I must confess that before I started this blog I actually had a vision of heading off in another direction. What I wanted to do, and still want to do, is to meet those in need.
There are many, many needs in the world today. And yet there are great resources available to meet those needs as well. Usually those with needs have no ability to connect with those with resources. And those with resources are usually overwhelmed by those in need and do not know which needs should be met or which ones would be most worthwhile to them.
Meeting needs is something we are all familiar with. We all have those special loves that we want to do anything within our capabilities to see their needs met. Mothers and Fathers want the best for their children. We all want to see a better world. We all want to champion our cause and advance that which is good and right in our own eyes.
But how do you do that? How do you bring together needs and resources at just the right moment in time such as to fulfill the need and to make the world a little better off while doing it?
That was the genesis of my idea. I wanted to start a not-for-profit that would marry needs and resources together. Now I know that there are many organizations out there that purport to do this. They all want our donations and they all try and take those donations to meet needs the world over. However, they usually take those donations and meet the needs of those things that they believe are important and they do so while funding themselves with a portion of the donations received.
That is where my vision departed slightly from what already exists. The problem, as I see it, is those with the resources are never quite sure that their resources are going to the needs they want them to, while those with the needs are never vetted as needy for those wanting to provide the resources.
What I would like to build one day, is a corporate group that takes those that are in need, vets their needs, providing legitimacy to their needs and then helps them market those needs to those with resources and allows those with resources to select the needs they want their resources to meet and supplies those resources directly to the need. The corporate group that performs this work would be totally, completely, and separately funded by advertising and/or its own fund raising efforts.
That is my vision, and one day I hope to achieve it, but I am not sharing this with the rest of the world by chance. It just so happens that there is a need I would like to see met.
Allow me to introduce to you dear and close friends of mine, Lance and Laura Ostman. Lance and Laura have been missionaries of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Philippines for more than 30 years of their lives. They have worked diligently with indigenous people groups to translate the Bible into their native language. Lance and Laura have spent their entire adult lives in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ through New Tribes Missions working alongside of other missionaries from England, Australia, the Philippines, and other countries around the world. They have raised children who carry on that legacy today working as missionaries in foreign countries around the world.
And Lance and Laura have a need. A couple of years ago they transitioned to splitting their time between the Philippines and their family here in the United States. Which has resulted in a need for a home.
And indeed, Lance and Laura Ostman currently have a contract down on a home in Oklahoma, U.S.A. where they can be near their son and grandchild and where they may continue their missionary work. This home will cost them the contract price of $140,000.00 U.S. of which they have currently raised some $30,000.00 U.S. towards.
In keeping with my original vision, I can personally assure any potential giver that Lance and Laura have dedicated their lives to the people groups of the Philippines and have lived alongside them in the tropical jungles of the Philippines where Lance has worked as a translator of the Bible into the native language of those people groups.
I have personally known Lance and Laura since Jr. High School. Lance and Laura have been in my home on many occasions in the past and will be again in the future. I have traveled with them in the Philippines, they have been with me when I have preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ in various churches, and I have had them speak at the Church I pastored in Hawaii as well as others. One of my most prized possessions is a copy of the New Testament Bible in the Higaunon language, I believe the very first book ever printed in that people’s group language. Lance is working today to finish the Old Testament within the Higaunon language and will probably work on many other texts and guides to bring new light and learning to a people that would otherwise never hear the word of God.
I know that the vast majority of those that read this blog cannot, and would not make a donation to Lance and Laura. However I have a goal of reaching more than 1,200 people that would be able to, and see fit to, donate $100.00 U.S. each to Lance and Laura for the home they are attempting to buy.
And you can help me in that goal by doing one simple thing. Sharing. If I could impose on each of you to Tweet, Link, repost on Facebook, Email, text, or simply get the word out to as many of your circle of friends as possible, and then ask them to do the same, I am confident that we will be able to reach those that can meet the need and bring it to fruition.
If you would like to personally donate $100.00 U.S. to Lance and Laura, please go to their WEB site at: http://blogs.ntm.org/lance-ostman/ and click on the GIVE button at the top of the page. Please annotate your gift with “New Oklahoma Home” so that they will know why you are donating and where you would like the funds directed.
If you are unable to give, or simply not inclined or feel led to give, I (and they) understand completely. I ask that you would help by sharing, and if you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, by praying. Your support is greatly appreciated no matter what form it takes.
Thank you for your time in considering this matter. May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you greatly.
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