This year, Iris Windom is celebrating 70 years of life, faith, and God’s faithfulness. Instead of gifts, she is inviting friends and family to mark this milestone by giving back. Her simple ask is this: consider donating $70 in honor of her 70th birthday to support the life-changing work of Mosaic International.

This campaign is about more than a birthday. It’s about turning gratitude into generosity and using a personal celebration to make a global impact. Every $70 gift helps provide tangible hope through clean water, food, sustainable solutions, and community-centered care for families around the world.

As Iris celebrates what God has done in her life, she hopes to celebrate what God will do through ours together.

A LETTER FROM IRIS

This is my 70th year — a true milestone.

My husband likes to remind me that Psalm 90:10 promises us seventy years, and as this birthday approaches, I’ve been reflecting on how I want to celebrate. Back in 2020, I decided to throw myself a real birthday party. Other than childhood gatherings with family, I’d never really had one — so I went all out. I found the perfect venue, hired a band, planned the decorations and food, bought the perfect party dress and sparkly shoes, and even purchased a plane ticket for my mother to come from Akron. I invited everyone I knew to celebrate with me.

And then, on my birthday — March 12, 2020 — COVID shut everything down.

Since then, life has taken on a very different shape. My mom passed away. I retired. I’ve had the blessing of traveling to Israel, Turkey, Greece, Tanzania, Mexico, Ghana, and many places across the U.S. But one thing I never did was plan another party.

A few months ago, I went on a cruise to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Surrounded by her family and friends, it was joyful and meaningful — and it made me wonder if it was finally time to celebrate mine. I began talking with friends about planning a big birthday bash and inviting everyone I know. Then one friend asked a simple question: “How much do you want to spend?”

Honestly, I had no idea. Post-COVID prices are very different, and it became clear that this celebration would cost quite a bit. That’s when a different idea took root: what if, instead of spending that money on a party, I invested it in ministry?

For the past two to three years, I’ve been partnering with Mosaic International, an organization that helps plant and build churches and supports pastors and ministries throughout Africa and Asia. After much prayer, I decided to “donate” my birthday party to Mosaic International — and I felt led to invite my friends, family, and community to join me.

So here’s my ask: I’m stepping out in faith and inviting everyone I know to give a gift of $70 in honor of my 70th year. From March 1 through March 31, 2026, I will match every $70 donation, up to a total of $7,000. If $70 isn’t possible, any amount is truly appreciated — and if you feel led to give more, that blessing is welcomed as well.

I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate this milestone year than by helping build the Kingdom of the Most High. Thank you for celebrating with me in this meaningful way.

Iris’ 70th Birthday!

Giving Thanks for 70 Years of Grace.