Every night, kids in Ukraine go to sleep wondering if they will be the next ones to suffer a Russian drone or missile attack.
On the first day of 2024, Ukraine was on my mind.
In December, wonderful new friends hosted me in Eastern Ukraine for three weeks. One day we distributed food, three km from the frontlines. That’s something two pastors have done on Mondays for 18 months. God is at work in Ukraine. The war caused the situation but love has started a revival. 
The people are determined to win a war they did not start but are committed to finish. But the humanitarian need is dire.
Could I raise money to support these brave men and women?
I’m turning 70 which makes 2024 a bit of a milestone year.
$50,000 came to mind. Seemed like raising that much would be a challenge. When I shared my thoughts on REVwords, a friend suggested, why not go for $70,00 to match your age?
Alright. $70,000 sounded even more audacious. (All support and donations will go through Loads of Love and are tax receiptable.)
Nineteen years ago, $11 million sounded audacious. Our congregation was purchasing property and designing a building for a new church. That was a big bite for a small congregation of 495 people. However, we made a huge commitment to raise the money for North Pointe. Only God knew that eight years after launching NP we would be debt free.
Words matter. I read a quote in 2000 when we started relocation. Loved it. Printed the words and slid it under the glass covering of my office desk. The spirit behind those words encouraged me every day for 19 years.
So, I put the quote on my desk again.
The Power of Committing
“Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:
that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.”
All sorts of things have happened in the last 29 days.
We are blown away by friends stepping up across the country, making commitments to do some heavy lifting. Events where people will run, ride or walk are being set up between May 18th and June 16th.
Providence and Fundraising Events
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Cory Jones, our oldest son, invites people to sponsor him as he runs seven full marathons in seven days. Yes, you read that right. 7 in 7. He will start on May 12th and complete the last one on May 18th. (That’s him in the promo for the 2024Canadian Death Race.)
Aliston Pentecostal Assembly in Ontario – Pastor Blair Mercer hosts a fundraiser invovling families on Saturday May 18th. This is the hometown of Carolyn Garton, the Loads of Love worker living in a previously occupied Ukrainian village just north of the frontlines. The 18th is my birthday. I will be in Ontario to participate in their event.
Kamloops, British Columbia – Linda Stride a long-time friend and the woman who helped us train for our first marathon, is hosting a fundraiser.
Sherwood Park, Alberta – Adena Lowry, a teacher at Strathcona Christian Secondary and no stranger to raising money for good causes, will work with 100 of her junior high students to create a fundraising event.
Bonnyville, Alberta – Lillian Wakulchyk, another long-time friend as far back as Central Tabernacle days, owns a spin centre with 15 bikes. She will host a spin day as a fundraiser.
Edmonton, Alberta – Madison Steele was the FIRST one to lend her support within a day of launching this idea. She is going to run and invite freinds and family to sponsor her.
Edmonton, Alberta – Reuben Celemin, and Diane Shaw, organizers of a Walk Run Ride event will put together an event involving the Men of the Rock group that Reuben leads. These guys are hardcore with their training.
Do you see a pattern forming?
For Ukraine
Masha Ignatenko is the daughter of a pastor I worked with in Ukraine. She designed branding and an image for the event t-shirt.
Who’s next? What’s next?
Will you start your own event? We would love to see more events and get something going in Manitoba, Quebec and the Maritimes.
Will you sponsor someone or participate in an event near you?
Donate through Loads of Love, the humanitarian aid organization I work with. You can donate here through Canada helps.
This is what you will see on their site. Note the WRR Jones designation.
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