April 1st - Not just for Fools?

Only a short time ago Lisa and I could never have imagined God calling us to go and talk to our friends, family, and churches and ask them to pay our salary? Not to long ago this would have been considered foolishness to us.

It was right about April 1st of this year that God called Lisa and I to do just that. Most of us recognize April 1st as April Fools Day but did you know that April 1st used to be New Year’s Day? It was changed to January 1st in 1582 when Charles IX changed the calendar.
Prior to that year, the new year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25. The celebration culminated on April 1. With the reform of the calendar under Charles IX, the Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved to January 1st. Before the days of the internet and communications being what they were in the days when news traveled by foot, many people did not receive the news for several years. Others, the more obstinate crowd, refused to accept the new calendar and continued to celebrate the new year on April 1st. These backward folk were labeled as "fools" by the general populace. They were subject to some ridicule, and were often sent on "fools errands" or were made the butt of other practical jokes.

We do have people who think us foolish to do what we are doing. They believe we are wasting our lives. They think that I should get a real job, with good pay, benefits, and a future. While that is good and exactly what God calls many to do, He has called my family and I along a different path. But, look again at what our compensation is; 1) God promises to provide for all my needs 2) benefits beyond words 3) Future, do I even need to go here?

Lisa and I have heard the call of our King and know that April 1st 2006 for us was not a Fool’s Day, but a call into a new year, a new work for Him. The foolish thing to do, would to have been obstinate and refused to obey the Word of our King. He promised to lead and provide and He is proving Himself in mighty ways.

Do you realize that it has only been 4 weeks since the first Pledge Cards were received by our supporters? In that short time God has lead so many of you to give generously to a total of over $22,000! Wow! These are not large gifts from businesses looking for tax right offs. These are gifts from mostly individuals, but also a few churches willing to sacrifice as God leads them. Most importantly we know that each of these gifts carry with them the prayers of their givers. Our ministry will have a far greater reach into the hearts of the lost through the power of prayer than the giving of money. God doesn’t need my family and I but He wants us to freely, willingly and sacrificially give of ourselves to Him.

God works as only He can understand. It sure would be easier for us to find a position that pays a normal salary, but God has other plans. Please pray for us as we travel this road full of obstacles. Pray that we will persevere and that God will be glorified.



You can email your support Pledge to
yfcmail@yfcwinnipeg.ca or CaresTeam@GMail.com
Include;
- your name-address-phone,
- amount,
- whether annually or monthly,
- for McGraths,

Together, we serve an awesome God.