Last week George (our veteran Force Recon Marine with
the eagle eye) went out to trim the bushes around HQ. Quickly he was back
inside.
“SOMEONE HAS STOLEN OUR AIR CONDITIONERS!”
My first thought was that the wall units in the front
office had been heisted – but surely we would have noticed?
But then the realization hit: the four AC condensers
for the rear of the building, which had been situated on the south side parking
lot, indeed were missing. The only sad remnant (see photo) were the wires
protruding from the wall.
OY! Why this -- why now -- why us? Lord...?
This is already a year in which Life in Messiah is
trusting the Lord for "extra" funds. [We're bringing in field workers
from four continents for staff conference this summer. Five major projects
remain to complete renovations in our New York ministry/training center.]
And now, this?
The thieves had evidently worked quickly. They pulled
the electrical breakers, snipped the lines, nipped the units, and vanished. And
no one was the wiser until George saw what wasn't there.
Even AC units situated on roofs are being pilfered.
And numerous churches on Chicago’s south side are being hit. Easy prey, I
guess.
The police officer who came to take the report told us
that same night someone stole a pickup truck and trailer from just down our
street. The surmise: our ACs ended up on the back of the trailer, and are in a
scrap yard somewhere.
Quotes are being sought to replace the four AC
condensers. But before we put them in place, we are advised to put fencing and
security cameras in place. The latter has been a “wish list” item for some
time.
Now it feels a bit like “locking the barn door after
the horse is out.”
Thankfully, no one was injured and our insurance will
cover a portion (minus the $5,000 deductible). The replacement AC units will be
more expensive, as the newer technology/refrigerant is required.
We’ve already had “Security System” as one of the
remaining “Big Five” projects for Beit
Immanuel. (Immanuel House,
Life in Messiah's ministry/training center in Brooklyn, is undergoing
renovations.) A friend in the security business is quoting just over $8,000 for
the alarm system, secure access, and surveillance equipment for Immanuel House.
(He’s not licensed to install in NY, but thinks he can talk volunteers through
the process.)
We’re still getting competitive quotes for the
AC/security work at HQ, but expect the cost here to exceed the Brooklyn quote. Securing both buildings has moved from
“wish list” to “priority.” We will do the work at minimum cost – but since this
is "extra budget," we need to have funds committed before we act.
So – we begin by asking, “Lord, whom would you raise
up to help with this project?”
Sometimes He provides when someone “in the business”
chooses to discount or donate equipment or labor. Perhaps someone with a heart
for ministry and who understands the importance of security will write a check
to help underwrite the projects.
We are eager to see how the Lord chooses to meet this
need – perhaps through someone YOU speak with this week. Please pray, and act
as the Lord prompts you.
An easy way to participate personally is to simply
click on the following link, click on the DONATE button, and indicate AC/Security in the PURPOSE box on the
top of the page:
http://www.lifeinmessiah.org/ways-to-give/how-to-donate
http://www.lifeinmessiah.org/ways-to-give/how-to-donate
P.S. Just to be clear: whatever steps we take to
protect our buildings and personnel, our security will always remain firmly in
the LORD!
P.P.S. Should more funding come in above what the
AC/Security project needs, any excess will go to fund the remaining Immanuel
House improvements in Brooklyn.
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