Zech's Mission Trip to the Ivory Coast, West Africa
Hello Family &
Friends!
I have an amazing opportunity this summer to travel to the Ivory Coast, West Africa, with a seven person mission team, several of them also homeschool alumni, and one of their moms, Juli Jones, for three weeks and would appreciate your prayers and support. The Jones family served as missionaries for many years with Christian Missionary Fellowship (www.cmfi.org) and Mrs. Jones continues to work with CMF as the West Africa Partnership Facilitator. As part of her job, she leads short term trips to partner in the ministry that is being done by the Ivoirian people."¨"¨ Since my graduation last May with the Lebanon Area Homeschoolers, I've continued the higher education at Drury University I started while in high school in addition to working as a sales associate in the electronics department at Wal-Mart. I've also recently completed a lifeguard certification course in hopes of adding a second job/income. I'm planning to transfer to College of the Ozarks next year but am undecided as my major at this time.
"¨ As most of you know, I've done a lot of short term mission trips and humanitarian work here in Missouri during my jr. high, and high school years, volunteering with organizations such as the Lebanon Area Homeschoolers community service club, the Pregnancy Support Center, Lebanon, Camp David of the Ozarks, Rolla and Hope City, Kansas City as well as helping my family minister to individuals. I especially enjoyed the cross-cultural ministry in the latter two organizations. I've also participated in No Greater Love Ministry's evangelism and street ministry events during the 2010 and 2011 Indy 500's.
While
in the Ivory Coast this summer, I'll be helping at the pediatric AIDS clinic
the Mrs. Jones started as well as working with local youth involved in
abstinence and fidelity clubs through CMF's community health evangelism
ministry. I'll also be an English conversation partner with non-Christian youth
in the local high school using the Bible as a conversation tool. During the
last week our team will be in the Ivory Coast, nine doctors will be arriving
from the States to hold a cataract removal clinic and our team will be
assisting them. Thankfully, having grown up in the Ivory Coast as
missionary kids, my friends Austin Jones and Emma Jones speak fluent French.
They will act as translators, language coaches and help us understand Ivorian
customs. I took college Spanish, but I'm hoping that will help me a little
since Spanish, French and Italian have similar structures."¨
I'm honored
and excited to be a part of this mission team and would appreciate your prayers
and support. I'm looking forward to being encouraged by and encouraging
the Body of Christ in West Africa, attending church and worshiping with them as
well as seeing how they do community outreach and working alongside them.
Here
is a breakdown of my expenses:"¨
"¨
Airfare: Approx $2,000.00"¨
Yellow fever vaccines: $120.00"¨
Passport: $110.00
Visa: $150.00
So far, I have enough money for my passport and most of the vaccines but still need $2,270.00 for a visa, yellow fever vaccine and airfare. Anything you can contribute towards my first overseas mission trip, big or small, would be a HUGE blessing. If 100 people give $24.00, I'll meet my goal! "¨"¨
Finally, please pray
before you give and continue to pray for my team and I as we get everything
ready, while we're over-seas July 19th-August 11th, and when we return. Pray that
we would be compelled to act on what God put in our hearts while in Africa. You
may also contact me about mailing a check if you prefer that to an online
donation.
Thank
you and may God bless you so that you can continue to be a blessing to others!
"¨2 Corinthians 9:8-12
Zechariah Ross"¨
(417) [phone redacted]"¨
[email redacted]"¨"¨
Isaiah 43:2-3
