^“If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.  But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt.”                                           James 1:5-6 (CEV)

Download your Practical Guide to Living Generously after this two minute read:

Did you teach your children (or were you taught as a child) the 3-Envelope method of money management?  Remember — one envelope marked “spend,” one “save,” and one “give”?

Does the concept still work now that we are adults?  After all, there really are just three things we can do with the money God entrusts to us.  We can:

• Spend it on our lifestyle,
• Save it for a near or long-term future, or
• Give it away to others or to Kingdom enterprise.

Beginning with the basic principles of tithing, a common split in the envelope system is 80/10/10.  80% for lifestyle, 10% for savings, and 10% for giving to the Lord’s work.  Some families adjust the percentages – but rarely would the “save” or “give” percentage be the largest of the three.

As we mature and grow in living the giving life, a fair question to ponder is: What percentage should I place in each envelope?  Should I save more for a down payment on a house, a special trip for the BIG anniversary, or retirement?  Perhaps.

Should I give more to my local church, to help the poor and needy in Jesus’ name, or to world evangelism?  All good causes make a real and eternal difference.

As managers, trustees, stewards, we make decisions about how to use the Master’s resources.  God has entrusted you with some of His resources – both financial assets and your ability to earn —  and the income they produce.

James 1:5 tells us that God will help you decide what will honor Him and will be a wise use of His resources.  “If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father.  He loves to help.  You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it.”  (The Message)

May We Help?

We also have resources that you might find useful.  For a free eBook on financial giving and stewardship, CLICK HERE.  If you have questions, we are always available and will do our best to help you discover the answers. contact Jeff coon at jcoon@fameworld.org.

©2021 CDF Capital Foundation

 

Thank you! Because of the generosity of so many of you, FAME has been able to send help and hope to partners in India AND begin to replenish our Emergency Relief Fund.

One partner gift came with the following note. “It’s been 15 months since we sent a gift to FAME to help replenish your Emergency Fund to help with the first COVID-19 outbreak. Now you’re helping with an even deadlier outbreak in India. We’ve been praying earnestly for healing for India and the Gospel to spread faster than the virus.”

What a GREAT comment and prayer – that is exactly the need to which we have responded together with you!

There are 11 current FAME partners working in India who are bringing hope to a place where there was NO HOPE even BEFORE THE COVID outbreak!

Earlier this year, millions of Hindus took the once every 12-year pilgrimage to Haridwar to dip in the Ganges river. They believe that if they dip into the Ganges at the prayer ghats (steps into the river) that it will set them free from the cycle of birth and death. One BBC news reporter interviewed a man who said, “I am not afraid. The virus will be killed- such is the purity of the water of the Ganges river.” Their hope is in a set of steps they believe are the “footprint of Vishnu” and the water of the Ganges river.

They believe this “holy dip” in the Ganges river will cleanse their sins. Your FAME Partners in India are teaching and teaching and teaching thousands about the One True God, and His Son Jesus Christ who is the ONLY way to have sins forgiven. “For there is no other name by which we can be saved.” Acts 4:12

Thank you if you have been able to send help to India through FAME or another partner! The gospel is needed in this second most populated country in the world! Of course, right now, saving a life physically will extend it and allow them to hear and/or respond to the good news!

One partner wrote, “We had a good friend, a healthy girl from Punjab, highly dedicated Christian, well educated, talented. She ignored mild symptoms for 10 days, and then died after 2 days in a coma.” This is a terrible situation- BUT she knew the Lord and had the hope that comes in Jesus Christ. Millions do not have that hope – they put their hope in Vishnu, the principal deity of Hinduism – or thousands of other gods.

Your partnership is saving lives! Aside from the Pandemic impact on India – There are 5 Sustainable projects ready and/or on hold for completion in India. Thank you for joining us in helping to spread the gospel faster than the virus!

We have received urgent cries for help from multiple FAME partners in India and so as of today, we have depleted our Emergency Fund and sent help to acquire the necessary medical equipment and supplies to treat thousands.  The equipment is available for global medical partners to purchase- you and FAME can make it accessible to more people!

