After about seven trips to Eastern Europe with Olive Branch International some ask me why I keep going back. Our brothers and sisters around the world who are living in very stressful situations are just as much in need of encouragement as anyone is when life gets tough. After teaching at several leadership conferences these women have tools which they can use to find encouragement and which they can share with others. Leading workshops gives them more practical skills. Sharing a cup of tea and just listening to them is a privilege they seldom enjoy. Taking the time to go to their homes gives them value. After these repeated visits, when we meet now their faces just light up even if we don’t share the same language! Needs have been met.
Special friends of mine over the years still contact me regularly to ask how I am and how they can support me. What an encouragement! Nothing compares with the continued faithfulness of a friend over many years like one who has regularly met me for breakfast for the last 24 years. Examples like these prompt me to continue what was begun in 2000. What an encouragement!
What does it mean to be an encourager?
to en·cour·age
verb
en·cour·age | \ in-ˈkər-ij
1. the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.
"thank you for all your support and encouragement"
2. persuasion to do or to continue something.
"incentives and encouragement to play sports"
3. the act of trying to stimulate the development of an activity, state, or belief.
"the encouragement of foreign investment"
For 18 years I have been involved with Olive Branch International. It is my desire to continue to support the mission of Olive Branch the same way my friends have supported me. By being a strategic and faithful encourager. I want to offer the "support, confidence and hope” that they need, "inspire" them them to keep doing what they are doing and to "stimulate" them to develop new activities.
Please join me in encouraging our OBI friends around the world as we support military families, educate the next generation and meet extensive medical needs.
Diane Carnahan
Board of Directors