(Judicial Watch)—In the latest scandal to rock the Biden administration’s massive Afghanistan aid boondoggle, the U.S. government has been derelict in its duty to measure the effectiveness of a $122.5 million investment to combat gender-based violence (GBV) in the Islamic nation after the Taliban took over, according to a federal audit. The investigation, conducted by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), also reveals that the administration failed in this case to follow government practices for monitoring implementation of its foreign assistance award. That includes collecting required progress reports, validating the data in those reports through site visits and other verification means and assessing the periodic performance reports of groups receiving taxpayer dollars to implement programs. Additionally, the State Department, the agency disbursing the cash, did not even “include any goals for preventing and responding to GBV in Afghanistan,” investigators found.
Since the abrupt 2021 U.S. military withdraw, nearly $3 billion in humanitarian aid has flowed to Afghanistan and a chunk of it has gone to the Taliban, the terrorist group that currently runs the country. Judicial Watch has reported on this extensively, documenting hundreds of millions of dollars in American aid going to the Taliban this year alone. This occurs because the State Department fails to properly vet award recipients to comply with its own counterterrorism partner vetting requirements in Afghanistan and the money has gone to dozens of local entities with potential terrorist ties. The agency has a system to identify whether prospective awardees have a record of ethical business practices and is supposed to conduct a risk assessment to determine if programming funds may benefit terrorists or terrorist-affiliates before distributing American taxpayer dollars. But the State Department does not bother and fails to keep proper records.
The Taliban has also received a substantial portion of American aid by creating fake nonprofits that go unvetted by the U.S. government. Specifically, the Taliban is benefiting from American education funding through the establishment of fraudulent non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to receive donor assistance. Since the terrorist group returned to power in August 2021, Uncle Sam has continued to fund Afghanistan’s education sector through six programs that cost $185.2 million even though the Taliban has issued decrees drastically limiting access to education for girls and women as well as restricting women’s ability to work and other basic freedoms. The extremist group has also infiltrated local NGOs delivering educational assistance by targeting and extorting Afghans who receive monetary support from U.S.-funded education programs under the guise of taxation. NGOs are also coerced to hire Taliban supporters or purchase goods from Taliban-owned companies.
There is no telling where the hundreds of millions of dollars for gender-based violence have gone, and the feds do not seem terribly concerned about it. Since October 2020, the U.S. has spent $237 million on 31 GBV-related programs in Afghanistan, with more than half of it—$122.5 million—doled out after the collapse of the Afghan government between September 2021 and October 2022. More than two years after the Taliban took over, the audit confirms that the U.S. government has not updated its strategies to assure the programs succeed under terrorist rulers. Prior to the abrupt U.S. military withdraw the former Afghan government with the help of American support established the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and enacted the Elimination of Violence Against Women criminalizing rape in Afghanistan for the first time and numerous other acts of violence against women, including forced marriage, underage marriage, and giving away women and girls as restitution for crimes. The Taliban has killed most of the reforms, according to human rights groups cited in the report. “For example, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs no longer exists, the 2009 Elimination of Violence Against Women law is largely unenforced or ignored, and nearly all 30 women’s shelters that were still open in September 2021 to support and care for GBV survivors are closed,” SIGAR writes.
Yet the U.S. taxpayer dollars keep flowing, even though the State Department’s Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights confirms the Taliban wants to erase Afghan women and girls from society, prohibiting them from accessing education or working in most sectors, restricting freedom of movement, and effectively banning them from public. “Those who raise their voices to protest or resist risk harassment, detention, and violence,” the probe found.
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
