Just Sit Right Back…

Do you remember the 60’s TV show called Gilligan’s Island? As a kid, I used to watch the reruns all the time. I loved the dynamics of how the seven castaways interacted and got alone (or more appropriately didn’t get along) during their misadventures of being stranded on that deserted tropical oasis. I must say that I’m still jealous of them sleeping in hammocks every night.

The Professor was far and away my favorite character. He was a perfect blend of scientist, dreamer and MacGyver. He never gave up hope of being rescued… which lead him to invent some crazy communication devices and other “technologically advanced” equipment out of coconuts and bamboo shoots! There was no problem too big or too small for him to try to figure out. It makes me smile just thinking about it!

If only the castaways would have been able to communicate with the world around them, their lives would have been drastically different. Even if they were still stuck on the island, they could have gotten answers to questions and solved most of the problems they encountered.

You may be asking yourself why I’m reminiscing about an old school TV show that hasn’t seen the light of day in years. The answer is simple: I notice a lot of similarities between the local church of today and the castaways of Gilligan’s Island. “Professional Christians” (people whose primary vocation is within a church setting) tend to think of their church buildings and what happens within them as an island. The thought of communicating with the outside world is but a fairy tale… especially in the world of disability ministry.

This line of thinking is CRAZY! I have worked in the disability world for four years with the last year being in ministry with Mark 2 Ministries. Since being with Mark 2, I have noticed this “castaway” mentality again and again in the churches with which I work. Ministry leaders feel as though they are on their own. They feel that there is nowhere to turn for help with questions, program development, volunteer training, etc. Most find themselves getting discouraged to the point where their disability ministry never really takes off or just sputters along at best.

A friend and disability ministry leader at an Indianapolis-area mega church told me very early on in my Mark 2 career about a networking group that used to meet years ago as an avenue to brainstorm, share successes and challenges, and fellowship with other disability ministry leaders around the city. Unfortunately, this group died out for various reasons. I took this small seed and planted it just to see what would happen. I approached a few key people within the Indianapolis disability ministry community to see if they would be interested in an opportunity to meet with their ministry peers. I got a resounding, “YES!,” from everyone I approached. I then went on to send out invitation letters to over 100 churches. I received several more “yes” replies… the Disability Ministry Connection was born!

The Disability Ministry Connection (called the DMC for short) is a quarterly networking meeting for disability ministry leaders, pastors and key volunteers. Each meeting is hosted by a different church in the Indianapolis area. A typical meeting lasts two hours. The first hour is used for fellowship and food (if you feed them, they will come… Ha ha!). We will also use this time to introduce any first-time attendees and give them the opportunity to share about their ministry. They also share successes and challenges within their ministries, asking questions, seeking answers. I absolutely LOVE this part of the meeting. I love watching these leaders interact and step up to share knowledge and brainstorm solutions. It is truly inspiring for me. The second hour of the meeting is devoted to the purpose of the host church highlighting their disability ministry. They tell specifically about what they do from Sunday morning to respite to mid-week small groups and more. The time always ends with a tour of the space they use for their disability ministry. You can see the other leaders soaking up the experience and the “idea wheels” churning and burning!

I have gotten great feedback from the ministry leaders who have attend. I have even been asked by several of the attendees if we could have the DMC monthly instead of quarterly. While I don’t think this will happen in the foreseeable future, I will never say never. These meetings have been such a blessing to me and to my colleagues who have attended. And they keep getting better and better as time goes by. Glory to God!

If you would like to start a network similar to the DMC in your community, please do not hesitate to call or email me. I would be more than happy to get it rolling for you!

In His Service,

Aaron

August Prayer Letter – Ukraine Update

Just returned a few days ago from Ukraine, where Mark 2 Ministries held its annual camp for Deaf children. What a “challenge” and a “blessing” that was!!!

