The Roller Coaster
We are on this track now, this new roller coaster adventure with God. We're strapped in, stomachs churning as we clickety, clickety, clickety, CLUNK climb the hill before the big drop. From this angle we can look down, see where we were standing in line for what felt like a decade waiting for the next ride (ok in this case it has literally been a decade), we can see the people we left behind, waving to us as we make our big, slow ascent to the top. Looking ahead of us though,we can't see what's on the other side, the hill is too steep. We remember what it looked like from the ground, all it's ups and downs twists and turns. We were excited to get on and feel the adrenaline. But what will it feel like now that we are actually on the ride?
Not everyone is a roller coaster person. For some, the thought of the heights, the plummeting hills and the corkscrew turns makes them sick at the very thought.
This ride we are about to-ok correction-this ride that we are ON with God, it's not for everyone. But that's why we were all made differently. For some, the thought of selling their house, storing their sentimental valuables and heading off for an undetermined amount of time to another country and another culture is unthinkable. For us it's something we get to do.
All that being said, we can't do it alone, we need the people on the ground cheering us on.
So ask yourself which category you are in. If you love the ride but haven't been on in a while maybe it's time re-examine things, look at what it is that seems to be standing in your way. Ask God (yes, he does answer) if that's what He wants for you. If you aren't one that loves the thrill, look around you-is there something you can do here and now to change lives?
We need people here who are behind what we are doing, believe in us and the work we will do and want to be a part of making a change in the world but can't get on the ride to do it. We need to build a team.
In order for us to make this Brazil thing a go we need to raise financial support. Uh oh there's the money spot...This is one of the hardest parts of this journey, asking for help. In order for us to live, eat, help, pray in Brazil we need to raise enough support to feed us and do the work we feel called to do there.
How much is that? More than you think. Brazil is an expensive country, hence why a lot of people live well below the poverty line. For example, a used car here might cost under $5-10,000 there it's $30-40,000. Clothes are two to three times as much. Internet $250/month. You get the idea.
We need to raise about 5,000 a month. I know. Your mouth is hanging open. Mine did too when I found out. Here's how the money is used:
We take as little as we can to pay our rent, feed us etc.
The rest we will use to touch lives with God's love, meeting needs they can't meet themselves. Investing in a future for individuals and for the community.
How do we even begin to raise that? We have to ask, ask each one of you to see if your heart is telling you this is something you want to be behind. There are several ways to do that. You can decide to make a monthly donation, like you would adopt a child, except you are adopting a lot of kids, for whatever amount you feel is appropriate for you . Or you can make a one time donation. Whatever you feel.
We have figured out what we would need on a daily basis and it's about $150. So, we are asking if you would consider buying a day or two, maybe your birthday or your Mother's birthday. Every year, your donations will help us continue to do this work we feel God is calling us into.
We just need 365 people to say I'M IN!
Are you?
If your answer is yes, as of now, you can send cheques, payable to:
Xtreme Mercy Canada
# 3 – 8979 Broadway St.,
Chilliwack, B.C.
V2P 5V9
Please include your return address so they can send you a tax receipt. If you prefer to give online, we will have that option available soon.
Thank you again, for taking the time to read, life is busy and it means a great deal to us that you take the time to join us on this journey.
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