July 20, 2021 – I am reminded of the story of Peter walking on the water these days. He followed Jesus and then saw the rough sea and when he did he began to sink and then Jesus caught him when he returned his focus to Jesus.
I am reminded of this as we can relate to it a bit right now. With our changing roles, we know it is God’s call for us but we look around and see that some supporters have not followed us and we see the need to raise additional funds. There are details and regulations for the stores and new livelihood groups.
Additionally, we have employees, vendors, and livelihood folks who depend on us for their income. We do not have a large reserve (if any some days) to make sure these folks get paid and what they are owed and that weighs on us every couple of weeks.
We have plans for adding folks and new products but that takes development funds to get it started. We are trying to figure out who to ask and how to make the presentation.
Add to that the rules, guidelines, and compliance expectations for the federal, state and local governments to operate all that we do.
And then there are customer concerns, additional employees to find and lots of forms at times.
All that said to share what “wind and rough seas” that seem to be around us.
And yet in so many ways, God has provided and we are able to meet our obligations when we get down to it. We just have to keep our focus on Jesus!
Sometimes we write like it is all going gangbusters and that there are not needs but it is truly a ministry that walks by faith and is totally dependent on God and His people to keep this going week to week.
I write this to you so that you are more fully aware and can pray for the financial needs of the work and the relational needs too. We are doing all that we can and are trusting God (getting out of the boat) and doing our best to stay focused on Him and not all the details that we have to take care of, but sometimes we get distracted and need to refocus on Jesus.
This week please pray that we will know who to speak with about support, how to expand as we begin to try and develop domestic livelihood groups in poor areas, and for Diane and me as we think and work on all the details this brings.
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