It All Adds Up

We have a new little calculator at FaithWorks. It has brightly colored numerals, is easy to see and use. What it reminds me of this time of year is that a lot of small numbers (and blessings and gifts and people) add up to a really substantial total.

We look back with deep appreciation at the ways we’ve been blessed at FaithWorks. Our Spring 2011 class included 16 men and women including Zach, who is in his second semester at Sunset School of Preaching and Belerie who now works in the FaithWorks kitchen. Then in the summer we were encouraged by the 15 students who began the summer with us. A summer highlight was seeing Dan and Michael go to work for their internship providers, Longmire Plumbing and Frontier Welding and Randy and Susan quickly following with jobs of their own.

This fall’s class has been great. Graduation is set for 7pm on Dec. 16, with everyone invited to join us at 910 Cypress for a great celebration honoring Tommy, Robin, Patrick, Becky, Margie, Beau, James, Lloyd, and Jodi. It all adds up to a total of 44 students who have blessed and been blessed by FaithWorks.

We’re thankful for donations this year as well. There are big gifts from 0rganizations such as United Way, Community Foundation of Abilene, the Ballard Family Foundation, the Shelton Family Foundation, the Meadows Foundation, and Wal Mart. And there are smaller gifts from individuals. But it all adds up. Thanks for your response to the special appeal in October to help us over the hump until the end of the year. We’ve mailed out the end of year fundraising letters and expect to see old and new, large and small, support for this powerful career development training program. We are making every effort to make donating to FaithWorks quick and easy. This year we’ve added online giving, through a link on our website, www.faithworksofabilene.org. Donations may be one time or every month, through credit cards or electronic funds transfer straight from your bank. It’s totally secure, and the same tax deductions apply. And just recently we added giving on your phone. Just text 67463 and type in FWAbilene. We’re working very hard to make giving as easy as possible. Of course, greenbacks and good ol’ checks made out to FaithWorks are appreciated, too. Drop us a gift in the mail to FaithWorks of Abilene, 1229 N. Mockingbird, 79603.

Volunteer hours keep growing. You’d be surprised how an hour here and a half-day there adds up to keep us running smoothly. Our Board of Directors spends lots of hours dreaming and planning for what our future will look like. There are meals prepared, clothes donated, time given. It all adds up.

So we’re celebrating not only the birth of Jesus this month, but the continued growth of FaithWorks. Thanks to all of you who continue to pray for, donate, and support in large and small ways the students that God puts in our path. God bless you, everyone.