Monday, January 31, 2011

Exposed

In a world where darkness is prominent and loneliness is eminent at some point in every life, Venture Corps has found this consolation: God has granted us the privilege of being vessels of light; casting out darkness and loneliness with his light. Every small and huge thing that God allows us to do lights the world a bit more. Every wall that’s built and bed that’s purchased brings heaven a bit closer as our God-given light shines in the midst of darkness. Ephesians five says this:

“6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Today, praise God for the light that he has granted you. Today, look for more ways to shine on those around you.

Monday, January 10, 2011

we’ve been quiet - that’s about to change

Venture Corps in the last few months has hit a lull, or so it seems. While we’ve had a busy first year plus some (check out the Venture Corps Timeline) our personal lives have been busy too. Many of us involved in Venture have had many life changing events occur including marriage, babies, change in regional residence, family trials, and all the other stuff that comes with life and time. But through all these things we’ve grown wiser, older, and even more impassioned.

We've been quiet, but that's definitly about to change.

We’re back, and we’re in it to finish - so we can get started!

This summer we will be completing the construction of the JCM* house, acquiring the appropriate papers to certify JCM* as a children’s home, inviting the children (orphans & street kids) to their new home, and starting programs for self-sustainability, project sponsorship, and community/child development. It’s exciting and really scary. But we’re Venture Corps and we’re ready for the next step of our venture.

This is where you come in - we need your help - we always do!

The first and foremost thing we need your help in is PRAYER. Pray for anything and everything surrounding JCM*. The Venture Corps family is confident prayer is the dominant force that propels any endeavor - and we want you to be a part of that with us. We’ll be putting up a little podcast or write-up of something to pray for every other week starting in February.

We’ll also need finances. It’s always hard to ask for money, but in this case, we feel no shame. We’re convinced that God is going to use us, this project, and you to glorify His name in helping the weak, the poor, the needy and all the others that this project aims to serve. Therefore, we feel no guilt in asking, even begging, for the finances to get this project finished and up and running. To find out ways to give you can stop by the section called Kutoa which translates as provide or give in Swahili. We know our God as our provider, in all things, and we pray that He uses you, our family, friends, brother & sisters in Christ, strangers