Some of you may remember that we set a goal to serve 2,022 kids in 2022 in Ohio. I'm so happy to report that TOGETHER we served a total 3128 kids... and the even better news is that we are JUST GETTING STARTED!!!
As I gear up, and hit those starting blocks this year, I'm honestly considering the obstacles that God has given us grace to hurdle. We've seen our share of financial roadblocks, but God's favor provided state funding so we could serve kids all over the state! The economy changed, and the level of need in our community skyrocketed, but our response teams grew in number and in generosity to meet it! And sadly, we lost our beautiful prayer team leader, Cherie, to cancer just before the end of the year. There is no way to express the size of the gap she leaves behind... but even in our grief we are encouraged and inspired by her life. In her last weeks, she was still praying for our CarePortal families. The last time we spoke I told her "It's ok to rest." and she answered, "I'll rest when I have my rest. Whatever energy I have, I'm going to spend it."
"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" ~Hebrews 12:1
I'm learning to throw off things that hold me back or slow me down... like timidity, anxiety and even the very idea of physical limitations. I'm striving to turn away from the sin that tries to tie itself around my feet and trip me up. I'm inspired by my sweet friend Cherie, to PERSERVERE, to keep running, and to rely on the Lord for the energy and endurance I need.
The race has been marked out for us, my friends. We've heard the starting gun for 2023... Let's GO!
If you'd like to connect with your neighbors and meet the needs of families in crisis check out our OPEN REQUESTS or make a donation to our GREATER CINCINNATI CAREPORTAL FUND .
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