My next-door neighbor is Sikh.  When we first met, he was very surprised to learn that even though he had never been to the Sikh Golden Temple in Northwest India – I have seen it!

Why?  Because one of FAME’s partners serves in that region, in which fifty percent of India’s population resides!  Today thousands of these peaceful Sikh people, and many other religions are dying rapidly without knowing Jesus!  Without hope!

All of India is in crisis because of what news media has called a Tsunami of COVID outbreak!  Here is what two partners in North India reported last week about this ‘second wave.’

• Currently, the reported amount of COVID cases is above 350,000 every day.  These are just the reported numbers, we know that the real situation is much worse.  On top of this, there is a national shortage of medication, oxygen, medical equipment, and hospital beds. (CICM)
•   …. our biggest concern is for oxygen supplies for patients in critical care units. Of the 200,000 deaths so far in India up till now, most people are simply unable to make it due to lack of proper care. Even more saddening is the fact the death count in India does not even include people dying in their huts, homes, and villages who are unable to be admitted to hospitals. Hospitals are out of beds. Families desperately vie for oxygen supplies, as people attempt to care for their sick while Hospitals are unable to admit patients anymore. (NICM)

You can intervene!  Can you help us replenish our Emergency Fund?  The day after hearing about these needs, I authorized the funding to be sent- that is because of the generosity of people like you who keep us in a position to respond to Emergency and Crisis needs like this.  We usually don’t empty the account- but this need is so dire, and God’s people are so faithful we stepped out and sent all we had.  To be clear, the funding we sent is directly being used to purchase oxygen supplies and other essential COVID response medical equipment!!!

What’s next?  I don’t know what to expect with this virus; we thought things were winding down and that the global community was going to be seeing less infections.  But that is not the case, and we don’t know what additional global partners are going to need our help.  We never know what the next crisis will be!  We may need to respond this week, it may be in the future- but know this- it will be used to give access to healthcare that will give access to the gospel.

Can you put FAME back into a position of strength in our Emergency Fund with a gift of any amount?  You can follow the link below which will take you to www.fameworld.org/give and choose EMERGENCY RELIEF with your gift of any amount and you will literally save lives!   Lives of people who have and have not heard the gospel.  Lives of people who need another day to decide to respond to Jesus.

Bill Warren
FAME Executive Director

Dear Friends and Partners of FAME,

We continue to be humbled by your support of the ministry of FAME through prayer. It is such a blessing to have so many of you praying for our ministry partners, board of directors, volunteers, scholarship recipients, FAME staff, and other people and items. What a comfort to know that you are approaching God’s throne of grace on behalf of the ministry.

This month, please partner with us in praying for our partners in India as they are facing their hardest days yet with Covid-19. Some of the information we have received recently from our partners include:

• Currently, the reported amount of COVID cases is above 350,000 every day. And these are just the reported numbers.  We know that the real situation is much worse.  On top of this, there is a national shortage of medication, oxygen, medical equipment, and hospital beds. (CICM)
• …. our biggest concern is for oxygen supplies for patients in critical care units. Of the 200,000 deaths so far in India up till now, most people are simply unable to make it due to lack of proper care. Even more saddening is the fact the death count in India does not even include people dying in their huts, homes and villages who are unable to be admitted in hospitals. Hospitals are out of beds. We are out of Hospitals. Families desperately vie for oxygen supplies, as people attempt to care for their sick while Hospitals are unable to admit patients anymore. (NICM)

Please pray for the safety and strength of our partners and that they can be a light of hope in this dark time. Pray also that our partners will be able to receive the funding and supplies needed to be able to help those that are in such great need of medical care.

Other people to pray for this month include our FAME scholarship recipients who are studying to become medical professionals in their home countries. These bright Christian students hope to use their education so that in the future they can share the love of Jesus through the healthcare they will provide. Currently, FAME is providing scholarships to 7 international students.

