89.5 KTSY Manager's Memo

I don’t like traveling much anymore. This last trip was no different. I went from a foot of snow and 28 degrees to 98 percent humidity and 98 degrees. My luggage stayed in Miami, so I got to wear the same clothes for a couple days. The stench from my shirt after two days in the heat was indescribable.

Then, I walked into Project 328 in El Progresso, Honduras, welcomed by more than a hundred screaming children, dressed in their finest, amazed that I would make the trip from a different planet to visit them. Their only desire was to be near me, to be touched by me and to be noticed by me.

Yes, I was uncomfortable. Because I’ve looked into the dark corners of my heart and life and I’m not all that, at all. Yet as I looked into the eyes of the children you and I sponsored, I understood what my presence meant to them. I represented love from afar and an opportunity at a new life and a new future.

Yes, things are tight at KTSY right now. Probably at your house as well. We made it through January and into February. Thank you. But my Bible says God will care for us, when we care for others, over and over and over again. Because, in truth, we’re all one of those little children, in need of a Savior from afar to give us new life and a future.

It can be a sensitive subject. People don’t often like to talk about it in mixed company. But the Bible mentions it more often than any other single topic. I don’t talk about it very often, but it’s time for a Family meeting. The topic is, of course, ……. Money.

Last year our total income was up by three percent from 2006, which is good news. In the last few months however, receipts were down significantly compared to 2006. January hasn’t shown any improvement. In 2007, our pledge fulfillment rate was at 65% instead of the normal 85%. We have more than $100,000 in outstanding pledges for 2007. This trend has drawn down our reserves and created a bit of a cash flow crisis. At present, we have less than thirty days operating cash in the bank.

Ironically, this occurs during one of our best year’s of ministry ever, with more people listening, more people fed, toys collected, wishes granted, lives touched for the Kingdom than any year in our existence.

I invite you to join me in prayer for the ministry of KTSY. And I invite you to be involved if you aren’t already or if it’s been awhile. You can call the office at 459-KTSY or donate online at 895ktsy.org. Thanks in advance for making KTSY a priority.