72% with one month left

Hey everyone

Things are still moving along here in Celina with the fundraising.  We do have a few things in the works yet and are still hoping and praying that God will provide by May 13th so that we would be able to arrive in the DR by June 14th.

Our things in the works are:

> 54 support letters going out to friends of my parents (thanks Mom and Dad)
> First Mennonite Church of Berne
> Oasis Christian Fellowship in Wauseon
> Several individuals that are still praying about their contribution amount

There is most definitely 28% inside of these opportunities and we are praying that God opens peoples minds and hearts to the ministry.  This 28% means that we are down to needing just 16 people at an average of $50 a month (quite a change from 62 supporters just two months ago).

Just as a recap of the things your money will be investing in:

> An accredited education for kids who do not currently have the opportunity
> Church planting where there currently is no opportunity for being discipled
> Lives being changed through a relationship with Jesus Christ

100% of your money will go straight into these investments, no administration costs apply

Thank you so much to all of you who have decided to partner with us in this ministry!

Matthew 6: 19-20
¹⁹ “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Half Way There

We are now half way through our support raising! I checked our current percentage, & right now, we are at 54% of our monthly support. :) God has provided so much for us over the last 2 months. It is amazing to see all the different people who have chose to be a part of our ministry. We are very grateful for everyone's generosity!!

On another note, I also checked my calender yesterday & figured the time frames for our departure. We would like to fly out of Charlotte, NC on June 14th. Our things will be stored in Spartanburg, SC where Kurt's parents live, & Charlotte is one of the closest airports to that location. So... we need to have our things packed here in Ohio at least a week in advance. This means loading the U-Haul the weekend of June 3rd to give ourselves time to pack for the DR & find a storage unit for our belongings before we fly out. That means we need to have finished our jobs here in the states by the week of May 29th. Consequentially, in order to give both of our companies a 2 weeks notice, we will have to know if we've raised enough support by Monday, May 16th.

I don't know if you all noticed, but I noticed that May 16th is not that far away. Some days I think it is still possible to leave in June, & other days it seems impossible to raise another 36% in one month. But, I know God will provide, & we continue to trust He knows best. The truth is He loves us whether we leave in June, July, or August. We just know that He wants us to go to the DR to join Freedom International Ministries in building relationships with the Dominicans, reaching people for Him, & bringing glory to God.

The entire process of raising support & moving to another country has taught us many things, & we are still learning. No matter the ups & downs, we feel blessed by all the encouragement from our family & friends. I can't say enough how much it touches us to have everyone's support.

You all are the BEST!!
Katie

P.S. I attached a link to be able to donate straight from this blog. If you click on the green "Click Here" under 'Invest in Our Ministry' on the right side of the page, you'll be sent to Freedom International's donate page. I hope the link is helpful, & thanks again to everyone who has come along side of us financially!!