40x40
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Hey friend, I am so glad you're here.
First, I just want to take a second to wish you peace wherever you are at this time. I know the events in our world right now are chaotic, and sometimes even scary and sad, but I encourage you to keep the hope of Christ in your heart. Know that I am praying for you, even if I do not yet know you.
For those of you who don't know me, my name is Abby. I am a Southern California girl attending my senior year of Bible college in Northern Texas. I study worship leadership so I literally never stop singing, am a matcha latte connoisseur, will always go to any beach whenever given the opportunity and never leave the water, love a good heart to heart but can handle small talk when necessary, and I am a missionary. As many of you reading probably know, the Lord has given me the opportunity to minister in various countries throughout Europe (and last year, even into Asia), spending the majority of my time out of school overseas sharing the love of Jesus. This year, my plan was to intern for European Initiative for three months of the summer, and many of you have prayed along side me for that. I am grateful. However with the events of Covid-19, like the majority of the world, my plans were quickly changed and nearly canceled altogether.
Nearly. We're not out yet.
European Initiative has a radical mission this summer. For forty days, we will bring 40 people into Europe, split those people into 4 teams of 10+ people, and send them to the countries available to us in the North, South, East, and West. My role as an intern will be to help train those coming in, as well as help lead one of the four teams and serve people wherever we may go. We will start in one city (Lord willing, Berlin), listen to the voice of the Lord, and travel by plane, bus, or train to whichever destination the Lord has for us with only a backpack and a Bible in hand. It will be like no trip I've done before, and I have goosebumps just writing to you about it. It reminds me so much of the missionary journeys of Paul and the early church, and those missionaries completely changed the world with the love and gospel message of Jesus. I think there is no better day than today to go out and do the same. (For more information, check out the video below from our founder and pastor of European Initiative, Jeff Serio.)
As you know, many European countries have been hit HARD during this pandemic. They have suffered so much pain, loss, and grief. And I believe that now more than ever, the love of Jesus must be taken to this spiritually dead land. He must be taken to the lost, and the broken, and the questioning, and the grieving. His love is for all, and He does not miss any one individual. My only prayer is that we would be obedient to His calling, and that we would be able to serve people and show them His undeniable love wherever we may step foot.
That being said, due to the sensitivity of current travel bans, our departure date could be anywhere between June 20th and July 1st (departure) to about August 10th (return). How quickly this trip is approaching is both exhilarating and terrifying, but I am confident in the plans of the Lord. I know He has called me to Europe, and I will move forward in obedience regardless of what the situation may look like. In fact, I am excited more than anything to see what He does. This is an unprecedented time in our world, so we are taking unprecedented measures, and believing for an unprecedented move of God.
I also want to take a moment to say that I have not forgotten the pain that has been inflicted every day since March in my own nation, America. I hear the cries of my people, specifically my black brothers and sisters, and I am standing with them at this time in prayer and support. I encourage you to do the same, and pray for your role in bringing unity and equality at this time of unrest. What is it that the Lord would have you do to see our ways changed so that there is true peace for all people of all skin colors? In all things pray, pray, and pray some more that the Lord would lead and guide you. Then I encourage you, my friend, be obedient to what He says.
I have prayed, prayed, and prayed some more about this summer. Oh, how I wish I could sit you each down and tell you the ways God has made it so clear I am to act in obedience to Him and His calling for me to go to Europe. All I can say to you now is we serve a mighty God Who is in the details, and I have hope in Him that Europe will be a changed land. However, I cannot do this alone.
Here's how you can join me:
Financially, this will be no small undertaking. Currently, to buy plane tickets to Europe, it will run me anywhere between $1500-2000 depending on when we will get the "okay" for departure. And my land costs while in Europe will be anywhere between $2500-3000. Because of the nature of the trip, it's hard to set exact budgets. Just know that any money I receive will go to ministry, not simply into my own pocket. If at the end of the month there is still money leftover, that will be sown into E.I. and other ministries we connect with along the way as the Lord leads.
