Mission Trip!!!

[Deena]

There is a mission and school in Fiji that nneds people to volunteer for short-term missions. A lady in our church has been there once (and also to Africa and a couple of other places), and knows of a group that is going in April.

That's the main idea. The background story is that I have always wanted to go on a mission trip with my family, but it has never worked out for us to go. It has NOT been a dream of my husband's however, and when possible opportunities have arisen, it has not been something that interested him. Also, our church just did the "40 Days of Purpose" and read Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life". In there he mentions that it is our duty as Christians to share with others. He encourages people to try to go on a short-term mission. Right after we finished reading that, this lady mentioned her mission idea to me. Right away I felt it was something I'd love my whole family to do! When I talked to my husband, HE AGREED!!! Just like that! It seems that God is leading in this, so we have committed to going whenever and wherever (even if the Fiji trip doesn't work out) God leads us in this mission adventure! There are 5 of us, plus the others who have committed to going, so we will need to be doing lots of fundraisers for us all to make it there!

Jimmie Lu and Crystal---As I read about your mission trip coming up soon (when is it again?), I never dreamed I'd be planning to definitely go on one soon also! :D :shock: We're so excited and happy about this opportunity! Here's a neat little story: My children and I were discussing the trip and fundraising, and how we would get to help others in many different ways. WIthout me saying anything about it, they offered to not get any Christmas presents so we could save the money to go on the mission!!! That thrilled me to know that they were already thinking ahead, and were willing to give up to share with the children and people there! :D

I am asking for your prayers as we plan our mission trip, and that if Fiji isn't the place now, that God would lead us to where He DOES want us to go. I know God will definitely use a group who is ready and willing, it's just a matter of when and where!

Thankyou so much, you guys are great!

[CrystalB9]

Thats awesome Deena! :D I am so excited for you. We are anxiously planning our trip with Jimmie Lu. We leave the begining of April (2005) and will be gone most of the month. The kids and I just started our second fundraiser (if you need ideas send me an e-mail). We will be doing fundraisers until we leave. I have a family of nine so we need to rent a large RV and will be driving from PA to Mexico.
We are asking family to give up Christmas shopping for us as well and donate toward our trip. Some are and there were some that didnt like that idea. Either way we are prayerful that God will make a way for us to do this mission trip.

You and your family will be in my prayers as you prepare for your mission work!!

[Jimmie Lu]

In Rod's defense you could fly. In my joy I AM SO GLAD YOU ARE DRIVING!!!!! Ok I didn't ask when you are ending the candle sale. You need to let me know and also when they are to be delivered. We will come to your house to pick up OK??? Gotta run but I will post more about our trip soon

[CrystalB9]

Rod is fine with driving - now. The kids and I are more excited because it is something we have never done before, he has. Not from PA to Mexico, but from Oregon to PA.

You can hand in your candle order to me or Heidi. I would just kind of be the middle man - which I certainly dont mind, but if you handed in your order directly to Heidi they would be delivered to your door. Then again, it would give you a reason to come to my house if they came to me.
Anyway, I am ending my candle sale in the next week or two so that they will be in for Christmas. I will probably sell them again early spring.

[HeidiPA]

Crystal & Jimmie Lu~
The company cannot "guarantee" Christmas delivery (as far as UPS and FedEx are concerned) but they have been telling us that any order received by December 13th will definitely be processed and shipped in time to reach us for Christmas. So, that will give you something to go by, as far as deciding when to turn in your orders. Me, personally, I'd feel safer getting the orders in the first week of December.

Deena~
If you're interested in doing a candle fundraiser to earn money for your mission trip, let me know. I'd be happy to help you out however I can. It's a great way to earn some extra money.

Oh, if any of your are interested~
January would be a great time to sell candles. The company is running a company-wide candle sale and all the candles will be selling for 25% off. What that means is that you would get all that extra profit on your sales!!!

My prayer is for God to richly bless all of you for your efforts and willingness to do this mission work for Him!
Heidi

[CrystalB9]

Thanks, as always Heidi! You're awesome!! :D
I was planning on handing in my orders to you the week after Thanksgiving. I dont have as many as I'd like, but with the Jan. sale I will try again then!

[Jimmie Lu]

I think Heidi and Crystal if its ok I will take my sale through Jan. Just because I will see many more people over Christmas that I know will buy from us.

Crystal I wanted to ask about the book it program stuff. If we start earning those pizza's between now and April that will be a cheep place to eat out in April right???? or wrong??? I am a little confused on how that all works. :?

Any how Deena we are going to be in Mexico April 17-23 to build a house for a needy family. if you want a few details on the missions there in Reynosa you can visit www.lgom.net to see the web site. and how we are planning expenses and all. Crystal is the budget nut (no offense) I am more like lets go!!!!! We will be doing a 3 day revival and puppet show plus street ministry. Later I will post what we are collecting as many here gave last year for Mexico and it was a big help. I Still have crayons Heidi lol!!! I am also trying to recruit people who do charity sewing to donate some afgans and stuff.
We have a team of about 13 adults and 8 kids(5 are Crystals and 3 are mine) We should plan some school type activities for the little ones who can not help at the site. Everyone will work even the little ones can help bring snacks to the work site. What a great work I can hardly wait until we are to leave.
Crystal we will probably go through Missouri I read some where the St. Louis zoo is free!!!! We will probably preach in Licking Mo. and they have a food bank and clothing ministry. I usually get great deals on kids clothes. $1 a bag some days. And they also have a day care we can do a puppet show in. We will probably preach in St. Louis also. And we were invited to stay at the Assembly of God Headquaters in Spring field on our way down. oh I am getting way off track. We will have fun but it isn't a vacation it's hard work and we take alot of oppertunities to hand out tracks and Bibles on the way.

I also think we are going to invest in 2 way radio's for in Mexico so we will have one at the kitchen area and they will have one at the work site incase anyone needs anything. This will also be useful as You and Rod tend to get lost!!!! lol!!!! just kidding!

[HeidiPA]

I will be getting new fundraiser fliers next weekend. These will have the new scents, available the beginning of January. If you want to continue your fundraiser through January, that's fine with me. However, I should send you a new flier so you're not working with scents that will be discontinued (those will be Christmas memories, Pumpkin Patch, and I'm not sure which others).
Please pm me with your address, and I'll make a note to send you a new flier as soon as they arrive.
Thanks,
Heidi

[CrystalB9]

I guess it probably would be safer to follow you and Larry!! LOL I'd say we dont normally get lost, but that wasnt the first time.

I will have to check and maybe someone here knows better then I do, but the Book It reading program is designed to have monthly goals for the kids to meet and then they are rewarded with a personal pan pizza. I have enough for my kids to get one a month, but when I looked at the expiration date they all say May 2005. So maybe we can save them and use them during the month of April. I am not sure, but I dont see why not.

Heidi - I will probably sell candles again in Jan. :wink:

[Deena]

BTW, Crystal,

Thanks for the prayers and best wishes for my trip! I wish the same for yours!!!

[CrystalB9]

Thank you Deena!!