Also, during the last week of May, continue to pray for some additional countries where we are not currently working, but where we pray opportunities may open for us to share the love of Jesus through medical evangelism. You can use the book or website, Operation World (www.operationworld.org) as a resource.

Blessings in the coming month.

Click here for the May Prayer Calendar

P.S. *If you would like to Give to help your FAME Partners in India, go to www.FAMEworld.org/give and choose “Emergency Relief” in the dropdown.

“For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” –Jeremiah 29:11 (MEV)

Download Your An Estate Plan is More Than A Will below after this two minute read:

Wells Fargo knows money. Gallup knows research. In November of 2020, these two entities studied 1,709 Wells Fargo investors and learned:

•  Just 1-in-3 investors had a written will.
•  Only 4% of investors had complete estate plans.

Surprising? Perhaps — especially if we consider the universal truth in Hebrews 9:27, “It is destined for people to die once”. This 2020 research is just another study in a long line of studies that indicates many Americans do not have valid, up-to-date estate plans.

To be fair, most of us do not have the Hezekiah advantage either. Remember that good King of Judah? 2 Kings tell us that he did “what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”

Hezekiah’s advantage was that during a bad illness, God sent Isaiah the prophet with an unmistakable message, “Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” (2 Kings 20:1 ESV) OK, at that point any of us would probably call for a lawyer and witnesses!

The November 2020 research went on to show that higher income did not necessarily mean increased estate planning, but older age did. Only 30% of investors under age 50 had wills but for those over age 65, more than 4 of 5 had wills.

While not covered by the Gallup study, what would be interesting to know is how many Christian stewards have up-to-date plans. My sense is that if you live the giving life you may see an estate plan as your final act of stewardship and generosity.

Where to Focus

People avoid estate planning for many reasons. Perhaps the most common is that they prefer to not think about what will happen when they die. Unfortunately, when an individual dies without planning, the family will pay a price. Government lacks no imagination when it comes to taxes, procedures, and fees. Simple transfers of ownership are often complicated and costly when they must be made without proper advance planning.

So rather than focusing on the negative, let me suggest that you think of estate planning in a new light — dare to dream. Creating an estate plan can be an exercise in fulfilling desires and impacting the world beyond our lifetimes.

For example, Marvel Comics editor, Mark Gruenwald, requested that his body be cremated, and his ashes mixed in the ink Marvel used to print their comics. If you have a Squadron Supreme paperback collection, there may be a bit of Gruenwald on each page.

Perhaps you wish to execute a more edifying plan. Because a Will is a permanently, recorded public document, through your Will you can inspire others with a statement of your faith, or share an important life lesson. In a world where people are fond of researching their ancestry, a Will can be a tidy way to leave a message for future generations.

While focusing on thorough, thoughtful planning, also consider creating Powers of Attorney to appoint someone to care for financial matters and healthcare decisions when you cannot personally make your wishes known.

Focus beyond the negative. Look at Estate Planning — whether a Will, Trust, Powers of Attorney, or other documents — as important tools to make your living desires known, and to leave the legacy you dream of.

May We Help?

If you would like more information about the documents that make up a complete estate plan, we have created an eBook which you may find helpful, An Estate Plan is More Than A Will. Download your free copy today and then contact Jeff Coon jcoon@fameworld.org or call him at 317-358-2480 if we can help.

©2021 CDF Capital Foundation

This year, with your help, we will be ready for her!  Who is she?  This 2-minute read will tell you…

Imagine being on a heart monitor and IV after surgery, finally resting, and learning you are going to be okay…. and then the steady beeping of the monitor stops!  You open your eyes and the lights on the medical equipment supporting you- go OUT!  As you feel your heart rate increase “Bang!” your door bursts open and a nurse begins to quickly wheel you out of your room and swiftly down the hall.  “Why are you moving me?” you ask.  The answer, “Auring!”  Who is “Auring?”

