Mission Trip to Albania

My name is Kristen and below is my letter on the my need to raise money for a missions trip. This will be my first time out of the country and my first missions.  I have raised $1600.00 already and just need this last part. 
Arizona is now the place I call home, although I do miss my green and wet State of Washington. For this season in my life the land of sand and sun is where I find myself. Last year, I graduated with my BS in environmental science and currently I am working on my MA in education.    For almost seven years I have been attending Via Church and have established a wonderful church family that I cherish.  I am part of the kids ministry called the Family Experience, where I get to use my acting gift and become a  recurring character every other week and teach lessons surrounding the Word of God.  I absolutely love being part of the lives of the kids and their parents and watching them grow in their faith.  
The reason for this letter is to provide you the opportunity to partner with me in one of my endeavors. I have the great opportunity to help spread the message of the Gospel in Albania by participating in one of our church’s mission trips as we partner with One Hope to distribute the Book of Hope and help plant an indigenous church. Albania, a former Soviet state that threw off the oppression of Communism in 1991, is one of the five poorest nations in Europe. Under the Communist regime, all religion and religious observation was outlawed, leaving Albania a largely Atheistic nation. Of those practicing religion in Albania currently, approximately 70% are Muslim, 21% Orthodox, 9% Catholic, with less than 1% being Evangelical Christians. Currently, Albania is the only “Muslim” European nation; although still not a member of the European Union (EU).

I write to ask that you cover me with prayer for the trip.   I am also seeking financial support to help offset the costs of the trip. The total cost for the 10-day trip is estimated at $3,200.00. Per the payment schedule, I am required to make a ~$450 payment every two weeks or so, such that the last and final payment will be due in September. The trip itself is from October 10th thru 19th 2016.   Any assistance and support you could provide is greatly appreciated.

If you are inclined or positioned in such a way as to be able to help with the costs of the trip, and, if after prayerful consideration you wish to provide funds to help, please send any donations to this account

I have been truly blessed in my life. I am thankful everyday to have a steady source of income at the wonderful company I work for and a wonderful church family who has taken me on and become my surrogate family here in AZ.   

I am excited for this great opportunity to help the underprivileged and needy people of Albania discover and learn about the saving grace of our God. This will be my first experience ever on a missions trip and I'm nervous as well as excited to be used by God in this way. With your help and prayers, I truly believe we can all be the salt and the light of the Earth and make a significant difference in the lives of those who hear the good news of the Gospel and our Salvation. Blessings to all of you.


Love, Kristen