Comments on: Part 1: I Need Help http://www.loveisanorientation.com/2009/part-1-i-need-help/ Counterculture. Faith. Love. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:47:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mike Fraser http://www.loveisanorientation.com/2009/part-1-i-need-help/comment-page-1/#comment-2108 Mike Fraser Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:05:27 +0000 http://www.loveisanorientation.com/?p=831#comment-2108 Andy, After reading these posts, my mind has been racing through any way to get you some financial help. Other than donating myself and getting others to donate, all I can think of are these various organizations that offer money/funding to people with a cause and enough votes/support to deserve the money. ideablob.com was a really big one but they've since ended what they do. They seemed to have alot of winning ideas and causes that weren't "normal" or "traditional" causes like poverty, etc. I don't know if these would be too much effort to do or if you even would consider following through with any of these, but I guess it's worth looking into. I'll continue to be praying for you Andy take a look at these organizations http://www.ashoka.org http://www.socialedge.org http://www.changemakers.com/ Andy,
After reading these posts, my mind has been racing through any way to get you some financial help.

Other than donating myself and getting others to donate, all I can think of are these various organizations that offer money/funding to people with a cause and enough votes/support to deserve the money.
ideablob.com was a really big one but they’ve since ended what they do. They seemed to have alot of winning ideas and causes that weren’t “normal” or “traditional” causes like poverty, etc.
I don’t know if these would be too much effort to do or if you even would consider following through with any of these, but I guess it’s worth looking into.

I’ll continue to be praying for you Andy

take a look at these organizations
http://www.ashoka.org
http://www.socialedge.org
http://www.changemakers.com/

]]> By: Anthony Venn-Brown http://www.loveisanorientation.com/2009/part-1-i-need-help/comment-page-1/#comment-2098 Anthony Venn-Brown Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:45:42 +0000 http://www.loveisanorientation.com/?p=831#comment-2098 This is not an uncommon problem Andrew. We do what we do because it is important and we feel God's calling. We have been told that where God guides he also provides. Sometimes I've found this to be the case other times not. I've faced the same situation for the last four years myself. The struggle can be endless. I'm sure you have good people around you who can take up the cause for you so you can concentrate on the things you do so well. I hope so. If they are not stepping up to the plate.....get people who will do it for you and are not afraid of asking for financial support. At this stage I can do nothing more unfortunately than say i'm standing with you in spirit. May this problem be solved for us all who have given our time, talents, energies and experience to making a difference to LGBT people in the world.....and particularly the church. Anthony Venn-Brown An ambassador for the LGBT community. This is not an uncommon problem Andrew. We do what we do because it is important and we feel God’s calling. We have been told that where God guides he also provides. Sometimes I’ve found this to be the case other times not. I’ve faced the same situation for the last four years myself. The struggle can be endless.

I’m sure you have good people around you who can take up the cause for you so you can concentrate on the things you do so well. I hope so. If they are not stepping up to the plate…..get people who will do it for you and are not afraid of asking for financial support.

At this stage I can do nothing more unfortunately than say i’m standing with you in spirit.

May this problem be solved for us all who have given our time, talents, energies and experience to making a difference to LGBT people in the world…..and particularly the church.

Anthony Venn-Brown
An ambassador for the LGBT community.

]]> By: Jon Trouten http://www.loveisanorientation.com/2009/part-1-i-need-help/comment-page-1/#comment-2094 Jon Trouten Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:46:40 +0000 http://www.loveisanorientation.com/?p=831#comment-2094 All non-profits (religious or secular) need to take time regularly to ask for financial support. As someone who regularly participates in your chats and with your website, I will gladly commit to an ongoing donation to help keep you going. Hopefully, others will do likewise. Thanks for all you do, Andrew. :) All non-profits (religious or secular) need to take time regularly to ask for financial support. As someone who regularly participates in your chats and with your website, I will gladly commit to an ongoing donation to help keep you going. Hopefully, others will do likewise. Thanks for all you do, Andrew. :)

