We're up to $2300 in one-time donations and $780 in monthly support!! Wow God is so good to us! And family and friends too :)
We have 3 churches scheduled in August, please help us pray that these go well and Joel has a good message for everyone at church that day. It's great to get a chance to go to different churches, even different denominations, and be able to share what God is doing in our lives! Because the church is the body of Christ, not a building :) (Ephesians 1:23)
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
Support update 7/8/13
Just wanted to give a support update, we are still at $580 for monthly support, but we are up to $2000 in one-time donations!!! A special thanks to Country Bible Church where Joel spoke 2 Sundays ago, they were so generous to us! So we're about half way with the monthly support and almost have enough for plane tickets and our health insurance, it's exciting :)
Monday, June 24, 2013
Top 10 reasons we need to get to Belize soon
I received this message from the missionaries in Belize the other day:
We have a top 10 list of reasons why you should get here soon. Ready?
10. Because your sister's wedding is over.
9. To encourage the current missionaries residing at the base.
8. So Sage and Avi can be friends.
7. To assist with general upkeep at the base.
6. To help build a new concrete shed for batteries.
5. To support discipleship in Gales Point.
4. To help current missionaries survive a team of 19 teenagers!!!
3. To help current missionaries survive one team leaving and and another team arriving THE SAME DAY!!!
2.. To assist with concrete foundation for Pastor Kenny's house.
And the number 1 reason you need to arrive soon is...
1. So Joel can repair the backhoe to repair the mission driveway!!
Can you help us get there??!?
We have a top 10 list of reasons why you should get here soon. Ready?
10. Because your sister's wedding is over.
9. To encourage the current missionaries residing at the base.
8. So Sage and Avi can be friends.
7. To assist with general upkeep at the base.
6. To help build a new concrete shed for batteries.
5. To support discipleship in Gales Point.
4. To help current missionaries survive a team of 19 teenagers!!!
3. To help current missionaries survive one team leaving and and another team arriving THE SAME DAY!!!
2.. To assist with concrete foundation for Pastor Kenny's house.
And the number 1 reason you need to arrive soon is...
1. So Joel can repair the backhoe to repair the mission driveway!!
Can you help us get there??!?
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Support update
We wanted to update on how the support raising was going. So far we have $500.00 a month - almost half way! We are SO thankful for everyone who has committed to help us, and those who have sent one-time donations. This process of asking for money is so humbling I can't even describe it.
We also wanted to let you know it is now easier to donate - by using the 'Donate' button you see on the right of our blog! AND you can now set it up to withdraw monthly from your account if you wish. Of course you can also send a check, we just thought this would be a lot easier.
As far as preparing for our move we have been getting ready as much as we can - going to rummage sales and ordering things online. It's hard to know what to get and also hard to think about downsizing to 6 suitcases lol. But it's also really exciting thinking about being free. If there is a need somewhere and we need to help we can just throw everything we own in suitcases and be there in no time! Nothing holding us back, I just think it will be so great :) We are still planning on having a rummage sale once we get closer to moving, and it will be by donation so definitely something to check out! We need to get rid of just about everything so it should be pretty big. If there's anything of ours you'd like in particular or someone you know of that's in need of something please let us know.
If anyone has a church that would welcome us coming to speak please let us know, we'd love to come share about our ministry and what God is doing in our lives :)
If anyone has a church that would welcome us coming to speak please let us know, we'd love to come share about our ministry and what God is doing in our lives :)
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Answering some questions
First of all I want to say thank you to everyone who has sent donations and who have committed to supporting us - you are appreciated so much!
We've had a lot of questions about support so I wanted to clear some things up.
WHEN SHOULD YOU START A MONTHLY DONATION:
If you want to support us monthly it's completely up to you if you want to start now or wait until we leave. If you do want to wait if you could let us know what your plans are so we can plan accordingly. Our total monthly costs come out to $1300 BUT there are some things we need to buy ahead of time such as plane tickets and health insurance. When we buy insurance we pay for the year ahead.
HOW TO DONATE:
There are two ways to donate. You can go to our website: jdirish.wix.com/matthew419ministries and go to the tab that says 'Support'. At the bottom of the page there is a paypal link for you to use to donate online with a credit or debit card. At this time we cannot have an automatic withdrawal taken out so if you do monthly you will have to do this every month. If it will be monthly please let us know. Also if you would like we can send you a reminder every month, I know it's hard to remember not having a bill or something in front of you!
Also you can send a check and make it out to: Interfaith Bible Fellowship
P.O. Box 27
Amberg, WI 54102
You can write 'Matthew 419 Ministries' in the subject line and also indicate if it is a one time or a monthly donation.
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO LEAVE??
Well that's kind of up to you! Our GOAL is by the end of summer. We are anxious to get there but we are also aware that the Lord makes our plans, not us. As soon as we have enough monthly and one-time donations we'll go. Right now we are preparing as much as we can so we can be ready when the time comes.
Please if you have ANY questions feel free to ask, we'd love to talk to you about all of this!
We've had a lot of questions about support so I wanted to clear some things up.
WHEN SHOULD YOU START A MONTHLY DONATION:
If you want to support us monthly it's completely up to you if you want to start now or wait until we leave. If you do want to wait if you could let us know what your plans are so we can plan accordingly. Our total monthly costs come out to $1300 BUT there are some things we need to buy ahead of time such as plane tickets and health insurance. When we buy insurance we pay for the year ahead.
HOW TO DONATE:
There are two ways to donate. You can go to our website: jdirish.wix.com/matthew419ministries and go to the tab that says 'Support'. At the bottom of the page there is a paypal link for you to use to donate online with a credit or debit card. At this time we cannot have an automatic withdrawal taken out so if you do monthly you will have to do this every month. If it will be monthly please let us know. Also if you would like we can send you a reminder every month, I know it's hard to remember not having a bill or something in front of you!
Also you can send a check and make it out to: Interfaith Bible Fellowship
P.O. Box 27
Amberg, WI 54102
You can write 'Matthew 419 Ministries' in the subject line and also indicate if it is a one time or a monthly donation.
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO LEAVE??
Well that's kind of up to you! Our GOAL is by the end of summer. We are anxious to get there but we are also aware that the Lord makes our plans, not us. As soon as we have enough monthly and one-time donations we'll go. Right now we are preparing as much as we can so we can be ready when the time comes.
Please if you have ANY questions feel free to ask, we'd love to talk to you about all of this!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
It Starts!
I know it has been awhile since we have posted, but a lot has been going on. As many of you know Joel's dad was diagnosed with cancer. We didn't want to make any big decisions until we knew more details, so everything was on hold for awhile.
Now we believe we have a clear picture and direction so we would like to share that with you. After much prayer and discussion we have decided to go ahead with our mission plans. As of this last week we officially have a sending church and a ministry account set up.
During our time in Belize and in conversations with the missionaries who are already serving there and also the owners of the mission, we feel certain this is where the Lord is leading us. The Retreat Center's mission is: "To host and direct hands-on Christian church teams, work teams, medical/dental teams, construction teams, evangelism teams and other ministry teams throughout the country of Belize, demonstrating God's love in action as we present and share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ". This is something we'd love to be a part of! Because the missions focus is on bringing in teams and all that entails, many of important maintenance needs have fallen behind. The other couple that is there now is in charge of the teams so along with that and the work it takes just to survive in such a remote location, they don't have the time or resources to do many of things that really need to be done at the base. The mission was started 13 years ago and has never had enough staff to keep up. Needless to say many things have been left in disrepair. Joel's responsibilities will include maintenance of the grounds, buildings and vehicles. Also we will be a part of directing and transporting the teams while they are there. We are also excited about the opportunities we could have serving with other missionaries who live in the village.
Our desire is to move to Belize as soon as we can to work at the mission base. We will plan on staying for at least a year. We don't have plans to move on but we will always be open to the Lord's direction. The three of us will be living in a small cabana on the mission grounds. The living conditions there are very basic. Electricity is from solar panels and rainwater is used for drinking and showers. There is a kitchen and living area we will share with the other family that is there and teams whenever they come in.
Legally we cannot work for money in Belize so we are asking our friends, family, and church for support in this. The following is a break down of what we need: $600 per month to live at the base. This includes housing, food, and transportation. $150 per month for visa's. Every 30 days all 3 of us have to apply for a visa so stay in the country until we are there long enough to apply for a work visa. $150 per month for medical insurance. We would like to budget $100 a week ($400 a month) for personal expenses such as toiletries, gas, clothing, etc. This comes out to $1,300 per month. If we can raise more than that we would like to use that money to help fund building projects in the village and at the base and anywhere else we can help out. It is not easy for us to ask for money - it is very humbling! It is also a way of stepping out in faith and knowing that God will supply all our needs.
We are humbly asking you to join us in God's work by supporting us first of all with prayer, but also with either a one time donation or a monthly commitment. With the economy being how it is we will need everyone's help, not just churches for support. Thank you so much for considering helping on our journey!
Ways to support us:
Checks can be mailed and made out to: Interfaith Bible Fellowship
P.O. Box 27
Amberg, WI 54102
'matthew419ministries' in the subject line.
Via paypal on our (new!) website: jdirish.wix.com/matthew419ministries (I know it's long but hey, it's free!)
If you would please indicate if it is a one-time or monthly donation, this will help us with our budget.
God bless!
Now we believe we have a clear picture and direction so we would like to share that with you. After much prayer and discussion we have decided to go ahead with our mission plans. As of this last week we officially have a sending church and a ministry account set up.
During our time in Belize and in conversations with the missionaries who are already serving there and also the owners of the mission, we feel certain this is where the Lord is leading us. The Retreat Center's mission is: "To host and direct hands-on Christian church teams, work teams, medical/dental teams, construction teams, evangelism teams and other ministry teams throughout the country of Belize, demonstrating God's love in action as we present and share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ". This is something we'd love to be a part of! Because the missions focus is on bringing in teams and all that entails, many of important maintenance needs have fallen behind. The other couple that is there now is in charge of the teams so along with that and the work it takes just to survive in such a remote location, they don't have the time or resources to do many of things that really need to be done at the base. The mission was started 13 years ago and has never had enough staff to keep up. Needless to say many things have been left in disrepair. Joel's responsibilities will include maintenance of the grounds, buildings and vehicles. Also we will be a part of directing and transporting the teams while they are there. We are also excited about the opportunities we could have serving with other missionaries who live in the village.
Our desire is to move to Belize as soon as we can to work at the mission base. We will plan on staying for at least a year. We don't have plans to move on but we will always be open to the Lord's direction. The three of us will be living in a small cabana on the mission grounds. The living conditions there are very basic. Electricity is from solar panels and rainwater is used for drinking and showers. There is a kitchen and living area we will share with the other family that is there and teams whenever they come in.
Legally we cannot work for money in Belize so we are asking our friends, family, and church for support in this. The following is a break down of what we need: $600 per month to live at the base. This includes housing, food, and transportation. $150 per month for visa's. Every 30 days all 3 of us have to apply for a visa so stay in the country until we are there long enough to apply for a work visa. $150 per month for medical insurance. We would like to budget $100 a week ($400 a month) for personal expenses such as toiletries, gas, clothing, etc. This comes out to $1,300 per month. If we can raise more than that we would like to use that money to help fund building projects in the village and at the base and anywhere else we can help out. It is not easy for us to ask for money - it is very humbling! It is also a way of stepping out in faith and knowing that God will supply all our needs.
We are humbly asking you to join us in God's work by supporting us first of all with prayer, but also with either a one time donation or a monthly commitment. With the economy being how it is we will need everyone's help, not just churches for support. Thank you so much for considering helping on our journey!
Ways to support us:
Checks can be mailed and made out to: Interfaith Bible Fellowship
P.O. Box 27
Amberg, WI 54102
'matthew419ministries' in the subject line.
Via paypal on our (new!) website: jdirish.wix.com/matthew419ministries (I know it's long but hey, it's free!)
If you would please indicate if it is a one-time or monthly donation, this will help us with our budget.
God bless!
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