BIG Dreams, but a BIGGER God…

• Sheltered – to be protected
• in – enclosed
• Grace – the favor of God
• Anidasa – HOPE in Ghanaian language of Twi
• Sheltered in Grace = HOPE for Ghana

I believe in God’s family.  When blessed with an opportunity to help…we step up to the plate and get the job done.  That has been my experience throughout life with few exceptions.  Anyone who knows me understands that I am never shy when it comes to putting needs out there with full expectation those needs will be met.  We are a blessed people living blessed lives under a wonderful, loving, omnipotent, more than we can imagine, forgiving God.  A God that allows us to live life “Sheltered in Grace”.

It is no secret the past few months have been a challenge for the hubs and myself.  A simple bone spur surgery quickly escalated with the discovery of cancer. An amputation of the majority of my husbands (Kelly) left foot was the best solution.  (www.barkingdonkey.com for more info)  We were and continue to be blessed abundantly in every way imaginable during a very trying time.  Godly friends have cried, prayed, and been there for us every step of the way.  We are not alone in these struggles.  This scenario is played out every day, in every town, in every country throughout this world.

“Sheltered in Grace” was born from this challenge.   We were surrounded…”sheltered” by God and His people.  We were “enclosed” in His arms and in their prayers.  We were blessed with favor upon favor from God and those who are His hands and feet. It is a beautiful, blessed way to live.  It is not something to hold on to…it is something to give away…to all those we meet…to all those we have opportunity to help.

When Kelly was diagnosed, we drove home, prayed and took lots of deep breaths to steady ourselves.  Then…got to work.  Referrals were checked, Dr. appointments were made, a petscan was scheduled, insurance was consulted, the list goes on.  We had a problem, but we also had access to solutions.

Now, consider this.  In Ghana, breast cancer in women often goes undetected because women do not get mammograms because of the cost.  Sadly, these mammograms are available for free but because of the lack of communication, they do not realize it. The end result?  Often, a preventable death. Or, a child may be sick and there is no way to get them to the hospital.  Not only is there no transportation, but the “van” that is used as an ambulance is not running.  Those are third world problems…real problems…problems with solutions.  Anidaso.org is a volunteer organization that is helping implement solutions for these problems.  With the support of volunteers and donations, they provide medical, educational, and water solutions for the people of Ghana.  A group of students and adults from Dallas Christian will be part of this work the end of May.  I would love for our little tribe to join their efforts.

Solutions are within our grasp…we just have to grab hold and get it done.

Living “Sheltered in Grace” is a gift that only God can provide.  Sharing this gift is completely up to you…to me.

We have designed three T-shirts to raise money for two very specific projects.

• print T-shirts to help raise awareness of mammograms that will save lives – Cost: $3000 for 1000 shirts
• repair the “ambulance van” – Cost: $2500

Every single penny over the cost of the shirt, 100% of the profits, will go towards these two goals.  No administrative costs, no overhead…Every cent goes to the projects.  PLUS,  our designer/supplier has graciously offered to donate $2 per shirt sold.  With a LOT of sharing and a LOT of help…we can do this.  And the bonus is you get a really cute shirt with a wonderful message to share with everyone you meet!

I like BIG goals and this is a BIG BIG BIG one!  About $5500 big. We do not serve a small God.  We serve a God who created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)  A God who created man in His own image. (Genesis 1:27)  A God who loved us enough to watch His Son suffer and die on a cross so that one day we might live with Him forever. (John 3:16)  We serve a God who does nothing small…

We serve a God who:

• teaches us to “…Love your neighbor as yourself…” (Matthew 22:39) .
• promises “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24)
• works through us in the most amazing way…A God “Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” Ephesians 3:20

We serve a God who allows us to live “Sheltered in Grace”…protected in His favor.  We have the opportunity to be His hands, His feet…to show His love.  I don’t know about you but…dreaming small just doesn’t seem to fit with the greatness of our God…the God of the Universe.

So here’s the deal.  We need to sell a lot of shirts. The link is here…order a shirt, OR BETTER YET, order two and give one as a gift – an extra $5 will be added if two are ordered together.  Youth sizes are also available so grannies, nana’s, mimi’s and grans can order matching t’s for the grands!  Click this link or the image below and… Let’s share His gift with Ghana…the gift of living “Sheltered in Grace”.