Streetlight Update-It's All About Attitude to Change Your Way of Thinking...

I was instructed by a friend ::ahem...Rachel...:: to give an update on Streetlight and what all is happening with that venture. Here goes (for you Rachel, and for all other blog readers :o)

This summer I started volunteering with whatever Streetlight needed. So far I've done paperwork, organizing and some financial planning. Financial planning? What do you mean Andrea? I'll explain. Streetlight is set up on the model that pays only a very small group of head staff members and the rest either volunteer or are community supported. Community supported staff are just what they sound like: people who work and are supported by the community. Right now there is not yet a system set up for those who need to raise funds (aka fundraising...but I'm going to stay away from that word because of the negative connotation). I'm putting together a very rough draft of a system that could be used for community supported staff. It sounds easy, but is very thought provoking and time intensive. First of all, being a faith based organization, biblical reference must be the basis for the system. In other words, everything we do needs to come back to the idea that its what God says about finances, not because we think it's a good idea. (Like our ideas could be better thought out than God's anyway!) Secondly, attitude is a huge factor in finding donors. I could write for days on what I just learned from these DVDs I watched about donors that contribute to non-profits. The basis is this: you're not paying me, you're giving what God has given you through me so that I can work for the cause we both believe in. In the interest of time I'll give a short example. So let's say you work for a homeless organization, and you talk to someone who is really catching the vision of this organization. They feel a burden on their heart to give to this cause. They're giving to a specific person so that person can do the work for this organization. But it's a partnership, it's not give me your money and pray for me. Instead it's a specific person who is called to that specific field, and another who contributes to it, but both share together in the growth, need and happenings of the organization. It's a huge shift of thinking for me personally in a great direction. No more Little Rascals, "People! We need your money!" God will provide for you abundantly, and use people in the process. But he's really interested in relationship. And this partnership makes way more sense than what's been done in the past. Please don't misunderstand, I did the very same thing before my attitude was changed. I just didn't see any other way.

But wait, here's the best part! Before I thought, "here is my ministry...I'm going to help people A." Now my thought process is, "here is my ministry...I'm going to help people A, AND people that have partnered with me are going to be apart of this as well, AND lived a transformed life through giving!" I know, I'll give you some time to let it sink in. So really all people are benefiting from the interaction that's going on. Remarkable idea God, I couldn't have thought of it better myself :o)

Can you tell I'm excited about this!?! So that's what I've been doing lately regarding Streetlight. My next item of business is to put my creative awareness ideas to work.

I cannot find words to describe the joy I feel in my own growth through this transformation. I have left the norm (my norm) and I'm gearing up to work in the unknown, the darkness, the brokenness. This is what I was called to. Praise God that he shines the brightest light in the darkness! I have already had moments of panic, moments of fear, and it's not to say everything is roses-but I hold on to a God that never fails. If eternal joy could be in a single person, it is in me. I guess it was always there, I just needed to let it go and let God.


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