Month: November 2015
F4 Foundation: November 2015 Update
After nearly a year of discussion, research, and plotting, the beginning of March, 2015 saw the official start of the F4 Foundation. Focusing in on the four pillars: Faith, Family, Freedom, and Fun, we have determined that our mission is to rescue endangered children, restore fragmented families, and rebuild broken communities.
Sounds like a worthy (but BIG) job!
We’ve known from the beginning that it would probably entail about a year of further research and dipping our toes into the water before we really knew what specific part we were to play in the fulfillment of those goals. And indeed, the past six months have been a time of real-life learning as we’ve reached out to “use our power for good” around the nation.
So, what have we been up to?
March
Rob travels to Jacksonville, FL to meet with yellowblue partners to serve the homeless with Cup of Love Ministry and invest in their practical outreach.
April
Misty travels to Nashville, TN to attend the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit. This group unites more than 150 respected Christian organizations and a national network of churches. Speaking of their goals, CAFO relates, “ultimately, we seek to stimulate and help grow Christian communities committed to adoption, foster care and global orphan care in the local church.
Rob begins to work as an on-the-streets investigator with Exodus Road, a human trafficking prevention/rescue organization headquartered in Colorado Springs.
May
Misty begins work on a discipleship book to be used by leaders from across the country who are influencers in their communities and online.
June
Misty travels to Jacksonville, FL, where in partnership with Kim’s Open Door, a non-profit organization seeking to aid in the prevention of crime, drug use, and gang violence, she joins a team to develop two sets of curricula: one public school mentoring program and one after-school Bible program. She also attends a training by leaders specializing in how to reach at-risk children.
July
F4 Foundation forms our first official partnership when Jen and Brandon Hatmaker announced the formation of Legacy Collective. Our involvement lets us be part of their current causes of focus, which include orphan prevention and economic empowerment in Ethiopia, sustainable housing for the homeless (specifically disabled veterans) in Central Texas, and child trafficking rescue and prevention in Haiti. As investors, F4 Foundation will be able to follow funded projects and see where every dollar is spent, as well as nominating new projects.
We also began meeting with officials from Heritage House Ministries, which provides a nurturing and loving home for adolescent females ages 12 through 21 who are at-risk and unable to remain in the care of their primary family. Through individual therapy, group therapy, and behavioral reinforcement, girls are provided a framework with which they can overcome the obstacles they have encountered in their lives. The Heritage House Program implements, coordinates, and helps develop services and treatment, which is made available to the girls through various resources and outside support. In the future, we look forward to being involved on a volunteer basis with this excellent program.
August
Toward the end of the month we traveled to Austin, TX for the official Launch of the Legacy Collective. We also took a side trip to visit FamilyLink Ranch and Adoption agency as we gathered ideas about what’s next for us as we move forward as a foundation. We were also hard at work on scheduling, transportation and planning for an outreach during our September yearly awards trip to the Dominican Republic, where we installed insulating blanket and a solar fan in a school building. In addition, we also spent some time reaching out to at-risk children in the area who are being helped by the ministry of Kids Alive.
We’re Keeping Busy
We’re keeping busy, and look forward to maintaining that momentum as we become more focused in our efforts over the next six months! We are so grateful for everyone who has put in their “two cents worth” and partnered with us as we build, one brick at a time. Your part matters! You’re making a difference! And we appreciate your prayers as we move forward.
Lastly, we want to thank each of you who helped bring Eco Tech to Santa Domingo. The F4 Foundation teamed up with yellowblue™ Eco Tech & TruWatch International on the yellowblue trip to install energy savings products and fire safety equipment at a Kid’s Alive International build site in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
F4 Foundation contributors, over 30 yellowblue™ representatives, and volunteers from TruWatch visited one of Kids Alive International’s education and care center building sites on Sep. 4. The team installed yellowblue’s multilayer reflective insulation and solar fans at the Santo Domingo school site. Volunteers helped with building construction by laying bricks and leveling the grounds. In addition to building, volunteers enjoyed doing arts and crafts with the children.
Collaborating with yellowblue™ and TruWatch allowed us to bring something to the school the children and teachers really need. The installation of yellowblue™ energy saving products and TruWatch fire safety equipment in our school will really help us make our building energy efficient, safe, and comfortable, creating a more productive learning environment. environment.
Prayer for a New Marriage
She came up the aisle blushing, a bit teary-eyed, pale lace trailing behind. His smile as he waited for her to reach him was as boyish as I remembered from when he was seven, causing all of their audience to smile and tear up in reflection.
When the ceremony was over, we gathered to watch the new husband and wife cut the cake. Hugging a dear friend I hadn’t seen for some time, I asked how things were going. “Well … ” she said, eyes darkening, “things haven’t gotten any easier, honestly. And being at a wedding today … ” she sighed, leaving the words hanging in the air. “It’s hard, you know? Hard to be excited and happy.”
Every wedding brings tears and smiles, hesitancy and hurry–paradox. Perhaps each wedding is a microcosm of what’s to come.
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