Today I feel like I should write about a topic which no one really likes to talk about... especially if you're the one asking: Finances. :)
The hard part of this is that it is a necessity of missions but the most amazing part is that God is in complete control! When I first brought this trip idea up to Kelly, I had no idea what I was getting into but I simply knew that God was telling me plain and simple, "Say yes, trust Me." Then the time came to talk about how much it would cost; we talked about the budget. Through that conversation, I realized a couple of things: 1) I have no idea about the administration part of this 2) I am so glad that Kelly is going with us ((he has been in Russia for about 10 years, missions for 15)) 3) the price was apparently "good" and 4) God has this. The price was looking at $2,642.50 for about 15 days sometime in July. This is what I advertized for when looking for a team.
After some really great interviews, I had my team ((so I thought, as explained in previous entry)) but then I had another budget meeting with Kelly and found out that the team has to pay for the way of the staff leader who goes with us, and because of the small size we were, the price jumped to an estimated $3,300. this was a large jump and flexible stretch for the team but we dutifully sent out support letters early on trusting in God's plan for this trip and our lives.
Sense then, I get to have the opportunity to tell you a wonderful miracle has happened! Once day I was called into a meeting with Kelly and he informed me there was an anonymous supporter who said they would pay his way! This meant that our price was dropped back down to 2,642! I can honestly tell you I was close to tears as Kelly told me this ((And I don't normally do that)). I was reminded how God is good and if He wants us to go, He will create a way. But wait... there's more!
We bought tickets this last weekend and I was worried ((silly me)) that the price was going to be more then the estimated $1,600 we budgeted but instead, when Kelly called me on my break, I got the wonderful news that our tickets were actually $1,555! I know it's not much but I will take the 45 dollars off as a great gift from God.
Soooo if you can do the math, and if I can do it correctly, our grand total as of now is.... 2,597!! My heart is elated and I can only thank my Father for this as it is all for His glory! The telling is the easy part... the asking is the hard part :) If you can donate anything, 1, 5, 10, 20, 100, or more, please partner with us on this journey to Istra, Russia by giving what you can :)
I know that the total will be met for each of the seven of the members and I am excited to see how God does it :) One way or another, Russia here we come!
The hard part of this is that it is a necessity of missions but the most amazing part is that God is in complete control! When I first brought this trip idea up to Kelly, I had no idea what I was getting into but I simply knew that God was telling me plain and simple, "Say yes, trust Me." Then the time came to talk about how much it would cost; we talked about the budget. Through that conversation, I realized a couple of things: 1) I have no idea about the administration part of this 2) I am so glad that Kelly is going with us ((he has been in Russia for about 10 years, missions for 15)) 3) the price was apparently "good" and 4) God has this. The price was looking at $2,642.50 for about 15 days sometime in July. This is what I advertized for when looking for a team.
After some really great interviews, I had my team ((so I thought, as explained in previous entry)) but then I had another budget meeting with Kelly and found out that the team has to pay for the way of the staff leader who goes with us, and because of the small size we were, the price jumped to an estimated $3,300. this was a large jump and flexible stretch for the team but we dutifully sent out support letters early on trusting in God's plan for this trip and our lives.
Sense then, I get to have the opportunity to tell you a wonderful miracle has happened! Once day I was called into a meeting with Kelly and he informed me there was an anonymous supporter who said they would pay his way! This meant that our price was dropped back down to 2,642! I can honestly tell you I was close to tears as Kelly told me this ((And I don't normally do that)). I was reminded how God is good and if He wants us to go, He will create a way. But wait... there's more!
We bought tickets this last weekend and I was worried ((silly me)) that the price was going to be more then the estimated $1,600 we budgeted but instead, when Kelly called me on my break, I got the wonderful news that our tickets were actually $1,555! I know it's not much but I will take the 45 dollars off as a great gift from God.
Soooo if you can do the math, and if I can do it correctly, our grand total as of now is.... 2,597!! My heart is elated and I can only thank my Father for this as it is all for His glory! The telling is the easy part... the asking is the hard part :) If you can donate anything, 1, 5, 10, 20, 100, or more, please partner with us on this journey to Istra, Russia by giving what you can :)
I know that the total will be met for each of the seven of the members and I am excited to see how God does it :) One way or another, Russia here we come!
