I just recently got accepted to a mission program for this summer! This is something that I've been waiting on for years. I first received my call to missions at the age of 7 at Ridgway First Baptist Church during VBS, but it has taken me so many years to finally see God begin to make this vision realized. Really excited about it, praying it will finally be that break I need. However, it's in Seoul, Korea. And I would be gone for a month. Given my current income and expenses, I cannot make it there on my own.
I've started putting out the call to people to help me out, both with prayer and financially. I'm praying that you can also be able to support me in both areas.
Right now I'm looking at uphill battles with airfare costing an exorbitant amount right now. That is my main concern. Currently, the cheapest I can fly there is around $1800. The program where I will be working says that they will be able to help with housing, so I will not have to pay for any lodging while I'm there.
I will also be responsible for my meals and transportation. I was over there a week last year, and spent around $40-$50 on transportation alone. However, that was with many buses, and mainly doing tourist stuff, and one long trip outside of Seoul, so that could be less weekly than I experienced. I would estimate $20 minimum. So that factors to about $100, or $200 if you take my very liberal first estimate. Food can be expensive over there, but I should honestly be fine with around $500, however, I'm honestly not sure. So all total, I'm needing around $2500 for this trip, and currently only have $250 pledged at this point.
I'm also not even factoring in the $500 I will need for rent on my apartment while I'm away so that I'm not evicted, but I can save that much for at least that. I will be shutting off any utilities I will not need while I'm away, such as cell phone, internet, and etc. to save money.
A little more about the mission I will be doing. I will be working with an organization called Durihana, which is an organization that helps North Korean refugees reach South Korea and obtain refugee status there. Once there, they are helped by the organization to obtain life skills necessary to operate and work in a modern society, and teach them various skills to find work and start a new life in South Korea, as well as teaching them the Gospel. What I will be doing is working with these refugees, teaching them English, teaching them the Gospel, and just reflecting Christ through my service and attitude there.
I will also be looking for various other opportunities to serve once there, but that will be my primary focus while I'm there.
I'm honestly praying that you can find a desire to help me out with this trip, through finances, prayer, advice, and anything else you can give me. How can you help financially? Well, I will be willing to receive cash, check or Paypal, as I am having to book everything on my own. Durihana is taking care of everything once I arrive, but they are not in charge of my fundraising efforts or booking.
So yes, all of the donations will go to me, in which I will use to book and pay for everything on this trip. Anything leftover at the end of trip would be donated to Durihana. If for some reason, I cannot go, all of your donations will be refunded.
You can donate via Paypal via the widget at the top-right side of my blog. This will help me keep track of my funds. If you are viewing this via Facebook, you may visit this link to donate, or you may also, if you cannot get it to load, message me for my Paypal address.
I could also use donated frequent flyer miles if you have them, especially through Delta, as Delta/Korean Air are my cheapest options at this point (and one where I actually already have miles stored). If you have any further questions, please feel free to let me know through here, by sending me messages on Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter, or by catching up with me at church. And also, the organization's website is http://www.durihana.net/, if you would like to know more about them.
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