The beginning

March, 2007

In the last couple of weeks I decided that what I wanted to create - the next step in furthering the development of this network - was to create what my wife told me technically is a blog. And so it is that I'll begin using this space to express the process I'm going thru in my thoughts as I experience this philanthropic business model. What I'm seeing is the incredible effect it's having in the present and what can be imagined as the future of the people I'm supporting in SE India.

Maria, Jac and her son John of Love Outreach Ministries and Christy my wife and I certainly have begun the process of getting to know each other and what a difference the time, energy and money is making in the lives of the people effected by our ministry (yes, I refer to it with ownership as i say "our ministry".)

It's been so exciting to not only experience incredible sucess in raising money. Accounting for the money I've raised since Sept. 10th, 2006 when I first met Maria I was blown away to discover that it came to $7000 today. That's $1400/month average and tha's including a couple months that are usually slow for us with the emergency tree service. What a blessing it was to be able to support our life with the profits of our business but potentially be able to raise a nice portion of the total with the work we had this winter.

If ever there was a time in my life I feel more excited and more satisfied it is right now. The project that I've taken on to raise money for this incredible ministry and the enthusiasm and excitement that I feel sharing with people here how they too can utilize this model to benefit causes close to their hearts brings a sense of pride I've never experienced before.

In the last 5 months Maria, Jac, John and Christy and myself have met to get to know each other and to find our way about the workings of this Ministry - we've looked back to the origins of the ministry and beyond getting to know the long journey, for example, that Maria, Jac and John have gone through when expressing their Christianity both in India and now in Denver with an ever present connection to heartland India and it's poorest and neediest people. Every time I meet Maria I am touched with her passion and heart she feels for her people and feel absolutely honored by her reference to me as a brother, the brother she always wanted to have. For me it's wonderful to create a relationship with people outside the box and hear the benefit of working in connection that can be very meaningful.

We're beginning to a fund to build a school in India. So much generousity is expressed by each of them thru the countless hours each spends coordinating their ministry. She inspired me when I 1st met her and I got a thumbnail impression of what she and her family were up to and I immediately wanted to join in with both feet and my own heart and commitment from that moment forward. Never had that happen in the same way. I just know that this is what I'm up to now and I'm going to make whatever is meant to happen happen. God willing, health willing, Christy willing and that's way beyond exciting for me.

Since starting this I've reved my energy to such a place that I quickly wanted to go to India to see first hand what's going on with their ministry only to redirect my focus to stay here and work and take care of business. Potentially I can have a greater impact with my efforts from afar. For now I've been able to take things slower gaining a thoughtfulness in my approach. I feel I can make more of a difference if I can grow my business and at the same time go through an educational process and then strategize, plan and implement processes with the ministry from Denver.

We are thinking maybe next winter we could go but maybe even the year after when things are getting closer to fruition with our plans to build a school in the area near the orphanage.

Yes, right now we have plans for a school for approximately 50 students. Maria has the floor plans now. It's a matter of where Jac, John and Maria think would be best for it. Whether a big city and cater to the poorest and neediest children who are so poor that school otherwise would be unaffordable or in the hills with tribe people living in mere shacks or a small rural town or countless other posibilities. I thought to myself that they are going to pray about it. I encourage them to do so because it is their department. I suppose if I wanted to stretch myself I would believe I could and would do the same trusting the "right" place would be found.

It's all such an interesting journey here I a wanting to get involved with contribution big time and being open to be around people who have not only a passion for India's people they have an incredible heart for their Christianity. I've got people all around me - my brother and his wife who have a Christian based ministry for married couples in 95 countries in the world called 1+1=2. I'm involving myself with Maria, Jac and John because I can see a means where I can make a huge difference by investing my philanthropy with their ministry in their native country. An enormous consideration is that the money received through this philanthropic business model gets a huge bang for the buck in India. I'm wanting to build this school. It's a dream of Maria's and I want to make it happen in my father's memory - as a teacher and person passionate about teaching kids about math and science. Yes, he always wanted to be a teacher all the years in the Military and finely after trying several businesses after retirement went back to school and became an elementary school teacher in his mid-50s. Loved it and struggled at the same time with health problems. When it was no longer possible to teach he still had foreign language students stay with him and my mom acting as host/sometime parent to students from all over the world. My parents loved the students and the feeling was returned. To build this school and implement the plan through my fundraising efforts and planning and seeing it happen it what I want to do to carry on what my father was committed to. It's a way of saying to my Dad this is what you would have wanted to do if you could have. Your son is going to make it happen in your name.

I've expanded my business to 5 other cities in the West because I want to provide for my wife and I and because I'm wanting to insure business coming in will allow us to further implace the monies coming toward this Philanthropic Buiness Model(PBN). I love my business and taking our emergency tree service regionally is such a substantial step into the unknown and one of many that are needed to have our tree service be a nationwide network. I'm confident that we're making the right steps and I so look forward to the additional impact it will have on our fundraising efforts especially for the school we will build.

If I'm to look a different way that I want to grow the network idea, i.e. PBN there are 5 things that come to mind that need to and will happen:

1. The content of info on the site will be clear and as thoughtout as possible - if anyone has any ideas we're open to hear them if it empowers the message or the cause.
2. That we seek out and continue to develop questions and answers to customers - answering each and every question that might be out there. From the answers develop the content and directness of the PBM.
3. That we seek out thoughtful comments from people - whether participants or not in this model of doing business - let us know what you think.
4. That I deliver in the form of a blog what I am going thru taking on the model in my own business and developing the website for others to share the joy.
5. That I'll deliver the goods. I'll put my focus and energy into assuming that money is generated for this cause of mine thru the extra effort of excellence I give in my business. It will be a win-win for all.

By doing all of these I have the possibility of expressing my creativity which in my experience is one of the top elements I want to have in my life. Being creative in as many areas of my life as I can. For being a mid-50s guy in good health, successful business, mostly enjoying the challenges keeping it all going I find myself more excited about everything in life since I started supporting this cause in India. I actively think of all the ways I can make it all happen everything from raising the money to the thinking about where it is going to be built and to who is going to be the teacher. Do we want to build a big school in the city or do we build one for the hill tribes? Discussing details like what are they like, how much money can they earn as labor, etc. all take on a new meaning because we'll be creating a school that will touch many lives of both children and the community. For so may years it was just about me. Thath certainly changed after getting married and I've grown leaps and bounds as a result. And pulling everything off and doing this special project really just adds a depth of purpose now that I taste it. I wouldn't want to do without it.

What do you call this model of tithing or philanthropy? Call it what you want - philanthropy or tithing I like to call it philanthropy because that is what both the client and I are doing - we're giving of ourselves - me through my extra work and attendence to detail and excellence and they by the additional money they are giving to the causes I represent and support.

Just starting up. More later