A Letter to You ~ Partnership Development

Dear friend,

When I joined Wycliffe Bible Translators in 1995, one of the first things I did was to make a list.  The list was of everyone I could think of that loved and cared for me, OR who was an acquaintance that I knew to be passionate about the work of carrying out the Great Commission.  The second thing I did was to write a letter to send to the people on that list, doing my best to pass on the vision and calling that God had given to me (soon to be "us," as I met Ben that very first day!).  God will often give one of his children an idea, a vision, inspired by his Word and his Spirit.  And the natural thing for us to do with that is to light the fire of that idea in the people around us. 

That process, in Wycliffe, was called Partnership Development, because for Kingdom work to get done, it nearly always requires a team.  God wants to raise up his people, his Body, to come together to do the things he's been careful to show us in Scripture that reflect who he is and what he wants.

That's what I hope to do with this brief letter.  You are on my list!  I first heard about the Immanuel Health Center before it had a name.  My friend from Sunday school, Trina, had a desire to bring medical, behavioral, social, emotional, and spiritual care all together in one place for members of our community who are in a difficult place in life.  Trina Scott is medical doctor and she felt compelled by the Lord to put hands and feet to her faith by pursuing this mission that God, our Compassionate Healer, had laid on her heart.  Since then, a journey has been going on and God has led the way.  Prayer has been the pathway.  There's a name now, a board of directors, committees, a wonderful center, a logo, volunteers... so many wonderful things to give God praise for.  Much more is still needed, however, and all of us involved are waiting on God to provide each and every need.  One of the needs is financial support.  Like any enterprise, it costs money to do this.  We want to trust God, and we DO trust him.  We trust him to work in the hearts of his people to give so that others might have the opportunity to receive excellent medical care, experience His love, and ultimately know Him if they don't already.

 

 

To this end, I'm sending this little letter to 200 friends.  Here's what's going on.  I'm going to run in a 10K race on Saturday, September 29th.  One of the non-profits that will be supported through the We Care Twin Cities Half-Marathon (and shorter races, obviously!) is the IHC.  If each of your families gave a $5 donation toward my run, via the team "Open Those Doors!  Run 4 the IHC!", we could raise a quick $1000 for the Center.  However, we only have 2 1/2 weeks!  The IHC needs ongoing support to keep functioning as the haven of God's help and peace that it wants to be in west Bloomington, so let me just throw out the idea that you might keep on sending whatever gift you want to the IHC every month.  Imagine the spiritual return on your investment.  Here's the link you need to sponsor my run for $5 (or more, or less).  :) 
https://register.itsracetime.com/fundraising/fundraise.aspx?event=12524&fundraiser=7670

For more information about Immanuel Health Center and to see statistics about the needs of people in this area:
http://immanuelhealth.org/

Since the IHC has had a place to call home on Morris Av., many people have stopped in to ask whether they're open.  Can we come in?  Are you ready for patients?  So far, sadly, they've been turned away.  The need is real.  Lives are in need of healing and restoration.  Please consider a small gift today! 

Thanks so much friends,
All for the great glory of our Savior King,
Susan