Challenge – because despite planning on 75-80 kids, aged 10-15, we had 120 show up, ranging in age from 8-19. They showed up literally “by the busload;” and there was no way we were going to turn anybody down. Finding enough rooms for the kids, food for the week, money for the budget, craft and sport activities for the wide range in ages, and Bible study group leaders at the last minute was a most definitely something we struggled with. It forced us to depend on God in prayer; that’s for sure.

Blessing – 120 kids who had the opportunity to hear the gospel. 13 kids who accepted Christ as their Savior. Talk a about dividing up the camp and doing 2 separate weeks next year so we can accommodate the growth with which God has blessed our staff and volunteers. And even early stage planning of a new church outreach specifically for the Deaf adults in the Zhytomir region of Ukraine where we have our work.

For all of you who were able to pray for and financially support the camp – thank you. We could not have done it without you. You helped make it a most excellent time for these kids.

There’s still time, however.

Time to pray for the all important follow up with the kids during the coming weeks and months. We don’t just show up, tell the kids about Jesus, and leave them to fend for themselves. Our staff and volunteers work diligently throughout the year to nurture these kids in the faith, and integrate them into a local church.

Time to give. We fell extremely short of our budget this year. With the added expense of extra kids, lack of early sponsors for the campers – we are still several thousand dollars short. If you can help with this, please do so. Just make your check payable to Mark 2 Ministries and write “Ukraine” in the memo section of your check.

Challenges and Blessings. They often go hand in hand, forcing us to depend on our great and mighty God.

Serving Christ with you in disability ministry,

Steve Boles

Ukraine 2011 Update

Here is an update from the front lines of our camp in Ukraine for kids who are Deaf. Steve is leading the US team, and they are all having a great time. Please continue to pray for them all…

From Steve…

After planning for a maximum of 90 campers, we were a bit overwhelmed when 110 kids showed up. Sleeping quarters were maxed out, but we made due. We had to send 3 older boys home due to some behavior issues. They were doing whatever they could to keep others from hearing the gospel. Since this is the point of the camp, we had to do what we had to do.

Our team of volunteers from Ukraine has been amazing. The Deaf leaders truly have a passion for the kids, and the Hearing leaders are showing true servanthood this week. One teacher from the local Deaf school who came to observe a few days last year received Christ as a result of what she saw, and she is now a helper this year.

The weather has been awfully hot and humid. The electricity has gone out several times. Please pray that we can keep the kids focused on what God has in store for them for the rest of camp.

We will have more when the team returns… including pictures! Thanks for your prayers and support!

In Him,

Aaron

January Prayer Letter

Dear Friends,                                                                                                   January 2011

 

Would you invest $500 in a company that promised a return of negative 10 percent per month?  Of course not.  Nobody wants to lose money. When you put money in a bank, a mutual fund, or simply real estate – you hope that it will grow over time.   There is always a risk of loss – and we’re not even sure we will live to see a return of our principal.

 

God promises that when we invest our time, talents, and treasures into His Kingdom – there is an automatic guarantee of a great return on our investment.  Never will there be a loss.  (My favorite exposition of this biblical principle can be found in Randy Alcorn’s book, “The Treasure Principle.”)

 

When you invest your TIME with a person who has Down Syndrome, you will have a new friend who will love you unconditionally.  You will learn patience from the Holy Spirit in tangible ways that can only be picked up from the TIME you spend with him or her.  NEVER will your investment of TIME come back void.  You will ALWAYS come out ahead.

 

When you invest your TALENTS as a Sunday School teacher for children with cerebral palsy or autism, God will be glorified as these precious little ones learn how to love and worship the Lord Jesus Christ.  Your creative TALENTS can allow your local church to fully integrate people with disabilities into the life of your congregation, blessing not only the families – but all other members of your church as well.

 

When you invest your TREASURE in disability ministry (read: financial support), wheelchairs can be bought for those in need, camps for Deaf kids can be funded, programming for our work in the Indianapolis area and developing countries can expand – all for the furthering of His Kingdom.

