It’s not often we spotlight a donor. In fact, we haven’t ever until now.
Most friends of HIM give quietly, without fanfare, following Jesus’ words to “not let your left hand know what your right hand gives.” (Mt 6:3) That’s how our friend Danny Choy gave. Danny, a pastor and music minister, and his wife Donna supported HIM monthly the last 13 years. Sometimes the gift was more, sometimes less. Sometimes it came late or a skipped a month, depending on circumstances. But there was always a gift.
Danny and Donna also came to the HIM conference every year — even after moving from Honolulu, even though it meant flying in from the Big Island, and even though Danny began needing a wheelchair for distances.
Danny went home to Jesus on October 28. In a note with their monthly donation, Donna said that Danny “often mentioned he wished we had more money so he could leave HIM a substantial endowment.” We were dumbstruck. Danny and Donna were ordinary, not affluent people, but they gave generously. Asked why, Donna replied:
[Danny] chose to invest our money where it does the most good in building God’s kingdom in Hawaii and the world. For us, that meant investing in HIM regularly — for a healthy “spiritual economy” for ourselves and the generations to follow. Bottom line is that Danny felt it was important for him to do his part so HIM would continue this exceptional work and he wished he could do more.*
Danny wished he could do more. He understood HIM relies on the support of many. He knew HIM can continue only if people who value who we are and what we offer respond gratefully and generously.
Danny wasn’t able to leave the substantial endowment to HIM he wanted, but to honor Danny we are creating the ‘DANNY DID IT’ MEMORIAL FUND for all gifts to HIM through December 31, 2013.
Make a gift to HIM today and you will do what Danny couldn’t do and what only you can do. HIM needed Danny’s financial support, yes, and we need yours. We need it now. We need it monthly. Your gifts fuel life-changing opportunities. Your support brings people like Francis Chan, Nick Vujicic, Gary Chapman, Priscilla Shirer and Lincoln Brewster to the HIM conference. You make HIM. You are why HIM can gather churches, equip leaders, support everyday believers, and preach the Good News.
If you’ve not made a gift to HIM this year, make one today. If you have already given, perhaps you’ve found a reason to give again and more. And if you are not supporting HIM with a sustaining monthly gift, please consider setting that up as an easy automatic debit or recurring credit card donation. We really appreciate the reliability of monthly gifts.
Thank you for trusting in HIM as we trust in Jesus. “Him [Jesus Christ] we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this we toil, striving with all the energy which he mightily inspires within us.” [Colossians 1:28-29]
*Why Danny Gave" - read the complete letter here.
