a New Addition

We are really excited about the new dormatory that we will be staying in on our trip. The dorm is located next door to the Mafu's house. Look at the porch with the overhang! There is a small kitchenette with a burner and at least one shower if not two that I know of! One of the benefits of this dormatory is that we will be able to store and sort our medical supplies there without disrupting the church or the Mafu's home. I can't wait to see it with my own eyes.

Writing Your Support Letter

This can be a somewhat daunting task especially if it is the first support letter you have written. Pray first before writing your letter. God will give you the words that communicate your heart of excitement for this short term mission. It has been my experience that people from all parts of my life really love receiving the letter regardless of whether or not they are able to provide financial support. So, please walk forward in faith that God will bless you through this process.

What to include in your letter:
1. Why are you going on the mission trip?
2. When are you going and for how long?
3. Is there a scripture verse that you might want to include?
4. What are we going to do on the trip? What will be accomplished? (there is a lot of this information in the trip binder)
5. Let your supporters know that it would be appreciated if they would send their support by May 1st.
6. Explain that our team needs to raise around $79,600 (appx. $3,800 a person) in order to travel to South Africa, purchase medicine & supplies, and serve the community of eSikhawini.

Here are a few links to help you get started:
Nursing student's trip to Guatemala
Volunteers for China sample letter and ideas on who to send your letter to

Here are some samples which should personalize:
sample 1

December 2008
Dear Family & Friends,
God has given me the opportunity to go on a short-term medical mission trip to South Africa with Africa Christian Ministries this upcoming April (April 3- April 19). The team I will be working with will serve the tired and the sick in and around the township of eSikhawiniwith with spiritual and physical health care. Our team will provide medical care to patients as we minister in Jesus' name.
I am writing to ask you to prayerfully consider joining our team through your support. First, please partner with me in praying for the people we will be serving, for my health and effectiveness as a team member, and for the many details of this mission trip.
Second, please consider supporting me financially for this outreach. Our team must raise $79,600 in order to effectively serve the people of South Africa. If you would like to join the team in this way, please send your tax-deductible gift and the completed form in the envelope or via online at the following secured websiteI have provided by March 15th. I am also including a list of medical and supply needs that can be donated to this trip if you would like to participate in this way. Thank you for praying about being a vital part of our team. I look forward to telling you all about the work that is accomplished through your generosity.
Sincerely,
(NAME)
(Add a handwritten note to personalize the letter.)

sample 2

Sample Fundraising Letter – Gulf Coast Mission Trip
Send to Friends and Family

Hello! I send greetings from Royal Oak.
This summer I will be going to eSikhawini, South Africa with a group of short term missionaries from a myriad of metro Detroit churches. We will be working through Africa Christian Ministries to provide medical care to the people of the Kwa-Zulu nation who have been ravaged by the AIDS epidemic. [Include some stats that stir your heart] There will around 21 people on my team that will set up medical clinics and serve around 1000 people who normally do not have access to any medical care. I am excited to have this chance to serve people, and I know that God will use this trip to teach me a lot about God, myself, trust, and what God is doing in this world.

Now, I want to ask for your help: I need prayer and I need financial support! I will be so thankful if you help me with the first, no matter what you decide. I hope that you will begin praying about this trip and about being part of my financial "support team." I need to raise about $3,800 to help pay for transportation to and in South Africa, medicine, and supplies by March 15th. I hope that you will be able to help financially--any amount that you give will help me get to the South Africa (and back!). [NOTE: Your gift will be tax-deductible.] But the most important gift that you can give is prayer.
If you are reading this letter, it is because I consider you a friend. I want you to know what God is doing with me and I want you to be a part of God’s work and of my life. I hope that you will keep me in your prayers and let me know what you think about this (and use the chance to tell me how you are in the pre-addressed envelope or online at the following secure website ). I hope to be in touch with you soon so that I can give you more details about my trip. Thanks for reading through this and for any support that you can give me. I look forward to telling you all about the work that has been accomplished through your generosity.
With love,
Name, Address, Phone Number
Email Address

Financial Support

We welcome financial support for the 2009 MOT. This year we will need to raise at least $79,600 as a team in order for the trip to take place. The funds are used in a myriad of ways: airfare (even our coach tickets are expensive), meals, electricity, water, lodging, guard dogs, transportation, specific needs of Africa Christian Ministries, and medications such as antibiotics, antiparasitics, and other prescription medications.You can easily contribute in a couple of ways:

(1) Contact someone on the team and let them know you would like to support them. They will provide you with a letter about the trip, a donation form, and the specific details about who to make the check out to. These donations are tax-deductible if paid by check.

(2) Via the Web with you credit card at the Kensington Community Church website. The dropdown menu will allow you to designate the you are supporting for the trip.

(3) Via the Web with your credit card at the Africa Christian Ministries website. Please make sure to include that you are designating the funds for the 2009 MOT or for a specific team member.

We thank you for considering supporting us financially.

Don't Forget!

1st Official South Africa Meeting for the 2009 Team

7pm at the Tice Home

Don't forget to bring: 

$300 deposit to secure your spot

Birth certificate

Passport

'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

This past week I submitted my letter to my principal, Mr. M., for approval to have time off during the school year. As I delivered the letter to his office I said one last prayer -

"Dear Lord - if it be Your will that I have the privilege to serve in South Africa again Lord - I would be honored to do so. And Lord, please let there be no typos in my letter."

As I dropped off the letter, Mr. M. was on his way to give a tour to some visitors at the school. He proceeded to tell me that he had included that we "even have a teacher who travels to Africa" on the poster for Monday's 7th and 8th grade parent night. Could it be a sign that God had already answered my prayer?

Beside my deep desire to return to South Africa and the impeccable timing of the trip with my spring break, I felt like I was starting to hear God say, "Yes - It is My will." Then, tonight, I heard Him speak again. My dear friend, D, celebrated my birthday with me and she gave me a beautiful book titled "The Sings My Soul." The book has 150 of the world's greatest hymn stories. I was so excited because not only do I love hymns - I love the stories behind them. It is so great to have this resource and be able to tell these stories as a worship leader. Anyhow, I flipped the book to pages 210 &211 and the story of "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" (one of my fav's) was staring me straight in the face. The story behind this hymn originates with Louisa M. R. Stead; a woman who ended up living a life she hadn't quite expected. It was marked by unexpected turns, great sorrow, and the call to be a missionary in *surprise* South Africa.

God, I am trusting that You want me to serve again in the heart of Zululand.

Just to rest upon his promise; Just to know "Thus saith the Lord."