Monday, April 18, 2011

Different Ways to Support Me

In this economy it can be hard to commit to financially support a missionary. The last thing you want to do is to commit and then need to back out. The reality is, there are many ways you can support a missionary. Yes, financial support is of a big concern as we all need to reach our budgets so that we can continue living on the mission field. Another way is by giving needed gifts. These items could be anything from new tennis shoes (because shoes wear out quickly in places like Africa) to vitamins to keep the bugs off (nobody wants malaria) and to electronics that will make life easier (such as external hard drives to prevent from loosing everything because of a power surge).

As I get ready to leave for Africa, there are many things that I will be purchasing to accommodate living in a third world country. I have created a list through Amazon.com to help my supporters know the items I am looking for. If you would like to donate items on the list, it is an equal blessing to me as financial support. You can find my list at:

http://amzn.com/w/1SW795Y7HEBAM

or by searching Amazon Wishlist's my name - it is labeled Sending Nicole to Africa.

I appreciate everyone's supports: whether it is financial, gift, prayer, encouragement....please know that you are equipping me and giving me the courage to go!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

24%

This morning I wake up to the realization that I will be presenting in front of my church in a handful of days. This Sunday, I will be giving a "mission moment" regarding Mercy Ships. My mind is reeling with ideas and things I would love to share but the looming time limit is making it difficult to organize my thoughts to fit into the 5 minutes I am given. Please pray that God will speak through me and that I get across the point He wants me to make - it's not about me its about Him.

I will also be receiving a love offering and hopefully some supporters who would like to financially support me on a monthly basis. I am currently at 24% of my budget (pledged). I will be leaving for training in September - the D-Day for my finances coming into place. I can't say enough that I trust my God will provide all of my needs - He will make a way as He has always done for me. I must admit though.....the 75% remaining and 22 weeks to raise it....makes me slightly nervous.  BUT NOTHING is too big for my God!

Life is quite busy - school full time, learning French, fundraising, preparing for life in Africa...my excitement is barely contained and makes it hard for my focus. I am also quite excited for training that I will be attending in June. I will be learning more about Mercy Ships and also attending a Fundraising Seminar. My family is hoping to be able to put together some sort of fundraiser event for me this summer. Maybe at a park, maybe at another building in the area. If you have any suggestions please feel free to suggest away!

I thank God for choosing me, of all the people, He is calling me - I am so lucky!
I thank everyone for reading my blog.
I thank everyone for praying for me.
I thank everyone who supports me - your belief in me shakes me to the core and means the world to me.

So that's the end of my rambling mismatched thoughts - I can't wait to be able to post interesting things for you guys - like patient stories!