Getting Involved: New Partners, New Ideas
What does it mean to get involved? Many people do “get involved” if and when they are asked, and are, as Webster says, “connected by participation or association.” But another definition that I like is being “emotionally committed.” When this happens it’s evident to everyone around you. There is a line that is crossed, a determination that pushes you a little further, a desire that occupies your thoughts whether awake or asleep. It is a pretty cool thing when people join you in being emotionally committed to something that you’re passionate about.
We’ve had a great year partnering with those kinds of individuals and organizations to meet our ongoing budget needs in caring for “the least of these.” We’ve had art auctions, golf tournaments, church mission drives and various other fund-raising projects. However, for a non-profit organization the job of fund-raising is never done. So I get excited when we have a chance to develop new friends and bring fresh awareness to the needs of orphans in Lesotho, Africa.
My wife, Faith, is office manager at a Therapy South physical therapy clinic. The Clinic Director, Eddie Adams, is a great friend of ours and a faithful supporter of Logos Global Ministries. Eddie and Faith wanted to get the clinic and patients involved in raising money for The Bana Project of Lesotho, so they began to talk to anyone who would listen. They placed pictures of the orphans and a small replica of an African cooking pot in the reception area for people to drop money into – and patients responded with donations over $800!
Eddie & Dedra Adams
Then Eddie’s wife, Dedra, was awakened one night with an idea. She could make clay crosses, paint them and sell them to raise money for the kids. She made a few and hung them as ornaments on a Christmas tree in the clinic. Patients went crazy for the beautiful handmade art, emptying the tree and loading her up with orders for more. To date, she has sold over $400.00 worth! I’m not sure many of us realized she was such a gifted artist. To see these beautiful pieces of art, CLICK HERE
And as if that weren’t enough, Eddie spoke with the company owner, Steve Foster, about The Bana Project of Lesotho. Steve has a huge heart for missions and wanted the company to be involved also. So they came up with an idea: instead of giving a material gift to the doctors and supporters of their clinics for Christmas, they would instead give a card that states that a gift was given in their name to help feed the orphans in Lesotho, Africa. Because of that project they have just presented us with a check for $1,500! This is a company who is no stranger to benevolence. They recently collected two truckloads of toys for local needy children. They wanted to be involved in making a difference at home as well as abroad.
Steve Foster, Roger Patterson & Eddie Adams
God is good and continues to lead people to us who will listen to the story and the needs and get involved. The needs are great and would be overwhelming if not for the realization that we are not alone. It can only be done with many people sharing the load and helping in ways like Eddie, Dedra and Therapy South have done. Community and relationships continue to give us the perspective that God is the One who provides the resources for the care of these orphans and vulnerable children, not us. We merely have the privilege and responsibility in joining what He is doing.
A special thanks to Therapy South for their support and a big thanks to all of you for being involved and changing lives.
Author: Roger Patterson
