September News

September 2007

Greetings


Sometimes life has disappointments, sometimes victories. We've seen our share of both the positive and negative in these past months as it is a bittersweet journey to our goal of ministering and living in Ireland.

One of the sweet victories is the success of a fundraising banquet. The more than 50 friends and acquaintances attending were invited to hear our heart and partner with us financially. One of our financially supportive friends agreed to match up to $2,000 for every dollar we raised during the event. We were blessed to raise above the match amount, but even more to deepen relationships both old and new. People who knew of us but not exactly what we are doing definitely gained perspective during the event.

Another joy was reuniting with many of our friends, most of which we haven't seen since our wedding, at a gathering this past weekend. This group of people is very dear to us, as we have invested in each other to such a degree that we can pick up wherever and whenever we left off. Nearly all of these friends are or have been missionaries or partaken in missions trips at one time in their lives, so we easily relate. Our time with them left us encouraged and refreshed, ready for more of what lies ahead.

"What if God could not manage to mature your life without suffering?" (Streams in the Desert devotional, August 28)

Our goal had been to be in Galway by the start of September of this year, however, we are moving our launch date to January 2008. The delay may not seem like suffering, but it is a trial. Nobody likes to have their expectations delayed--that leaves time for doubt, patience-testing, stress, and on. However, we are holding on to what God has given us. Yes, we are disappointed and maybe a little frustrated, but in the mean time, He must have something else to develop in our character and lives that we can have a greater impact once in Ireland. This means fighting through any doubt and disappointment into deeper maturity. Please pray that we will continue to seek relentlessly after God and remain faithful to this calling on our lives to minister to the youth of Ireland.

We realize this news may be as hard for some of you faithful partners to hear as it is for us to say. The truth of the matter is that we are not fully funded yet, and to minister with Youth For Christ in Ireland, we need to have both our monthly salary and our launch funding 100% raised. What determines how much we have to raise? We hear this question a lot. Basically our $50,828 launch fund is money that goes toward our airfare to Ireland, travel expenses to the locations we visit to fundraise now, our first month's rent so we can just worry about unpacking and adjusting, shipping our personal items to Ireland (which is cheaper than buying new), a car once we are in Ireland, training to prepare us to minister before we leave, a digital camera to help keep supporters updated, etc. Currently we have raised $15,730, roughly 30% of our launch budget. Your monthly donations cover many of the life expenses that your own paycheck does: Rent/mortgage payment, food, utilities, savings, tithe, retirement, health and car insurance, clothing, and any other costs of daily living. Why does our budget still seem high? Plain and simple, the exchange rate and cost of living. One Euro (the Irish 'dollar') is roughly equal to an average of 1.5 United States dollars. Our monthly budget is $6,628, and we have raised 28% in pledges toward this amount.

For those of you who are faithfully and sacrificially giving of your time in prayer and finances already: Thank you. You have both blessed and humbled us. For those of you who have not yet committed to us in a spiritual or financial partnership, would you consider doing so now? Giving to our mission of ministering to the youth of Ireland means you get to be a part of impacting young people around the world, sharing with a cause beyond the confines of the world you know. Please consider donating a tax deductible gift of one time or monthly support today. Also, we would love to hear from you about any questions, concerns, or prayer requests you may have. Partnership is not a one way street and we would appreciate sharing in your lives as you do in ours. Let us suffer and grow together that we may be tempered and mature.

In Him,

Kevin & Maureen