Avery's and Henry's Donation

Over the last couple of months the kids and I have been working on spending their donation to CLD and the school. A year or so ago the kids raised money for Uganda. Many of you reading this blog may have either bought something or donated something for the garage sale. Thank you! But I'll leave the story to Avery and Henry.

Ideas (Avery)

Well, it's been a journey to get the playground equipment but it all worked out at the end. Pretty much the last 6 weeks of school us and student council were working on thinking of what to do with the money me and Henry fundraised. They came up with lots of ideas like a lawnmower, soccer goals, drums and playground equipment.

First we thought we should not do the lawnmower because we wanted something the kids could enjoy and play on. We could not do the soccer goals including a real soccer pitch because we didn't have enough money but we still thought drums and playground would be fun. So we starting looking at playground ideas. Then someone told us about playground equipment in town. So one day we took most of the student council members to help us pick out playground equipment. We found the playground equipment and ended up that day getting 3 swings, a slide, monkey bars, a little carousel, and a climbing thing. Then that same day we got a set of 4 drums. The kids love everything a lot.

Last Wednesday at school during chapel they played the drums they sounded GREAT!! It took like 5 days to make the playground area ready and just today we saw them playing on it. it made me so happy to see so many smiles and so much laughter while playing on it. It brightened my day up so much! I hope they enjoy it super much!!!!!!!!!!! - Avery

Playground (Henry)

I was so excited when we picked out the stuff for the playground.

When they loaded it up on the truck, it was amazing how it all fit.

The next day I wanted to help so that it wouldn't get bored.

Today, June 7th. A week later the playground was done and it looked amazing. I could barely control myself not to get on it.

Then we came back from lunch and my mom said "I hope the kids will play on it". When we got close to the school we heard a bunch of screaming it was almost the whole school playing on the playground. Then I said to mom "I do not think we will have to worry about that." -- Henry

The family gets a turn.

We just want to thank all for your love and support of our very large Ugandan family. God Bless.

The Greenwoods

 

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