The story...
CROSSROADS ESL CHARITY
FUNDRAISER
SOLD!!!
Email
Address: CrossroadESLFundraiser@infinityrodcreations.com
The mission of Crossroads
ESL program is to see God transform the lives of Muslim refugee women
through a demonstration of God's love. By teaching them English,
American culture, and providing for their needs, we positively impact
their transition. The program is supported and sponsored by Crossroads
Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Crossroads is a rapidly growing
church that directs a majority of their resources to serving the
community outside of the church walls. Crossroads has a ministry to
refugees called the Refugee Initiative Movement which sponsors and
supports refugee families that are newly arrived to the USA. Most of our
students were put into contact with Crossroads through the initial
welcoming ministry of the Refugee Initiative Movement.
The program began in
September of 2016. Currently, we have 6 Muslim women students from
Iraq ranging in age from 19 to 55 and possessing varying levels of
English language skills. Classes are held on Friday mornings every week
from 10:00 to 11:30 am. I am one of the co-teachers along with another
ESL professor from the local community college. We have worked together
to design a curriculum and lesson plan for the weekly classes. The
Crossroads ESL ministry is unique because we not only offer weekly
classes, but also a mentoring program for the women. Women from the
Crossroads congregation volunteer to serve as mentors/tutors for the
Muslim students as well. Our volunteers visit the refugee women's homes
each week (in addition to class time) and help them practice English.
There is a focus on building relationships. The tutors also provide
transportation and childcare for the Muslim students in an effort to
reduce obstacles for attendance to the English classes.
Because of Muslim cultural rules,
women have limited interaction with men. We've created an
environment where the teachers/tutors/directors of the program are
female. Our Muslim students can feel comfortable to learn and
build friendships. Some of the tutors discovered, upon visiting our
students' homes, that the Muslim women and their children had areas of
need that we could meet. The Crossroads women took the Muslim women
shopping and were able to buy them winter coats and boots and gloves
this past winter. One of our students, Zahra, just had a baby and we are
hoping to celebrate this milestone with her by throwing her an American
baby shower experience once we begin classes. A donation to support the
Crossroads ESL program could enable us to buy Zahra the things she still
needs to care items for her new baby and clothes for the family. There
are plenty of physical needs that refugees are confronted with when
moving to America. We want to continue building relationships and
demonstrating the love of Christ. One way we'd be able to do that even
better is by having sufficient funds to meet their physical needs as
they are needed.
Even after just a few months of
classes and building friendships with these women, they have improved
tremendously in confidence and English conversational skills. They were
timid and unsure of this Crossroads program at first, but they've opened
up and are now freely sharing details about their lives and inviting us
into their homes. I'd love to continue working with these refugee women
and showing them the love of Jesus in a tangible way. Your tax
deductible charitable contribution will go far in furthering my goals
with these women. Thank you! Rachel G.
Build Specifications:
Blank: Batson XST RX8 1563-4 6-12# Float Rod
Reelseat: Carbon Fiber Finished Double Locknut Contoured
Stripper Guides: Fuji TYSG
Running Guides: Jann's TiCH Flexi-Lites
TipTop: Fuji BFat Size 8
Guide Wraps: Grey Nylon, Silver Metallic
Winding Check: Knurled Aluminum
Hookkeeper: Kegan TiCH
Decals: Golden Touch
Grips: Carbon Fiber
Foregrip 3.25", Aftgrip 10.25" (including fighting butt)
F.Butt: HD Aluminum w/IRC Custom Balancing System
Special information regarding the rod:


You'll notice, in photo 5, that the
aluminum plate insert for the reel seat has been
left unattached. When
you receive the rod, you
may wish to have it engraved. If
not, attachment can be made with superglue or two part epoxy.
Also, in photo six, you'll notice that a
balancing system is included with this build. The completed
float rod weighs in at just over 8 ounces! Yes, you
read that correctly, 8 ounces! This system puts
incremental weight at the perfect location for achieving the
balance you desire.


Slim plate: +.71 ounces
Thick plate: +1.41 ounces
Add both: +2.12 ounces
Adjustments are held in place by an
included stainless steel screw.
The Photos:



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