It's always a matter of faith.

I'm constantly inspired by the people who love this ministry and fight for it.  This morning I received a phone call from Jim Smith, an adult leader who started bringing Mt. Zion youth a couple of summers ago.  Since his first experience at camp, Jim has been a faithful advocate of Mountain T.O.P.  It goes to show that when you experience God in a life-changing sort of way, your lifestyle becomes one of giving because of gratitude.  For some people that giving comes our way, and for that we are extremely grateful.

Jim called to say that the UM Men of the Illinois conference collected tools for Haiti back when the earthquake hit.  With an overwhelming response by the UM church, there are 6,000 pounds of tools without a home.  THAT'S RIGHT. SIX THOUSAND POUNDS OF TOOLS.  Can you even imagine? Because of the overabundance, the conference is willing to share with organizations that need them.  And because of someone who believes in MTOP and understands our need, we will be getting more tools!  Jim is even going to check them out, put them in a trailer and bring them down. Wow.

And all of this got me thinking ... at times we aren't sure how it's all going to happen.  How will we have enough money to make it?  What happens when we don't have anymore money?  What if people aren't able to give this year? (Questions I know every non-profit asks at the end of the year.) But the truth is this: God always provides, mostly in ways we don't expect.  If you remember, we sent out an October Newsletter that highlighted different ways to give to MTOP.  One of them is to provide money for more tools. And well, instead of money, we got tools.

I think what we have to maintain amidst trial is faith.  Trust + patience = authentic faith.  Or, as someone smarter than me puts it, "Perhaps this is the essence of faith: to be convinced of the reliability of God." - Van Breeman, Called by Name.  

I think for as long as God wants people to keep working for Him through our mission, He'll keep inspiring His people to give even more than their weeks/weekends of service. It's not that we sit around saying, "It will be okay."  We take action. We give. We do. We fight. We ask.  But as long as we're trying to facilitate change, convinced of the reliability of God, we will, in fact, be okay.


Here's how you can help: Annual Giving Fund