I told the guys that if we won any money from YQ maybe we’d splurge and buy ourselves a foosball table ($100 used here).  They like foosball a lot.  But who doesn’t really…

So…I guess we’re buying a foosball table!  =)  We tied for third place and are happily accepting $4000 to furnish the house.  Technically the Caronport High youth group won.  They’re buying stuff for us.  I don’t actually care who’s buying stuff really…’cause it’s for us.  =) 

One funny side note…the other group we tied with are led by another ex-Avalonian (my old church) like myself, Mark Hettinga.  Mark’s brother lives and works in Peru, and the money is to help with a project there.  So that’s kind of cool…

Anyhow…I guess I have some shopping to do?  Anyone want to come help? 

I’m sitting here waiting to hear about the money from Briercrest….it’s a bit agonizing. For those of you who haven’t heard, Briercrest (my old Bible College) has a big youth conference every year, Youth Quake. They used to bring in big bands from all over, to entertain the masses. But a couple of years ago they decided to change their format a bit. They still bring in bands, but smaller, more local groups that cost less. That freed up around $25,000 which the organizers of YQ then made available to youth groups to support various projects. You have to apply for the funds with a video that introduces your project and how you would use the cash.

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Cheryl told that her youth group wanted to apply on my behalf, and asked if I had a project in mind that they could present.

Did I have a project….

Yes, yes I did. So I scrambled and put together a video of what I do here (there were a few all nighters involved), and the fact that we could use help furnishing the new home we were about to open. I had to put together a list of how we would spend the money and I suddenly realized that…wow, I was going to need some cash…

We have to furnish the house…that means beds, dressers, a couch and chairs, kitchen table, desks for the guys to study at, etc. Then there are appliances…fridge, stove, freezer…maybe a washing machine. Bedding, curtains, pots and pans…dishes…

We’re basically outfitting a house for 10-15 people from scratch. I have some things, but most of what I have was the smallest I could buy at the time (fridge, stove, etc.). Well…except for my TV. I ended up buying a big TV. I didn’t mean too…it didn’t look that big in the store. But when I got home…. But other than that, much of what I own isn’t going to help us all that much.

Anyhow, this weekend is Youth Quake. I found out a week or so ago, that I made the list of finalists. The organizers of YQ chose ten videos from however many they received, for the kids at the conference to view. Over the weekend, they all vote (all 3,000 or so of them) and choose four projects to support. Each project can receive up to $8,000. So you can see why I’m a bit anxious at this moment…

I’m actually okay with whatever happens though. If I’ve learned anything through the process of starting up this new ministry, it’s that God provides for His people. If He chooses not to use YQ and this money…He’ll provide in some other way. I’m confident of that.

But…the money sure would be nice. =)

So check back later. I’ll let you know either way. And either way…God is good!