Those of you who have been with us for a while know about the connection we at the Catch have with Women of Vision Orange County and their monthly dinner event at Isaiah House in Santa Ana, California, a shelter for women without homes. I say “event” because my wife, Marti, who happens to be in charge, turns it into something special for these women every month. We have had a Happy Unbirthday party, a Christmas celebration, an Academy Awards night, a Garden Party, and last month, a Maypole dance. And, when called upon, many of you have come through in a grand way with gifts at Christmas, feathers and jewelry for our Academy Awards, and tea cups for our spring garden party. It’s a budding partnership and a way we have come together to do something tangible to represent the kingdom of God on earth.

And that is exactly what this is. This is the banquet where the invited guests were too busy to attend so the street people were brought in instead.  This is the wedding at Cana with the best saved for the last. This is a foreshadowing of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb when forgiven sinners will sit astonished at the glorious provision made for them when they are still not quite sure how they got there. These are the workers walking away from a job with a full day’s pay stuffed in their pockets for one hour of work, not wanting to say anything to anybody for fear the mistake might be discovered and they’d have to give it back.

This is the kingdom of God on earth and I wish you could be there to see it. There’s nothing quite like the look on these women’s faces when they discover what new surprise awaits them. They’re starting to anticipate something wonderful when they realize it’s Women of Vision night. One woman last month spotted Marti setting up early and said, “It’s the tea cup lady! What’s she up to today?”

Well this month (June 15) she’s up to Operation Runway – a fashion show of clothes the women will be able to keep and wear to job interviews and to work. We want them to be able to pick out from an array of fine clothing something that will suit them, and then to model their new wardrobe on a “runway” with lights and throbbing music.

And this is where you come in. Women, we need you to donate something from your closet, and men, we will welcome monetary contributions with which we can purchase underwear and stockings. We anticipate 75 women in a wide array of sizes, and the more things we have, the more they have to choose from. If you wish to take part, please click on the link below for a full description of just what we need. Please be sure and read thoroughly as the details are important.

One more thing: because of my negligence in not getting this to you sooner, we have a very limited amount of time to work with. We need to have everything in by next Monday, June 13, so you will need to act on this probably today or tomorrow. I apologize for not getting this to you sooner.

Please indicate checks and online donations are for Operation Runway.

The Catch – Operation Runway