July Newsletter

Going Boldly

June is always such a crazy month for our family.  With the end of the school year, Andy and I working with the Buffalo Marching band, swimming lessons and play dates... we're busy.  Now add to that settling into our new home, a giant basement remodeling project, Creole lessons and my working to raise support, the month has flown by.



Praises
-I am 23% funded!
-We are settling into our new home, and our kids are making new friends in the neighborhood.
-I've started my Creole lessons.  I'm actually getting it, and having fun at the same time!

Prayer Requests
-That God would provide the remaining 77% of my funding by the end of the summer so that I can start working this fall.
-For my family.  That they would continue to adapt to our new home and that I would be sensitive to their needs during this time.
-For Andy.  As he works to finish our home project, works to finish a class he is taking, works to support me in this adventure and as he works his day job.

Tell me more...
FAQs about my new ministry
Over the past month it's been fun sharing more about my new position. Throughout many conversations there have been some frequently asked questions that tend to surface.  Let me address a few of them here:

Will you be moving to Haiti?
No.  I will be working part-time from home and traveling to Haiti two to three times a year. Global Fingerprints-Haiti (GF-Haiti) is a Haitian-led program.  The Haitian leaders are the ones doing the real work running the program and building relationships with the students and their families.  My role is to use my experience as a band director and setting up band programs to help equip a Haitian band director to run a successful band program at GF school.

When will you start?
My goal is to start this fall. I cannot officially start my work until I am fully funded.

What does fully funded mean?
Fully funded means that God brings a team of people around me who willingly give to support my monthly budget.  For me this is $1,854.00 a month.  In addition to this amount there are one time set of start up fees that equal $3,600.00. Once enough commitments have been received to cover these expenses, I can officially start my ministry!

What is the money allocated for?
The support I am raising covers a variety of expenses.  About 70% of my support will cover my salary of $1,000.00 a month (before taxes).  About 25% will cover travel (airfare, lodging, extra baggage) and about 5% will cover administration fees and language learning.  There is a small percentage that goes toward ministry overhead.  My start-up fees cover the expenses I already incurred during the application process (administrative work, screening, background checks, interviews, training, etc.) and the cost of a company computer.  

How long will you be working in this capacity?
I have been accepted as "short term staff" and have made a 23 month commitment to GF-Haiti.

Why Haiti?
As trite as it may sound, this is all God!  It is obvious in retrospect that He has been sculpting me in preparation for this particular missions role for quite some time.  Taking my gifting and life experiences and adding to that the fact that our church played a key role in bringing the GF program to Haiti, the puzzle pieces fit together and led to this opportunity.

So, you'll be helping these kids find families?
Nope. These kids have families. GlobalFingerprints is a child-sponsorship program.  We partner with a local church in Haiti (Source de La Grace) to send children to school and help care for their physical, spiritual and emotional needs.

Your communication refers to ReachGlobal, GlobalFingerprints and EFCA.  What is the difference between them?
The EFCA is the Evangelical Free Church of America. The church we attended in Andover, Constance Evangelical Free, is a part of this denomination. ReachGlobal is the global missions ministry of the EFCA.  GlobalFingerprints is the child sponsorship program of ReachGlobal.

How do I join your support team?
If you receive this email/letter and lift me in prayer, you already are!  Prayer support is the most crucial part of my ministry.  If, in addition to that, you would like to be a part of my financial support team, I would love to talk with you personally about it.  Reply to this email (or give me a call) and I will get in touch with you.  If you know without a doubt that you would like to come alongside me as a financial partner you can do so herewww.efca.org/give-now
Please type "#2047-Richter" in the designation box.

I feel incredibly blessed by those who have committed to supporting me in this ministry. I am moving forward in faith knowing that God holds the details in His hands.

Men anpil chay pa lou ~ Many hands make it lighter.

Blessings!
Lynn

Special thanks for Tiffany for the idea!

Ongoing Prayer Requests
That God would provide the resources I need to get started on my work in Haiti.

That God would raise up a Haitian band director who is passionate about using music as a tool to help children see God and the hope and love he has for them.  

For protection for my family and I as I do this work for God's kingdom.

For the rest of my team and the work that they are doing. 

Financing My Mission

I need to raise $1,854.00 per month for 23 months, or $22,246.00 annually for two years.  There is are also $3,600.00 worth of one time start up fees.  

If you'd like to see how that breaks down per month, I'd love to meet with you and show you the details.  

I am hoping to raise these funds via a combination of church, friend and family support.  If you're able to help me fund my mission, please contact me.  

Will You Join My Team?

Support me monthly or with a special gift

Online:  
www.efca.org/give-now
(Designate: Account #2047-Richter)

Mail a check:  
Evangelical Free Church of America
901 East 78th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55420-1300
(Memo Line: Account #2047-Richter)

Connect With Me

• Lynn.Richter@efca.org
• (763) 442-9545
• 5308 Windsor Ave, Edina, MN 55436