The Trough List

You know, it's kind of like a bucket list, only it holds alot more.  ;-)  Seriously, after a load of great challenges from a new friend, we needed something a whole lot bigger than a bucket!  Frank and I had the privilege of meeting with Michael last week.  One of his true giftings is helping people refine and define their vision.  We experienced that and so much more during our time with him.  We walked away with our heads spinning, our ideas flowing and our faith challenged. 

We've always known that Dogwood Ranch was going to be a God-sized project.  I mean, realistically, what two people with a 2 kids of their own and a middle class lifestyle suddenly seek to build something like this?  We don't have large sums of money stored away to just pay for it.  We don't have acres and acres of land that we can just decide to develop.  We don't even have an extra bedroom to put our first foster child in.  (That seriously makes me laugh.)  What we do have is the burning desire and absolute belief that kids deserve a place to call home, a place to belong, a place to feel safe and to know that no matter what happens, they are loved. 

I don't think that either of us had tried to put a dollar amount on what it would take to get things started.  Michael asked the question and we started throwing around figures that don't even make sense to me.  When it was all said and done, the target was $5 million.  I almost typed that without giggling, but that's it.  That gives us a budget for houses, barns, staff, equipment, computers, etc. We know that won't happen over night, most likely.  We do know that the lives that will be impacted by it are worth far more. 

We are inviting you to pray accordingly.  God knows His donors and already has the funding in place.  We just have to be obedient in sharing the vision He's given us.

On a much smaller scale, we have a more immediate need.  We have talked with the people from CORE (the COalition for Residential Education) and truly believe that they will be an invaluable resource for us.  The membership fee for startup homes is $2000.  That will give us access to training, legal help, help with our business plan, curriculum, etc.  They are having a Conference for members and for those interested in becoming members in March.  Our conference fees and travel expenses will be right around $1000.  I can get exact figures if you need them.  We are praying for those expenses to be covered very quickly.

We are assembling a complete top ten list.  Right now, the CORE membership and Conference are at the top.  If you know of someone who would be interested in giving, please forward them our information. 

We have 2 critical meetings later this week.  First on Thursday and then on Saturday.  Please be in prayer for those as well.  They could HUGELY impact how we proceed.

Blessings!!!!