Yup, here it is. you had to know it was coming. the dreaded plea for support. With the holiday season right around the corner and the financial deadline soon approaching (Dec 1st), it's 'now or never' for that pesky 'final push' blog. And since 'never' entails me going home, we're gonna have to go with 'now.'
If I were home right now, you would perhaps be considering sending me a card for my birthday, no? That's like what, $2.99 for a card? plus postage. let's just call it 5 bucks. well, since sending a birthday card to Albania isn't feasable, perhaps you might instead consider donating that $5 to my world race account. Not so much as to hurt your Christmas budget, but enough to change someone's life. And lives are being changed. certainly mine, but so many others as well.
but maybe you've already been ridiculously generous, as so many of you have. first, let me, once again, inadequately try to express my gratitude. You are, simply, AMAZING. That coffee you had to forgo in order to donate to this mission… that coffee put a roof on a church in Equador. That shirt you passed over in the store… that shirt put food in the belly of the nice family that allowed me to stay in their home in Peru. That movie you redboxed instead of seeing in the theater… that movie gave hugs and kisses to 17 children in an orphange in Bolivia. and that dinner with friends you skipped out on… that dinner allowed me to share the gospel with college students in Albania. 7 men and women have accepted Christ since we've been privaleged to be here. 7 more lost children have found their way Home. So, from all of them, I thank you.
And secondly, I ask you to contemplate your roladex (do people still use roladexes?) and prayerfully consider sharing my blog with your family and friends. Maybe they love travel and will be inspired to visit one of the countries I've had the opportunity to go to. Maybe they love the written word and will decide to start a blog of their own. Maybe they will see my financial need and feel called to donate. Or maybe they have a heart for children and would love to give Christmas presents to the orphanage in Bolivia. or maybe, just maybe, they'll feel called to a mission of their own. Maybe this gift of sharing will be the best present you give this season. Maybe.
Well… that's it. The dreaded financial plea is done. You've survived it. Thanks for sticking it through. And thanks, so very much, for the gift of listening (reading). I've said it before, and I'll say it again (because all good things bear repeating)… Knowing that you are here, reading my blogs, sticking with me country by country… it means so very, very much to me. It's the best gift ever. It's love.
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TOTAL NEEDED: $15,500
RAISED: $11,704.26
PLEDGED (monthly supporters): $2,000
REMAINING: $1,795.74
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P.S. speaking of greeting cards…
can I just share how much they mean to me? I LOVE them. Seriously. I could like, live in a stationary store. Papyrus, how I long for thee. I have 2 boxes (not one, but 2) of cards dating from around high school (that's like 10 years, in case you've forgotten how ridiculously old i've gotten) to present. If you have written me a card with any kind of hand written message in it during that time period, chances are I have it. and occasionally take it out and look at it. and maybe cry. or laugh. depending. go ahead. test me.