My deadline for the funds that I am setting is to have the full $5,000 by June 25th -- just about 3 weeks. You may think I'm crazy, and I would not blame you because I certainly feel just a little bit crazy, haha! But I am also confident in the Lord. AS I said last year, we serve a big God Who can do big things in little people like you and I. My friend, you and I were created for this very moment. We were created to be loved by God, and to show others the love of God, in whatever capacity we can. That being said, if you cannot give financially at this time, I would understand completely. Know that any (literally ANY) dollar amount helps, but you, nor I, are in charge of carrying this financial weight. The Lord is doing that even now. So my encouragement is that you ask HIM what He would have you give. I would not ask you to give any more than that, and I would advise you to also give no less -- He is in the business of giving to those who willingly steward what He gives them well.
(Fundraising goals:
- $1,500 by June 7th
- $3,000 by June 12th
- $4,500 by June 20th
- $5,000 by June 25th)
And as always, if you are not able to give financially at this time, I am not offended. I understand this is a hard time for many people, and I am not here to put a burden on you that is not yours to carry. But I would always ask if you would take even just a moment to pray with me during this time. This trip will not be easy in any way, shape, or form. I am asking you to please pray for me, for my team, and for the people of Europe. Pray that the love of Christ would be received and spread, and that we will see revival breakout. Pray that families are changed generation after generation by the hope of Jesus.
Today, my prayer over you is that you are at peace, and that you are resting in the shadow of God's wings. I pray that you are blessed in your coming and your going, in your weeping and rejoicing, and that you are witnessing the presence of God. I pray that you are obeying His Word, and following His voice. I pray that these words have encouraged you, and that you are experiencing the love of Christ deeper than ever before. And I thank God for each one of you who have taken the time to hear me out -- if you have made it this far, you have already blessed me far more than you know.
It is a good day to hope in the Lord. Will you join me?
Sincerely,
Abby Gonzalez
Pastor Jeff explaining this year's trip:
Last year's trip in Germany and Italy (SURGE 2019):
European Initiative's website:
https://www.europeaninitiative.com/
Romans 10:13-18
For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Now then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News!" But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for "their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."
First, I just want to take a second to wish you peace wherever you are at this time. I know the events in our world right now are chaotic, and sometimes even scary and sad, but I encourage you to keep the hope of Christ in your heart. Know that I am praying for you, even if I do not yet know you.
For those of you who don't know me, my name is Abby. I am a Southern California girl attending my senior year of Bible college in Northern Texas. I study worship leadership so I literally never stop singing, am a matcha latte connoisseur, will always go to any beach whenever given the opportunity and never leave the water, love a good heart to heart but can handle small talk when necessary, and I am a missionary. As many of you reading probably know, the Lord has given me the opportunity to minister in various countries throughout Europe (and last year, even into Asia), spending the majority of my time out of school overseas sharing the love of Jesus. This year, my plan was to intern for European Initiative for three months of the summer, and many of you have prayed along side me for that. I am grateful. However with the events of Covid-19, like the majority of the world, my plans were quickly changed and nearly canceled altogether.
Nearly. We're not out yet.
European Initiative has a radical mission this summer. For forty days, we will bring 40 people into Europe, split those people into 4 teams of 10+ people, and send them to the countries available to us in the North, South, East, and West. My role as an intern will be to help train those coming in, as well as help lead one of the four teams and serve people wherever we may go. We will start in one city (Lord willing, Berlin), listen to the voice of the Lord, and travel by plane, bus, or train to whichever destination the Lord has for us with only a backpack and a Bible in hand. It will be like no trip I've done before, and I have goosebumps just writing to you about it. It reminds me so much of the missionary journeys of Paul and the early church, and those missionaries completely changed the world with the love and gospel message of Jesus. I think there is no better day than today to go out and do the same. (For more information, check out the video below from our founder and pastor of European Initiative, Jeff Serio.)
As you know, many European countries have been hit HARD during this pandemic. They have suffered so much pain, loss, and grief. And I believe that now more than ever, the love of Jesus must be taken to this spiritually dead land. He must be taken to the lost, and the broken, and the questioning, and the grieving. His love is for all, and He does not miss any one individual. My only prayer is that we would be obedient to His calling, and that we would be able to serve people and show them His undeniable love wherever we may step foot.
