Ahhh, where to begin.
Since we began some time ago to pray
“Lord, break our heart with the things that break yours” –
He has done just that.
The homeless, the broken, the lost, the hurting and the orphan.
We have been asking God what we can do.
From our corner of the world.
Pastoring a large church.
Ten kids.
Lord, what else can we do?
See, it would be easy to say, “We’re kind of maxed out. Our lives are pretty crazy. We’re already ‘serving’ Him.” But really, sweet friends, we began to evaluate even the “good” things in our lives. The “stuff” that occupies our time. Was it all really that important from an eternal perspective? Was it “good” stuff? Yes. But was it the “best” stuff?
{And just for the record, we are not moving anywhere. We love the people we pastor.
We love our community. We know that God has given us a unique platform in pastoring,
that can challenge fellow pastors as well. We are not going anywhere and have no desire to!}
Immediately we began to sense His direction.
Clearly, His direction.
We prayed lots. We talked lots.
We kicked around ideas.
We prayed more.
What could we do from our home? What could we do as a family? What could we do that would make a lasting difference? What could we do that would have eternal significance?
For years now we have read stories of the great heroes of the faith. People like: George Mueller, Gladys Aylward, Amy Carmichael, CT Studd,, Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Lillian Trasher, Harriet Tubman to name a few. And we have been struck over and over and over about how these folks gave their lives away.
Our lives are so stinkin’ cushy compared to the heroes of the faith.
They truly gave all.
Completely.
Recklessly.
No looking back.
They gave no thought for comfort. They gave no thought for what they “deserved”. They gave no thought for “time off”, they worked tirelessly, passionately, and joyfully because they saw the big picture from God’s perspective. They truly sacrificed, yet they didn’t count it as sacrifice. It was normal to them. It was not duty, but dedication. It was throwing their net down and chasing after Jesus whole-heartedly.
That’s what makes them heroes of the faith. There lives are shining examples of truly “getting it”.
Well I don’t want my life to be a nice little life that people say, “Oh, isn’t that nice?”
I want my life to count for eternity.
I want it to be reckless.
I want to show the world my love for God and the orphan by my lifestyle.
I don’t want to fit in the “normal” category.
Ever.
And then I began to think about going to Africa and ministering to the orphans on the streets in the slums of Uganda. {I really can barely type that guys without crying. The experience of ministering to the kids living on the streets was one of profound significance for me personally. I will never forget this one little girl. Never. I get a lump in my throat just remembering her. I didn’t take a picture of her. It was too painful. She had a shirt on but no pants. No underwear. Naked from the waist down. She was all of about 3 or 4 probably. Wandering. Aimless. Hopeless. Alone.}
And then I was thinking….if I was that little girl, orphaned, no mom, no dad and I had some knowledge of Christianity and the world I would wonder, “Why is that lady sitting in her comfy home over there in Colorado? Does she notice me? Does she care about me? Does she pray for me? How can she sit there and not do anything for me? How can she go about her daily routine and spend most days not doing anything for me? How can she do that?”
So I began to pray what could the kids and I do {together!}
that would make a difference in the life of that little girl.
And one day I had an idea….what if the kids and I made things for the orphans? What if we spent our free time working together making things to sell to raise money for the orphan?
Then I had this idea:
What if the kids and I went into the National Forest not far from our home and gathered wood and turned the dead wood into something worth selling?
We talked about it as a family. The kids were excited. All of them. No exceptions.
We talked about what we could make out of the wood. We had an idea. Graham immediately went online and ordered the candles. A day or so after first talking about it, I mentioned that I needed to do that, and he said, “I ordered it when we first talked about it, it should be here in a couple of days.” Niiiice. We went to the store and bought a special drill. We bought the bit.
We were ready!
Next stop! The National Forest.
It happened to be one of the most beautiful days ever.
Perfectly gorgeous.
We took a picnic lunch with us.
We gathered pine cones, sticks, twigs and dead logs…
everyone looked hard….and filled their bags….
and as we walked we prayed aloud for the orphan….
