Moving the Needle
Things seem to be really moving! I'm excited to announce that since last month, I've gone from 36% to 67% funded! Most of that is thanks to the large success of the Thrivent Action Team benefit garage sale last month. On August 15th and 16th, my friends David and Laurie hosted a HUGE garage sale for my benefit. When they asked me how much money I thought was made at the sale, my response was, "I'm not sure how much it made, but I can tell you how much I hope it made. My goal for this garage sale was $1,410.00, the remaining balance of my start up fees." I was thrilled when later that evening David and Laurie called me to tell me the total revenue of the sale was $1,469.50!! Once the total was announced on social media, someone stepped up and donated $30.50 to make the total revenue an even $1,500.00. Huge thanks to David and Laurie for hosting the event, to everyone that donated items or money, to everyone that came to shop, and to God for blessing the event! It was a humbling experience for me, and I am very thankful.
Working But Not "Working"
This month is filled with work, that's not really "working". The week of August 18-21st, I spent the week at the EFCA headquarters in Bloomington, MN for my pre-field training. I got to spend time with several other people who have all been called into short-term missions. Ages ranged from 18 to mid-thirties (which made me one of the oldest in the room, something I'm not used to). Our mission destinations ranged from Germany, the Congo in Africa, Mexico City, Haiti and beyond. We spent time getting to know more about ourselves with self assessments like the Clifton's Strengths Finder, The Myers-Brigs, and The DISC. We learned more about ReachGlobal as an organization, and what it means to serve God in a different culture and world view. It was a beneficial, rewarding and motivating week!
In September, I will get a chance to meet the rest of my team through a variety of opportunities. The first weekend in September, we will be going to a Twins game and having a pot-luck picnic to get to know each other a little better. The week of September 8th, there will be meetings at the EFCA headquarters about GlobalFingerprints (internationally, not just in Haiti). Finally, near the end of September, there will be a Haiti Consortium at Constance Free Church in Andover. During this consortium, I will have a chance to learn even more about what ReachGlobal is doing in Haiti, meet some of the leaders of the organizations we parter with, and spend time praying for Haiti and all the things God has in store for them!
What's Next?
My hope is that over the next three weeks, I can finish with the support-raising phase of this mission. That means I need people to come along side me to help me cover the remaing $531.00 a month I still need to raise. If this happens, Lord willing, I will be able to start "working" in October.
My hope is to be able to make my first trip to Haiti at the end of October to help with the Sponsor Weekend they are hosting (a chance for those who sponsor children to go to Haiti and meet them, and also for the children in the program to be assessed medically). Afterwards, I would stay for a couple more days so that I would have time to meet and start planning with the GlobalFingerprints team in Haiti.
If you're willing to partner financially with me in this mission, please follow the link below to make a donation right now. You will need to designate Richter-2047 in the "other" section of the online form.
I am thankful for any donation you are willing to make, but would appreciate it if you would consider making it a monthly donation.
Praises and Request
Praises
- I am about 67% funded, up from 36% last month!
- The garage sale was a HUGE success!
- God has provided us a new church home that we are finding our place it. We are making new friends and fitting into areas of service.
- The start of a new and fantastic school year! All of the kids love their teachers and are excited about being at school Andy is also back to school and optimistic about the coming year.
- Routine! Now that the kids are back at school, my type A personality is happy to be back into a regular routine.
- I'm actually learning Creole! I realized in our last lesson, that if someone were to walk into the room, they probably wouldn't understand what we were saying... but I did!!
- We are in good health, our church is doing amazing things and our home project is going well.
Requests
- God would provide the remaining 33% by September 30th so that I can start "working" this October.
- God would help me to be patient while I wait on His perfect timing.
- God would be with my family while we transition into my working again.
- Continued good health
- Protection from the evil one and his schemes
- Productive and successful GlobalFingerprints meetings and consortium during September
