My Support Letter

This is the letter that I sent out to all of my friends and family:

Greetings! I hope this letter finds you well! Some of you I have talked to recently and know the updates of my life, others I have not had the blessing to talk to recently, but if you are receiving this letter it means that in some way you have played an important role in my life, and for that I am extremely grateful!

I recently graduated from college in May. I have finished my studies of International Relations, International Development, and Economics. It was an extremely difficult decision, but I recently decided to go Thailand and serve with a Christian development organization [actual organization included in actual support letter, but can not post on the name on the web].

This will be a short-term experience, as I will be in Chiang Mai, Thailand from the end of August through the beginning of December. This organization takes a holistic approach to proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, seeking to simultaneously address the spiritual and physical needs of others, primarily through working with the local church. In the brief minute that it takes to read this letter, 16 people will have died of hunger related causes, most without knowing the saving grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. The organization's mission is “to walk with churches, leaders and families in overcoming all forms of human poverty by living in healthy relationship with God and His creation.”

While in Thailand I will be helping the organization enter new communities and establish new projects. I will be researching the needs of communities, working with such people as Burmese refugees in Thailand, marginalized hill tribe people in northern Thailand, and dealing with issues such as human trafficking, sexual slavery and enforced labor. “He has showed you, O man, what is good,” says the prophet Micah. “And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

I pray that this will be my purpose in Thailand.

As I write this, I confess that I am nervous and scared about going. Why am I doing this? I ask myself. I will have loans I need to pay off and I’d much rather buckle down and get on that right away. I have never been interested in Asia previously – before it’s always been Latin America and Africa. I am graduated and want to be financially independent, not having to rely on other people’s support. I have had more than my share of traveling around the world, and in many ways I long to be settled down with my friends and family around me. But I spent much time praying, deliberating, and seeking advice from others. I finally concluded that God was leading me to go. What He has in plan for me, I honestly don’t know. I’m a little trepid – I’ve already second-guessed my decision numerous times – but I’m going in faith, trusting that my Father will provide and be faithful! “I was young and now I am old,” says King David, “yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread." God provided for food for Elijah through ravens, and water for the Israelites through a rock, and I believe He will provide for me, as well!

I am currently estimating that I will need to raise a minimum of $3625. This includes $2000 for living expenses, $1050 for travel, $175 for my visa, and $400 for health insurance. If I can raise any extra funds, I will put it towards paying off my college loans, which I would be doing if I was working a paying job. I have been trying to find summer employment in order to earn money to put towards my expenses.

I write you to ask you to join my ministry support team. Firstly, if you can partner in my ministry by financially supporting me at all, that would be of immense help and blessing. I realize that the economy is not good right now, and that scares me even more about doing this! But any donation will help - a gift of $100, $50, $25, or however the Lord may lead. Secondly, if you live in the Lancaster/Harrisburg area, and you have any work that needs to be done – mowing, painting, landscaping, or anything else – I’ll be more than willing to work for you! Please call me. Thirdly, no matter what situation you are in financially, please pray.

Pray for God’s provision in finances – both for Thailand and when I return from Thailand in December and need to find a job and pay off my loans! Please pray that I would be able to find work this summer, as well. Please also intercede for my ministry while I am in Thailand. Pray for the thousands of exploited people who are trafficked into and within Thailand – each young girl or boy, woman or man who is enslaved for sex or forced labor. Pray for the marginalized hill tribe people who are not granted citizenship and are therefore more susceptible to exploitation and being trafficked. Pray for the thousands of Burmese refugees along the Thai-Burmese border who have had to flee the oppressive military regime in Burma and are now living in appalling conditions in refugee camps. Pray for the Thai church and that Christ’s power and grace would be proclaimed through our work in this Buddhist country where people remain oppressed spiritually and physically.

If you would like to donate, the logistics are a little complicated. Because of IRS restrictions, the $2000 for living expenses are the only funds that are tax-deductible. Any money which I put towards airfare, my visa, healthcare, or paying off my loans can not be tax-deductible. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution, you may make the check out to Food for the Hungry. If you would like to contribute to my airfare, visa, or any other expenses, you may write a check directly to me.

I realize that this may be confusing, so if you have any questions, you may call me. I can also meet with you if you would like to talk more about my ministry.

Thank you so much for your support – past, present, and future! I am eternally grateful for you!