January Newsletter
Thank God for 2007 and what’s ahead in 2008. In this edition, we will share our vision for 2008. We seek your prayers and continued partnership in what seems like a bold agenda, but really is just a beginning. As the C3 family continues to branch out and grow, we will reach so many more children.
Before we get to ’08, let’s look at the January photos-of-the-month. No story in ’07 touched the C3 community like the story of the twins, Grace and Sara Joy. (Click here for our October 2007 Newsletter). We thought you might like an update.
These are recent photos of the (pleasantly plump) girls. They’re healthy. They’re beautiful. They’re doing GREAT.
When you hear the overwhelming statistics about the world’s orphans and feel discouraged, think of these girls. And ponder what God might do through their lives. They’re not statistics. They greatly matter. They’re directly relevant to our own lives.
We must each decide whether to accept or reject this truth. Many of us fear that accepting this truth means disrupting our enjoyment of life. Don’t fall for that. The opposite occurs, absolutely and unequivocally. Accepting this truth – embracing James 1:27 – brings significance, purpose, and abundant joy. It breathes life into our faith. Often, it breathes faith into our lives. That’s the truth. And it’s good, and right, and pure.
Click here to see a slideshow from the January 2008 C3 trip to Haiti. As you watch, ask yourself these questions: Are these children relevant to my life and how I live? Will caring for these children give or take away from my life as I know it now?
2007 Year End – You Answered the Bell
As you know, 100% of your donations go to C3’s work in the field. All of our overhead is fully funded. Our 100% commitment and the C3 model yields a simple leveraging formula: more income = more children and better care for them.
By God’s hand, the C3 family (not just C3 “leadership” – but all of you) is on the move, big time. Take a look at this trend:
In 2005, C3’s total revenue was roughly $225k.
In 2006, C3’s total revenue was roughly $400k.
In 2007, C3’s total revenue was roughly $1.25 million.
We asked you all for a jolt through ’07 year-end giving. You responded. The C3 family gave a little over $300,000 in December!
These are not just numbers. Every dollar given from the expanding C3 family is an outpouring from the heart. There’s no guilt giving. We’re all pulling on the same oars, and experiencing great joy along the way. The numbers merely provide a barometer of hearts engaged.
Here’s the C3 mantra for all of us in ’08: grow the C3 family; reach and love more children.
Thank you. And keep pressing.
2008 – C3’s Vision – Projects in the Pipeline
The best way to keep you abreast on where we’re headed is to just lay it out, plain and simple. Here are the projects we’re praying about and that we feel called to complete in 2008:
Location / Scope of Project / Expected Costs
Haiti:
46 New Homes ($25k – 60 children; $15k – 30 children;
$7.5k – 10 to15 children; $5k – 6 to 8 children)
1,060 Children (monthly care – $40/child/month)
2 Medical Clinics ($100k each)
1 Vo-Tech Center ($60k)
South Africa:
20 New Homes (fully funded)(construction underway)
160 Children (monthly care – fully funded)
Uganda:
1 New Home (construction funded and nearly complete)
50 Children (monthly care – $40/child/month)
Chad:
20 New Homes (18 funded and in process)
(2 build opportunities – $15k/home for 20)
200 Children (monthly care – $30/child/month)
Malawi:
20 New Homes ($3.5k/home for 10 children)
200 Children (monthly care – $35/child/month)
Rwanda:
15-20 New Homes ($5k/home for 6 to 8 children)
100 – 150 Children (monthly care – fully funded)
Philippines:
4 New Homes ($15k/home for 20 children)
80 Children (monthly care – $40/child/month)
We’re still working out details for some of the projects, above. And we’re framing several more large scale projects for the latter half of ’08 that are just too “green” to roll out now. Stay tuned.
By year end, we expect to have between 175 and 225 homes built and full, with some of them being still in progress at year end, serving up to 5,000 children.
In the next 30 days, we will post “C3 Projects – What Can I Do?” on our website. This will keep all of you informed about projects underway, their status, and C3’s needs to complete the projects. We want all of you to have constant access to this information. When you’re bringing this ministry to your circles, you need to be able to present engagement options. That’s what this will do.
C3 Requests:
(1) Monthly Givers – Encourage $40/Month Givers
Our greatest need in 2008 is more monthly givers. By year end, we expect that our monthly child care support budget will be approximately $120,000 – $130,000 / month. If you’re wondering how you can engage more, and/or when others ask what they can do, giving $40/month is a great answer. Nearly anyone can afford this, and the ROI is unparalleled.
(2) Growing the Family
We want to advocate the interests of the children we serve to more and more people. Grow the family, reach and love more children.
Will each of you send the name and e-mail address for ten (10) people in your circle whom you think would like to receive these newsletters? Who might be interested in learning more about the C3 family?
Please e-mail the names and e-mail addresses to Angie at the C3 office – [email protected].
(3) C3 Grant Program Volunteer
We are seeking a volunteer to launch and quarterback a C3 grant writing program. This person would take ownership of grant writing for C3 and become a key component in C3’s growth plans. Interested? If so, please contact Joe Knittig – [email protected].
For other volunteer opportunities, please visit www.c3missions.org.
(4) Remember C3 First Fridays
Friday, February 1, at the C3 office. Come by. Bring others interested in this Movement. We’ll see you there.
Concluding Thoughts
Join us in this effort. Make this your personal ministry. Your family’s ministry. Your small group’s ministry. Your company’s ministry. Your church’s ministry. Unapologetically, we’re asking you to join us and expand the C3 family.
Faithfully yours,
Your C3 Partners