That being said, due to the sensitivity of current travel bans, our departure date could be anywhere between June 20th and July 1st (departure) to about August 10th (return). How quickly this trip is approaching is both exhilarating and terrifying, but I am confident in the plans of the Lord. I know He has called me to Europe, and I will move forward in obedience regardless of what the situation may look like. In fact, I am excited more than anything to see what He does. This is an unprecedented time in our world, so we are taking unprecedented measures, and believing for an unprecedented move of God.
I also want to take a moment to say that I have not forgotten the pain that has been inflicted every day since March in my own nation, America. I hear the cries of my people, specifically my black brothers and sisters, and I am standing with them at this time in prayer and support. I encourage you to do the same, and pray for your role in bringing unity and equality at this time of unrest. What is it that the Lord would have you do to see our ways changed so that there is true peace for all people of all skin colors? In all things pray, pray, and pray some more that the Lord would lead and guide you. Then I encourage you, my friend, be obedient to what He says.
I have prayed, prayed, and prayed some more about this summer. Oh, how I wish I could sit you each down and tell you the ways God has made it so clear I am to act in obedience to Him and His calling for me to go to Europe. All I can say to you now is we serve a mighty God Who is in the details, and I have hope in Him that Europe will be a changed land. However, I cannot do this alone.
Here's how you can join me:
Financially, this will be no small undertaking. Currently, to buy plane tickets to Europe, it will run me anywhere between $1500-2000 depending on when we will get the "okay" for departure. And my land costs while in Europe will be anywhere between $2500-3000. Because of the nature of the trip, it's hard to set exact budgets. Just know that any money I receive will go to ministry, not simply into my own pocket. If at the end of the month there is still money leftover, that will be sown into E.I. and other ministries we connect with along the way as the Lord leads.
My deadline for the funds that I am setting is to have the full $5,000 by June 25th -- just about 3 weeks. You may think I'm crazy, and I would not blame you because I certainly feel just a little bit crazy, haha! But I am also confident in the Lord. AS I said last year, we serve a big God Who can do big things in little people like you and I. My friend, you and I were created for this very moment. We were created to be loved by God, and to show others the love of God, in whatever capacity we can. That being said, if you cannot give financially at this time, I would understand completely. Know that any (literally ANY) dollar amount helps, but you, nor I, are in charge of carrying this financial weight. The Lord is doing that even now. So my encouragement is that you ask HIM what He would have you give. I would not ask you to give any more than that, and I would advise you to also give no less -- He is in the business of giving to those who willingly steward what He gives them well.
(Fundraising goals:
- $1,500 by June 7th
- $3,000 by June 12th
- $4,500 by June 20th
- $5,000 by June 25th)
And as always, if you are not able to give financially at this time, I am not offended. I understand this is a hard time for many people, and I am not here to put a burden on you that is not yours to carry. But I would always ask if you would take even just a moment to pray with me during this time. This trip will not be easy in any way, shape, or form. I am asking you to please pray for me, for my team, and for the people of Europe. Pray that the love of Christ would be received and spread, and that we will see revival breakout. Pray that families are changed generation after generation by the hope of Jesus.
Today, my prayer over you is that you are at peace, and that you are resting in the shadow of God's wings. I pray that you are blessed in your coming and your going, in your weeping and rejoicing, and that you are witnessing the presence of God. I pray that you are obeying His Word, and following His voice. I pray that these words have encouraged you, and that you are experiencing the love of Christ deeper than ever before. And I thank God for each one of you who have taken the time to hear me out -- if you have made it this far, you have already blessed me far more than you know.
It is a good day to hope in the Lord. Will you join me?
Sincerely,
Abby Gonzalez
Pastor Jeff explaining this year's trip:
Last year's trip in Germany and Italy (SURGE 2019):
European Initiative's website:
https://www.europeaninitiative.com/
Romans 10:13-18
For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Now then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News!" But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for "their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."
Organizer
Abigail Gonzalez
Organizer
Aubrey, TX