Hope,
Thanks for casting vision in your letter below for the next steps on the house, the dinner and concert, and the real work ahead with those who need it most. It's so encouraging I hope you don't mind me forwarding it to a few friends, in case they would like to join one or more of the opportunities (workday 9/19, rezoning needs-$525, and benefit dinner/concert 10/24).
For those who haven't seen the video, here is the RLW website:
http://www.restoringliveswest.org/Restoring-Lives-West-Video.html
Thanks for bringing the good news.
Brad
September 14, 2009
Greetings to all,
Labor Day has come and gone. Where did the summer go? We begin
a new season and with it will come the busiest time of the year. The
weather will begin to get colder and the nights longer and our young people
will begin to try and find a place to be. Every year it is the same. We
strive to store up what we need for the cold months and to finish all of the
projects we started in the spring. It is the same at my house. I had
several projects from the spring that I wanted to get finished this summer.
We spent all last weekend working on one of those projects and will
hopefully have it done in the next week or so.
Just like at home, we have started new projects here at
Restoring Lives West. We have begun the work on the house and have work
days scheduled. We have started working on the re-zoning, and have begun
fundraising for not only the house but also the ministry. Along with
working with the youth, makes for long days. It is a very exciting and full
time.
Saturday we will be having our next work day at the house. We
have several projects that need to be done. We need to clean out all of the
plaster that was knocked out last month. We also need to begin the process
of de-nailing woodwork that we will strip, re-finish, and re-use and there
is always yard work that needs to be done. We will be starting at 9:00.
Lunch at 11:45 and we will finish about 3:00p.m. It is only supposed to be
in the mid 70's so it should be a great day for working. If you are
planning to attend please let me know so we can get a good count for lunch.
hopie362002@yahoo.com
The re-zoning has begun. We have opted to do this ourselves as
a cost saving measure. We are very fortunate to have those around us who
have done this before to help guide us. It will require going before the
zoning board and I am not looking forward to doing this but will as it needs
to be done. (I strongly dislike speaking but I know I will have all of you
praying for me.) The procedure goes something like this.
- Fill out all of the paperwork and site plan.
- Take papers with $450.00 dollars to zoning board and file.
- Receive a list of persons to mail the petition to. Put sign in front of
- house. ($75.00 deposit)
- Go before the planning board and answer questions.
- Go before the zoning board and answer questions.
- Receive approval.
We are hoping to have the paperwork ready to go down by early next week. We
need to raise the money before then. If you can help with this specific
item please let me know. I do not want to have to wait to raise the money
as we can go no further on the house until this is done.
The last big thing going on in the next month is the benefit
concert on October 24th. Dinner will begin at 5:30 and the concert will
begin at 7:00. All of this is taking place at Lynhurst Baptist Church 1250
S. Lynhurst Dr. Both of these events are free. We will be taking up a free
will offering and hope to raise enough money that night to cover our budget
for the rest of the year. Dinner will include:
· Rice and Chicken casserole
· Vegetarian Baked Ziti
· California Blend Vegetables
· Green Beans
· Salad
· Rolls
· Dessert
The concert will feature Jason Patchett (
www.jasonpatchett.com). I know
that you will be very blessed by his message. We still have a few slots
open for workers that evening. If you are interested in helping please let
me know. We need persons who can help with clean-up after dinner and
teardown after the concert. (
hopie362002@yahoo.com) Reservations are also
being taken so we can plan the amount of food we need. If you are planning
to come just send us an e-mail.
I have a scripture that I want to encourage you all with:
Romans 10:14-15; But how can they call on him to save them unless they
believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard
about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And
how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is what the
Scriptures mean when they say, "How beautiful are the feet of those who
bring good news!"
I hope that we are all the feet of Jesus and that we will continue to spread
the good news.
Yours in Christ,
Hope Garrett
