But God . . .
by Chaplain Jim Robinson
Contributions last year were down. With several generous donations at the year's end, we ended the year over $9,000 in the red. This was much better than it looked like it was going to be a few weeks before. From the human standpoint, it is absolutely amazing that His Way Ministries has survived the events of the last few years. Think with me a moment of the obstacles we have faced.
There has been some continued negative fallout as a result of a tumultuous personnel situation in 2003. But God was faithful and sustained this ministry – His ministry. We are aware that without His blessing and protection we would not have survived such an attack. But God has undertaken and we have continued to move forward and accomplish what God has called us to, in spite of the obstacles and struggles.
I would like to make a simple explanation in response to a charge that may have contributed to our falling financial support. It was said that we were spending an enormous amount of money to take care of a relatively small number of people using the facility. This was a perversion of the facts. I think I can illustrate best with a hypothetical story.
Imagine that a group set out to build a 50 million dollar surgery center in an urban area. A large contractor with a full crew of construction men worked on the hospital. In one year it was half complete and they had spent 25 million dollars so far. An outpatient clinic was opened for business (with one doctor and two nurses) and in one week had treated a few colds, small wounds, and a few broken limbs. At this stage only 25 patients had been seen. To assess the cost of this patient care, the amount of money spent was divided by the 25 patients. This formula showed that it had cost 1 million dollars to treat each one of these patients. Of course, this is ridiculous. You cannot intelligently charge off the cost of building a hospital to the first 25 patients that may be treated there. The same principle is true here as we continue to build the Buffalo Ridge facility.
On November 18, 2005, Fleta, my wonderful wife of 53 years
died after heart surgery. That left Lauri (His Way secretary) and me alone
as the only staff at Buffalo Ridge. At that point it looked like an impossible
situation. Some of our most faithful supporters were inclined to think that
this was the end of His Way as an organization. I can readily
understand this viewpoint.
First, finances were completely inadequate both for the ministry and for me. There was going to be a large personal expense for a burial. While this was separate from the ministry finances, my being in a financial squeeze could not but effect my involvement in the ministry. But God took care of my immediate financial needs in a totally unexpected way. (Maybe I can tell you about that some day.) We also had the awkward situation of having the only staff members consist of me, a new widower, and a single lady. This was an impossible scenario for success. At the beginning of 2006 it seemed to many friends that even the future existence of the ministry was unlikely. But God brought Peggy into my life and suddenly the possibility for the ministry to stay alive became a reality! Not only is she a wonderful Christian lady, but she is ready for, and challenged by, the privilege of being on a ministry team with a vision for ministry.
There was still inadequate help, but God brought David Green to help us part-time. He and Lauri Krentz are now engaged and are a part of the ministry. David being only part-time, we still needed additional help, but God brought a pastoral family from Houston to minister with us, Sam and Karen Renfro. Sam is experienced at maintenance and construction.
We are in the best position personnel wise that we have been in since we started here in Kansas. There is a great spirit of love and cooperation among all of us. We are now facing a serious lack of funds. I believe in the future I will be able to write an additional paragraph starting with “but God,” because He will meet the need for operating funds and continued capital improvements. I don’t have any knowledge of how He will do that. When I pray about it, I find myself thinking that maybe He will both bring new donors and restore the confidence of former donors so they will want to participate in what God is doing here at Buffalo Ridge. That would bless me! What I do believe is that God will intervene again and meet the needs!
Special thanks to those of you who continue to faithfully support this ministry financially. We are also encouraged that we have added several new supporters in recent months. As always, we also desire your continued prayer support. God does work as a result of our prayers.
Each of us would utterly fail . . . but God . . .
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