We prayed that God would give us favor…
that God would bless our efforts exponentially….
that God would provide food for the orphans and street children around the world….
and we prayed that God would stir the hearts of families that love Jesus for the orphans….
until those same families are compelled to bring some home
and we prayed for the kids that God has yet to bring home to our forever family….
and the kids played a little “Ninja”…
{and I sure did laugh as they played}
and we brought that boatload of ol’ dead wood home….
and Graham and I hand sawed the pieces….
and then he drills and I hold the wood in place….
{and sometimes we get to laughing pretty hard and this mama’s heart rejoices that
I have a son who wants to work with me to help feed the orphan}
and the rest of us saw the pieces and we stain fresh ends and then we place little tea lights in the drill holes and put some ribbons on them..
and last night we sold two at our Cowboy Christmas at our church….
My dream is that others will take their time and their talents and use it to
make things that can be sold on our website.
One hundred percent {100%} of the proceeds from our wood candle holders will go to feeding the orphan. Any overhead {drill, candles, ribbon, etc} we pay on our own.
I was thinking about writing this post and I was thinking how easy it is to think, “I made this and took all that time to do it, so I should at least get a portion of the money”…but that’s the whole point….it’s realizing that I have plenty and I don’t “need” a portion…the orphan has nothing and needs it all….
Serving the needs of the orphan.
Simply speaking: The orphan needs food.
Our family is going to do tangible things to raise money for food for God’s treasures.
We are going to cover any cost and donate any proceeds.
We are challenging other families to do the same. To spend your “free” time doing
something to help feed an orphan around the world.
something to help feed an orphan around the world.
That way, should that little girl think about us over here in Colorado, she can now say, “They are going to the forest, gathering wood, turning it into simple decorations, selling them and buying food for me. They care. I matter to them. They are praying for me. They are being Jesus hands and feet.”
So one “arm” of our new ministry: A place where people can sell things they have made – with 100% proceeds going to the orphan for food. {We will also work at selling them anywhere we have a chance!}
I am convinced that God will stir others hearts to make things as well…and we pray that one day, instead of Christmas/birthday shopping, all shopping will be done on sites that are either feeding the orphan or raising money to bring treasures home.
There are several arms to our new ministry.
This is just one of the little ones.
I will announce the name of our ministry once we have the web site completed.
And over the next few days I will tell you about some of the other ‘arms’ and I pray that many, many of you choose to get involved at one level or another.
YEAH! That's so exciting! I'd like to help! I was just telling Love the other day about something I've been working on.. Something that God's really put heavy on my heart… but my impending trip to Uganda in a few weeks is kind of putting a crimp in my 'production'. Maybe I can get a sewing machine in Uganda, so I can work while there… hmmmm (wheels turning).
Would love to talk more and help contribute to your website, once I'm back! Will be praying!!
Blessings,
~Kathryn
What a terrific idea! I am so excited to hear about the rest of your ministry, and to see where/how I can join in.
One question: How exactly will the proceeds go to the orphan? Are you teaming up with an organization on site somewhere, or some other way?
Dear friend, you know I'm with you on this, ALL THE WAY. I can't wait to get started. Quilts in the making!! I sent you an e-mail about a dream I had. Hugs and love
Love it Linny. I am reminded that God asked Moses "What do you have in your hand?" Not "look for things I have not provided". Yet so many times we do not even look in our "hand" (home, forest, rooms, stuff we could sell). Thank you for a new inspiration! Love you!
Linny,
I LOVE this idea. I have tons of fabric that I collect from thrift stores etc….and started making little bags and journals…I was thinking I could sell them for the same purpose…but did not have a "place" to sell them. If you venture is going to include others too, that is awesome. love it.
I. Love. It.
I'm all in. Snowflake candles ready to go! Can't wait to see the website!
Joy
Yipee! I have been wanting to make stuff and sell it to give the money away, just didn't know where to start. Also had the idea to start a site to have people list things to sell to donate the proceeds. Also hadn't figured out how to start that.(Don't even have a blog) Can hardly wait.
This made me cry.
Thank you for answering God's call. There are a lot of children and adults around the world who will one day thank you in Eternity!
