God bless us! Then all the ends of the earth will give him the honor he deserves. Psalm 67:7 NET Patrick Elaschuk, Global Missions Pastor Photo Credit: Jayden from August 2024 Justice Journey to Cambodia For more infomation visit: https://www.tenth.ca/news/spending-ourselves-for-others--525
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