Hi! I'm Mandie. For almost 10 years, I have been traveling all over the world as a missionary for the Kingdom. Now, God has put it on my heart to settle down. I would like to move to one of the four neighborhoods in Toledo, Ohio, that the city has identified as areas targeted for revitalization. There is already beautiful work being done in each one by different organizations and individuals, and God is already present, active, and reflecting His own image in each member of the community. I want to come alongside the ways God is already bringing Life to the community and offer whatever I can to be a part of what's already happening. I have a vision to buy a house (which could possibly be an abandoned home) and commit to the neighborhood by living there and opening my home to be a place where everyone is welcome. As someone who has been in need of a bed to sleep in and a home to live in at times, I understand the feeling of not knowing the future and needing a space to rest and know I'm welcome. I want to create that kind of safe space for other people. I dream of being able to (eventually) host people at my home for retreat, for short terms during difficult circumstances, for dinner, for Bible Study, or just to be a part of a family that is never at capacity. The ministry work I do for the Lord in artwork, instruction, mentorship, peacemaking, bridge-building, and community development are all rooted in Grace. Nothing I have is mine to keep and I can point back to how everything I have is a gift God has provided (either directly or through the generosity of those around me). This house will be another tangible example of how God has provided for me, not because I earned it or deserve it, but because He has purpose for my life and for the community...because He loves me and He LOVES Toledo. And I'll get to tell every single person who comes into my home about that Grace through Jesus. This is a very humbling and vulnerable thing to openly ask for. It seems like an impossible goal. But I truly believe God is leading me toward this and it will be another example of how God makes the impossible possible. I don't have my eyes set on a particular property just yet. There are a lot of unknowns, but I am taking the first step of obedience to this call by asking for others to join me. The money I raise will go toward buying a property and fixing it to become livable (mainly for fixing foundation issues, the roof, the windows, and the plumbing to bring it up to code). God has lots of ways of providing and I know there is a place He is already preparing for me in Toledo. God loves Toledo. And that's why I'm moving there. He's already there and I want to join Him in what He's doing. I would LOVE for you to join me on this journey financially, in prayer, in encouragement, or in friendship. Everyone is welcome.
Artículos relacionados
