Catch Up
Its been almost 2 months since my last blog entry and I feel bad for having neglected to write. These past two months have been slow and mundane in some ways and life changing in other ways. The plans for the orphanage and drop off center continue to evolve and move forward. Just when life seems like it might be getting a little repetitious or stagnant, God throws in a challenge or an exciting element to keep me driven and focused. In comparison to my other blogs this will be on the short side so read ahead and enjoy some tasty Colombian coffee while your at it.
The Slow and Mundane
Let’s start with the slower, not as exciting news first, shall we. During the past month Pastor Libni and I have been looking for a place to rent in the red light district of Bogotá for the drop off center. We unfortunately have not come across any good places to rent and most are overpriced for what you get. This delay allows much unwanted slack in an already long chain of chores that need to happen for us to open the drop off center. We must get a place first and then get it ready and up to par with government regulations to ask for a government visit to our facilities. Once approved, we can start our drop off center right away. What seems like a fairly simple process that can be summed up in a few quick sentences, is neither quick nor simple in a 3rd world country. Latino punctuality combined with a strict, inefficient Colombian government makes for a drawn out process for even the littlest steps. Unfortunately the government doesn’t share the same zeal they have for making laws as they do actually caring them out or processing all the legal matters that come with the many laws. However, never fear, as things continue to evolve and problems continue to be solved.
New Changes
Bob Dylan said, “the times, they are a-changing” and right you are mr. tambourine man. Things have begun to change with the orphanage and drop off center. Instead of having to rent a place in the red light district (drop off center) and a place next to the church (for orphanage), we can most likely combine the two and have a house next to the church. What changed was that Pastor Libni remembered he knew someone who was in charge of a large state run beneficiary (? the English translation) that had mentioned to him a year ago that she was willing to help the church with the orphanage project. She said that if we get the place ready, she has hundreds of kids who need part-time care (children of prostitutes, orphans with temporary housing…etc) and fulltime care (orphans or abused children who need fulltime help). So what this means is we can have one place where we can work with both the drop off center kids and orphanage, thus saving on rent and all the furnishings that we would need for a second place. We have gone ahead and struck a deal with our neighbors (of the church) who are good friends and will be renting their house which is connected with the church. The location is really important because the government requires 3 sq. meters per child and having the house and church connected will give us sufficient space to manage a large group of children.
In my last blog I wrote about answered prayer and though much of that had to do with the orphanage, a part of that had to do with Catherine Sittser (my girlfriend, novia and what not). Through many prayers about her future in Seattle and Bogotá, she landed an amazing job with a high end prep school here in Bogota and moved here almost three weeks ago. I could go on about all the details of how the littlest prayers were answered and then some, but I don’t have that kind of time. Maybe you could dismiss it all as a series of events that all occurred by chance, but it was much more than a “simple twist of fate”. Having her here has been really great, not without its challenges, but wonderful nonetheless. It’s not an easy transition when moving to another country and learning another language but having your first year of teaching on top of that is quite the adjustment. Please be praying for her as she handles all these challenges and adjustments. In the meantime I am plum-happy to have her here.
Another change on the horizon is the business that we will be launching in less than two weeks. I mentioned this business several entries ago and now we are taking off. The fact of the matter is the orphanage and drop off center are expensive and require a lot of initial investment to get going but also a lot of money to maintain. This need has given way to some interesting business and sustainable ministry ideas. This business will not only employ two people from the church (who need work and are well qualified), but also has the capability to generate a serious amount of financial support for the orphanage. The past month or so has been spent planning with my dad and family friends (the Templins) who have franchises of this business in Spokane and Seattle. Via skype planning and some generous donations, the Templins and my parents are able to come down and will be here in less than 2 weeks to train us how to do the repairs, market the service and run the business. While we are training with the Templins, my parents will be helping furnish the house for the orphanage/drop off center by making tables, bunk beds and wall murals. I am excited and nervous for this opportunity because starting a business is no easy task and though I have a lot of experience in sales, I am nervous about selling in Spanish. We could really use your prayers for this business and that God would use it to bless the employees, customers and the children in the orphanage/drop off center.
