Pictures Worth a Thousand Words

Since January a main focus of my time has been helping develop and implement a plan for Thread of Life to be able to sustain its monthly operating budget.  Prior to the beginning of this year TOL has been supported by monthly revenue earned by one of Come Let's Dance taxis.  Unfortunately this taxi seemed to always have maintenance issues and it got to the point where the costs being incurred no longer made sense and the taxi needed to be retired.  

So, Thread of Life found itself facing an unavoidable and immediate push towards sustainability.  Our team worked on a proposal in January to detail how Thread of Life could achieve full sustainability by May 2013 using the funds from the sale of the taxi as seed money.  The main idea was to capitalize on the large amount of unused space at the property.  Our challenge was to analyze the cost of constructing rental units at the property, and evaluate TOL's current business/ministry practices and costs to determine if the return on investment in these rental units would be able to support future operations.  As a team we developed a plan that proved this could work, knowing that it would take many hands, talents and a lot of prayer along the way, now and in the future.  

It has been an amazing four months being part of this process.  I have been able to tap into my business background and have a visible 50 page proposal as an end result, but by far the best part has been working with some really incredible people in the process, seeing people be empowered through change and opportunities, investing sweat equity, and seeing how God provides through so many people in so many ways.   

The movie below gives you a glimpse of the physical changes that have been amazing to be a part of.  I only wish I could share the emotional and spiritual journey as well that I've been blessed to experience as part of this process.    While our proposal could not ignore the profit and loss projections for Thread of Life in the months ahead, my prayer as our family begins nearing the end of this visit is more about how the Spirit will continue impacting and changing lives through this great ministry. 

~Heather