First off, our family would like to thank everyone who has given up to this point whether it be spiritually in prayer or financially through donations and partnership. We had a hugely successful womanless pageant fundraiser at our church, Mission Baptist, over the weekend, and we are so grateful for the turnout. The show of support and the outpouring of giving at this event has encouraged us even further and we are so thankful for that. It looks like the total amount raised at the pageant is $8718.00!
There is an urgency in our fundraising. We plan to make the move by at least June 2015. There may be some that are curious as to what our exact financial needs are so let's cover that.
We have basically two types of financial need and they are:
1) Up Front Costs- These funds are to get us to Ethiopia and to get us established once we get there. This amount will include one way airfare for our family, a car, one year's rent, and furniture. The estimated total for this particular need is $35,700. We are currently at $17,500 or 49%.
All one-time gifts will go into this fund until we reach the $35,700. Once this amount is reached, the funds will begin to spill over into our annual operating budget.
2) Annual Operating Budget- These funds will be used to sustain our family on a monthly basis, as well as to sustain and operate the MYM ministry department, which I will be heading up. These funds will cover our annual trip home, language school for myself and Courtney, medical insurance, car insurance, car expenses, food, rent, home school materials, an emergency fund, and utilities. It also includes the entire MYM ministry department's operating budget which accounts for $6,600 of the total, which will also hire two additional Ethiopian staff members for the department. The total annual operating budget is $55,224. This breaks down to $4600/month. We are currently at $895/month in monthly partners which is approximately 19.5% of where we need to be.
All funds from MONTHLY financial partners will count towards our Annual Operating Budget. THIS IS OUR GREATEST NEED! Once we move to Ethiopia, one-time gifts will also go towards this budget.
When you are able to commit to giving monthly, we can count on those funds. We can plan and focus on ministry without worrying about where the next month's/year's budget money will come from. This allows us to focus on the MINISTRY, which is why we're going to be there, rather than constant fundraising.
These amounts may seem really high to some of you. I've even had a few people respond to me when telling them our needs by saying, "Are you serious?!! It costs that much to live in a third world country?!" Well, quite simply the answer is.....yes. Items that we consider basic or expected here in the States are considered luxuries in Ethiopia. Being a luxury, they are also usually imported and therefore they cost way more. This is especially true with cars, appliances, electronics, and certain food items.
We pray that if you're on the fence about partnering with us financially that you'll take a leap of faith and go for it! Courtney and I would never ask you to do something that we would not be willing to do or that we're not already doing. We are in the process of selling our home, and before we leave out, will sell basically everything we own. We tithe, give to different organizations, and sponsor two children in third world countries. Not once have we missed that money. This is the one area that God tells us to test Him in.
"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." Malachi 3:10
We have seen first hand that the MYM ministry model works. The lives of street boys are being transformed, and they are finding new life, salvation in Jesus Christ. Boys are being reunited with families that have counted them as dead or lost and they haven't seen in years. Families are finding dignity and community and are no longer at risk of giving up their children due to extreme poverty. This is the result of people like you who believe in what God is doing through Make Your Mark in Ethiopia. They believe in it enough that they sacrifice part of their finances. Do you believe that these transformed lives are worth the sacrifice?
Set up your giving here, designate your funds beside of "Thomas Support".
"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35
