The Year in Review

At first, it's a little difficult to assess 2011 for this blog, because I've already shared so much. And the countless other blessings that have come our way this past year are either too innumerable to list or too close to the heart to share. Unquestionably, a look back over the year in the life of this blog could leave no one in doubt that there is a loving Abba (Daddy!) who cares for His children deeply...even in the minutiae of life. No detail is too small for His notice. If it matters to one of His kids...it definitely matters to Him!

Nowhere in my life has this been more evident in 2011 than in the life of our family and the life of the ministry God "birthed" this year...Boundless Ministries. [Actually, it was born in our hearts in 2010...He just put a name to it in 2011.] So I've decided to write a year in review focused on this ministry to single moms which is becoming more and more a central part of everything we do...in thought, word and deed.

I'm not going to review the finances in detail for the most part, because you can read the monthly financial statements for yourself.  Just click on Financial under "Labels" section to the left and you can find the links to each of these statements. Otherwise, here's a brief summary of some of the highlights of God's ministry to single moms through Boundless Ministries this year:

• In partnership with Firm Foundation Home School Co-op, we hosted two Single Moms' Night Out events. The first one, we had 10 children participate, the second, there were 5. First Church of Christ in Burlington has been amazingly helpful in promoting the events and allowing us to use their facility.
• We've provided several hours of free childcare to moms. We didn't keep track, so a conservative estimate would be about 15-18 hours since July.
• We coordinated, promoted and participated in a 24 hour Famine event that raised just over $1000 for Kids Against Hunger of Cincinnati. This money was used in their Horn of Africa campaign and will feed more than 8 children for an entire year. Several families participated with us, including single moms and their children. It was an amazing life lesson in obedience and being quick to answer the leading of the Holy Spirit.
• In October, we launched a Bible study, but it quickly became apparent there was either no need or no interest in something like this. I chose to see this as a lesson in obeying the Holy Spirit even if by human perception it could be viewed as a failure. I've learned there are no failures when you're following God.
• Through the thoughtful donations of others, we were able to attend a Cincinnati Reds game along with a single mom and her three sons.
• Twice we were blessed to have the funding to make donations to two families that we've never met, through their connection with others.
• Over $1083.00 in mostly anonymous gifts (cash, gift cards and items) were given away to moms and their families.
• We've started volunteering one afternoon a month at the Henry Hosea House in Newport, KY.
• We volunteered about five times at a local nursing home along with our friends from Firm Foundation Home School Co-op.
• We coordinated a few "donation drives" for three different single moms that totaled over $250 in cash and gift card donations.

Honestly, my memory fails at this point...and that's okay. I don't keep a running list of everything because the point is...God knows it all and we do it for Him and for His true character (His glory) to be revealed to a lost and dying world. So it doesn't really matter if I have an exhaustive list or not.

My prayer is that this "annual report" isn't seen as a brag list. I'm also really not concerned with giving possible donors more confidence that their money will be used wisely...it is only the job of the Holy Spirit to lead people to give. No...my goal in putting this list "out there" is so others who are contemplating a leap of faith into serving our Lord will see that He is faithful!!! If He calls you to do something...anything...He will provide...financially, physically, emotionally and most importantly, spiritually.

I guess my "sub-purpose" is so that you can know that we are just regular folks! We don't have seminary degrees, we don't have intensive training from any denomination, we don't have a background in community service or really excel in anything that our culture would deem as necessary to run a successful non-profit. Shoot...we're not even concerned with being a successful non-profit. We are just two adults and four kids fumbling our way on this journey with hearts that really just want to obey what God calls us to do. I know people say this so much that it is cliche'...but "If we can do it, anyone can!"

Strike that! If God can do this through us...He can do it through ANYONE!



By His grace and by His leading, we are looking forward to an amazing 2012!