Linny, I wish we could talk.You have no idea whats been happening in my life and my family!! How God has spoken to us about the orphans and what we need to do. I'm so excited! And those are such amazing candle holders!!! Oh my gosh so much is happening, so much good!
Isn't it amazing Linny when you just know, what you are supposed to do!!!
What a wonderful idea. I'm going to have to sit my kids down and noodle this :). AWESOME!!!
WOW, think Graham is going to see that drill alot more in the future!! So how do I BUY one of these beautiful candle holders as I want one. Got my brain working too!!! Looking forward to finding out more details of your plan soon.
Are you positive that you can remove wood and trimmings from the National Forest? Isn't it a protected federal area? I live near a national park and nothing, not even a wildflower bloom, is allowed to be removed. Please review your local forest rules and regulations and make sure you are in the clear. Your heart is in the right place but please check.
LINN! I want to help! If I can get some of the candle holders from you by the end of the weekend, I can try to sell them to my students' parents at their lessons next week! Let's talk!
the Lord had me design a quilt a couple of years ago, its intention was that the organization I made it for could raffle it off and raise funds. I designed it bought the fabric and never made, awful, I know.
Lately the Lord stirred it in my heart again and had me work on designs for some other organizations to the same thing with.
I love how He sends the same message to people all over the world.
I can't wait to spend my winter making Quilts for orphans!
The National Forest allows us to take things…, but fallen branches, trees, etc. are allowed to be taken…and people around these cold Rocky Mountains heat all winter long with the wood they have gathered from the forest floor!! We cut our tree down with a permit ($8)
And in the spring, for those who want to dig up seedlings – there is a permit {for a small amount of money – haven't done that so can't remember how much, but we have friends who have landscaped their yards with these seedlings!} that one can do for that also. We are surrounded by National Forest….virtually any way we leave our home we run into a National Forest!! We are indeed blessed!!
Simple perfect and beautiful. I have been wondering what more I can do lately also (and hubby is not ready to adopt again…yet). I also have been lamenting the lack of time and energy and motivation to do creative things (certainly not lacking on supplies!!). This is just the motivation I need!! Bless you, can't wait to hear what else you are planning. Your blog has blessed me hugely in the weeks since I have started reading.
Linny!! What a wonderful idea.
Will you ship?! I LOVE the tall piece with the 3 tealights… 🙂
Jude 2,
Emily
LOVE IT!!! Thanks Linny, for sharing your heart and encouraging others.
I feel that same stir. I don't want to be wasting my time on earth gathering up treasures that rust and rot…I love the depraved indifference video. 🙂 My children (and husband) have been feeling God calling us to something more, too. We are in the process of adopting here in the US. And our oldest is going on her first mission trip to India over Christmas…but I have felt like there is SO MUCH MORE we can do, for kids here in the USA and all over the world. The pictures of your kids playing Ninja remind me of my kids playing Ninja…too cute! Thanks for making us feel weirdly not so weird! 🙂
Kym at stringbean17.com
I too love the idea and want to be part of it. I can't wait to hear more details on how to contribute. I have several ideas as well of things I can make and then let you sell on your site. God's blessings. I think this is going to be big!
Love this idea! My mind is swarming with ideas for things I could do. Can't wait to hear more.
Christy
Hey Linny,
These are great. I would love to puchase one for my kitchen table. It would go perfect in my home we built in a cedar forest. I would love the one with 2 red bows on it sitting horizontally in the picture where Liberty and a friend are standing.
Blessings…
Carol
I can't wait to hear more about this. If you do take other donations of stuff to sell, I have many craft kits that I have purchased that I haven't started yet because I don't know what to do with them. I do now.
linny, that's me too! yay!!!!!!
i was thinking of the verse about selling all we have and giving to the poor and i thought, i wonder if i could sell my left over fabric? but then i thought, even better, make things with the scraps and sell it for more! it started with scraps and now it's a whole line!
acupofcoldwaterclothing.blogspot.com
🙂
in the next few minutes i will post my latest photos of my favortie item – the shabby flower. truly made from scraps!! just 4 inch circles that would have otherwise been trash!
erika
Love this! I am wondering if you have a ministry you'll be partnering with? Here is one that I love http://amazima.org/. Can't wait to hear more!