 

Your TIME, TALENT, and TREASURE are needed now more than ever.  You can help your own local church – and Mark 2 Ministries at the same time – by committing to regular involvement in this work.

 

Please do whatever you can this year to ensure an eternal reward for yourself, while at the same time assisting Mark 2 Ministries in extending the good news of Jesus Christ to those who are Deaf, Blind, Physically Disabled, and Mentally Impaired.

 

Drop me a line if there is anything I can do to help you in this journey,

 

 

Steve Boles

 

P.S.  Your financial gift to Mark 2 Ministries allows us to reach well over 2000 people per week with the good news of Jesus Christ.  Please do your best today to help us do our best all year long.  Thank you!

The “W” in Christmas

As common in the world of email, I received a “Forward” from a dear friend.  You know the ones… silly jokes, funny pictures, etc.  I usually read them, chuckle and move on.  The one I got today I felt I needed to share.  I’m not sure of the author, so I truly hope there are no copyright issues (if there are, it is completely unintended… please don’t sue!  Lol!).  Anyway, here’s the story.  Enjoy!

———-

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations – extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending.

Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

A few years ago my son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he’d been memorizing songs for his school’s “Winter Pageant.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him I’d be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there’d be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation.  All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as “Christmas,” I didn’t expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment – songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son’s class rose to sing, “Christmas Love,” I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row- center stage – held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing “C is for Christmas,” a child would hold up the letter C. Then, “H is for Happy,” and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, “Christmas Love.” The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter “M” upside down – totally unaware her letter “M” appeared as a “W”.

The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one’s mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her “W”. Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

“C H R I S T W A S L O V E”

He still is.

———-

This is a subtle reminder of what the Christmas season (and all the other days of the year really) is all about.  I, and all of us at Mark 2, pray that your Christmas is filled with the love that supersedes all understanding… the love of Christ.
Merry Christmas!

Aaron

Recent Cool Happenings

I’ve been promising this for a while, and it’s finally here… my much-anticipated blog update!  Ok, so there are probably only 5 people out there that are reading this and only one or two that have actually been anticipating it, but it’s sounds fun to say it regardless!  Also, I’m not going to apologize for the lateness of this update as it is due to the amount fantastic, God-honoring things that have been going on recently in the world of Mark 2.

Special Events

Since the last update, we held our 1^st Annual Pins & Pigskins Bowling Extravaganza.  Approximately 50 people in the Indianapolis area came to Pinheads Bowling Center in Fishers to enjoy a night of free bowling and fellowship… and to learn more about Mark 2!  It was a great time for all in attendance, and congrats to Steve (M2M’s Executive Director) for bowling the high score of 196!  He won’t be invited next year because he made all of the rest of us look bad.  Ha ha!  Just kidding, Steve!

We also partnered with Northview Church to host a respite event on December 5^th.  For those who don’t know what a respite is… this was a chance for the parents for friends with special needs to get a break.  More importantly, it was a chance for us to play with and love on these awesome guys and gals and provided a great opportunity to share the love and hope of Christ with them.  You see, the parents of a child with Autism, Down Syndrome, Spina Bifida, etc can’t simply call the teenager down the street to babysit for the night.  Therefore, breaks for these parents are a rare treat.

A respite provides trained volunteers to love on and care for their kids while they go and relax for the afternoon or evening.  We had tricycles, indoor bounce houses, basketball games, crafts, movies, and tons of other fun things for the kids to play with and enjoy.  Each child was paired one-on-one with a volunteer and was given the freedom to do whatever he/she liked for the entire three hour event.  I know I speak for most of the volunteers when I say… “MAN!  I was so exhausted afterwards, but the smiles I saw and laughs I heard made it SO worth every second of it!”  We had so much fun playing and laughing and loving.  The time went by far too quickly!

