The fires in Southern California had already left an impact within the state, but for Cindy, her perspective changed when the power suddenly went out at ten that morning. At first, she assumed it would be like a usual power outage that she had experienced, about an hour or two, maybe three at most. But as the day stretched on and the lights remained off, reality set in. This time, the power outage lasted 15 hours!
"What am I going to do for dinner? I need lights in the kitchen!" Cindy thought.
This wasn’t just an inconvenience, she was also caring for her elderly mother, who depended on her. But thanks to her son, Mark (The co-founder of Mosaic), she had an emergency backup.
A few weeks prior, Mark had given her solar lights, the same ones used by Mosaic during mission trips to remote villages. He had said, "Just in case your lights ever go out." Now, she realized how valuable those words were.
A Shift in Perspective
As the evening came and it started to become darker, Cindy began placing the solar lights around her kitchen. Their glow filled the space, allowing her to move around freely and prepare dinner. But then, something shifted in her mind.
"People in the villages Mark visits live like this every day—with no power at all. No way to simply turn the lights back on. No certainty that the power will ever come back."
She had always understood the mission of Mosaic, to bring relief, development, discipleship, and mobilization to underserved communities, but at that moment, she felt it.
The power outage that had disrupted her day was simply life as usual for millions of people around the world.
Sharing Light, Sharing Hope
Cindy knew she wasn’t the only one struggling that night. She contacted her neighbor, asking how they were coping with the blackout. When her neighbor expressed frustration over the lack of light, Cindy immediately responded:
"I have extra solar lights—would you like some?"
She then shared how these lights weren’t just a convenience but a lifeline for the people Mosaic serves in places like Tanzania, Rwanda, the Philippines, and South Asia.
The Work of Mosaic: Bringing Light to Communities in Need
Cindy’s moment of perspective highlights the vital mission of Mosaic. The organization’s core belief is that local churches should be strengthened and mobilized to meet the needs of their communities. Since every location has its own challenges and resources, Mosaic customizes its efforts to provide sustainable solutions.
How Mosaic Works:
Relief: Meeting immediate needs in times of crisis.
Development: Providing sustainable resources like solar lighting, clean water, and healthcare.
Discipleship: Equipping local churches to spiritually and practically support their communities.
Mobilization: Training and empowering leaders to continue the work beyond Mosaic’s presence.
Currently, Mosaic operates in Tanzania, Rwanda, the Philippines, and South Asia, with plans to expand into at least one new country each year.
In these regions, many families live without access to reliable electricity, making solar lights a transformational gift that changes lives far beyond the moment of crisis.
A New Appreciation for Light
That night, as Cindy sat in her solar light lit home, she thought about how easy it was to take electricity for granted. A simple power outage had made her anxious about dinner, safety, and caregiving, yet, for millions, this is an everyday reality.
"I can’t imagine what others go through. These lights are not just helpful; they are life-changing."
For those of us with reliable electricity, moments like this are rare and temporary. But for others, access to light means hope, safety, and opportunity.
Cindy’s experience reminds us that even in moments of discomfort, we can gain a deeper appreciation for what we have, and perhaps, feel moved to share that light with others.
Mosaic is doing just that, one solar light at a time.
Learn more about Mosaic International here.
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