Blessings,
Amy
That is unbelievably awesome! And I want one of those candle holders! Too cool!
It's me again! I have another ministry to share with you http://www.servinghischildren.org/
They have a feeding program for children in Uganda!
Blessings,
Amy
I've been looking for a place to sell things I make for charity, but nothing seemed right yet… Can't wait to hear more!
I think I will make some scarves. Pretty cool of you to share this idea and for letting us help you make it come to fruition.
Linny,
I don't have your resourceful talent. I'm more of a "net" worker 🙂 This week, I've featured adoptive family fundraisers as gift ideas for Christmas. People can visit here if they want: http://karendawkins.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-shopping-with-purpose.html
Even those of us without "talent" can spread the word and support adoption (and other great fund raisers to support the widows and homeless too).
Love your candles. Beautiful! I love your heart even more!!!
Merry Christmas!
Wonderful beautiful idea! I am thinking about what I can make now. So excited to help out!!
Linny, I have a passion for making rag quilts!! I would love to join you and donate the quilts with the $$ go to orphans!! Cann't wait to hear more!
Shanna
AWESOME! Thinking about what we could do……
Could we ship some of our handcrafted items straight to you to sell? If so, I'll pack you a box this weekend! I love to craft in every form, but I just don't like selling it. So please, let me send you some wares to sell!
Linny – we were at an adoption conference recently and saw an exhibit about these nutritious packets that have been developed to combat hunger around the world. I could get that information for you if that is something you would like to buy to feed others.
Janet and gang
kjtbourke@prodigy.net
Hi Linny,
I think you are absolutely 100% amazingly wonderful. I read regularly and comment next to never, I'm a blog-stalker like that. Don't ever feel like I have anything extra important to say, but something nagged at me to ask you before this post. I love what you are doing, so creative and so for the orphan. Before you posted this actually a few posts ago I wondered why you didn't advertise on your blog with blogher or some other thing, because you get so many visitors and whatever you get paid would be precious pennies for the beloved orphans. I know some people make out quite well and it seems easy enough to do (not that I really know) but I felt prompted to ask, and I am bad about ignoring prompts because of fear and I don't really know sometimes I think was it a prompt, but yeah I've read your blogs about that too, so there you have it. I asked cause I felt led to, you may have a great reason for not doing it and either way you don't have to explain yourself to me, but I am accountable to One greater and mightier than any here and thought since I felt the prompt more than once I'd better at least suggest or ask or I don't. Many blessings and prayers for your endeavors and for the orphan.
Hi Linny
I would like to ship some of my tutus directly to you so you can sell on your site.
Send me your address
onelessorphan@yahoo.com
Blessings,
Suzanne
onelessbrokenheart.blogspot.com
Love, love, love the idea. I WANT ONE…I WANT MANY!!!!
Beautiful!!!! I would love to think of something for our kids to make, too. So inspiring!
Thank you for challenging me. I think there's still a lot of selfishness that God is trying to rid of in my life.
The candles are so beautiful! How can we order one on line? So pleased with what you are doing for the orphan in Jesus name! The video in the last post spoke to my heart! THANKS!!!
I make Mei Tais, rag dolls (like the ones I sent your daughters after the fire), skirts, etc. I would LOVE to send you a box of my things for you to sell! Like some of the other posters, I too, have wanted to do sell my 'stuff' for charity but I didn't know how or where to do it (and I don't have a blog). I would love to be part of this!
oh my! well, i love this. i love where it's going & i'm excited to jump in and get involved, too! can't wait to talk with our family about it! awesome, linny!
Can I knit things for this??? What a great idea!!! We have been doing things to fundraise for a special needs adoption, but obviously we have a huge heart for the orphan – five of our kids are no longer orphans!!!!
Hey lady! I am IN, count me IN. So glad I found you, you are my kind of gal! SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!