I got some great feedback from parents when they came to get their kids.  All the parents were given gift cards for various restaurants in the area so they could relax and enjoy the time without needing to worry about the financial part of it.  One mother was able to enjoy a quiet dinner and get some Christmas shopping done.  One father told me that while he missed his daughter when he was away, it was nice to spend some quality time with his wife… just the two of them.  I also heard from another mother (who is a personal friend of mine) a couple days later about how “rejuvenated” she felt and “ready to take on the new year” because of that afternoon!  I was also told by someone else at the event about another parent thanking her for providing such a wonderful and practical expression of love.

Wow!  Talk about a much needed thing for a church body and the community in general!  All in all, ten kids were loved on that day; twenty parents were given the chance to recharge and relax; eleven volunteers were blessed with the opportunity to show love in a way that they never had before.

Shout outs!

None of this would have been possible without a BOATLOAD of help from some truly amazing people!

For Pins & Pigskins, I’d like to send out a huge thank you to Ricky and Kathie with Pinheads Bowling Center in Fishers!  They donated a VIP suite plus two additional lanes and shoe rental to us at no charge… WOW!  A huge thanks needs to go out as well to Bethany and Jamin with KLOVE, 101.9 in Indy.  They provided free airtime for advertising and promotion of the event and future PSAs – Rock on, guys!  I’m so glad that we met and had the chance to become friends!

For the respite, I’d like to thank the people at Qdoba, Panera, Gelato De Vinci, and Ted’s Montana Grill in Clay Terrace.  I’d also like to thank Ryan at Chipotle, Brad at Leland’s, Jim at Regal Village Park 17 and Rachel at BD’s Mongolian BBQ on 146^th street in Carmel/Westfield.  Combined, these establishments very generously donated over $200 worth of food items and gift cards to the families.  Stop in and say hi and support these great establishments… tell them the peeps at Mark 2 Ministries sent you! 

Lastly, and most importantly… the volunteers.  I absolutely cannot say thank you enough to each of these wonderful and amazing people!  Thanks so much to Kara P., Charlene W., Rena R., David Z., Debra B., Sarah C., Alyssa K., Jen R., Dawn K., and Shanna B (Northview’s GraceWorks director).  Without each of you and all your hard work, the blessing to these special kids and special parents would not have been remotely possible…  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!

Prayer Requests

I ask that you keep each of the churches that Mark 2 works with in your prayers.  These programs are vital to so many in the community.  Please pray that God continues to bless them with the availability of volunteers and funds to keep their programs going for His glory.

Please pray also that we (Mark 2) can be even more effective in the coming year to reach more churches to train them to show Christ’s love to more friends with disabilities.

Please pray for wisdom for the leaders of Mark 2 (Steve, myself, Edgar, Oksana) as we finalize plans and programs for the coming months and year.

Lastly, we are all responsible for doing the work of the Lord… some by praying, some by volunteering, some by providing financial support.  Please pray that we can be blessed to receive all three forms of support!

 

Thanks so much to each of you for being who you are, my brothers & sisters!  I love ya!

Love hard and pray harder,

Aaron

December Newsletter

Dear Friends,                                                                                               December 2010

Chris called me last week.  He wanted to have a frank discussion with me about where he would spend eternity.  Due to the seriousness of his cancer, he doesn’t appear to have much longer to live.  But, from our previous talks, he KNEW that Jesus Christ loves him and wants to him to be reconciled to God.  He just didn’t understand HOW that could happen.

Chris didn’t call me because I “understand” his disability (he has been blind since he was 4 years old).  He didn’t ask me to come because I am a “disability ministry professional.”   It wasn’t because I had Braille materials to give him.

* Chris called me because we are friends.  He called me because we have a long-term relationship.

Fifteen years ago I befriended Kyle.  Due to a car accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury, Kyle often makes rash decisions.  (The frontal lobe of the brain controls impulsivity – and once damaged, it generally doesn’t heal.)

Since moving to California, Kyle has joined 2 cults, had his social security checks stolen, and struggled to find a job that lasts more than a few weeks.  He feels like he’s at the end of his rope.  He doesn’t understand why God has abandoned him.

