Catching Up

Catching Up

I am behind in many ways. The last few difficult years applied multiple layers of distraction from which I am only now awakening. I am experiencing the joy of actively becoming reacquainted with family and friends. Thank you for caring and praying for me through it all.

It is also time now to assume more responsibility in leadership for the incredible ministry to which I am irrevocably called and committed. I will be forever grateful to the amazing staff and volunteers who filled the gap created by my forced disconnection from the hands-on operation of Laughing Child. My greatest consolation is that God profoundly deepened and expanded our work in my absence—what an awesome testimony to this ministry being Father’s vision! I believe with all my heart that the loving work that our team is doing in Mexico pleases God and heals families. I am eager to rejoin our team and help pull a little of the weight.

The inspired excellence of our leadership team calls into question my usefulness on the ground in Mexico. However, they have asked me to fulfill the much-needed role of advocacy and fundraising.

Here is what I will be seeking to do with and for the ministry of Laughing Child:

I am charged with the expansion and promotion of our Family Bridges program. The manual is complete and undergoing final revisions. My goal is to have it ready for presentation by the first of February, 2025.

Our desperately needed—and sadly unique—program was developed through five years of ministry at Camp Laughing Child and four years of outreach in Mexico City. It is truly a thrill to watch the ink dry on a proven and reproducible program of help for families in need. It is our prayer, hope, and mission that God will use this program in other Latin American countries as well. I may be of some use in offering the Family Bridges program to those nations.

My renewed role is one that I both love and hate. As the primary advocate for Laughing Child, I must ask for two things that we require to operate the ministry. One is prayer, and the other is money. You can guess which one I am uncomfortable requesting. Though a missionary for over three decades, raising needed funds has always been a struggle for me. It should be no wonder that I have been terrible at it. Now that I cannot sing or speak publicly, raising money for the mission will require more faith and creativity than I currently have. Please pray for me as I trust Father for His anointing in advancing His heart and vision for these precious families.

In closing, I offer gratitude, beyond words, for the small supportive family that has kept this ministry alive and growing through these past few difficult years. I would like to also invite others to the table that God has set before Laughing Child to serve hurting families. Please join us, in prayer and in giving, to offer His reconciliation and healing to the nations.

Though regional violence, a global pandemic, and a personal health crisis threatened to end the important work of Laughing Child International, we stand to serve in His Name today. He is worthy and they are worth it. Let’s do it together!

With gratitude,

shane