What direction are we heading?

We are headed up my friend! That's right. In just over 2 weeks we have raised over $11,000.00 for A Van for Lucas. My praise goes to Jesus for guiding this project from the beginning.

Things that are in the works are an anonymous donor who has agreed to match all donations up to $1000.00, Owen Hansen, who is 8 years old, is readying himself to make his second donation which will put his personal total at over $200.00....did I mention that he is 8?, I am working with local agencies to get A Van for Lucas tied into already planned fundraisers who are looking for a local cause to partner with, I have met with a close friend of mine who owns many local restaraunts. He and are I are discussing how his establishments can assist in helping us raise funds, A Van for Lucas has spread across to the country to the state of Missouri. A family member of the O'Healy da Silva family has shared the story with her church....they are aware and that, my friend, is the first step.

Each day, new and exciting ideas are given to me. I follow through when my day permits....currently, my baby is sleeping and my boys are making mudpie. One of the best parts about working on A Van for Lucas is each day my kids will say, "how much money did we raise for Lucas today mommy?" They get it.....Thank the Lord for that.

Stay tuned! And Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

The Journey So Far

Let me begin by directing you to the newly released website for A Van for Lucas:

www.avanforlucas.com

From the website you can learn more about the need behind A Van for Lucas. You will be able to meet Lucas and his family through the video that is available on the home page. There is a How to Donate page that will allow you to contribute online or via check, as well as track the financial progress of the project. Lastly, you can read about how this project started, as well as understand the goals and the mission. If you have questions, comments or want to share a story, there is contact information available on the website.

A quick financial update for you is we have received $7500.00 in donations since last Tuesday, 11/10! In addition to this, I spoke with a couple of people after church this morning who have been very touched by the Lucas' story. We must remember the twofold goal of A Van for Lucas; to raise enough money to purchase a van, and for people to witness how God works in all situations. I believe, after the conversations I had this morning, that the second part of the goal is occuring. I am sure it is stronger than I may ever realize. That is the beauty of this entire project.......It is between God and those who are being reached.

Thank you for checking in with A Van for Lucas. We look forward to sharing this journey with you.

Great Way To Start the Week!

I received a phone call this morning that informed me of a substantial pledge that will be made to A Van for Lucas. This person believes in the cause and didn't feel the need to see the video. I will, of course, still send her a DVD so she has a full understanding of who Lucas is. I am sure she will be moved by his story as we all have been. Along with her financial pledge, she is also going to give me names of organizations and individuals who may be able to help support the cause.

After I hung up the phone, there was an energy in me that I haven't felt since the kickoff of A Van for Lucas. When I remove myself, my fear, my inhibitions, I am reminded that this is a Spirit led project and has been since day 1. It is my prayer that He continues to give me the direction and confidence needed to raise the needed funds.

Praise Him!

A Hiatus?

To those of you who have been following A Van For Lucas, I would like to officially tell you that we are back in business. Where were we? Well, let's just say that we are working with God's timing on this project, not our own. Over the last couple of months, we have worked to create a DVD to capture Lucas' story. The DVD is now complete and ready to be viewed, used, and leveraged to help raise the $40,000.00 needed to purchase the wheel chair equipped van.

Currently, I have DVDs of the video that I will use in my face to face meetings with possible contributors. A link to the video will be available shortly for all who are following A Van for Lucas to watch. Stay tuned........

Fundraising Ideas

The ideas on how to generate funds for A Van for Lucas come to me on a daily basis. It is so awesome to be going about my daily life and have an idea drop in my lap, have a conversation with someone who in passing says something that sparks an idea, or simply slow down enough to hear God's will for the direction of this project.

The latest in ideas has come from a member of my church. He has some items that he would like to sell via Ebay. He will be donating profit generated from the auction to A Van for Lucas. How great is that?

I could use some help from someone who is close to a computer each day and would like to manage the auction of items. If interested, (no experience needed....we just need someone with time), please send me an email to karynbergen@msn.com.

Him or Us?

Here is the deal. From the very beginning, when A Van for Lucas was presented to me, I knew that it came from a place larger than me. A Van for Lucas was larger than anything I felt I could succeed at. However, God had a different idea. He has driven every inch of the effort so far. He has given me ideas, opened up connections, led me down paths that I would never have thought of on my own. He is behind this entire plan.

A Van for Lucas was created to give those involved and those following our story an opportunity to either praise and glorify God if you know Him or to meet God if you don't. That, my friends is the bottom line. I know this for sure. You may be asking yourself, "What? I thought A Van for Lucas was created to raise funds and awareness so we could purchase a wheel chair equipped van for Lucas." The latter is our goal. "Our" meaning those here with Lucas. God's goal is to introduce Himself to those who have yet to meet Him or to be present with those who already believe. I began to get caught up to deeply in my own plan last week and because of that, I lost sight of what is really happening here. I authorized some of the people involved to proceed without giving God the credit, without capturing where He is present in this story. I did it all so we wouldn't scare away potential supporters of A Van for Lucas. I am ashamed of myself for that decision.

As we know, God will take charge when He has to. He spoke very clearly to Colleen, Lucas's mom, and made it clear that we need to reshoot her portion of the video so her true feelings and experiences, this far, can be captured. Thanks be to God for speaking to Colleen. Thanks to Colleen for standing up for what she knows is true.

The last couple of weeks I have come across more and more people who truly know what they stand for. I admire the courage it takes to see this part of yourself and to be able to voice it. Not all are given this personal insight to themselves. Through Colleen, God has given me the courage to stand taller with Him at my side. If it scares people or makes them uncomfortable, than that is a risk that I will have to take. This I know for sure.

For Lucas's sake, for God's goal and "our" goal, I hope each of you who is following A Van for Lucas, can challenge themselves to look at what you really believe, what you really know to be the truth. What do we have to lose? Not a thing.

Getting To Know Lucas

I was able to spend time with Lucas on 2 different occasions this week; first was when I took my kids to meet him at his school in Alamo. The encounter between my kids, who are almost 5, 3 and 1 and Lucas was one of those things that I hope and pray that they never forget. I know I never will. Again Lucas has touched lives by just being. My older kids speak about Lucas frequently and understand why a van would be such a blessing to the O Healy da Silva family. While we were at the school, we were able to see a van that was equipped just like the van that we are working on getting for Lucas. My kids saw the difference between it and most mini vans.....they now see why time and energy is being spent on A Van for Lucas.

My second encounter with Lucas was this morning at his home. His mom was being filmed for the video of A Van for Lucas so I went over to take care of Lucas's little brother, Gabe. Lucas was being cared for my his full time nurse, Lisa. What a wonderful woman she is and boy does she love Lucas! While at their home, I was able to talk to Lucas, look into his eyes, learn that he loves balloons, see him respond to the swiftness that Gabriel moves with, watch Lisa hook up his feeding tube, brush his teeth, ready him for school, help her carry his wheel chair down the steps. Her actions were endless. The part that happened outside of my eyesight was Lisa lifting the wheel chair into the van, bungy cording it in, and then placing Lucas into his carseat for the ride to school. No, Lucas should not be in his carseat, thus the entire reason we are working on A Van for Lucas. However, with no wheel chair equipped van, what choice do they have. It is a risk to ride the way that they do, both with Lucas in the carseat and the wheel chair bundy corded into the car....again, what choice do they have?

They don't have a choice, but we do......we can help them.