More Typhoons cross the Philippines than any other region in the Pacific.  Usually, 20 typhoons form and 8 or 9 hit land July through October.  Thirty-five Typhoon Names are ready for 2021, from “Auring” to “Zoraida.”  Auring is the Typhoon that could potentially hit a FAME partner Hospital on the North Coast of the Philippines.

Why were “you” being wheeled swiftly down the hospital hallway? Because many years ago, the Hospital acquired a small Generator just for Emergencies.  As the hospital expanded, and the Philippines National Energy Grid became outdated, only portions of the Hospital have Electricity when the power goes out!  They have to move patients from:

• Pediatric Respiratory
• Dialysis
• Heart Monitoring
• COPD and Asthma

All of these patients are at risk many times each typhoon season!

BUT this repetitive CRISIS COMES TO AN END THIS YEAR!

With your partnership, FAME has sent half of the funds for a New Generator which will adequately power the full hospital if needed!

The down payment has been made, the generator is ordered and should arrive BEFORE the height of the 2021 Typhoon Season when Auring, Bising, Crising, Dante begin to knock out power to this delicate Power Grid!

This FAME Partner Hospital is 100% Filipino-led and 99% self-funding for daily operations – an example of Sustainability!  Chaplains at this hospital boldly declare the gospel to EVERY patient who enters!

Can you partner with FAME with a gift to “Projects-Use as Needed” that will bring Power to the Philippines?  Power for Healthcare and Power for the Gospel?  The total balance remaining is $20,000- can you give a gift of 1%?  Or $200?

As you can imagine, children in the Pediatric Respiratory department and anyone who has to move during these power outages are very unsettled!  You can bring hope and healing to those who may have heard the gospel for the first time during their hospital stay – you are a life bringer!

Thank You!

Click here to make a difference in the Philippines!

Dear Friends and Partners of FAME,

It is such a blessing to know that each month, and each day, we have so many faithful partners who pray for the ministry of FAME. Whether it be the FAME staff, board members, volunteers, missionary partners, scholarship recipients, or ministry visits for which you are praying, please know that we are grateful to you for coming alongside us in prayer.

This month, the FAME Board of Directors will be meeting to discuss the upcoming fiscal year and plans for the ministry. Please pray not only for God’s direction during the board meeting on the 17^th, but for each of the individual board members in the weeks prior to the meeting.

Pray also for many of our FAME partners for whom we have provided grants for sustainable healthcare projects. As many of these clinics are now under construction or soon will be, please pray for the safety of the workers and that no obstacles come up that would delay the progress. Pray also for the hearts of the people who will be treated at these hospitals and clinics, that they will be open to the Good News of Jesus Christ and that they too will know the hope that we have in Him.

Lastly, please pray again this month for some countries (continuing this month in Asia) where FAME is not currently working, but where we pray doors may open and partnerships may take place so that the love of Christ can be shared through medical evangelism. You can use the resource Operation World (either the book or website www.operationworld.org/countries-alphabetically.) to learn more about these countries and how you can pray.

Here in Indiana, spring has definitely arrived as the flowers are blooming, trees are budding, and the grass has returned to a rich green. Recently, I read a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. that helped me see the blooming of spring in a new light.  He said, “Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.”– Martin Luther King Jr.

May you each be reminded of Christ’s love for you through the blooming of spring and may you have a blessed Easter, as we celebrate the risen Christ!

Blessings in the coming month.

Click here for the April Prayer Calendar

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(Click Here for this month’s resource)

Once you attain the age of 59½ you can generally take distributions from retirement plans without penalty. If you make an earlier withdrawal you will likely be assessed a penalty, which will be in addition to tax owed on the amount withdrawn.  There are some exceptions: If you use the money to buy a first home or pay for medical expenses, the penalty may not apply.

And when you reach age 72½, you will be required to begin taking distributions from your retirement plans. A required minimum distribution (RMD) is the minimum amount you must withdraw from your account each year. This requirement applies to qualified, pre-tax investments in retirement funds. Roth IRAs do not require withdrawals until after the death of the owner.

