Help-Project Blog

Somewhat comically over the years I have developed a shoe collection that dwarfs Jodi’s by an order of magnitude. In all fairness to myself, I had spent several years working as a Pedorthist (Feet, Shoes, Orthotics, Braces, etc), and later as the main buyer for a fairly large company. As a buyer of shoes, you end up being given shoes, a LOT of shoes! I needed to know the difference in fit and function of a new style I would potentially buy, or an upgrade to an existing style. The result is a literal closet full of shoes.

Despite giving away a lot of these shoes to some friends/family members who are my size, it still left me with a large collection that I have held on to for some reason. With our decision to minimize our belongings here and prepare to spend the next six months volunteering in Mexico, Jodi and I have come up with a plan for these shoes.

First, they need to leave our home simply because I want to de-own as much as possible, down to what we actually need.

Second, most of them are basically new. Some haven’t even been worn outside, or worn once or twice. So they have value and can be useful to someone else. Even if you aren’t size 10, you could also buy a pair to donate to charity or a homeless shelter or something.

Third, a simple fact of moving somewhere else and spending your time volunteering instead of working means that you need to pay for that somehow. As much as we are the type of people to try to do it all ourselves it is clear that we have put ourselves in a position where we will need to rely on the generosity of those around us.

So we decided to create an online shop of these goods, and let the friends and people we know (and they know) donate in exchange for something they can use. This is a win-win solution. All of the funds we raise, similar to the garage sales and such we have already been doing, will be going to cover the unique expenses for our trip. Things like flights (a big one), vaccinations, health insurance, etc. We also want to have a fund that allows to react to what we see. Being able to buy the food to make a meal at the homeless shelter we plan to frequent, for instance.

To start with the shop is mostly composed of Footwear, although there are a few pieces of outerwear wear in there as well. Since the footwear I received was for demo/trial purposes it is all in my size, Men’s size 10 D (with a few 10.5’s depending on brand). If you are interested in an item, contact us directly or by the contact form. We will setup a time for you to try it on and make sure it is what you are looking for. I would like to conduct all this in person so we don’t need to worry about shipping, etc, but also because look forward to talking with you.

I have set some suggested minimum prices, based on a rating scale of their condition, but feel free to donate whatever you feel compelled to. Also, don’t be shy in sharing this with other friends who share the same size.

Thanks,

Darryl & Jodi

I haven’t done an update on our blog for a while now.  Between work, family, and trying to make the most of summer it’s been busy.

We are trying to stay positive with the search for a renter for our home. Just when we  think you have found the perfect person to rent our home, something has fallen short.  Either the timing is off, or the person just doesn’t have the budget to rent a whole house. The hardest part is that we’ve met some amazing people via email through our blog post that I shared on Facebook.  Each of these individuals I would have been thrilled for them to rent our home, but it just didn’t work out financial for them and I understand that. Thank you for those who shared the post, it’s really helped but we have to keep searching.  

I guess in the back of my mind when I think of the person that will rent our home I really want them to feel blessed.

Blessed that they can live in such a bright, and amazing space.  I want our home to make them feel so darn happy and lucky to live in our space for a while that they feel  like they’ve won the jackpot. I guess that’s how I feel when I come home, so naturally I guess I’m hoping they will too. You never know? God Knows perfectly how they will feel, and who they are.  He knows all their needs, desires just like mine.  He marvels in them!

I’m remaining as patient as I can be, and it’s a good thing that I’m married to a very patient man.  My style is to push through, and wait less.  I’m learning to grow in God’s timing not my own.  It seems like Darryl and I go through faith changes.  One month I take the lead on challenging us, and the next he makes me a better waiter, a way to grow with God, not before God.

A good, friend told me in an email this week….

Waiting is the hardest part. God doesn’t take you this far and then leave..

Simple truth.

Thanks for reading,

Darryl and Jodi.

With moving to Mexico  this fall for 6 months one of the main things on our ever Growing “TO DO” list is to  find  someone to rent our home while we are away.  This does two Very Important things for us. 1. Helps us pay our Mortgage.  Apparently we have to keep paying our bills while we are gone, who knew that you couldn’t just say to your lender “Hey- can I hold on  my mortgage payments for a while?” IF only… 2. We are going to serve with and along side the Vineyard Church, which means we need income for housing, food, transportation costs in Mazatlan.  Renting our home, is a huge part of allowing us to take on this adventure.

So we need your help!!!  I’m hoping deeply that there will be someone out there just right for this home and right for this special circumstance.  Also if this home can be a blessing to that person, that brings joy to our hearts.

So this is our Home.

Beautiful, 3 bedroom, 1800 Square Foot End-unit townhouse available For Rent starting approximately the end of October/beginning of  November 2014 until the end of April 2015. Located in Willoughby, Langley.  We would like to rent it furnished, but we are flexible. This home has been really well maintained and well cared for.

Very bright, with custom touches within every space. Each room has large windows allowing lots of light in making living in Vancouver in the winter  all that more tolerable. Large, bright kitchen perfect for meals or entertaining around a huge Island.  Living room is separate with custom book shelves/storage, and a great place to cozy up by the fire on cold fall and winter nights.  Tiled kitchen floor, and Hardwood throughout the rest of the main floor.

Three Bedrooms upstairs.  The newly Designed Master bedroom will be completed with a large Brand new walk in shower in the master en suite.  One bedroom is complete with custom-built in bunk beds and the other room is empty for either office, or bedroom.  All rooms come with plenty of storage, and plenty of space.  The  second story is finished in brand new wood flooring, making clean up a breeze.

Brand new Washer and Dryer on the first floor adjacent to the door to the garage. Four bathrooms:  (2 upstairs, One Down in the Basement) and ONE powder room on the main floor just off of the kitchen. Double Car (Side by side) Garage.

This home is in a very Excellent location, walking distance to everything, schools, parks,  Superstore, the mall, and Produce and flower market. Must be rented for at least 6 months, utilities extra. Possible Cable/internet included.

Do you know someone who is….

1. Some one who would take great care of our home, as if it was their own?
2. VERY Responsible, clean, non smoker, sorry no pets. Fish acceptable.  
3. Absolutely no Drugs, smoking, or wild parties.  (Unless they are tupperware parties…)
4. Perfect for a professional couple, working out of the home, or home business?  Our home is perfect for either.
5. Needs temporary accommodation for 6 months or more.  We are somewhat flexible for move in/move out dates.
6. Possibly someone who wants to buy a larger home in the future and would like a trial run to see how it would be living in a home versus a basement suite?
7. Ideally a 6 month lease, damage and cleaning deposit required, and reference checks.

Anyhoo,  if you know someone, feel free to copy and paste this info and send it to who you think it may work for.  We will be interviewing all possible candidates to see who  is the right fit.  Or drop Darryl or I with a message. Thanks for your Help!!!

– Darryl and Jodi, Ben and Emily.