Overwhelming goodness

My heart is overflowing.  I get it now.  I get what David meant when he wrote in Psalm 23 that his "cup overflows".  David continues, saying "surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life."  These words have become rich, deep truth in my life as I finish support raising and prepare to return to Bolivia.

Before sharing anything more, I need to say THANK YOU.  Thank you to all of you who have made it possible for me to get to this point because.... drumroll please... I AM AT FULL SUPPORT AND HAVE MY PLANE TICKETS TO BOLIVIA!!!  God's faithfulness never ceases to blow me out of the water.  He never stops surprising me with His goodness, and amazing me with His abundant provision.  I'm excited to share that I leave Colorado on August 10th, and return to my home in Cochabamba sometime on the 12th.

My full support was made possible in large part by the incredible, tireless work of so many people in both the churches I grew up in.  The Church at Redstone, the church where I was dedicated in 25 years ago, planned, organized and executed a couple fundraisers, one of which was a benefit concert, held last Sunday night.  Church at Carbondale, the other church I call home, provided the beautiful space for the concert.  Many people from both churches volunteered their time for the event.  The benefit featured the bluegrass band of dear family friends, the Werdens, and was a mix of the gifts and skills of SO many other friends and family.

Just a few slices of the yummy 40 pies baked

In addition to the music, the benefit featured around 40 homemade pies, donated by bakers up and down the valley I live in, sold by the slice or auctioned off.  The picture above is just a small taste (hah!) of what was offered, from brumbleberry to shoofly, classic apple pie to peach pecan...  the choices were endless, and people who came for the benefit ate freely!  All told, the benefit itself raised almost $3,000 in donations, and that evening I also reached full support in monthly pledges.  In less than 3 months, God has provided all my one time set-up costs and commitments of over $1,400 in monthly pledges with more coming in.  If that isn't a miracle, I don't know what is.

Sharing my heart for The Center

My prayer all summer has been that I would be able to raise more than I personally need, so that ALL the extra support can go towards meeting the great financial needs of The Center's ministry.  The majority of the team at The Center are Bolivians, and they have limited connections to the resources in the States.  Up until now, there has not been a lot of money to fund the heart and vision of The Center, and to respond to the deep needs of the surrounding neighborhood.  Since many of you have responded so generously to God's call to give, I am now able to pass on to The Center's ministry out of the overflowing abundance.

Alternate Route

the fantastic band that played for the event

I'm so encouraged by the response of my two churches, my friends, my community, to the needs of the Bolivian people.  There is so much hope in what The Center is doing, and hope in the way people want to come alongside the oppressed of Bolivia to bring about powerful change.

I leave in less than 3 weeks, but plan to send e-newsletter updates, as well as updating my blog.  If you are reading this, but didn't get an e-mail alert about my latest post and want to be on my update list, please shoot me an e-mail at kata.stewart@gmail.com.

I leave you with this:

Psalm 145 

 ³ Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;

       his greatness no one can fathom.

 ⁴ One generation will commend your works to another;

       they will tell of your mighty acts.

 ⁵ They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,

       and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

 ⁶ They will tell of the power of your awesome works,

       and I will proclaim your great deeds.

 ⁷ They will celebrate your abundant goodness

       and joyfully sing of your righteousness.