08/13/2013
Big Update: A lot has gone on this past year+ since starting my season of rest. I have been praying a lot about the future of Project 117 and asking God to shape it and turn it into exactly what He wants it to be. It was so good to just step away and look at things differently. It was a tough year for me. I became very ill a few times and struggled with a lot of things for a while. I had a life threatening illness last August that scared me more than I have ever been scared in my life. But I have some of the most amazing people in my life that walked that journey with me. When I was scared, they were there to hold my hand and walk with me through that fear. God has really blessed me with the most amazing friends and family that I could ever ask for. Now I have never felt healthier in my life. I still have my days where some things flair up, but I am good. I am happy. And life is good. All thanks to God.
Project 117 is changing. Our mission will remain the same. Our mission will always be, "Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows." How we accomplish that is changing just a bit. My heart will never change. My heart will always be one that wants to go and do. Go to where the need is. And do what needs to be done to help. But my doing has always been one of coming along side those in need. I have never been one to come in and tell people what kind of help they need. I've always been of the mindset to come along side them and ask them what I can do for them, how they want me to help them. No one knows one's situation better than the ones living in that situation. How better to help someone then to ask them what they need and how we can help them?
What we do as Project 117 and how we accomplish our goal of seeking justice is what is changing. About a year and a half to two years ago someone said something to me that has come to my mind over this last year+ of praying for P117. This is someone who I see as not only a friend, but someone I look up to. They said to me, "what's great about you and Project 117 is you are awesome at research." I have always LOVED to do research. Learn all I can about a topic. People have always thought I was weird, but I love when teachers/professors assign research papers. I just love doing research and then telling people about what I have learned. After this year+ of praying and God bringing certain things to my mind, it finally clicked.
Project 117 is now a research and awareness organization. There is so much going on in this world we live in. There are children all over the world who are hungry not knowing when they will get the chance to eat again. There are people without a home living on the streets. There are people without a job. There are people without the means to provide for their families. And we don't know what is going on unless we look. We don't know what is going on unless we take the time to find out what is going on. In today's very busy world, most people are not going to sit down at their computer and Google "childhood hunger", for example. Most people just do not have that kind of time in their day. Well, I LOVE doing that. I love researching. Since I love research and learning as much as I can about a topic, why not do the research end of it and then spread awareness to those who want to know. It's like removing a step for you! :) It's a win-win. lol I get to do the research which I love and y'all get to benefit from all of my hard work! :)
I want to give people that first step they need into doing what they want to do to help those in need. Help them get to that first step. Lead them to that first step. In every thing it is said the first step is the hardest. Well, I want to give you that first step. I want to help give you the knowledge to be able to go out and do your part to help those in need. Whether it be volunteering at your local food pantry or traveling half way around the world to help in a remote village in Africa. Whatever it is that God has already equipped you for, I want to help you get there. Help you by providing the information that will open your eyes to what is going on.
So, I'd like to introduce you to the all new The 117 Initiative! Initiative: noun. Meaning: an introductory act or step, leading action. How perfect is that?? The Lord placed that name on my heart some 8 months ago and I was not sure why. Now it all makes sense! God is so good!
Over the next few weeks or month or so I will be updating the FB page, updating the website I started and then did nothing with (oops!), creating a new logo, and getting everything in to place to really get things rolling.
I'm very excited about this direction for The 117 Initiative! I cannot wait to see how God is going to use this new direction to help those in need.
