Tuition

Dear friends, 

I know many of you know the Hajaj family and have been blessed by Pastor Hajaj's ministry (as have I).  Their eldest daughter, Joyce, graduated high school from Berrien Springs High School as an honor roll student with academic excellence.  As you know, Pastor Hajaj works for AFM and has dedicated his life for missions and in spreading the gospel particularly in working with areas in the Middle East and Africa.   The work he is doing is immense, however his salary with AFM is quite meager (to say the least) and just enough to pay for essential expenses.  The Hajaj family have been in the US for the past 3 years and very much believe in Adventist education and as much as they would have loved to send their children to our Adventist church schools, financially this was not a feasible option.  Both girls have been attending the local public high school.  Their son, Jimmy, was also attending public school (which was not without some serious challenges) but, fortunately, he was able to get sponsorship this past year and attend our Adventist church school where he has been thriving.  Joyce and her parents would LOVE for her to be able to attend one of our SDA colleges.  It makes the most sense for her to attend Andrews University where their family is based due to AFM headquarters being located here where she could live and go to school from home which would keep cost at a minimum.  College tuition at Andrews University is $29,288.  She was able to qualify for 35% deduction for tuition as well as qualified for an international student scholarship for her excellent academics.   She still has $12,000 which she would have to come up with.  Due to their visa status, she does not qualify to apply for any student loans.  Also their visa status, prohibits the rest of the family (except Pastor Hajaj) from working.  I have agreed to pay half the $12,000 towards her college tuition. This would leave a remaining balance of $6000 for tuition and books.   Some of you may not know, but Pastor Hajaj has never solicited help or aid for his family.  He has always gone on any mission or ministry trips alone as he strongly believes any funds towards mission needs to go directly towards the mission, itself, and not towards financing his family (even his wife) to accompany him on his trips (as much as he would love for her to do so).  The only exception was last year when the whole family had the wonderful opportunity to attend West Coast Korean Campmeeting.  Again, he never would have dreamed  or expected to ask the organizers to finance his family to come along as much as they would have wanted to.  However,  the West Coast Korean Campmeeting organizers (through providence) somehow found out and were able to make this happen!  The Hajaj family has told me it was truly the "trip of a lifetime" and how immensely blessed the whole family was by this experience and in forming friendships where they were so warmly welcomed and received by the  Korean American community at the campmeeting.  I know with current events taking place in the world today, that this may not be the most financially stable situation for many people.  However, if you are able and are impressed or moved in supporting Joyce's dream to be able to attend our Adventist institution of higher learning, please consider donating.  Any amount (great or small) would help in reaching the goal to achieve this dream for this young lady, who like her father has a heart for missions, and planning on pursuing a degree in medicine to work as a medical missionary.  Thank you so much and may God equally and most abundantly bless you for your support!