You know one of my pet programs is Compassion but if you want to support kids closer to home, then you need to think about supporting the Sketch & Believe program of Youth Unlimited that ministers to girls in the Jane & Finch area of Toronto. This program is lead by a young lady we know very well, Vanessa, who not only goes to our church, but is also a small group leader for our daughter’s group, and a wonderful woman of God. You can read the “whole” story of Vanessa here.
Vanessa did an *amazing* job portraying Mary in a monologue at church last Sunday. Reading her story, I can see why.
Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved the arts—especially acting. I loved taking on the role of a character and getting lost in being someone else. … I realized my deep love to pursue this art form as a career. In my grade 11 year, I decided to get an acting agent and started to audition professionally. Throughout the remainder of high school and my post-secondary years, I auditioned and performed professionally in various film and television roles. The plan was taking flight. So I started to make plans to move to LA after my college graduation.
But in my last year of college, the beginnings of my acting career started to nose dive. The agency I was with started to go under, auditions were diminishing, I was losing confidence in the audition room and sadly I wasn’t enjoying acting anymore.
But God had another plan! God has used Vanessa to work with a group of girls in the Jane/Finch area of Toronto.
Thirteen years ago, my story was just like the story of the girls in my program. I didn’t know how much I was loved by Jesus. I didn’t know He had a great plan for me. It is humbling and touching to know that now God is using me to help them see His love and presence. He is rewriting my story to involve His heart for the broken.
This program is amazing! Vanessa is amazing! GOD is amazing!!!
If you want to read Vanessa’s story, be sure to check out her story here, and I really encourage you to support her through her site at http://vanessa.yunorthyork.com. She’s still looking to reach her target funding (she’s 2/3 of the way there now) AND she’s getting married next year (and my wife and I get to meet with she and her fiancé!)! I’m sure she would love to hear from you!
TTFN