Financial Status
This is a follow-up to the special mailing that originally went out on 5/28/04. If you missed it for any reason, I’ve included a copy at the end of this article. I don’t enjoy writing these types of missives, but I’ve received a lot of inquiries since this started, and I feel and obligation to keep anybody interested appraised of where we are at.
First, I would like to thank everyone for their generosity and their prayers and blessings . We have received over $400.00 total, and I would like to thank everyone who was able to contribute money and prayers. Also, thanks to those who were not able to contribute, but have been praying for us. Prayer is appreciated, and gratefully accepted.
God has been good, and has given us favor with the people at the bank. We’ve been able to make monthly payments of $1,300.00 for the last several months (which has been virtually our entire income — but we’ve not gone to bed hungry. God is always good!) Also, I’ve found a ‘day’ job (low-paying, but better than nothing) as well as having done both secular and sacred clowning for additional money.
God is good, but I’m not going to be a hypocrite and pretend that everything is coming up roses; money is dreadfully tight right now. Our electricity has been turned off, only to be given 30 days to pay over $1,000.00 or it’s going off permanently. My phone is likely to be disconnected tomorrow (part of the reason that the newsletter is going out tonight 🙂
Please understand, the purpose of this article is not to ask for money. If you want to give anything, fine, the donation link is at the top right hand corner of the page. But that’s not the reason for this. More than money, I covet your prayers. Our God is bigger than my needs, and has proven that time and again. Many times have we been down to the refrigerator being bare, only to have bags and boxes of food and other supplies come in the door, unexpectedly, at the last moment. Rather than demanding $3,000.00 immediately, the bank decided that they would prefer to work with us, and made the $1,300.00 monthly arrangement. This was while I was spending the day fasting — God truly does answer prayer before we’re finished asking.
The real reason for writing this article, difficult as it is for me to write, is that my brothers and sisters have sent me emails, asking what financial condition we’re in now. Having said that, if you feel lead by the Lord to give, then do so. But if you’re not lead by the Lord to do that, don’t. Obedience is everything in the Christian walk — not guilt, not feelings. If you want to give something, as I said you can give electronically via the link at the top right hand corning of the page. Something that I forgot about in the past is that lots of people prefer to send money by check, rather than over the Internet. After about umpteen requests, here is my mailing address:
Tom Raymond
216 Edwards Street
Wausau, WI 54401
Again, thank you for your time, for your generosity, and most of all for your prayers and encouragement. God bless you all — and bump a nose!
Tom Raymond
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http://www.clown-ministry.com/
“Clowns work like aspirin, only faster” — Groucho Marx
As long-time recipients of the newsletter will remember, the last year has not been a good one (financially) for my family. After being unemployed for over 6 months, and then finding a temporary position, I’ve again been unemployed since the end of March. Lack of income has come to a head, and I am now facing the specter of the bank foreclosing on my mortgage if I don’t have over $2,400 by the end of June.
So, what’s a person to do? I’m (not surprisingly) trying to do more clowning (which has not been my primary income — an unemployed computer geek by trade), and am having some additional revenue from that, but not enough.
I’m in prayer, remembering that God is still on His throne, that He will provide all my needs, not a sparrow can fall without His knowledge, and all of the other promises.
In addition, I’m making my need known to my brothers & sisters in Christ. I’ve been operating the Clown Ministry web site for quite a while (since 1996), and I hope and pray that it has been and continues to be a blessing to God’s people, in spreading the Gospel, and in edifying the saints.
The Gospel is free, as is the web site. The web site, regardless of what happens, will continue to operate as it always has — there will be no monthly fees, or “premium” areas available to subscribers, etc.
I am asking that, if you are able, if you feel that the Lord has blessed you through the site, and (MOST importantly) if you feel that it’s what the Lord Jesus would have you to do, to donate a dollar to help me out of the hole that I find myself in.
You see, this weekly newsletter goes out to over 1,550 people at this point — if everyone were to give one dollar, I would be able to cover the rest. (You can see a donation button at the top right hand section of most pages)
It goes without saying that some people will not give a dollar, and others will give more — but I’m asking a dollar. Please note that I’m not a non-profit organization, not doing the web site via some church affiliation, and so there’s no tax deduction. I’m just a guy, trying to apply his knowledge for God’s glory.
Thanks for listening. In advance, my thanks to everyone who can and will donate. If you can’t, or if you simply don’t think it’s what the Lord wants you to do, that’s OK too — we love you just the same :o)