Monday, July 26, 2010

Sprint to the FINISH LINE!

The fundraising finish line, that is!  I wanted to give you an update since it's been about a week since I announced that I am at 92% of my budget and *hoping, praying* to be leaving for Costa Rica on a jet plane next month.

So, what's happened over the last week or so--lots of great conversations with potential supporters, a new $100/month pledge and then some, a new $1,200 one-time gift and lots of prayer!  I've said it once, I've said it a million times--THANK YOU!!!  It's because of YOU that I am sitting here, hopefully one month from leaving for a three-year adventure with God and teenagers in Costa Rica.  YOU who are sacrificing financially and sacrificing of your time to walk alongside me and God to minister to teens in Costa Rica who desperately need to hear of a God who loves them unconditionally and has a BIG plan for their lives.

I still have $380/month or $4,500/annually left to raise in pledges over the next three years.  And I have exactly 16 days to do it--yes, 16 days--until August 10th, the deadline for going on staff if August.  Could you join me in one of the following ways?


(1)  PRAY!  Pray for God to move boldly over the next two weeks to help me raise the remaining funds.


(2)  Increase your monthly gift by $5, $10, or even $20!  Could you join the 25% of my current supporters who have prayerfully considered increasing their support and heard God's response as yes?  


(3)  Ask your friend, neighbor, co-worker or fellow church member to consider supporting me with a monthly or annual gift--I only need 10 more new supporters!  You're inviting them to join you on the greatest journey God has called us to--sharing His life, His love, His hope with those most precious to Him.  

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."            -Matthew 10:42


"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?  And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."  -Matthew 18:12-14


I thank God for each of you, dear friends!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Exciting Fundraising Update!

I am happy to share that I have reached 92% of my budget!  In the past couple of days, I've had some current supporters step up their giving and some new major supporters join the team!

I also made a very tough decision.  I decreased my salary by 1/3.  This was a difficult decision, but I feel as if God has been moving in the last couple of weeks and really wants me in Costa Rica in August!  I know that all of my supporters make a financial sacrifice to be a part of my team and support Young Life in Costa Rica.  I stand with you doing the same!

The new salary level will be sufficient (tight! but sufficient) while I am in language school and living with a host family.  After I finish language school, though, I will need to increase my salary to meet the increased cost of living by myself (or hopefully with a roommate).  I hope you will be able to join me then in helping meet the increased need!

I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all of you have provided financial support, encouragement and prayers.  There is no way I would have gotten through the past 1.5 years without you--and I consider each of you angels sent by God!

THAT SAID, I still have $425/month ($5,100/year) left to raise in monthly pledges over three years in the next 15 days (yes, 15 days!) to be able to go on staff in August and leave for Costa Rica for the start of the school year and my language school semester.  Please let me know if you know of anyone who might be interested in joining my support team with a monthly gift of $25, 50, 100 or more!  And as always, I appreciate your prayers in helping me leap this last hurdle to cross the finish line August 1st!