Kyle got a hold of me via the Internet last night and asked if I could pray for him.  He asked if I could offer counsel on how to get his life in order.  (It’s snowing here in Indy right now – and he lives in San Diego … Hmmmmmm, sounds like a mission trip to me!)

Actually, I am going to help Kyle.  But the best way for me to help Kyle is by connecting him with a church that will enter into a long-term relationship with him.  Kyle needs a church that will take seriously the command of Scripture to invite to their table individuals with disabilities (Luke 14:21-24).

That’s what Mark 2 Ministries is all about.  We exist to equip churches to befriend individuals with disabilities (and their families), share the good news of Jesus Christ with them, and integrate them as fully as possible into their life.

What I am doing with Chris and Kyle is being duplicated hundreds of times each week through churches trained by Mark 2 Ministries both here in Indianapolis, as well as several countries throughout the world.

And it is only possible as you pray, become involved as a volunteer within the context of your own local church, and give financially to this much needed work.  Please do everything you can today to help us extend Christ’s love to as many folks (like Chris and Kyle) who are Deaf, Blind, Physically Disabled, and Mentally Impaired as possible.

Steve

Special Request:

 

Mark 2 Ministries has 2 very important projects for which we need your help.

 

1.  We are having 200 wheelchairs shipped to our office in Nicaragua next month.  It will cost us approximately $12,000 to purchase, store, and deliver these wheelchairs to the children and adults who need them most.  Not only will they receive the wheelchairs, but also a clear presentation of the gospel and a connection with a local church trained by Mark 2 Ministries.

 

The children of Walnut Grove Chapel (here in Indianapolis) collected enough money to purchase 4 of those wheelchairs.  That leaves 196 to go.  Your gift of $60 will buy one wheelchair.  Maybe you can purchase 5 for $300 – or 10 for $600.  If you can afford even more than that, please do so at this time.  We are in a bit of a crunch time-wise.

 

To see what one of our wheelchair distributions looks like, check out http://www.mark2ministries.org/Wheelchair-distribution-in-Nicaragua.html

 

2.  In order to encourage our local ministry here in the Indianapolis area, one of our friends has offered a matching grant of up to $15,000 for any donations made for that purpose by the end of December.  If you believe in what Mark 2 Ministries is doing right here – please consider a generous contribution to this need.

 

If you would like to give to one of these funds, please mark either “wheelchair” or “local” in the memo section of your check.

 

Your check, made payable to Mark 2 Ministries, is income tax deductible – and will be promptly receipted.

 

Thanks so much – and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Steve, Aaron & all of us at Mark 2!

There’s No Coincidence in God’s Plan

In the following story, the names have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved…

For those of you who do not know, I am a member of Northview Church in Carmel, IN.  They recently hosted a really cool production of Veggie Tales Live.  I am friends with the person who was coordinating this event for the church, and she also happens to be the director of their disability ministry.  A few weeks back, she asked for volunteers to help with various things throughout the day of the show.  She found a job that I could do that would still allow me to do my work, so I jumped at the opportunity.  For more than the obvious reason of servanthood, I was so glad I did!

Most of my ‘work’ for the event was done by mid morning, so I spent several hours working (for Mark 2) from the café at the church that day.  As time neared for the first of the performances to start, I heard the sound of a child screaming.  The scream did not last long, so I figured whatever was going on had been taken care of.  Several minutes later, I heard the scream again.  This time it was coming from outside the window by where I was sitting.  I looked out and saw a woman with two kids and an event volunteer.  The woman looked frustrated and exhausted.  The event volunteer looked bewildered.  One child was screaming.  The other child was ‘flapping’ her hands.  It was apparent at this point that I had some friends with Autism who were having some trouble.

I went outside to offer assistance.  At first, Mary, the mother of these two beautiful children, declined.  She just wanted to get them into the show to try to enjoy it since they had driven over an hour to get there.  Her son, Nathan, was still screaming and wanting to leave.  I offered to take them to a quite room so we could help get Nathan settled down.  In the quite room, I heard a heart-breaking story that gave me even more energy and passion for my work at Mark 2 Ministries.

