Wow! Where do we start? We saw so many opportunities to serve this week. We’ll try to organize the different areas of need into several different categories:

Agape Woodshop:

The real issue here is what are the long term desires of the Paden’s and World Venture who as I understand it actually owns the property and operation. The options as I see it are:

1. Leave it as it is, namely being a low cost provider to missions and NGO’s for whatever comes their way. It provides employment for 8-10 people and reasonably priced products to serve the mission and NGO needs in and around Goma.

2. Change directions and make it a viable business in the local market. This would require new strategies, leadership and resource help from the States. It may also require some additional/different ownership and capital investment. The overriding goal would be to serve God by building a profitable, honest business that can spin off resources to advance His Kingdom in the Congo and provide business and trade training for the local community.

3. Sell off the assets and reallocate those resources. One possible thought here is to build a trade school at New Hope and move the equipment over there.

Financial Assistance:

These opportunities present needs where our direct financial assistance could really make a big difference. The monies raised would allow the local leadership to carry on the work they are already prepared to do.

1. The medical clinic. This is a huge need and an opportunity to really leverage their talents and needs to get a huge return on investment. They need about $30,000 to complete the construction and purchase the basic equipment to make the clinic operational.

2. The CEBCE office needs:

1. They need office equipment desperately. For 6-8 thousand dollars they could purchase computers, a copier and other essential office supplies that would dramatically assist them with their work.

2. They need to rebuild their office building. I’m not sure what the cost of this building would be but I would guess about 20-30K.

3. Print shop: This is a real biggie. They could build this into the office complex. I do not have an idea of what equipment and training would cost but this opportunity would not only serve the association and school needs but could become a profit center to the local business community.

4. Commercial retail building: This would consist of small store fronts with possibly the association offices on the second floor. The rental income would support the association expenses and salaries. The complex is located in the heart of Goma on the main commercial road. $80-100K

3. School needs:

1. School tuition and supply assistance. The school administrator predicts that up to 40% of the students will have to drop out of school before the end of the school season as a result of not having the money for tuition or supplies. With nearly 43,000 students this is an area where we can get a real bang for our buck.

2. Facility needs: This one really goes on forever but the most pressing need is for a new high school. They have over 1,000 secondary students in Goma sharing classrooms with elementary students. 200-250 thousand dollars will build a forty classroom building with administration offices.

4. The main church building in Goma is about 75% complete. They estimate that 13-15K will complete the building. They are using the building now but it could and should be a statement to God’s blessing and provision.

5. New Hope Center:

1. We need to bring power to the complex. The high wires are on the property but the power company needs to install a substation transformer on the property to access the power. Then the power needs to be run to the three existing buildings and prepare for four future classrooms that Norwegian Aid is building. Estimate is 12-15K

2. Guest house/dormitory: The center could be used as a conference/retreat center if it were equipped with sleeping arrangements. This could be a revenue source that could assist with paying the expenses of New Hope.

 Service Teams:

This is a huge desire of my heart. I really feel that this is one of my callings. To organize and facilitate taking service teams here and abroad. Some of the opportunities for organizing a service team for fall of 2008 might be:

1. The woodshop depending on what decisions are made concerning it.

2. The mission house and guest house are in dire need of some TLC. Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and plaster and paint people could really aid the long term viability of those buildings and complex. I would love to rebuild the guard house to bring pride and self worth to the dedicated men who protect and take care of the needs of the compound. I would like to build from scratch an approximately 8’ x 12’ house.

3. New Hope Center: We will assess the needs there.

4. English classes: A huge opportunity to touch a lot of lives. Everyone wants to learn English.

5. Medical help: Nurses and doctors could have a real blessed time assisting the local doctors and technicians with aiding the poor.

6. Pastoral training: I’m not sure of the specifics but they are pleading for help in this area.  

 Marketing Collateral:

We would like to assist the Paden’s with creating some marketing materials for the above projects and needs.

• PowerPoint presentations for:

• For the overall needs

• Specifically for:

• Woodshop

• Association needs

• Medical clinic needs

• Educational needs

• New Hope Center

• Brochures and/or flyers for the above.

• Networking other resources.

 Assistance for the Paden’s

This is probably the greatest need of all. Please pray with us that God will lay this opportunity on someone or some couple’s heart. If the Paden’s need to come home for any reason before a replacement solution is found then the work that has begun will flounder. They need help!!!!!