Our Battles Are Not With Flesh and Blood

I am very convinced that whenever there is something good happening, the devil fights it with all he has. I am especially convinced this is the case when the lives of children are concerned.

At Vision of Destiny, we really are fighting for these children, not just their physical well being or just providing them with free education. We are fighting to see that these children grow in the knowledge and love of Christ. We are fighting to see them grow up knowing that God loves them, that they are precious to Him, and that He cares for each one of them. We are fighting to bring change to their lives. Change from lives that see drug abuse, alcoholism, extreme poverty, prostitution, death, etc. to lives that have hope that they can do all things through Christ.

Part of this fight deals with the mundane details of making sure worksheets are available, staff is paid, toilets are cleaned, and really importantly that there is a facility from which children can study.

As you know, Vision of Destiny began in the sitting room of my apartment and then moved to a rented facility in October 2009. The facility has served its purpose but time seems to be running out on it.

You see we signed a rental agreement with the landlord (who happens to be a Catholic nun- no disrespect to Catholics or nuns, but she doesn't fit the picture you would think of as a kind person devoted to caring for orphans). This rental agreement was signed for a period of three years and a fair rate. Since that time, she has always grumbled about she's getting little money, she could be getting more, threats to increase the rent.

Rent was due again on March 1st of this year for most of the remainder of the three year rental period. Two weeks before the rent was due, we received a letter through her attorney that rent was being increased more than double (about 120%) and that if we weren't willing to pay that we should vacate the premises by March 1st. Wait a minute!!!! What???? We have an agreement. That agreement also states that if either party wishes to terminate the rental agreement that three months notice should be given! Two weeks notice!!!! Seriously?

So, a lot of phone calls ensued. We finally were able to meet with her over the issue (luckily she and I both came with a witness). We pleaded. Where was that money to come from? These children don't pay school fees? Where was the school to go on such short notice? We finally came to the conclusion that we could pay the usual rate for the next 6 months. After that rent would increase. She even mentioned the amount to which rent would increase, saying the family had agreed on that rate.

Fast forward to the day of paying rent. David takes the six months rent and goes to pay her. She counts it and begins complaining that this isn't the right amount. She was adding to the amount that we had agreed. David looked at her witness that had been in the meeting who was also with her to collect the money wondering what trick this was. Luckily, her witness was like no, this is what you agreed to. She still insisted that it couldn't be! Finally, she accepted it.

But, then began telling David that this was too little money. The property needed to be developed. They were planning to take off part of the property and construct something else. Plans to tear down the current building and put up another one. Of course any way it goes, rent will increase. She also informed him that she was not committed to the price we had agreed to rent increasing to in the meeting. What will rent end up being?

Rent is really an expense that Vision of Destiny could totally do away with. Vision of Destiny purchased 8 acres of land about an hour outside of the city. We are desiring to build the school on this site. We would like to begin construction soon and be able to move the children as soon as possible- hopefully as soon as the 2013 school year! This would do away with rent! It would do away with anxiety over what happens to the children in case the landlord decides we can no longer be in this premises or if the rent is beyond our reach. It would also give us a chance to impact the lives of the children in a greater way through a boarding school. (Another post on why boarding coming soon!)

So, please be praying with us:

- a change of heart in the landlord

- funds to come in for construction

- children to be on our own land soon

- peace in the midst of it all for all the leaders and staff of Vision of Destiny