In the process of getting Nathan settled, Mary began to open up to me and tell me some of her story.  She has three kids, all of whom are on the Autism Spectrum.  Two are high functioning and verbal while one is rather low functioning and non-verbal.  She was recently arrested because her middle child, Nathan, ran from her and she chose to stay with her non-verbal, low functioning daughter, Allison.  Nathan went to a church playground as he always did when he ran like that.  For some reason, the pastor of the church called the police, and Mary was arrested.  She tried to explain to the officer the situation and that Nathan was actually safe in doing what he was doing, but her words fell on deaf ears.

Once someone with some compassion analyzed the situation, it was determined that she should not have been arrested.  Mary has sense had the arrest expunged from her record, but the hurt of the situation remains.  The pastor of that church still refuses to talk to her.

She has had similar bad experiences (the non-compassionate people part, not the arrest part) at several other churches.  She has since given up on trying to go to church because her attempts are always met with an angry stare or angry words when Nathan makes too much noise or a cold shoulder when she tries to talk to someone with her kids around.  Sadly, I have heard this same story from other parents of kids with special needs too.  It breaks my heart!

I sat in the lobby of the church with Mary and the kids during the performance.  The kids watched the dancing and singing vegetables on a TV monitor while Mary and I talked about her kids, her church experiences and their life.  I shared with her as well.  She started crying when I told her what I did for a living.  I told her that I would love to help her find a church that would love and accept her and her kids as the beautiful creations that they are… and if I couldn’t find one, I would train one!  At one point, she said, “Maybe this is why God had me come here today.”

MAN, do I love to watch God work!!!  He orchestrated the four of us being at the same place at the same time to work for His glory.  And now by God’s grace, I’m working hard to find a church close to their home where they can worship and feel the love of God on a regular basis.  Please lift up this family as well as my ability to find and/or train a church to love on them and shepherd to them.  If any of you live near the southwest side of Indianapolis and know of a church that would love this family, let me know… also, if you or someone you know has had similar experiences, please let me know that as well.  We are here to help!  Everyone deserves the chance to hear the powerful words of the Gospel.  Why should ignorance keep this from happening?

Volunteers Still Needed

We are still looking for volunteers for our respite event with Northview Church on December 5^th.  Email me if you’re interested in getting more info… aaron@mark2ministries.org.

Love ya!

Aaron

November Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Down Syndrome is a “common chromosomal disorder” that affects individuals both physically and mentally.  No doubt you’ve seen children or adults affected by this particular disability.  Most people who know someone with Down Syndrome consider their lives “blessed” by having a relationship with that person.

I had the opportunity to attend the annual “Buddy Walk” this past week here in Indianapolis.  Several hundred individuals with Down Syndrome (joined by thousands of their family members and friends) were present.  Live music, clowns, beautiful weather, and lots of smiles filled the park.

Mark 2 Ministries’ staff and board were able to host a display table where we answered questions about our organization, and encouraged people to consider the claims of Jesus Christ.  We talked with representatives from a wide variety of church backgrounds – and asked them to consider Luke 14:21-24’s claim on their congregation to invite individuals with disabilities into their midst.

One parent of a 3 year old with Down Syndrome asked us to pray.  She worries that her son won’t be able to keep up with the simple Bible lessons that are beginning to be presented in Sunday School class.  Abstract concepts such as “God” and “love” can be difficult to grasp for children – especially those with mental impairments.

Another parent confided that her 22 year old daughter with Down Syndrome “no longer fits” at church.  Other kids her age have moved on to college or career – yet she is left at home wondering what to do next.  She wishes her church could do something intentional to reach out to those 20+ years old with disabilities.

I was especially touched when I spotted a young girl with Down Syndrome “stare” at my wife.  Since my wife has a congenital hip dislocation, she limps as she walks.  I can’t read minds, but I could tell by reading her facial expression that she was feeling compassion toward my wife.  I saw Jesus in that little girl.