]]> By: Adam http://www.loveisanorientation.com/2009/part-1-i-need-help/comment-page-1/#comment-2093 Adam Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:09:27 +0000 http://www.loveisanorientation.com/?p=831#comment-2093 Andrew, I am a youth minister in Naperville. We met last year at YS in Nashville (I don't expect you to remember, it was just a brief meeting). I have many kids in my group that go to Neuqua Valley High School. Some of our kids spent a weekend at JPUSA in October and during that time, did a prayer walk through Boys Town. Next week we'll be kicking off a study in our youth group coming from your book. At the risk of coming across as a stalker, I say all that really to say that even though I don't know you, I feel greatly invested in and passionate about your work. I've given what I can for now (the youth minister salary doesn't give me a tons of extra spending money) and will continue to do so. What you're doing is important and is bringing the hope of Shalom to a part of God's Kingdom that desperately needs it. I'm glad you asked for money. I'll pass this along to as many as I can. "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Andrew,
I am a youth minister in Naperville. We met last year at YS in Nashville (I don’t expect you to remember, it was just a brief meeting). I have many kids in my group that go to Neuqua Valley High School. Some of our kids spent a weekend at JPUSA in October and during that time, did a prayer walk through Boys Town. Next week we’ll be kicking off a study in our youth group coming from your book. At the risk of coming across as a stalker, I say all that really to say that even though I don’t know you, I feel greatly invested in and passionate about your work. I’ve given what I can for now (the youth minister salary doesn’t give me a tons of extra spending money) and will continue to do so. What you’re doing is important and is bringing the hope of Shalom to a part of God’s Kingdom that desperately needs it. I’m glad you asked for money. I’ll pass this along to as many as I can. “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

]]> By: Person http://www.loveisanorientation.com/2009/part-1-i-need-help/comment-page-1/#comment-2092 Person Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:08:22 +0000 http://www.loveisanorientation.com/?p=831#comment-2092 Andrew, Andrew, Andrew... if I could give you a hug right now, I would. As I can't, I'll just write this. You don't know me because I'm a lurker mostly, but I've been following you very closely. Who I am is the gay son of missionary parents and it's people who do work like the work you are doing that kept me from destroying my life during my turbulent adolescent years. As such, you are a hero of mine. But now, I feel I must share with you something that I have learned from watching my parents' ministry and I hope that this helps you. NEVER BE ASHAMED OF ASKING PEOPLE FOR MONEY TO SUPPORT YOUR MINISTRY. Considering you are running a non-profit organization and since you are doing the Lord's work, there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking people to support you financially. Nothing. God works through people does he not? I assure you, whenever we receive money from a supporter, we always give thanks to God even if we know that we asked them for it. It's like when we give thanks to God for lunch, even when we know our mom made it, we even saw her do it - we still give thanks to God anyway. It's not like God is no longer at work if you ask for the money. Rom. 15:23-24 23But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, 24I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. Note this phrase "to have you assist me on my journey there". What does that mean? It refers to them giving him donations, whether financial or otherwise, but either way it amounts to the same thing as Paul asking his followers for money. Paul had a vision to go to Spain and he asked the Roman church to support him financially. Nothing is wrong with that. Do not be so proud as to believe that your ministry is somehow superior if you don't ask for money - you do not get bonus points. Churches ask for money all the time - it's called taking an offering. Missionaries ask for money all the time - it's called monthly partnership. Now unless you're George Muller, which I don't believe you are, I don't see why you believe you should be exempt. So my message for you Andrew - do not be ashamed. Oh and by the way, I don't have money to give since I live on the other side of the world, but if I did I'd give it to you. Keep the faith Andrew and don't be ashamed of your ministry, even in the times when it makes you ask for money. :) Brotherly love, Andrew. Andrew, Andrew, Andrew… if I could give you a hug right now, I would. As I can’t, I’ll just write this.

You don’t know me because I’m a lurker mostly, but I’ve been following you very closely. Who I am is the gay son of missionary parents and it’s people who do work like the work you are doing that kept me from destroying my life during my turbulent adolescent years. As such, you are a hero of mine. But now, I feel I must share with you something that I have learned from watching my parents’ ministry and I hope that this helps you.

