Hope’s Journey Int’l

Most of this year Hope’s Journey has been at a stand still.  Several factors are involved.  The result is that change is in the air.  The biggest change will be that Hope’s Journey Int’l is starting the process of becoming it’s own non-profit organization.  While Hope’s Journey and Solid Rock Foundation Ministries both have a heart to see youth and families restored to God the Father’s heart, we are different enough in the communities that we want to serve and impact that we have been counseled to separate into two entities.

We have heard from the State of Colorado, Department of Health and Human Services, and basically they don’t know what to classify us as.  This is causing us to brainstorm about how we can offer services to burn-injured and disabled children without having to involve Medicare and Medicaid.

The contract on the property that we were pursuing in Ouray expired last fall.  We have been waiting on the County to determine the changes they have stated they will make to the zoning code.  We have not thought it wise to make such a huge investment in a property unless county and state things are in order.  We have just heard this week that the property is up for auction on June 19th, therefore this property will no longer be a consideration for Hope’s Journey.

Although these changes are huge and a lot to wrap the mind around, I am encouraged that God is in control and all these things are working together to form the vision that is on God’s heart, in His timing.  I am stepping away from SRFM to focus full-time on Hope’s Journey.  This involves assembling a board of directors, as well as an advisory board, and establishing a tax-exempt charitable organization, finding ways to gain experience and contacts in the burn community, being educated in public-speaking and fundraising, reforming our current plan to include phases that would allow us to assist burn-injured children sooner than later with achievable fundraising goals, and communicating effectively with all of those that have an interest in the progress of Hope’s Journey Int’l.

It is impossible to estimate when we will be able to offer our services.  My desire is that we would see considerable progress in the next year.  Thank you all for your friendship, encouragement, and understanding.

Please keep this date in mind.  It is our next hurdle to clear with the Ouray County.  We are on the agenda for the Ouray Board of County Commissioners meeting at 1:30pm.  Here they will either accept, deny, or table our request for a change to the zoning code.  We have requested that they add the term and definition “Assisted Living Residence” to their zoning code.  Once that change is made we can make the next step and apply for our special use permit.

Our board of directors has decided to move forward with capital fundraising.  We will be meeting soon to pull together a strategy for this endeavor.  Most of you know that the purchase price of the facility we are under contract for is $1,175,000.00.  We would like to raise enough to not only cover the purchase price, but also any necessary improvements and start up costs.  Whatever funds we are able to raise ultimately decreases the cost to the clients families.  Our goal is to help our clients to overcome their injuries.  We don’t want to strain them financially.

Last Monday I returned from Raleigh, NC, where my sister Roseanna and I attended the annual World Burn Congress.  We had an informational booth and shared the vision of Hope’s Journey Int’l with those attending.  We were very encouraged by our efforts.  Every time that I began to wonder if we were premature in being there, sharing a vision of a place that isn’t ours yet, someone would come by, hear our blurb, and respond with excitement, validating that Hope’s Journey will help fill a true need.  We had many people sign up to receive updates as well as offer their help and insights into this project.  To all of our new friends, thank you. I look forward to getting to know you and learning from your experiences as we reach out and offer hope to others marked by trauma.

Please Pray!

The bank has just informed us that we need additional guarantors before they can approve the loan.

This has caused us to question whether we’re to find additional people that would act as guarantors.  This would enable us to secure the bank loan for the purchase price of the facility.

Our other option would be to begin capital fundraising at this time. This would either reduce the loan amount or eliminate the need for a bank loan entirely.

We would appreciate your prayers and any input you may have.  Please contact us if you are able to help in any way.

On July 15, I left on outreach to the East Coast with Solid Rock Foundation Ministries. For the next month, I will be traveling with SRFM staff and youth. While on the East Coast, we will focus on learning more about God, ministering to the locals through performances, and sharing our testimonies of how Jesus has worked in our lives.

While I am away, Hope’s Journey Int’l is still progressing! We have submitted our requests for Ouray County to amend the zoning variance on the land so that we will be fully released to go about serving the children that we desire to have as future clients of Hope’s Journey Int’l.

Please continue to pray for this process, that we might build the relationships that will be a part of the community that we are going to be ministering in and that we will have wisdom in walking through each necessary step!

Would you like to see the property on Cutler Creek? Here is a slide show.