Send the Udys on a pilgrimage to California! (Next week!)

Hello dear friends of the Udys!

**Update: Wow, we are so nearly there! Thank you all SO much. If we are able to raise more than the goal amount, this will be given to support family practical needs in coming months, eg emergency childcare for Eliza during hospital appointments, after school and holiday clubs to help with the boys as needed, special food and supplements for Lizzie, physio appointments, as well as things like family outings to bring joy! **

As you will know, dear Lizzie and Ben have been courageously walking through an extended season of health challenges - Lizzie fighting cancer, and Ben with long term impact of a head injury, both impacting their daily family life significantly. We love them so much, and I know so many dear friends are holding them in faith and prayer at this time.

This week they began praying about a spontaneous idea, to take a pilgrimage to a church in California (Bethel), to receive prayer and attend a conference which coincides with the children's half term. Lizzie has energy, and has had a desire to go away and make fun memories with family, but more importantly than that, they have been praying and fasting and asking God for confirmations, and have felt God confirm it is right for them to take the step of faith, to take their family and go together to seek God and receive prayer. They would like go for ten days, in order to go for prayer at the healing rooms twice, to church and to the conference in the middle, and the kids can go to a midweek children's gathering as well.

Travelling with three children is not for the faint of heart, with much planning and thought, on a good and healthy day! Let alone with health challenges and short notice (the children are 1, 4 and 6). But they feel it is right, and it is God's leading, despite being a great stretch of faith for them. So we are asking for your help.

We know they are so very loved and held and supported by so many dear friends. And we wonder if you would mind helping them go?

Due to their health needs, travel insurance for Lizzie alone will cost £3015. Flights are comparatively inexpensive, due to the time of year, but still it is alot to pay with no notice.

We would love to see them thoroughly blessed, and able to have a prayerful but also restful time away together, without worrying about expense or logistics. We have people ready to help with all the travel logistics, to help make it easy for them, but we are praying God helps cover all the financial needs.

We estimate the trip will cost a minimum of £12,364, possibly more, as per the breakdown below. This could change as flights etc will change all the time. We would like to raise enough for someone to fly with them to also help with the children, so they can truly receive when they are having ministry. My dream, would be they have money to cover anything fun they'd love too, including ice creams with the kids, meals out, petrol, so they are truly just blessed more than they can imagine.

Here is a rough idea of estimated costs:

Flights and rental car £4245 (for Ben, Lizzie and the 3 children, and someone to help with kids)

Visa/ESTAs £101

Airbnb, house £2352.32

Lizzie’s travel insurance £3014.72

Family travel insurance tbc £287.22

Conference tickets £247.45

Rental car for person to help with kids £264.89

Premier inn near Heathrow £165.98

Airport Parking £245.70

Travel practical items £282

Buying /Rental US legal car seats 3x85 = £255 (hoping to borrow)

Kids travel items £150 tbc (borrowing wherever possible)

Dollars for family expenses in USA £400, if we have it, for incidental costs such as petrol, meals out, ice cream etc, family fun!

Could you help send the Udys on a pilgrimage?

Lets shower them with love and affection!

PS We are organising this on their behalf, to minimise as much admin and stress for them as possible. We (their family) want it to be pure joy, blessing and fun for them. So if you have any questions or suggestions about any of this, please do feel free to contact Giles, Sheila or Philly.