NEVER BE ASHAMED OF ASKING PEOPLE FOR MONEY TO SUPPORT YOUR MINISTRY.

Considering you are running a non-profit organization and since you are doing the Lord’s work, there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking people to support you financially. Nothing. God works through people does he not? I assure you, whenever we receive money from a supporter, we always give thanks to God even if we know that we asked them for it. It’s like when we give thanks to God for lunch, even when we know our mom made it, we even saw her do it – we still give thanks to God anyway. It’s not like God is no longer at work if you ask for the money.

Rom. 15:23-24
23But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, 24I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.

Note this phrase “to have you assist me on my journey there”. What does that mean? It refers to them giving him donations, whether financial or otherwise, but either way it amounts to the same thing as Paul asking his followers for money. Paul had a vision to go to Spain and he asked the Roman church to support him financially. Nothing is wrong with that.

Do not be so proud as to believe that your ministry is somehow superior if you don’t ask for money – you do not get bonus points. Churches ask for money all the time – it’s called taking an offering. Missionaries ask for money all the time – it’s called monthly partnership. Now unless you’re George Muller, which I don’t believe you are, I don’t see why you believe you should be exempt. So my message for you Andrew – do not be ashamed.

Oh and by the way, I don’t have money to give since I live on the other side of the world, but if I did I’d give it to you. Keep the faith Andrew and don’t be ashamed of your ministry, even in the times when it makes you ask for money. :) Brotherly love, Andrew.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.loveisanorientation.com/2009/part-1-i-need-help/comment-page-1/#comment-2091 Kevin Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:45:20 +0000 http://www.loveisanorientation.com/?p=831#comment-2091 Peggy- Could you send an email to speaking@themarinfoundation.org and we can start discussing the possibility of bringing Andrew to Champaign for a speaking engagement. Thanks Peggy- Could you send an email to speaking@themarinfoundation.org and we can start discussing the possibility of bringing Andrew to Champaign for a speaking engagement. Thanks

]]> By: Bryan http://www.loveisanorientation.com/2009/part-1-i-need-help/comment-page-1/#comment-2090 Bryan Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:13:01 +0000 http://www.loveisanorientation.com/?p=831#comment-2090 We don't have a lot leftover this Christmas and have already committed to giving to Compassion for some children who aren't sponsored yet, but I gave what little I could. I hope it helps some. We don’t have a lot leftover this Christmas and have already committed to giving to Compassion for some children who aren’t sponsored yet, but I gave what little I could. I hope it helps some.

]]> By: Peggy Whitmer http://www.loveisanorientation.com/2009/part-1-i-need-help/comment-page-1/#comment-2089 Peggy Whitmer Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:10:36 +0000 http://www.loveisanorientation.com/?p=831#comment-2089 Dear Andrew, I am a friend of the Piercy family in Champaign. We have a small group studying your book which we have found insightful and inspiring. I have so much to talk to you about. Would you be willing to speak to a muti-church gathering if we could get one organized in Champaign? God is moving here in exciting ways and I wanted you to know that you have been a part of that. More to follow put please be encouraged. God is worthy of our trust. Gratefully, Peggy Whitmer Dear Andrew,
I am a friend of the Piercy family in Champaign. We have a small group studying your book which we have found insightful and inspiring. I have so much to talk to you about. Would you be willing to speak to a muti-church gathering if we could get one organized in Champaign? God is moving here in exciting ways and I wanted you to know that you have been a part of that. More to follow put please be encouraged. God is worthy of our trust.
Gratefully,
Peggy Whitmer

]]> By: Andrew I http://www.loveisanorientation.com/2009/part-1-i-need-help/comment-page-1/#comment-2088 Andrew I Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:25:25 +0000 http://www.loveisanorientation.com/?p=831#comment-2088 I am praying for you too, brother. I am praying for you too, brother.