My point?  Do whatever you can to reach out to folks with Down Syndrome (and their families) with the love of Christ.  You, and your church, will be blessed !!!

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you and your church in that effort.  I am here to help!

Serving Christ with you in disability ministry,

Steve Boles – Executive Director

Be There Or Be Square!

The past couple weeks have been a crazy whirlwind in the world of Mark 2 Ministries.  Thanks for stopping in to check out what’s going on!

Events

First off, everything is finalized for our 1^st annual “Pins & Pigskins” event at Pinheads Bowling Center in Fishers on November 21^st from 4-8pm.  We will be watching the Colts play the Patriots on the huge projection screen TVs and listening over the loud speakers.  It’s as close to actually being there as you can get without a ticket.  Also, we’ll have all the free bowling you can handle in a private VIP suite in the back of the bowling alley.  Soft drinks and snacks will be provided free of charge!  In addition, staff members of Mark 2 will make a brief presentation during half time of the game to highlight the ministry and the drastic need for its continued success and growth.  A free will offering will be taken at the event as well for those who feel lead to help us financially.  People from K Love radio, 101.9 FM, will also be in attendance.  So stop by if you’re in the area.  If you can come, please email me to RSVP… thanks!

Next, we will be partnering with Northview Church in Carmel, IN to help them put on their free respite event on December 5^th.  Times are not finalized yet, but that info will be ironed out soon.  It will most likely be three (3) hours in the afternoon.  If you or someone you know would be interested in volunteering to help with this event, check below for contact info.  It’s definitely going to be a blast!  More details to come later…

While there is no “official” partnership between Mark 2 and the Timmy Foundation, I want you all to know about a really cool event that’s going on in their world.  They are having the “Timmy Takedown Event” on November 20^th from 4-6pm at Park Tutor in Indianapolis.  This is a really cool chance for kids with various forms of special needs to get a chance to “climb in the ring” with actual wrestlers and learn some cool moves while having a blast.  There is a great video outlining the event at http://vimeo.com/15812767.

Prayer Requests

Names are withheld to protect the confidentiality entrusted to us by those we serve.  Please lift these people up to the Lord – He knows who they are!  Thanks!

1. We have a friend suffering from kidney stones and is experiencing intense pain.
2. We know of a family trying to adopt has asked for prayer to help get them through the exhaustive process.
3. We have received several prayer requests for our friends’ children.  Please pray for wisdom and grace in parents’ parenting approach.
4. A ministry friend has started taking ASL (American Sign Language) classes and has requested prayer to help her learn the language.  I’ve started taking ASL classes as well, so thanks for lifting me up too!

I want to thank those of you who prayed during the computer fiasco of last week!  For those who don’t know, I experienced a catastrophic computer failure that prevented Windows from loading on my computer.  This makes it a little hard to work without the machine’s operating system.  By God’s grace, and some friends who are WAY smarter than me, the computer is up and running again at almost 100%.  It should hopefully be back to normal by the end of the week.  Keep praying… thanks!

Volunteer Opportunities

To help with any of these great events or opportunities, please email me at aaron@mark2ministries.org or call/text me at 317-777-8070.  I look forward to hearing from you and helping you get plugged into and loving on some pretty amazing people!

1. We need two (2) people to help with setup for the “Pins & Pigskins” event on November 21^st.
2. We need several people (10+) to help with Northview Church’s respite event on December 5^th.  Experience in working with people with disabilities is preferred but not required.  We can train you!
3. We are looking to explore a fundraising opportunity commonly called a “Give Back Night.”  This is when a restaurant donates a certain percentage of sales on a given day to a local charity.  We are looking for five (5) people to call Indianapolis area restaurants to see if they are willing and/or interested in doing something like this for us. 

Please let me know if you have any interest in any of these opportunities.  All of them should be pretty cool and they will all help spread the love of Christ to our friends with disabilities.

Love you guys!

Aaron