The Low Down
Alright, since my last blog a few things have developed that I thought were worth mentioning. Oh, and thanks to those of you who responded to my last blog, way to set a good example for the rest of the readers. For those who didn’t here’s your chance to redeem yourself. Ok, let’s get going! The first part talks about the orphanage developments, and the second part about the church project.
The Orphanage
Last week I had several intense meetings with Pastor Libni about the next step. We have broken down our game plan into two categories. The first is the financial and building side, which has been sobering and encouraging at the same time. The second category is developing our game plan for how we will structure our project with the children, what children, and how we will address their needs.
In regards to the first category, we had a meeting with the owners of the house we want to buy, and they asked for a $150,000 and we finally settled on a $140,000, which leaves us with a hundred thousand to raise (including the 40 thousand we have recently received). There is no way we can take out a loan for a $100 thousand because with the interest we would end up paying a little over $300 thousand in 15 years. I am currently working to put together a presentation which will serve as a promotional tool for those who are interested in helping our project financially.
As for the second category, Pastor Libni, another psychologist, and I have begun to interview and investigate the problems of at risk children in Bogota. Last Friday we went to AJC (asociación jóvenes cristianas) which is a branch of the YMCA, that works in the Santa Fe barrio. The Santa Fe barrio is known for its prostitution and dangerous streets. We met with three of the head administrators and though it was interesting and informative, it was a really heavy and depressing conversation. Learning of the atrocities of child abuse, especially sexual, and the enormity of the prostitution business was an eye-opening and sobering reality to hear. While it was sort of a downer to hear, it boosted my conviction on what we are doing even more.
Church Project
The Bogotano Church decided last fall (2006) that they would start construction for the third and fourth floor of the church building. The original plans called for these additions and now with an overflowing children’s ministry and a growing youth ministry, we have out grown the small back room that doubles as the kitchen and classroom. The third floor will be used for classroom space including a larger room that the youth could use. Not only will this extra space be useful for the classes during the week (seminary, small groups, and music lessons), but we have plans to open a small English school, which is in high demand due to the government’s recent emphasis on learning English. The money from the English classes will go towards supporting the orphanage’s operational costs (utilities, food, etc).
The fourth floor construction will mostly be just outside walls and pillars unless we are able get more funds to finish it. The fourth floor will be used as office space for FINDES, which the foundation Pastor Libni started years ago that acts as the social works wing of the church. FINDES is technically who I work for, but other than being a legal entity on paper, it is just the Pastor and a handful of church leaders that run it. The fourth floor would also provide more room for the growing seminary that Pastor Daniel (Libni’s brother) runs.
The problem, or rather the need that has been created by both (orphanage, and Church expansion) projects is that we simply do not have the funds to make both possible. We have collected about $2,000 for the church project and Libni and Daniel are thinking of selling their cars to invest in the church project (projected to be $50,000 for 3rd and 4th floor basic structure). The church can take out a loan, but for which project and for how much? We are in prayer over these needs and it brings us hope to know that if a church (like one in my city) raised 17 million to build a new facility we could raise $150,000 to build a third and forth floor and start an orphanage. We are asking you, the reader, to pray alongside us in solidarity and if you feel like you can give, financially, a service of some sort or refer us to someone who can we would be very grateful for your help. Thad Roller had emailed me earlier about a man who raised $2 million to go to Antarctica this last year. This assured me to know that if people are willing to invest that much money to see penguins there is definitely hope for projects like ours that are investing in people’s lives and bringing God’s love tangible to others. I pray that you would read this and make a point to act, in anyway possible, or at least spend your money at the San Diego Zoo, it’s a lot closer. As always I enjoy hearing from you so write me at grady.jacob@gmail.com .
Dios les Bendiga,
Jacob
The Orphanage
Last week I had several intense meetings with Pastor Libni about the next step. We have broken down our game plan into two categories. The first is the financial and building side, which has been sobering and encouraging at the same time. The second category is developing our game plan for how we will structure our project with the children, what children, and how we will address their needs.
In regards to the first category, we had a meeting with the owners of the house we want to buy, and they asked for a $150,000 and we finally settled on a $140,000, which leaves us with a hundred thousand to raise (including the 40 thousand we have recently received). There is no way we can take out a loan for a $100 thousand because with the interest we would end up paying a little over $300 thousand in 15 years. I am currently working to put together a presentation which will serve as a promotional tool for those who are interested in helping our project financially.
As for the second category, Pastor Libni, another psychologist, and I have begun to interview and investigate the problems of at risk children in Bogota. Last Friday we went to AJC (asociación jóvenes cristianas) which is a branch of the YMCA, that works in the Santa Fe barrio. The Santa Fe barrio is known for its prostitution and dangerous streets. We met with three of the head administrators and though it was interesting and informative, it was a really heavy and depressing conversation. Learning of the atrocities of child abuse, especially sexual, and the enormity of the prostitution business was an eye-opening and sobering reality to hear. While it was sort of a downer to hear, it boosted my conviction on what we are doing even more.
Church Project
The Bogotano Church decided last fall (2006) that they would start construction for the third and fourth floor of the church building. The original plans called for these additions and now with an overflowing children’s ministry and a growing youth ministry, we have out grown the small back room that doubles as the kitchen and classroom. The third floor will be used for classroom space including a larger room that the youth could use. Not only will this extra space be useful for the classes during the week (seminary, small groups, and music lessons), but we have plans to open a small English school, which is in high demand due to the government’s recent emphasis on learning English. The money from the English classes will go towards supporting the orphanage’s operational costs (utilities, food, etc).
The fourth floor construction will mostly be just outside walls and pillars unless we are able get more funds to finish it. The fourth floor will be used as office space for FINDES, which the foundation Pastor Libni started years ago that acts as the social works wing of the church. FINDES is technically who I work for, but other than being a legal entity on paper, it is just the Pastor and a handful of church leaders that run it. The fourth floor would also provide more room for the growing seminary that Pastor Daniel (Libni’s brother) runs.
The problem, or rather the need that has been created by both (orphanage, and Church expansion) projects is that we simply do not have the funds to make both possible. We have collected about $2,000 for the church project and Libni and Daniel are thinking of selling their cars to invest in the church project (projected to be $50,000 for 3rd and 4th floor basic structure). The church can take out a loan, but for which project and for how much? We are in prayer over these needs and it brings us hope to know that if a church (like one in my city) raised 17 million to build a new facility we could raise $150,000 to build a third and forth floor and start an orphanage. We are asking you, the reader, to pray alongside us in solidarity and if you feel like you can give, financially, a service of some sort or refer us to someone who can we would be very grateful for your help. Thad Roller had emailed me earlier about a man who raised $2 million to go to Antarctica this last year. This assured me to know that if people are willing to invest that much money to see penguins there is definitely hope for projects like ours that are investing in people’s lives and bringing God’s love tangible to others. I pray that you would read this and make a point to act, in anyway possible, or at least spend your money at the San Diego Zoo, it’s a lot closer. As always I enjoy hearing from you so write me at grady.jacob@gmail.com .
Dios les Bendiga,
Jacob
posted by Jacob Grady | 10:44 AM
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