If you inherit a retirement plan (IRA, SEP, annuity, etc.) from someone who had already begun taking distributions, you will need to continue making withdrawals, and you will be taxed on the amount you receive. For some, adding the withdrawal sum to current income may result in a higher tax bracket, creating an unwelcome tax burden.

If you are age 72 ½, the tax implications for a required minimum distribution can be avoided.  If distributions are made directly from the retirement account to a qualified charity instead of an individual, the tax can be avoided.  Such distributions may be made each year and can be applied to satisfy some or all of the required minimum distribution.

If you are considering when to make a withdrawal from retirement funds or are in need of making a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and would like more information, we are happy to help.

Can We Help? 

We have prepared a special report, Charitable Giving Through Individual Retirement Accounts, to help you determine how IRA distributions work as an excellent charitable giving tool.  The guide is free and can be downloaded here.  There is no cost or obligation.

Contact Jeff coon at Jcoon@fameworld.org for more information.

©2021 CDF Capital Foundation

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.  They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasures for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”  –1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV)

What are the benefits of your work?  For most, the primary benefit is the monetary compensation or salary.  But the fringe benefits also have value.

Defined as, “an extra benefit supplementing an employee’s salary,” a fringe benefit package might include: health insurance, life insurance, discounted meals or services, a company car, or many other compensations.

In his book, The Treasure Principle, Randy Alcorn discusses four benefits of living a generous life.

A Good Relationship with Our Heavenly Father –Paul told the Corinthian believers, “God loves a cheerful giver.”  Of course, God loves us all but when we are generous, we align ourselves with God (John 3:16) in a way that brings us closer to His heart and character.

Freedom from the Encumbrance of Things – Physics teaches us that the greater the mass of an object, the greater its gravitational pull.  In life, this plays out as the more we accumulate, the more time, energy, and cost is required to use and maintain it.  A wealthy businessperson once told a colleague, “It takes a lot of time and money to maintain three houses.”

True Prosperity – Generous Christ-followers keep score differently.  It is not how much is accumulated in the here and now, but what is distributed (given) for others’ benefit that matters.  This is what Paul taught in 1 Timothy 6:17-19: “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.  They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasures for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”  (ESV)

Joy – “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

I would encourage you to explore the many facets of generosity. One sure reason is that giving with an open hand and a generous heart brings joy to the giver!

These are a few of the benefits of living the giving life – a life of generosity to others.  Now you can decide which are the primary and which are fringe benefits in your life.

©2021 CDF Capital Foundation

Many of you have responded generously to the news a couple weeks ago about a partner on the Bay of Bengal!  This active partner was ready to complete construction on a Primary Care Clinic, but didn’t have the funds- and might not be able to easily receive them after March.

This partner had the foundation poured when FAME Executive Director, Bill Warren visited in February of 2020 but had to stop construction because of the global shut-down.  In April and May of 2020, the funds they had saved for their construction were used to feed thousands of starving people in the 35 villages where they have planted churches.

In February of 2021, Bill Warren agreed, in faith that God’s people like you would respond, to send them half of the funds we had committed if they would begin construction immediately.  And they did!

Look at the progress!  They began 48 hours after receiving the wire transfer of funds!!

We still need to raise $ $19,800 to replenish the Reeves Project Fund from the first $15,000 sent ahead and the remaining $15,000 we HOPE WE CAN SEND!  If you can help us reach this goal, any amount will help!

If you aren’t sure how this will impact these fishing villages, let Jeff Coon tell you about emails that he and Bill Warren receive often.

Every couple of weeks I can count on a boost of encouragement about medical evangelism with our partners from this Bay of Bengal partner.  Why?  Because I receive an email that has an average of 12 photos of baptisms.  Not baptisms of children who have grown up in a church family…but of adults who have made a serious decision, even in the face of persecution, to follow Jesus Christ!  Here’s a couple of photos for you to enjoy!  I could wallpaper FAME’s Warehouse with the hundreds and hundreds of baptism photos I’ve received the last few years!

This clinic will save lives physically and spiritually!