As expectant parents, we don't know the precise timing of the new arrival, but we prepare with glad expectation for the impending birth of a baby - definitely a girl! For us, it is the birth of a new church. Our Advocates often ask how they might help to meet some of our personal and ministry needs.  In response, we offer our "wish list." As always, we covet your advocacy though "faithful prayer" and "missional service." Please also prayerfully consider how one of these creative alternatives might provide a meaningful support option for the gospel ministry that continues on in Maywood.

Dog-sitting Services

We do a bit more traveling than we'd like, but it's necessary.  When we're off at an overnight conference, a retreat, a vision-casting tour, or making rounds with our faithful advocates, we need someone to house-sit/dog-sit. We're probably gone 10-15 days per year (no, not all at once!) when we just can't take them with us. We've tried to  put our beloved hound into kennels, but they never come back looking or smelling as good as when they went in, and often they come home sick. Besides, at $20-25 per night, it's expensive! If you are a dog-lover and are willing to care for Brownie while we're away, you'd be offering us a very special gift!


Discipleship Materials
 
           

There are four materials that are sure to become discipleship staples. We would love a CASE of each!  This usually means anywhere from 24 to 48 pieces for EACH title!  Click on title for more information.

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer 
Desiring God by John Piper
Experiencing God by Blackaby, Blackaby, and King
Knowing God by J. I. Packer
 
If you aren't able to provide any of these as a gift but are aware of a way we can acquire them at wholesale or reduced cost, that information would be extremely valuable gift, too!
 

Missionary Stipends

In 2010, we'll have six summer missionaries to help us with our work in Maywood and on college campuses. While we provide their food and housing, they still have to live on $300 per month for ALL of their other expenses! We all know that less than $75 per week is not enough to live on! We are looking to raise about $200 - 300 per month per missionary. Would you pray before the Lord whether He may be leading you to become a partner at $200, $100, $50, $20, etc. per month. Summer missionaries are with us for only two months while semester missionaries are with us from five months to one year. Please help us be excellent  hosts of our missionaries so they can serve the Lord without the added burden of financial concerns.


Bibles

We can't have too many Bibles, but we do have our standards!  Haha. We're especially needing  them in the New King James Version,  the New International Version, and the English Standard Version.   They don't have to be expensive or leather bound, but if possible, complete (OT and NT) and new Bibles would be ideal


A Special Mission Team

We're looking for mission teams with construction/building  experience.  Currently, the Maywood Park District has a 1000 sq ft building that needs a new roof. Furthermore, the leaking has caused the drywall on the ceiling to cave in. Are you a roofing or  drywalling team?  WE NEED YOU!
Most churches have not allowed it to cross their minds that Christians have opportunities to bless their whole community(ies) by serving their governmental agencies. I guess we reason, "That's what we pay our taxes for!" Well actually,  no we don't! Remember, churches don't pay taxes. So, you don't care about Maywood? That's okay. Please, at least steal our idea. Look for opportunities to  provoke the world's response to authentic and relevant Christianity by blessing your own neighbors!  Then stand back and watch rank Christian-haters offer up praise and worship to the Father in heaven because of your good works!


A car that runs!    

THIS IS NOT FOR US!  We come across many missionaries, churchplanters, and pastors who for various reasons are in need of a vehicle.  We've already connected one pastor with a brand new nine-year-old car! However, there are so many others who continue to go without. Help us to help them. Also, your generous gift will be tax-deductable for its fair market value, and it will be serving the Lord's kingdom!  PLEASE, if you have a running vehicle in virtually any condition, please consider giving it a new identity in Christ's service as a Gospel-mobile!


Books 

I know, I know.  What does a baby need books for?  They can't even read.  It's for the "parents", silly!  The reality is that we want to be as educated and equipped as possible to serve the Lord and to do it well.  Having the proper resources is a critical part of that, but costs can really add up!  Would you consider browsing our Amazon.com wish list and blessing us a book or two?  And we're easy; we've got nothing against used books either!


Old VBS or Sunday School Materials

What does your church do with old or leftover study materials for children or adults?  How about left over arts and crafts supplies?  If they're just piling up in a old filing cabinet or getting thrown out, how about letting us recycle them?  It's junk to you, but our baby is not too proud to use second-hand materials. Since we will use these materials to help us with lesson planning, multi-copies  are not necessary. Only please don't donate stuff that's already been written on.


Safe and Reliable Passenger Van...

...not even new or in great shape! It seems that most churches own a t least one van that is rarely if ever used.  Some have become eyesores  on their otherwise beautifully maintained church grounds. Please consider making your church's eyesore into a blessing to us. We promise it will be loved and used all the time! Or if you, your business, or your church has one that you'd be willing to allow us to use, that would be great, too!  We promise to only borrow it when we absolutely need it.


McDonald's or Burger King Bucks