Hope, Expansion, and a Cup of Coffee

It has been a little while since I’ve written a Coffee with Connie email. February was incredibly busy and very cold! Yet through it all, God has been so faithful and so good!

From February 13-28, my hubby Dave and I traveled to South Africa along with Richard (our son-in-law and a Cavod board member) and our granddaughter, Autumn. The purpose of our trip was very intentional. We wanted to explore what it might look like to one day open up Cavod there.

Here are a few photos of our trip:

We spent meaningful times connecting with dear friends, praying, asking questions, and simply listening for God’s leading. We are still very much in the research stage, but we are already seeing God open doors in beautiful ways.

Our trip ended with an unexpected pause when our flight was canceled because of the snow here at home. But honestly, South Africa wasn’t a bad place to be delayed! The weather was warm and beautiful. Sometimes when God reroutes us, there is a reason, and I truly believe we needed those extra moments of rest.

While we were away, we missed Cavod’s wonderful Titanic Dinner Theatre, but it went on without a glitch, thanks to my wonderful Cavod team! I heard the evening was absolutely spectacular! What a powerful story of bringing hope in the midst of perilous times. It’s a reminder that no matter what storms we face, God is always with us.

Since returning, life has been full! We even managed to squeeze in a big family birthday bash, celebrating several birthdays from the past three months; our oldest grandson Micah’s 21st birthday, Aaliyah our oldest granddaughter’s 18th birthday, our son-in-law Rich’s birthday, and mine, too. It was such a blessing to be together as a family again.

Meanwhile, things at Cavod are moving quickly and excitingly!

We are currently in rehearsals for Anastasia: Youth Edition, and it is shaping up to be a wonderful show. Be sure to get your tickets early! It’s only running one weekend. Click here for tickets!

Our Mannheim Expansion is also moving forward in amazing ways. The drywall is up and the space is really beginning to take shape! Every time I walk through it, I’m reminded what a miracle this building is and what a dream come true it will be for Cavod and our Mannheim community!

I often pause when I walk through the space and imagine the students, families, and stories that will fill these rooms in the years to come. It reminds me that what we are building together is so much bigger than a building… it is a place where lives will be shaped for generations!

We are in the middle of raising funds for this 6,000 square foot expansion, and I truly ask for your prayers as we move forward in faith. We are trusting God to provide for every detail. If you would like to be part of this miracle by donating, we would be honored to have you join us. Every gift counts no matter how large or small! Click here to learn more! Please feel free to share this link with friends or reach out to me personally at connie@cavod.org if you know someone who might like to hear more about the vision.

As I’ve been meeting with people and sharing the vision, I’ve been thinking a lot about hope. Hope gives us the courage to move forward and the faith to believe for things that may seem bigger than we are! And this expansion is doing just that!

Romans 15:13 is so powerful!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, 

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Right in the middle of all of this, we are also preparing for our annual Cavod Fundraising Gala on May 1st. It is always such a special evening of celebration and vision. If you would like more information, please feel free to reach out to me personally at connie@cavod.org.

Wherever you are today, I encourage you to put your hope in God and walk in faith in whatever He has called you to do.

And here is a precious promise if we only dare to believe His Word!

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…” Ephesians 3:20

All glory be to Him! 

Thank you, my friends! I hope you’re enjoying a cup of coffee today as you put on the full armor of God and step into the great and mighty things He has prepared… more than you could even imagine!

Have a wonderful week! 😊

Love,

Connie Dienner

Executive Director