Dear Anonymous ...
2023 started out a bit rough with two funerals, the two year anniversary of our daughter’s homegoing, and adjusting to the fact that our remaining daughter, son-in-law and first grandchild may be staying in Germany long term. On top of that, we were getting requests for needs around the world (as we always do) with not even enough to meet the next payroll. Oh yeah … and I was bemoaning the fact that my prayer wall had to be taken down for a remodel project. My prayer wall had been a BIG visual reminder of what we were asking God for and His miraculous answers.
Here is a picture that appeared in the Bloomington Pantagraph newspaper about CDK’s prayer wall on 3/8/22. The article was written by Connor Wood and the photo was taken by David Proeber. You can get the whole story and video by going to https://pantagraph.com/ and searching for “El Paso Prayer Wall"
On February 3, I decided to take the prayer wall online, at least until I can have a real wall again someday. Along with a digital chalk-like doodle of a handful of large stones, I wrote, “Today I am asking God to carry my personal burden of grief and loss, the many requests for funding that come our way, the stress of wondering whether we will be able to meet payroll and the pain so many around me are suffering. I hand these over because I realize I am starting to take the weight on myself and it is too much. But God always provides and has come through for us, even miraculously. Help me remember!”
On February 10, we sent out an e-mail sharing praises and prayer requests.
On February 17th, there were three checks in the mail - an anonymous check for $25,000, another for $1,000 and one for $50! And today (the day I am writing this blog post) we received another unexpected check in the mail for $10,000!
Because “anonymous” is, well, anonymous, I shared the following on my facebook page hoping that the person might see and because I want to encourage others.
Dear Anonymous,
You had no idea that for weeks I have been carrying a load, feeling the weight of the world's needs ... not just distant people, but ones I know and love and work with through Can Do Kids International.
You had no idea that on Monday morning, I drew 20 circles in my journal, each with the number 1,000 in them, representing $20,000 for things I have been praying and waiting for. I wanted my little doodle to remind me to pray.
You had no idea that I spent Thursday afternoon sharing all this stress with my mom.
You had no idea that I spent Thursday evening working on the CDK website. My task was to work on our values page, sharing about “faith”. Under "faith" I shared how it is important to exercise faith, even though it is hard, so we can have testimonies that God is truly alive and active in our world. (Yes, in one breath I can complain and then the next share how I WANT to be in this frustrating position of exercising faith.)
You had no idea that before work Friday, Tom and I prayed. I was finally able to release my anxieties and tell God that this was all His problem and not mine!
BUT GOD KNEW! And it seems God whispered to you before my complaining. We received your gift of $25,000 in Friday's mail.
THANK YOU! Thank you for responding to God's prompting. Thank you for giving us another story to share of God's faithfulness!
May God bless your socks off and continue to bless you so you can bless others!
Your exceedingly grateful Executive Director of Can Do Kids International!
This “Dear Anonymous” note is really for each and every person who gives, whether $5, $25, or $25,000! We are praying that “God will bless your socks off so you can bless others!” God values contributions of every size - and not just financial contributions, but time and effort invested into His Kingdom.
We also pray that you will be encouraged. Even when things in our world seem so dark and depressing, God is at work, meeting needs, encouraging the discouraged, and meeting people in their pain through those who are willing to listen to His voice and respond.
Thanks to all of you who are an active part of our Can Do Kids International team!