For the past 3 1/2 years these boys have been a part of our family. We have laughed with them, been silly with them, had lots of fun, watched them love and care for our own boys like their own brothers, disciplined and corrected them when needed, cried with them, and watched them grow into the young men they are today - intelligent, responsible, capable, fiercely loyal, and full of potential. Those of you with teenage boys of your own I’m sure can relate. There is one thing that makes our story much more unique, however. Our boys live half a world away, in a country where they now face the greatest threat of their lives. At any time their home could be invaded by hired thugs looking to stir up trouble, they could be “recruited” to fight for either side in the growing escalation, or they could simply be in the wrong place at the wrong time and face the danger of being caught in the crossfire of a very real and very one-sided war.
The little hope they had for a future in their home country is rapidly disappearing, and the possibility of bringing them to their forever family here is so uncertain. At this point the one ray of hope for them is to spend a summer in safety and security. Away from all the fear and violence that has started to surround them daily. Away from the worries of an uncertain future. With a family they know and love and desperately want to be a part of. In a place where they can be encouraged, loved, and hear the good news about Jesus and His love for them. This may be the final chance they’ll have to see His love in action and hear the one message they most desperately need to carry them through the trials of a life you and I can imagine, but very few of us can truly understand.
What would you do if these were your children? Would you beg, borrow, and plead? Would you do absolutely ANYTHING to get them home?
Right now, the only thing standing in the way is money. $5000 by Friday to be exact. As I drove to work this morning contemplating the enormity of it all, God brought Jeremiah 32:27 to mind - “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” We have every confidence that God will move on our boys’ behalf and that we will see another miracle take place - will you be a part of what He is doing?? It doesn’t take much - if 20% of everyone who reads this message would give just $25, it would all be taken care of. If just 50 people would step up and join us in advocating for these boys and raise $100 each, it would all be taken care of.
How many times have you read something like this and thought, “wow, I wish there was something I could do to help…” Well, this is your chance. Every gift helps, no matter how small!
Follow the link below and choose your amount. In the drop down box for "program" select "other, and then add our names "Brian and Laura Thompson - hosting" to make sure it gets credited properly. Please let us know by email - pastorbt77@gmail.com or on FB so we can track your donation as well. Thank you so much!
https://npo.justgive.org/basket?acton=donate&ein=30-0687266
Brian, I did not see your post until today. I'm so sorry I didn't help in time.
ReplyDeleteUPDATE: we came up $1600 short of the $5000 deadline, but were able to raise enough that the hosting organization has kept us moving forward. The final payment is $1100, due June 11th. That plus the $1600 carried over means we still have about $2700 to raise by next week! This is THE FINAL payment deadline - there are no more for us to fall back on. PLEASE give what you can!
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