Volume 44 Issue 4 Stories

From David Erickson, President/CEO

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. - Lamentations 3:23

David Erickson, ECHO President/CEO
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2021 has been a year lived “one day at a time”. The unwelcome, ongoing pandemic realities — here and around the world — seem to have impacted everyone and everything. Just getting through the days has sometimes felt like a success. 

Yet, by God’s faithfulness, and with his fresh download of mercies for the demands of each day, ECHO has had an exceptional year. We are grateful beyond words!

In times of great uncertainty, it is especially important to know what you are doing…and why. ECHO’s clarity around our mission, vision, and strategic goals has provided the critical continuity and stability to focus our work and witness throughout the ongoing disruptions. This clarity has also enabled us to communicate needs and opportunities with ECHO’s supporters, volunteers, and partners. Together, with a powerful shared passion for this mission, we have been able to “pivot” and embrace different ways of pursuing our core objectives.

The blessed result is that even amid closed borders and travel restrictions ECHO has been able to equip and benefit MORE women, children, and men in 2021 than EVER before! At the same time, ECHO is growing into the new year poised to further extend its reach and impact. All of this positions ECHO for a well-planned, thoughtful, and prayerful transition to a new CEO in 2022. 

Thank you for journeying with us as we continue to trust God’s great faithfulness and mercies for all the opportunities that are before us. And, thank you for the privilege of being a conduit of God’s goodness and your care to a world that desperately needs to know that there IS Hope Against Hunger…now and for eternity!

With gratitude, 

David Erickson ECHO President/CEO

P.S. As I have asked ECHO’s Board to select my successor, I am trusting in God’s great faithfulness for the ongoing mission of ECHO and what God has for Jenny and me in our “retirement” chapter. Thank you for your prayers!

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From David Erickson, President/CEO

This is a special edition of ECHO News featuring content from our 2021 Annual Report. Given the ongoing challenges of extending our work and witness in these difficult times, it seemed most helpful to “step back” and take a big-picture look at the past year. As you look through this issue, I hope that you will see clearly the evidence of God’s great faithfulness …and celebrate with us!
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Planting Seeds of Hope

Assembling a growing body of knowledge related to appropriate seed storage practices and techniques over the years, ECHO is inspiring and equipping local seed banks to multiply and provide seeds to their communities.
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Hands-On Outreach

Terrorism, extreme weather, poverty, and historically poor land management leave West African farmers at a constant disadvantage.
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Serving our Local Community

Like the rest of ECHO‘s teams around the world, ECHO Florida made some strategic “pivots“ to extend its services and impacts during 2021.
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Reaching Virtually

During COVID lockdowns, usage of the platform has increased dramatically. In March of 2020, use of ECHOcommunity had increased 100% over the previous year. By April 30th, usage had increased 270% over the previous year.