Serving ReachAfrica's Pastors
Donation protected
I’ve received a lot of support letters in the mail over the last 15 years. I’ve even sent a couple out myself with varying degrees of success. All I can think about this time around is wanting to do it differently... Yes I absolutely need your prayers, and yes I certainly need your money, but not all of you will be called to give so this is a no-pressure, cliché-free (I've already cut so many out you have no idea), fun-to-read, Bible-studying, gift-giving attempt at raising support…
Make sure you check out the "thank you" gifts at the end, but I want to start with the ultimate source of Truth, since as I was reading and preparing to raise support a devotional drew my attention to the building of the Tabernacle in Exodus:
- God details the need (Ex. 25:1-7)
- God tells Moses how to use the supplies (Ex 25:8-40)
- God prompts Moses to ask for the supplies (Ex. 35:4-19)
- The people give to God (Ex. 35:20-29)
- The gifts are used to glorify God by craftsmen and women whom God had gifted (Ex. 35:30-36:6)
Not a bad model, so...
The need: Our former lead-pastor and now missionary, Eric Dalrymple, is responsible for putting together a conference every two years in Africa. This conference is for the ReachAfrica pastors and missionaries who are serving with ReachGlobal, and a chance for us to invest in their families by bringing refreshment and encouragement. First, a team of us will be leading worship for the conference itself, which is where most of my time will be spent. Additionally, we love on them by pouring into their children with Vacation Bible School activities and taking them into the city for experiences.
How your support will be used: Our team of 9 will be going to Pretoria, South Africa from April 5-15. Your tax-deductible gift will go towards the airfare, food, lodging, and gifts/crafts for the children. It’s one of the best ways we can support the work Eric is doing and the people he’s working with, and I literally cannot do it without you! (see, it’s not a cliché if it’s literal…) Anything raised over and above the goal will help support others going on the trip as well as the activities for the families, so nothing goes to waste.
The ask: Okay, the part I don't enjoy... True story... I mooched off friends too much when I was younger and before I had a lot of self-awareness--perhaps now I have even swung too far to the other end of the pendulum, but the Bible teaches some will be called to give (II Cor 9:7). So listen to what I'm saying... If you don’t feel like giving, DON’T! I probably wouldn’t either…! :) Weird strategy right? This invitation is to those who DO feel like giving; that are called to give. The goal is $3000 by April 1st—and I need you!
The gift: Now you’re up! I’m literally passing the buck, just not entirely… I’ve given the first $250 gift, and I’ll continue to save and contribute as much as I’m able. You might think that should go without saying, but I felt it needed said, and now you know you’re not the only one—nobody likes going first and nobody likes being alone, so problems-solved.
Here are a few other reasons you might decide to give…
- To deduct it from your taxes—do you think it’s just a coincidence I get back on Tax Day?? Yeah it probably is, but at least you have an opportunity to get more back from Uncle Sam.
- To bring joy—the Bible tells us to give joyfully, so if you don’t find joy in giving to this cause it’s probably not for you—unless, of course, you’re working on it, and I'm willing to help you fake-it-til-you-make-it!
- To give back—maybe you’ve been blessed in the past and this is an opportunity to “pay it forward” by blessing someone else—if I have to be a recipient of that I guess I can take one for the team... and I’ll also do my best to keep it going!
- But for most of you, you simply have regrets about quitting piano lessons or some other instrument at an early age, and this is your only way to live vicariously as a musician—glad I can be of service to you.
The glory: The best part! In I Chronicles giving to His kingdom brings glory to God—that’s again where you fit in! And just like the craftsmen and women in Exodus, God has gifted me with the two things needed for this trip: musical abilities, and a sense of humor that appeals to 10-year-olds. I recognize these are from Him and I feel explicitly called to continue being obedient in South Africa these 11 days. Please pray I would get out of the way and His name would be glorified!
Have you enjoyed this? I hope giving is as simple for you as possible… but what if you don’t know how much to give? If any of you are familiar with my occupation and what our company does, then you might know I’ll be bringing home some goodies as my way of saying “Thank you!” for your generosity and support… Please check out the levels on the side of this page if you're interested in experiencing a part of South Africa with me!
Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts! I appreciate you, and everything helps!
Make sure you check out the "thank you" gifts at the end, but I want to start with the ultimate source of Truth, since as I was reading and preparing to raise support a devotional drew my attention to the building of the Tabernacle in Exodus:
- God details the need (Ex. 25:1-7)
- God tells Moses how to use the supplies (Ex 25:8-40)
- God prompts Moses to ask for the supplies (Ex. 35:4-19)
- The people give to God (Ex. 35:20-29)
- The gifts are used to glorify God by craftsmen and women whom God had gifted (Ex. 35:30-36:6)
Not a bad model, so...
The need: Our former lead-pastor and now missionary, Eric Dalrymple, is responsible for putting together a conference every two years in Africa. This conference is for the ReachAfrica pastors and missionaries who are serving with ReachGlobal, and a chance for us to invest in their families by bringing refreshment and encouragement. First, a team of us will be leading worship for the conference itself, which is where most of my time will be spent. Additionally, we love on them by pouring into their children with Vacation Bible School activities and taking them into the city for experiences.
How your support will be used: Our team of 9 will be going to Pretoria, South Africa from April 5-15. Your tax-deductible gift will go towards the airfare, food, lodging, and gifts/crafts for the children. It’s one of the best ways we can support the work Eric is doing and the people he’s working with, and I literally cannot do it without you! (see, it’s not a cliché if it’s literal…) Anything raised over and above the goal will help support others going on the trip as well as the activities for the families, so nothing goes to waste.
The ask: Okay, the part I don't enjoy... True story... I mooched off friends too much when I was younger and before I had a lot of self-awareness--perhaps now I have even swung too far to the other end of the pendulum, but the Bible teaches some will be called to give (II Cor 9:7). So listen to what I'm saying... If you don’t feel like giving, DON’T! I probably wouldn’t either…! :) Weird strategy right? This invitation is to those who DO feel like giving; that are called to give. The goal is $3000 by April 1st—and I need you!
The gift: Now you’re up! I’m literally passing the buck, just not entirely… I’ve given the first $250 gift, and I’ll continue to save and contribute as much as I’m able. You might think that should go without saying, but I felt it needed said, and now you know you’re not the only one—nobody likes going first and nobody likes being alone, so problems-solved.
Here are a few other reasons you might decide to give…
- To deduct it from your taxes—do you think it’s just a coincidence I get back on Tax Day?? Yeah it probably is, but at least you have an opportunity to get more back from Uncle Sam.
- To bring joy—the Bible tells us to give joyfully, so if you don’t find joy in giving to this cause it’s probably not for you—unless, of course, you’re working on it, and I'm willing to help you fake-it-til-you-make-it!
- To give back—maybe you’ve been blessed in the past and this is an opportunity to “pay it forward” by blessing someone else—if I have to be a recipient of that I guess I can take one for the team... and I’ll also do my best to keep it going!
- But for most of you, you simply have regrets about quitting piano lessons or some other instrument at an early age, and this is your only way to live vicariously as a musician—glad I can be of service to you.
The glory: The best part! In I Chronicles giving to His kingdom brings glory to God—that’s again where you fit in! And just like the craftsmen and women in Exodus, God has gifted me with the two things needed for this trip: musical abilities, and a sense of humor that appeals to 10-year-olds. I recognize these are from Him and I feel explicitly called to continue being obedient in South Africa these 11 days. Please pray I would get out of the way and His name would be glorified!
Have you enjoyed this? I hope giving is as simple for you as possible… but what if you don’t know how much to give? If any of you are familiar with my occupation and what our company does, then you might know I’ll be bringing home some goodies as my way of saying “Thank you!” for your generosity and support… Please check out the levels on the side of this page if you're interested in experiencing a part of South Africa with me!
Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts! I appreciate you, and everything helps!
Organizer
Carlin Davidson
Organizer
Phoenix, AZ
