An Update from Welland

Friends in Christ, I hope this message finds you well.  We are experiencing sunshine and rain in Welland today.      Sunshine as we celebrate the attainment of a "clear license" for 7 C's Day Care (for the first time in it's history). We've overcome a huge hurdle and we are cautiously optimistic as we prepare for our Region of Niagara inspection the week of April 16th.   We covet your prayers for this important and final step on the path to completing our application and gaining approval (a 10 week process they say) to offer subsidized services to our low income neighbours.  Thank you for your support (individual and Classis), referrals (for child care services), and prayers in fulfilling the Lord's vision and mission here.  A terrific Board is leading this work and I believe God would be pleased if your prayers of thanks to Him for providing them would join mine this Easter.     Rain is coming down outside and I hear a drip in between the walls in the foyer.  I am told that we'll need a new roof this year and quotes range from $20-30,000.  That's scary, and even though we might be able to borrow the money from the RCA Building and Extension fund, I don't like the thought of us being burdened for five years of debt repayments.  Doing so will hinder the ministry work here just as momentum is building and it will delay our progress towards fiscal/financial health. We do not have the young able bodies to do the roof ourselves and so I've got my creative thinking cap on this rainy day.  Do any of you know if we can buy shingles somewhere at cost?  Or where we could borrow some qualified manpower for a roofing blitz? Do you have any experience in avoiding or minimizing indebtedness for this sort of thing? We have a campaign idea "Buy a Shingle; Change a Life"  - focusing more on our vision than our need.  But that's just one idea.    I invite your ideas, suggestions, and the sharing of any experiences with this sort of challenge that you may have had. Check us out a cccwelland.com and join me in asking the Lord for wisdom on this matter.       May we all have a powerful, Spirit filled Easter experience this weekend.     Blessings (sunshine) in Christ, this rainy day!   Carson