Alright, that was a little long, but not too bad. I always enjoy hearing from you all so please write me and tell me what’s going on in your lives.
The Slow and Mundane
Let’s start with the slower, not as exciting news first, shall we. During the past month Pastor Libni and I have been looking for a place to rent in the red light district of Bogotá for the drop off center. We unfortunately have not come across any good places to rent and most are overpriced for what you get. This delay allows much unwanted slack in an already long chain of chores that need to happen for us to open the drop off center. We must get a place first and then get it ready and up to par with government regulations to ask for a government visit to our facilities. Once approved, we can start our drop off center right away. What seems like a fairly simple process that can be summed up in a few quick sentences, is neither quick nor simple in a 3rd world country. Latino punctuality combined with a strict, inefficient Colombian government makes for a drawn out process for even the littlest steps. Unfortunately the government doesn’t share the same zeal they have for making laws as they do actually caring them out or processing all the legal matters that come with the many laws. However, never fear, as things continue to evolve and problems continue to be solved.
New Changes
Bob Dylan said, “the times, they are a-changing” and right you are mr. tambourine man. Things have begun to change with the orphanage and drop off center. Instead of having to rent a place in the red light district (drop off center) and a place next to the church (for orphanage), we can most likely combine the two and have a house next to the church. What changed was that Pastor Libni remembered he knew someone who was in charge of a large state run beneficiary (? the English translation) that had mentioned to him a year ago that she was willing to help the church with the orphanage project. She said that if we get the place ready, she has hundreds of kids who need part-time care (children of prostitutes, orphans with temporary housing…etc) and fulltime care (orphans or abused children who need fulltime help). So what this means is we can have one place where we can work with both the drop off center kids and orphanage, thus saving on rent and all the furnishings that we would need for a second place. We have gone ahead and struck a deal with our neighbors (of the church) who are good friends and will be renting their house which is connected with the church. The location is really important because the government requires 3 sq. meters per child and having the house and church connected will give us sufficient space to manage a large group of children.
In my last blog I wrote about answered prayer and though much of that had to do with the orphanage, a part of that had to do with Catherine Sittser (my girlfriend, novia and what not). Through many prayers about her future in Seattle and Bogotá, she landed an amazing job with a high end prep school here in Bogota and moved here almost three weeks ago. I could go on about all the details of how the littlest prayers were answered and then some, but I don’t have that kind of time. Maybe you could dismiss it all as a series of events that all occurred by chance, but it was much more than a “simple twist of fate”. Having her here has been really great, not without its challenges, but wonderful nonetheless. It’s not an easy transition when moving to another country and learning another language but having your first year of teaching on top of that is quite the adjustment. Please be praying for her as she handles all these challenges and adjustments. In the meantime I am plum-happy to have her here.
Another change on the horizon is the business that we will be launching in less than two weeks. I mentioned this business several entries ago and now we are taking off. The fact of the matter is the orphanage and drop off center are expensive and require a lot of initial investment to get going but also a lot of money to maintain. This need has given way to some interesting business and sustainable ministry ideas. This business will not only employ two people from the church (who need work and are well qualified), but also has the capability to generate a serious amount of financial support for the orphanage. The past month or so has been spent planning with my dad and family friends (the Templins) who have franchises of this business in Spokane and Seattle. Via skype planning and some generous donations, the Templins and my parents are able to come down and will be here in less than 2 weeks to train us how to do the repairs, market the service and run the business. While we are training with the Templins, my parents will be helping furnish the house for the orphanage/drop off center by making tables, bunk beds and wall murals. I am excited and nervous for this opportunity because starting a business is no easy task and though I have a lot of experience in sales, I am nervous about selling in Spanish. We could really use your prayers for this business and that God would use it to bless the employees, customers and the children in the orphanage/drop off center.
Alright, that was a little long, but not too bad. I always enjoy hearing from you all so please write me and tell me what’s going on in your lives.
posted by Jacob Grady | 8:47 AM
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2 comments
