My Village

Have you heard the phrase, “It takes a village.”?  I’ve been seeing first hand what this saying truly means.  I often hear Dorris Fortson, founder and director of Neema Village, say, “It really does take a village to raise all of these children.” Neema Village is made up of forty-five Tanzanian staff, a team of five missionaries, and all of the wonderful groups of short-term volunteers who come from all over the world to serve at Neema. That’s a pretty big village.  Back home, I have also seen a village of people come alongside the college pastors from my home church as they have worked tirelessly over the last year and a half to adopt a sweetie little babe from Ethiopia. Whether in Africa or in America, God didn’t intend for us to do life alone. To get just about anything done now a days, it really does take a village.

A couple months ago, I was speaking at the Worden Open Bible Church. After I gave my PowerPoint presentation on Neema and the work I was going to do there this summer, Pastor Rick King took up a special offering for me. He said something to the congregation that really stood out to me and it has helped me understand why I have such a hard time asking people to partner with me in regard to finances. He said most people who go into full time missions have more of a naturally giving heart than most. Because of that naturally giving heart/personality, it’s very hard for them to ask for anything. So here I am not wanting to ask for help with anything, but also living with the reality that I can’t do this alone. Simply put. I need help. I need a village.

I will be very open and truthful regarding where I stand with my finances. If you aren’t aware, I have taken an unpaid position at Neema Village as their Volunteer Coordinator and Bookkeeper. I quit two super awesome (and well paying) jobs to do this because I know this is where God wants me to be. I am humbled every day by the work I’m doing at Neema and the realization that 43 beautiful children’s lives are being directly impacted by this work.

Would you also consider being part of my village with your finances and/or prayers?

Prayer and encouragement – I am forever thankful to everyone who has prayed for me. Please keep it coming! At times it can feel very lonely being so far away from my friends and family back home. I love it when I receive uplifting words from people in the States reminding me that I haven’t been forgotten. I was blown away each time Jesus brought just the right wonderful volunteer when I needed them to get me through a lonely spot.   I’m thankful for all of the friendships, both new and old, who will help see me through this next year. Speaking of which – maybe some of you will want to come and see me in Africa?!

Financially, I have two types of expenses – recurring monthly expenses and one-time purchases. My monthly budget is set at $2,000.00 which covers things such as food, housing, clothing, insurance, internet, phone, and other unknown monthly expenses which might come up. Currently, I have $225.00 of monthly support – ONLY $1,775 to go! My general fund budget is set at $12,000 of which I have $2000.00 so far. This fund covers one time expenses or bills for things such as doctor visits, supplies I’ll need for my year in Tanzania, airplane tickets, savings, etc.

Thanks to Provisional International being part of my village and allowing me to partner with them, your donations on my behalf are tax deductible! There are two ways you can make a monthly or one-time donation through Provision International

1) Checks can be made out to Provisional International with my name in the memo line and mailed to:

Provision International

P.O. Box 81694

Billings, MT 59108

2) Online donations (one time or recurring) can be made at the Provision International website using the following instructions:

1. Go to provisioninternational.org

2. Click on “DONATE” in the upper right hand corner.
3. Enter the amount of your donation and click on “GO.”
4. Click on the drop down menu next to the dollar amount. Scroll down and click on my name.
5. If you want this to be a recurring amount click the box right under the highlighted section. Choose the frequency and start date.
6. Enter the credit card information and card holder information. Or, you can click the “Use eCheck” button and enter the bank account information.
7. Click “Submit” at the bottom of the card holder/account holder information section.

If you are able to commit to a monthly/recurring donation and you would like a reminder or coupon book, please let me know and I’ll have my stateside assistant send you one. (Thanks, mom!)

On behalf of all the at-risk, abandoned, and orphaned children who live at Neema Village, THANK YOU! Partnering with me through your finances and prayers directly touches the lives of each of these children.

Keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities to attend speaking engagements and fundraising dinners where I will be selling miscellaneous things I brought back from Africa. If you can help me spread the word about Neema Village by scheduling me to speak at your home group, bible study, church, etc., let me know. I would love to talk to as many people in person as I can over the next 7 weeks before I leave for my year in Africa and then I’ll show you more cutie pictures of babies like the one below.