J9 3.0!

The J9 Foundation's birthday is November. 17. That's the day two years ago we received our official registration as a not-for-profit corporation in the state of Georiga, USA. Today we can look back on these accomplishments:

• We have honored the dreams and vision of our namesake, Jacob J Nyenhuis, by forming the foundation, establishing its mission and launching our first projects. To learn more about Jacob, visit his memorial website at www.jacobnyenhuis.memory-of.com.

• We developed the vision of "compassionate entrepreneurship," which incorporates the principles of "dream, act and serve." Dreamers envision possibilities others do not see. Entrepreneurs take action to make those dreams reality. Compassionate Entrepreneurs commit to serving others as well as improving their own lives.

• College scholarships have been awarded to the first two "J9 Scholars" - graduates from Jacob's high school who articulate a vision of entrepreneurship and compassion. Thomas Parker is a sophomore at The College of Charleston and Megan Wiley is a freshman at Georgia College and State University.

• Sixty young entrepreneurs have been launched into entrepreneurship through our training program in rural Kenya. One of them already employs six people. Another employs five other workers.

• Fifteen business people and entrepreneurs from North America traveled to Kenya as J9 Mentors to work with and encourage the young J9 Entrepreneurs.

• A U.S. college intern traveled to Kenya to assist the project and earn academic credit.

• A new partnership with a Georgia high school will involve students as investors in the businesses of the J9 Entrepreneurs in Kenya.

• And much more!

Thanks for your partnership! In year 3 -- which we are calling "J9 3.0" -- we'll make even more progress together.

Jacob knew that God is the one who fulfills dreams. In the last week of his life he wrote this: "Belief in God is necessary because He fulfills dreams." We know that, too. We are grateful to God for opening doors, paving the way and making the foundation a reality.  We believe these words from Psalm 146: "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God."

Our help and hope is the God of Jacob!