All this past week I have been spreading the word about The Latte Challenge on twitter and facebook. I’ve never asked for financial support for myself and it took a lot just to get me to accept that I felt this was what I sensed God calling me to do to help raise support to see us move into one of the most unchurched parts of the country in Beaverton, Oregon. After five days of spreading the word through social media, we find ourselves short of our goal. However, I feel like it’s time to take a bit of a different direction.
Starting at 12:00pm PST Friday, February 12th until 12:00pm Monday, February 15th we are changing the rules! The Latte Challenge is going to be giving 100% of our partnerships to two amazing people: Mark Horvath and AnnMarie. You’ll know Mr. Horvath on twitter as @hardlynormal and Ms. AnnMarie as @padschicago. These are two people that are changing the face of homelessness as we know it. Not just changing the face of it, but more importantly, lending a face to it!
The crazy story behind Mark Horvath is that not only is he out unconditionally loving and supporting those that are currently without permanent housing, he often does so living with the reality that on any given day he could be without an apartment again. Rather than draw attention to his situation, he puts everything aside to tell the stories of those on the streets through his work at invisiblepeople.tv. He’s not just out there doing his Christian duty to serve the homeless a sandwich once a year, he’s out there everyday: listening, caring for the sick, clothing the unclothed, empowering those that just need a little encouragement, being the true Christ to those that need his unconditional love. Imagine how much more Mark could do for the issue of homelessness if he didn’t have to worry about making his rent of having food during the month of March?
AnnMarie is an amazing soul herself. Based in Chicago, she actually is homeless. She is a social media champion bringing attention to those in need and doing so without any permanent home base herself. She is on the streets using technology to help connect us--who sit behind our desks in our warm, comfortable homes--with those that have no voice into our lifestream. She uses her cell phone to text message tweets or when the local library when she can get there. She could do so much more if we could help find it in our hearts to support her efforts of love and compassion through providing her with something simple such as a netbook.
I know not all of you will care about Mark or AnnMarie like I do. I also know that not all of you are compassionate about the issue of homelessness like I am. However, for those of you that do care and do appreciate all that Mark and AnnMarie are doing, but had no clue how you could support their efforts, won’t you partner with us and help share your love with them?
Until 12:00pm February 15th we are giving 100% of what we receive in financial partnership through The Latte Challenge to Mark and AnnMarie: 75% going to help support Mark through the month of March and 25% going towards a new netbook for AnnMarie. You can partner with us by giving through the PayPal donate button below. Know that 100% of your kindness that comes from 12:00pm today through to 12:00pm next Monday will be sent to Mark on the 16th for disbursement at his discretion (he knows the needs better than I do!) Would you also consider spreading the word of this within your networks on twitter and facebook? We’ll be using the hashtag: #becauseicare.
If you can’t help partner with us through a financial offering, would you please consider being in prayer for Mark and AnnMarie? They need our spiritual support for their provision, protection, health, strength, and peace as they continue to do what is in their hearts. Thank you for your consideration!
Learn a little more about Mark and AnnMarie through this video:
