Tell Your Story.

keijo

Let the be bright shined the light in many new of home and joy that worship the Lord and pray and be thanksful and be used of the gospel and word in God."Thank you God for the Holy Spirit for us all in joy,in Jesus name."Thanks and bless and pray,keijo sweden

Rick Hinz

I spend so much on things that only please me for a short time and too much on things that last a long time that I don't need. I gave my gift to the Cambodian well project this year knowing what little I gave would be meaningfull to a lot of people and last a lifetime. That's getting a lot of stretch out of the dollar.

Linda Raasch

We had an "Advent Conspiracy" lunch after church on Sunday. (We encouraged friends to donate the money they might have spent on lunch that day). Approximately 50 guests came and we have collected $700 for the wells in Cambodia! Thank you to the generous donors. I was also moved by a friend who doesn't attend our church when she mailed a check to me in honor of the wells in Cambodia - she heard about the lunch and wanted to contribute. (Wow, I wonder what could happen if we told our neighbors and friends . . .)!

Simon Ward

My name is Simon and I'm 4 but I'm almost 5. My mom keeps telling us to turn off the lights to save money, so I go around the house and turn them off. My dad is the WORST at leaving them on and my Mom says so and she says it drives her crazy. Last week, I turned off all the lights in the house, I went up to my mom and said, "Mom, I turned off all the lights and saved 45cents and I want to give it to the children that need clean water and guess what Mom, they are going to build a well with tools and the people will come drink because they don't have taps that work. Can I have my 45 cents Mom? Then, my mom started crying and I had no idea what I said that made her so sad but then she gave me a big hug and gave me $20!!!! Score for the water!

Merry Christmas,
Simon

Paulene West

I was forced to shop less this year because I ended up having surgery on 12.1 - I liked the spirit of the advent conspiracy this year and participated by giving to the program. In addition a friend found a lady on craigs list that was in need of fabric to make her grandchild a christmas gift. What better person to ask but a quilter ..... so I struck up a conversation with the lady and put together some fabrics that would suit her purpose out of my excess. Then I bought her a gift certificate to a fabric store so she could get the remainder of what she needed. I delivered it to her yesterday - Sunday and she was thrilled! I felt like I did something good for my soul! I got an e-mail today telling me what all she had planned with the gift certificate. Makes you feel good to do something for others less fortunate. God is Good!

Grada Blom

When the advent conspiracy started it made me think back of what my father did. I grew up in The Netherlands. We moved from Den Haag,The Hague, to the southern part in 1943. We had to move because my father planted tulip bulbs in the colors of the Dutch flag and orange for the House of Orange,the royal family. He was afraid he and his family would be killed by the Germans in the spring when the flag would appear.
It was so difficult we didn't speak the dialect in the new town so they thought my parents were spies and to hear nothing of the families up north was the hardest for all of us. It was November 1944 we were freed,however,the north was still at war and it was the coldest winter on record. My father picked up his earnings were he worked for the week on Sunday morning before he went to church, apparently there was a guest minister who told the congregation how bad it was up north and with the gifts given that morning they would be able to help get some food to the people. My father gave everything, after the service a man, Mr.van der Gronden,from the congregation asked him if he knew what he could give a family who helped everybody in need, with as little they had for themselves,so my father told him to give them food. When my father came home and told my mother that he had given all his money to the church she became very angry and screamed that they didn't have enough food or anything else they needed. Later that afternoon that man,MR.van der Gronden,came to our house with a big box of food for our family, we were the family he had asked about.
That is what came through my mind when first talked about building the water wells. We are retired now so this year more sewing and knitting projects and time together is more important. We always receive more than we give even in the darkest times. God is Good!

Matt Turner

My family was planning on making home made cinnamon rolls for gifts and donating the savings to Advent Conspiracy. The yeast failed to activate so the dough did not rise. Now it seems we are going to be giving out unleaven passover cinnamon rolls. At least we have created a memory for you kids that will last forever.

Craig Elliott

I'm not a member of Calvary Church, but my kids have participated in Michael Allen's sports ministry programs for years and he was kind enough to forward this to me. This is a powerful message and will make me rethink my Christmas traditions (and maybe my church).

Janice Eaken

Every year I buy many of my fellow workers some little trinket or do-dad. I decided to donate the amount I spent on these gifts last year to the church for the Cambodia wells. I wrote a letter to my friends telling them why they are not receiving a do-dad form me this year. I told them I was giving "a cup of cold water in the name of Jesus" instead. I am sure they will be happy to participate with me in this. After all who needs another do-dad or trinket?
Bill and I have also decided to limit the amount of money we spend buying gifts for each other as well. We are so blessed to be a part of this great ministry.

Shannon Cooper

Our family is each receiving fewer gifts and donating the money. The kids are so excited to participate!!