Building Something Together

Yes We Can!

As you’ll read in this week’s word (see below), we did it! We raised enough money to buy the van. Actually, we raised more than enough. Our goal was $11,700 and we raised $12,471 – over $700 more. The excess will be used for van accessories like floor mats, gas cards, etc. Thank you for taking part, whether in prayer, in spreading the word or in finances.

“Shallum…repaired the next section with the help of his daughters. The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zanoah. They rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place.” (Nehemiah 3.12-13a)

There is more joy building something together than building it alone. That’s what I learned from many of you. Three months ago we started a campaign called the Yes We Can Van Campaign. The point of the project was to raise enough money to buy a reliable, safe, somewhat new van for a family of six – one mother and five children. And you know what? You came through. I just signed the check and handed the keys over, watched as the salesman showed Lorraine the features of her new van. And I was filled with joy at what we did together.

It was a little what Nehemiah might have felt as he surveyed the new walls of Jerusalem, after they had been rebuilt. You see, the beloved city’s walls were broken down by wars – destroyed and burned-out. Nehemiah thought he should do something. So he rallied the entire community to rebuild the walls. And they did it together. If you read the book of Nehemiah, you know what I mean that they did it together. I don’t know how many individuals are mentioned by name, but it’s a lot. Each adds his or her own part: Shallum and his daughters, they repair one part of the wall; Hanun and the people of Zanoah, they attach the doors and bolts and bars (You know the old saying – Get your hardware from Zanoah, don’t you know – ah); and others, well, they do their part to complete the wall.

So while we didn’t build a wall, we built a van, many of us.

Of the 57 donors, 49 are individuals, three are businesses and five are non-profit organizations. We come from ten different states and even Canada. We are professors and programmers, students and salesmen, baristas and book worms, golfers and grannies. Some of us work from home; some of us don’t leave the office; some of us are unemployed. We’re preparing to marry, preparing to travel, preparing to homeschool, preparing to study. Some of us are rich and not very old while others are old and not very rich. A bunch are in-between. But it doesn’t matter. Point is we built a van – together.

I think it’s more satisfying this way – 57 donors total – than if one person wrote a big check. Sure, that would have been cool and it would have been quick, but we would have missed out on building together. The story would have gone like this:

Daddy Warbucks bought a van.

Whereas the story we wrote is more like this:

John wheeled in the four tires while Kasey draped the seat belts around her neck like a scarf. Following close behind was Nick, who gripped the spark plugs tightly, knowing he couldn’t lose them. Delivering her part with Olympic flair, Maggie made discuss-throwing motions with the steering wheel. Todd, he hoisted the engine with a crane, ready to lower it into the body. Heather stood nearby to cover the naked form with color as soon as every part was added. And when it was complete, everyone let out a loud “Hooray,” which was heard three or four counties away, because together they had built a van.

Which story do you want to be part of?

There is more joy building something together than building it alone.

What should we build next?

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Lorraine with her new van!

Can We Do This? Yes We Can...And We Did!

van campaign receives great response; needs $810 in 7 days

We issued the call for $2,000 in 14 days. The response has been great! So far 12 individuals and businesses have pledged and/or donated to the Campaign, totalling $1,190. We've passed the half-way mark! But we're not there yet.


In 7 days, the deal for the van expires. To buy the van, we need $810 more. We wouldn't want to lose this van, as it's perfect for the family.

Would you get us to our goal? All donations are tax-deductible through Current3 Ministries.

Van Campaign nears finish line, needs $2000 in 14 days

Three months ago we started the Van Campaign to buy a van for a needy family. It was a way to meet a very tangible need. Lorraine, who is a single mother with three children of her own, brought two more children into her family. The family of four grew to six. And suddenly her car couldn't fit everyone. She began making two trips everywhere they went. They had a need and we reached out to fill it.

But as the Van Campaign went on, this effort became more than meeting a need (We know because we heard from you). The Campaign became about giving thanks and sharing in the burden. Lorraine's willingness to bring two more into her family inspired many of you. You rose up in thanksgiving for all the single mothers (in some cases your own) who parented alone. And you wanted to share in the burden, to come alongside and walk with her. Lorraine became a symbol of those who go beyond themselves.

We appreciate your support up to this point. We're happy to report we're near the finish line!

We've found a van that will be perfect for the family. It's got low mileage and is in almost new condition. It's a 2006 Dodge Caravan with some of the warranty left on it. The dealership is willing to hold the van for 14 days while we raise the remaining amount.

To close the deal we need to raise $2,000 in the next 14 days. The clock is ticking. Will you help us?

If you haven't given yet, would you consider a one-time gift? If you have given, would you consider an additional gift? All donations are tax-deductible through Current3 Ministries.

Give to meet a need. Give to say thanks. Give to share a burden. Get us to the finish line.

Coworkers Donate Proceeds From Indian Purses To Campaign

A group of coworkers recently made a special donation to the Campaign. One woman brought in purses to sell that were made by her aunt and cousin in India. After paying her aunt and cousin for them, she decided that perhaps her coworkers would like them. So, she "set up shop" and then declared that all proceeds from the sale would go directly to the Campaign. She brought in 11 of them. In one day, she sold 9.

This is a wonderful example of one person using what she has to bless another. And so purses from India are being used to bless a needy family of six from America.

What can you do?

Church Gift Puts Campaign Over Halfway Mark

Thanks to the State College Assembly Of God, the Campaign is beyond the halfway mark. Today we received a check from the church. Along with the matching gift from Good Steward Software, the Campaign is now at $7,478, which is more than 50% of the goal of $16,000. And, if you remember, Calvary Baptist Church committed to match the gift amount of SC Assembly of God, so that check is on the way! With the corporate match from Good Steward, we'll be even closer to our goal.

Word spreads and delivers fruit (and shoes and soap, too)

I spoke with Lorraine last night and she updated me on some wonderful developments. Earlier this week, she was helping a local elementary school. When she arrived, the teacher said there were bags waiting for her - bags of clothes and shoes. The eight year-old boy she is taking care of is in that school, and the bags were for him. The teacher said that somehow a person came across the Van Campaign website, recognized the boy in the photos, and gathered clothes and shoes for him. He was in need of shoes and clothes and they came at the right time!

Then, one day a bag of toiletries showed up at Lorraine's house for her family. Someone had seen the Campaign website, found out where Lorraine lived, and delivered the items to her.

And on another occasion, Lorraine was at a store with all the kids (after taking two trips to get there). A young man approached her and said he recognized her from the website. He lived in a different town but had heard about her from the Facebook Group. He said he and his fiance are supporting the family. And he's right...there's a check on the way from him.

These examples are indicators that good word spreads and motivates people to action! I told Lorraine I was going to share these stories, and she asked me to thank everyone from the bottom of her heart. She hopes to thank you personally one day. So, keep spreading the good word...so it continues bearing fruit.