During this traditional season of Thanksgiving, we bring to you our hearts filled with gratitude. For the Lord has done a mighty thing for us. Last year at this time, we were entering our first-ever capital campaign to raise $2.1 million dollars to purchase almost eight acres at 19th Ave. and Van Buren.

Looking back now, we remember the faith challenge we embraced as we trusted the Lord for the size and magnitude of this project. It felt daunting and beyond our spiritual capacity. The biblical image we embraced was the impassible Red Sea, which had once prevented Israel momentarily from their march forward. We, like they, HAD to go forward. We like they had no options. The way forward was through faith that God still does the impossible.

Our job was to do the work associated with a project like this and it was difficult.  Fund-raising was unlike anything we had ever done in an 18-year history of ministry. Though life is often hard in the barrios where we serve, for some reason raising money felt worse than broken buses, gang violence and racism. The spiritual lessons embedded in this journey were not wasted on us, however.

Possibly, the greatest lesson had to do with you. Somewhere along the line, the Lord impressed upon our hearts that he had already selected the funders and intercessors for this project. They were God-given partners that would believe that their role in the prayer for and purchase and rehabbing of this property was an assignment from Him.

So, precious partners, we collectively own almost eight acres in downtown Phoenix. It is currently rough looking, with many old warehouses and lots of old equipment and debris from the seed mill days and from everything since then.

Weeds take over the rest of the space, unless the old slabs of concrete won't budge a crack or crevice. I have gotten used to hearing the wide-eyed response upon first seeing what we own … "it sure takes a lot of vision to see what you see here." I suppose that's true, yet I can tell you that the partners who are invested now, see what we saw at first. The old warehouse becoming an auditorium filled with worshippers. On one end is the food bank, opening it's old warehouse door to the street to serve folks. The other end has a kitchen with state of the art cooking equipment, capable of serving the 400 at Kids Club or a big community meal through Iglesia Nueva Esperanza. Attached is the classroom building, transformed from an old steel girder shell, probably built around the Second World War. It has 10 classrooms connected by an inner hallway.

Just outside, is a fenced playground, suited for the younger among us.  And outside that, is the grassy ball field, a little more than half the size of a regulation soccer field. Trust me, it doesn't take long before you can see it too. But not just the buildings. You can see the children running and playing, the teen-agers walking in groups or praying.

The adults having meals or planning events. Often I picture community organizations asking for space for their events.  (We say YES!)

Today, we are in an incredible process of movement. Though fund-raising is a constant reality, construction begins on the office building right away. The site clean-up on the land is beginning as well, and the preparation for the meetings with the city are underway.  We are in the midst of a groundswell of energy and commitment to seeing the first phases of this project done by Kids Club this summer.

I hope you will take time this Thanksgiving, as you give praise due Him for all He does for His children, to include our miracles in your gifts of gratitude. 

We want to hear from you. One day soon walls will go up, electrical will be run and sewers. We'll be putting in an irrigation system, a kitchen, and evaporative cooling.  Specialists of every kind will be needed. We're gathering the troops, so to speak. Saturdays after the first of the year will be work days.  Do you want to help? Can you bring a team? We're ready for you and your skills to make this happen.

God Bless you dear partners. We have thanked the Lord for you so much these days. We have seen you hear from Him and respond in obedience. This vision called "The Neighborhood Center" is moving forward due in large part to your love and devotion. Come and see it, see us.

Loving you,
Kit