]]> By: Bethany C http://www.loveisanorientation.com/2009/part-1-i-need-help/comment-page-1/#comment-2086 Bethany C Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:17:27 +0000 http://www.loveisanorientation.com/?p=831#comment-2086 Wow, God is crazy! I got a new job and started last Monday. I had been praying about who and what ministries (besides my church) that God wanted me to give to. I am only in a part time job (15-20 hours/week) but I know that all that I get is from the Lord and it's not mine to keep. I always read your updates and pray for your work as often as I can and am constantly thinking of ways to apply your message to my own life and my own relationships with other Christians and the world. So, I feel quite invested into what The Marin Foundation is doing. I hope that sounds how I want it to; and that is that I LOVE what you're doing, I believe that God is right in the midst of it and that you are a Spirit-filled man of God who is opening people's eyes to the truth of what LOVE can truly do to people for the Kingdom. Okay, no more rambling. Just yesterday as I was reading your latest blog I decided that I would give to The Foundation, assuming that you had always needed funding. And then, lo and behold you write this blog today! As soon as I get my first check I am committing here and now to donating as much money as possible (sometimes that may be $5) to your work! I am praying for you Andrew. Wow, God is crazy! I got a new job and started last Monday. I had been praying about who and what ministries (besides my church) that God wanted me to give to. I am only in a part time job (15-20 hours/week) but I know that all that I get is from the Lord and it’s not mine to keep. I always read your updates and pray for your work as often as I can and am constantly thinking of ways to apply your message to my own life and my own relationships with other Christians and the world. So, I feel quite invested into what The Marin Foundation is doing. I hope that sounds how I want it to; and that is that I LOVE what you’re doing, I believe that God is right in the midst of it and that you are a Spirit-filled man of God who is opening people’s eyes to the truth of what LOVE can truly do to people for the Kingdom. Okay, no more rambling. Just yesterday as I was reading your latest blog I decided that I would give to The Foundation, assuming that you had always needed funding. And then, lo and behold you write this blog today! As soon as I get my first check I am committing here and now to donating as much money as possible (sometimes that may be $5) to your work! I am praying for you Andrew.

]]> By: Mrs T http://www.loveisanorientation.com/2009/part-1-i-need-help/comment-page-1/#comment-2085 Mrs T Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:41:36 +0000 http://www.loveisanorientation.com/?p=831#comment-2085 We're all pulling for you & many will be praying. God has all the riches; He moves them around in His will. So there is plenty out there. OK, who has housing to donate? That's the most expensive thing. Food? Jerry's in Niles has the cheapest produce. Friends can invite you over for a hot meal which saves you time as well as money. I started this just to encourage Andrew, but now I'm making it a challenge for us locals to give things as well as money. I don't have much spare change now, but this would be my fave charity. Some of you might be able to give. I hate wasting food, but it is so common in this city. Maybe some of you can be more careful when you shop & cook & pass along the extra to the Marins... When you find a super bargain of a useful household product, get an extra one for them. How about a CTA pass which saves lots of money? Other ideas, friends? We’re all pulling for you & many will be praying. God has all the riches; He moves them around in His will. So there is plenty out there.
OK, who has housing to donate? That’s the most expensive thing.
Food? Jerry’s in Niles has the cheapest produce. Friends can invite you over for a hot meal which saves you time as well as money.

I started this just to encourage Andrew, but now I’m making it a challenge for us locals to give things as well as money. I don’t have much spare change now, but this would be my fave charity. Some of you might be able to give. I hate wasting food, but it is so common in this city. Maybe some of you can be more careful when you shop & cook & pass along the extra to the Marins…
When you find a super bargain of a useful household product, get an extra one for them. How about a CTA pass which saves lots of money?
Other ideas, friends?

]]> By: Matt Nightingale http://www.loveisanorientation.com/2009/part-1-i-need-help/comment-page-1/#comment-2084 Matt Nightingale Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:36:26 +0000 http://www.loveisanorientation.com/?p=831#comment-2084 God is in this, brother... Hang in there. Thanks for sharing your needs. God is in this, brother… Hang in there. Thanks for sharing your needs.

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