God shows Himself to us through our brothers and sisters all the time. We may not always see that it is Him. Small acts of His affection and kindness are subtle, and often chalked up to mere thoughtfulness. But there are times when God reveals Himself so clearly, and in such an extravagantly wonderful way that even the lost are amazed.
Over this past week, we have had the opportunity to see God so clearly that there is no way to write it off as anything less than our Heavenly Father directly and dynamically demonstrating His provision. It has been the most amazing thing we have ever witnessed, and it is still happening.
Three years ago, a wealthy individual offered to purchase our loan from the bank that financed our construction. It was very advantageous for us, in that it lowered our monthly payment, and enabled us to survive and grow through some pretty challenging economic times for our audiences. We were able to make our payments right on time every month. However, three weeks ago our lender informed us that he had made the decision not to extend or renew the note, and expected to receive the balance in full on April 1st. Not only that, he made it clear that if he did not receive his money in full on the 1st, he would foreclose and take possession of the theater immediately. That balance is just over $355,000.
I love to tell people about the volunteers at Ragtown. It is a group that has grown to around 50 people, each one drawn by the Lord into the mission and ministry of this wonderful place. There is no other explanation for it. Over time they have become a trusted advisory board, and we seek their counsel routinely. The immediate response to this potentially disastrous turn of events was, “Make your needs known.”
It isn’t as though we had a lot of options, but it was comforting to hear our dear family of volunteers being so confident that people who have been touched by the Ragtown productions would be led to respond, and Ragtown Gospel Theater would be debt free before this month is over.
To punctuate their confidence, this amazing group of people who already donate their time every weekend, has collectively contributed almost $40,000 of the $90,000 we have received since we began to let people know about our situation in a letter that went out to our mailing list last week.
Ragtown Gospel Theater is not going to be lost. We are receiving checks every day. Every one of them is overwhelmingly huge, regardless of the amount. The notes of encouragement that come with so many of those checks will be cherished forever. Robin and I were opening the mail together yesterday, and as she opened each envelope, she would start to read the note to me, but couldn’t finish even one. Glenn and Twila, Robin and I, and the whole Ragtown family of volunteers are so grateful that God is moving people to do this amazing thing. I will never stop thanking Him for the wonderful people He draws to us.
As I said a couple of days ago, to the world this looks like an impossible thing, but it is a smile and a nod for God.
We will continue to update you as the April 1st deadline draws nearer. If you would like to contribute, please designate “debt retirement” on your check. The donation is tax deductible, and you will receive an acknowledgment of your gift for tax purposes. Thank you, and please keep us and this situation in your prayers.
Ragtown Gospel Theater
P.O. Box 222
Post, TX 79356
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