John Fischer The Catch

If you’ve been following our communiques closely you will have noticed that we have been “launching” a fundraising campaign on and off now for over a month. If it appears to be sputtering, it’s because our General has been on sick leave during the same period of time.

Not to worry.  As a student of Sun Tzu’s Art of War, the General has designed the business of the Catch and its Ministry programs and services to operate with or without her.  And yes, she left specific instructions for all of us to carry out in her absence.

And no one has skipped a beat … except me.

Back up … I am in the hospital’s new Covid waiting room, which is located in my car in the parking lot. I am in the company of a few other signifiant others. We nod to each other in recognition of our predicament. And when a vehicle’s engine turns over, we all turn out of our isolation to salute the driver, always praying for the best and hoping the Lord will be so kind to each of us. In my hand is a copy of a doctor’s order to the hospital to admit the General for a MRI. The designation STAT appears numerous places on the doctor’s order for the procedure. I look it up to find out that STAT comes from the Latin word statim, which means “instantly” or “immediately.” Which is to say: “I don’t care that the patient doesn’t have an appointment a week in advance like everyone else; you will work her in to your schedule NOW.”

Back up farther … The General completely and utterly does not like hospitals. Trust me, there are real reasons based on early years that explain why she has no faith in hospitals.  However, it is entirely too long of a story to tell now.  (To this day I shutter to recall what it took to convince her to birth her babies in a safe environment in a hospital.)

About an hour ago, I ushered the General into the hospital admittance area.  Because of Covid-19, I  could go no farther.  This was not ok with the General, which I’m sure was made clear to all who handled her from one division of the hospital to the next.  She is not good about being a docile patient.

But then, there is nothing idle about our General. Timing for her is everything, and all of us who work with her are never surprised when she calls for action, present tense, in the moment, declaring: “Move on it” and “Make it happen;” and now, added to her vocabulary, is the new term we learned today, “STAT.”

The results of the MRI? We do not know. What’s behind the purpose of the MRI?  If I  knew, I would tell you. We have gone from one doctor to another to another over these last few weeks. I truly mean it when I say that we must leave the condition of Marti’s health in the hands of the Lord, as she has. When I know anything, you will be the first to know. Until such a time, enter into prayer with me as we wait on Him. The General is not being stoic.

On the other hand – and there is always another hand, isn’t there? – as the significant other, I am not doing too well. As indicated in my delayed daily Catch mailings over the previous days, these weeks have taken their toil on me. And here is the thing – everyone else is checking in on time with work completed as assigned … except me.

My assignment? Pick up and make happen the “On this side of eternity – We’re all in this together” fundraising campaign, and, as the General says, “bring it home” successfully and by Monday, November 23rd.

Help me out here.  Dare I say “STAT” in that we urgently require the $35,000 funding goal by Monday which the General is expecting, and yes, you are correct, I am far from “Bringing it home” successfully.

And so I am asking you in real time to work together with me, on this side of eternity to fulfill the fundraising goal by Monday, which is designated for the Catch Ministry initiatives found in our strategic plan.  Look to hear from me over the weekend to pull from the plan exactly what initiatives are in need of funding to what we are doing to further the Gospel of Welcome – Grace Turned Outward – to Everyone, Everywhere.

Oh! And bloody! I forgot to order the gift Marti created for those who participate in making this Ministry continue into the next generation.  That too, and after a few calls, I will bring to you her desired gift as well.

You and I live on this side of eternity. Since our leaders incorporated the Ministry as a cyber church in 2012, we have been in this Ministry together.  I only add one tiny tidbit to the equation today and that is “STAT”… and by Monday.

What are we looking at?  With no bells or whistles (don’t tell the General) this on again off again campaign has raised a remarkable $14,884 toward our urgent goal of $35,000, which means in the next three days, we need to raise, among ourselves, $20,116.

From this side of eternity, the amount seems like a daunting number and the work to raise such an amount, overwhelming.  On weaker days like today, the enormity of the financial need makes me weak in the knees. And then I remember the riches of God who owns everything, and who cares for you and me, and I rest in His amazing grace and your amazing generosity.