Help Make Something Special Happen

Can something special happen when life looks dark?

My friend recently lost his sister who had Down's Syndrome, and after the funeral, he told me a story about her. One day when they were all kids, the power in the house went out from a big storm, and all the kids were scared. But in that short moment of panic before the fear could set in from the total darkness, they heard the sound of their sister's voice: Happy Birthday to you … That's what she knew: when the lights went out, it was time to sing Happy Birthday! The darkness meant that something special was happening.

It's completely counter-intuitive for us. But it's true. Whenever there is darkness in life, something special is happening. And you can help to make that a reality for others.

I'm Jerome, a lay missionary who's carried out over 25 fundraisers in over eleven years in Ecuador, in collaboration with local communities and institutions. I’m in the States these days, and yet you can join me to bring about something special by collaborating with a local community, Chontal, in Ecuador, where I have a 15-year-long personal relationship:

So, I’m looking to raise $500 more for Rafaela's family for now, to add to the $400 we already joined to the community's fundraiser for her in March. I'm also looking to raise $2,500 for the labor cost of constructing the village's school patio. About $1500 of materials are provided, and the community itself with work with professionals in what is called a "minga" - a community work day - to build the roof. The $2500 is needed for this labor effort. This has been a need I've dreamed of helping with for the last 15 years, if ever the opportunity came up, and now the community is acting.

I collaborate with the local community, meaning I join with and add to what they do. We don't replace their efforts, or save people - we make a bigger community. Would you like to join with me and the local community of Chontal in Ecuador, and be a part of bringing about something special in dark and difficult times?

I'm thankful you've taken the time to consider us. And feel free to leave a comment if you've seen something really special happen in your life when things were dark.

And please come by and find all the details and updates at the webpage here:

www.barriers2bridges.org/giving-blog/make-something-special-happen

Jerome