501(c)(3) Filing Submitted

We've formally filed with the IRS to be a non-profit organization.  Once submitted, the process can take anywhere from 90 to 180 days, so hopefully we'll have it completed by the fall.

Our vision, mission, and operational plans have been drawn up and we're excited to begin this new adventure that will build upon the success that Messiah Lutheran has had in Nakabango, Uganda.  

Over the past few months, as Andy, Julie, Chuck, Paul, Curt, Tim, and I have met with each other and others to shape how this non-profit will move forward, a number of key conversations and phrases have stuck in my head.  

• "Get off the bus"
• "If this is something that you think you can do on your own, you're not thinking big enough.  Make it bigger than you can support so you have to trust in Him and invite others into the joy that is serving His will."
• "Stay Crazy"
• "What really will be different about Hearts & Hope from other organizations?  What is truly different about what Messiah & Nakabango accomplished that sets it apart from everything else?  It's the power of the relationship that developed over the past 5 years."
• "20 villages in 10 years?  We should be looking at 100 villages in 20 years!"