Thanks to two special families who just today gave $10,000 each (one online, another a guest on site who made a pledge), the gym campaign total has now topped $2,501,000! If you’re keeping track at home, that translates into 100.04%! Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow! We made the initial announcement to about 90 quilters, 45 summer staff in training, and our year round staff during lunch this past week. What an AMAZING moment!
Actually, it was a surprisingly emotional moment for me, so even announcing this good news was a challenge! Sitting in front of me were many friends who had a part in this journey, including many quilters and staff who did some very generous things. They represent 800 other families (like yours!) and organizations (plus many other anonymous gifts.)
The Lord led me to share out of 1 Chronicles 29:10-19, which recorded David’s big offering ($7B in today’s dollars) for the temple of the LORD. Heeding David’s challenge, the leaders made their contributions – $11B worth! In thinking on this great offering, the king made this prayer:
10 “Praise be to you, Lord,
the God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.
14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.
16 Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
18 Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. 19 And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.”
After it was all done, several in the room congratulated us on the accomplishment. We say, instead, look what the LORD has done! He has done GREAT THINGS!
With the Lord’s help, now we turn to the FILL IT portion (estimated at $500,000 to complete the gym: rec equipment, climbing walls, kitchen, sound system, concession/coffee shop, picnic tables, paved land bridge, and more). We’re off to a good start with over $13,000 given towards the auto belay through family and men’s offerings. What’s more, another $2000 for the climbing wall arrived just today from the grandmother of the girl (Brielle) who was the “KIDS LOVE CAMP!” winner from last summer (she’ll have a pontoon named after her!) Looking ahead, a gym party hosted by some major donors is scheduled for Wednesday night (24 are signed up to attend!) And then comes the super fun Wiffleball Challenge set for this Saturday (June 10). The ten sluggers have set a big goal to fund the new climbing wall ($50,000). So, here we go!
Thanks to all who have had a part in this thrilling story! Now let’s pray that God gives us the green light with the permit so we can start building the gym! “As the Lord and provides!” will continue to be our motto.
