“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19).
“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them...if one contributes, in generosity” (Romans 12:6, 8).
“For God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Wow! I cannot thank you all enough for your support, prayers, and for how special a gift you have given to me by your generosity to Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.). As of writing this blogpost (Our Lady, Help of Christians Memorial on May 24th), you have generously donated over $3,000 so far! I cannot express how moved I am by your kindness and charity. When I first started the campaign, I hoped to raise $2,000. As donations started flowing into the campaign, I asked O.U.R. to bump up the goal to $3,000 while thinking “this would be a great blessing if we get to that new goal.” But, in a blink of an eye, you have outdone even that new goal! Again, I say, WOW.
Your donations do more than give me a great gift, they provide for a non-profit that literally goes into the darkest places of the earth and rescues children in order to bring them a future of hope in restored innocence. This is one of the toughest issues to stomach. When I realized how serious the issue of Human Trafficking is, it broke my heart and I wondered how I could help. I became a contributor to O.U.R. and then slowly started talking about it with some people. Then, St. Germaine Cousin came into my life (her feast day is July 15th) and I sensed she was also interceding for these poor children. I have big dreams to help this cause more and more, and, perhaps, one day, you will get a little note about how you can help with that dream. But, for now, I am over the moon with joy and thanksgiving about your gifts to O.U.R. We can’t all travel to far distance places and kick down doors to bring the perpetrators of this horrendous crime to justice and free those in bondage. BUT, we can support those who do, and help them purchase bigger sledge hammers to tear down even greater strongholds that keep this injustice of human trafficking going.
If you want to watch a documentary about O.U.R.’s origins, look up Operation Toussaint (starring Tim Ballard). WARNING: It is a very, very difficult documentary to watch and isn’t suitable for younger viewers. The content, although not explicit, is very unsettling to watch at times (as it should be). It is a documentary about literally one of the greatest evils currently taking place in our world today and how one man started an international non-profit to fight against it. So, again, WARNING. Have a box of tissues nearby and put the kids to bed before watching it. But, if movies and images tend to impact and unsettle you too much, I suggest just visiting their website to find out more information: ourrescue.org.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
There is still plenty of time to donate to the campaign at: my.ourrescue.org/fundraisers/fr-bearers-goodbye-gift
If online donations make you uncomfortable, please send in a check to St. Francis de Sales with “Operation Underground Railroad” in the MEMO (perhaps add a note to the card as well); if the donation is in cash, please include a note citing Operation Underground Railroad. We will be collecting those donations and making a single donation to O.U.R. from those (so, please know that it might take some time for your check to be cleared in your account).
You are so wonderful and this gift is so much appreciated! I know that I’m repeating myself again. But, I really am so thankful! Your gift is literally freeing captives and healing our world!
Peace & Gratitude,
Fr. Jacob Bearer
