Dear Supporters, 

Sometimes in the midst of the whirlwind of details and logistics that I've been in, it's easy to lose sight of why we're spending so much time and energy on such an event. Thankfully, those times have been few and far between: I'm very excited about how this event is coming together, and eagerly praying that it will be a tremendous blessing to my community and others. 

There is a lot that has happened the past 25 days. I'll try to keep everyone updated more often from now until the event. However, here are some of the highlights: 

• We designed and printed invitations for the event and then took them through the jail and asked inmates to address envelopes, which we then mailed. That process was immensely rewarding: with very few exceptions, the inmates were both interested in and grateful for what we are trying to do. I heard requests for bibles, which we are working to fulfill. 
• Some 350 inmates actually filled out the envelopes and invited their families--which have been in the mail.  We had no idea how many people would be interested in participating, and unfortunately we (considerably) overestimated the number of envelopes and RSVP cards we would need. Such a mistake is expensive--and I am sorry for it. But much of this process has been blind, and we have learned a great deal that will be useful at making future efforts more efficient. 
• We're starting to get RSVP cards back, which is exciting. 
• We've sent a letter inviting members of our local law enforcement agencies to join us for the barbecue. I would have liked to have had the chance to deliver the invite personally, but was unable to. I have (literally) no idea how many law enforcement members will take us up on it.
• We have a number of social service agencies that have agreed to come. Greater Waco Legal Services will be there--which is great, because they provide legal services to low-income families. Prison Fellowship will be there signing up families for their "Angel Tree" program. Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas will be there. We'll have a group doing signups for Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course. And we hope to have a variety of others, as well. 
• We have a website! wacocommunitybbq.com. (If any of you are wordpress proficient and want to take the responsibility of updating it off my plate...I would appreciate it.) 

There a TON more that we have to do. I'd sincerely request your prayers for the following:

• Volunteers: there are a number of important coordinating roles that we need filled, and quickly. We're a really small team (of two!) at the moment, because serious life-events have waylaid our third member. So we could use help. 
  
• Funding: I've lined up one matching grant, and hope to have a few others lined up for our final fundraising push. When I first started thinking about this event, I committed myself to only pursuing the 'next step' until someone told me no or I ran out of resources. In December, I realized that Ii had every 'next step' that we needed funded--which gave me a great deal of peace and confidence. Now we're approaching several more 'next steps' (which are also final steps), and need to finish raising funds for them. The final fundraising push will happen with a $5 drive starting the day after Easter. I'm hopeful that we can successfully raise our last dollars necessary. But your prayers to this end would be very welcome. 
• A videographer: the extremely talented videographer who shot the fundraising video is unfortunately unable to be there, and I've struggled to find a replacement. 
• For our health and energy: we have a lot of work and late nights ahead of us. I'd appreciate your prayers for diligence and strength to do what is needed for this with gladness, for the sake of the Kingdom. 

Thank you very much for your gracious support of this effort--and especially for your prayers. We would not be able to do this without you all--and for that, I am most earnestly grateful. 

Best regards, 

Matt