So after a week of slowly raising money, I'm up to about $200. Not much, but it's a start. I have a loooooong way to go still, but I'm trusting that God will get me there. I talked with the pastor at Timberline Old Town in Fort Collins (Everyday Joe's Coffee House) and it also sounds like I will get partially sponsored by them there! So that's great news.
I just got in to Chicago today with my big sis so for the next month and a half, I will be here in Libertyville, IL. with family and trying to raise money here. Thanks to Katie P. in France, Kimberly (Emily's roommate!), and Monica G. for your help. I can't express my gratitude for your financial support and I am so excited about what's to come!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Copy of my Mission Letter and ways to help me!
Dear friends and family,
As many of you may already know, I graduated from Colorado State University in December with a degree in Technical Journalism. My goal is to be a broadcast television reporter for a major news organization. However, now that I have graduated I’m at a crossroads and I believe God is leading me to serve His kingdom in other ways rather than starting my career. This is why I am writing to you.
For the past months, I have been praying about an opportunity I have to serve in Uganda, Africa. Specifically, I have a friend who is a pastor in Uganda and he has asked me to join him in his ministry for a little while. There are several ways I will be using my time and energy to help serve Juna Amagara Ministries (JAM) (check out www.amagara.org for more information) and the Ugandan people.
· I have been asked to serve with a program called ABIDE. It is a discipleship program set up for recent high school graduates in order to strengthen their walks with Christ and gifts in ministry (check out www.amagara.org/abide.html for more information).
· I will also serve directly with JAM which was founded in 2004 with the goal of helping children orphaned because of AIDS by growing in Christ to become healthy, productive members of society.
· I will also have many chances to serve in other ways including construction, education, ministry, and using my time and energy in serving the Ugandan people. However, I won’t know some of the specifics until I am there!
God is opening up doors for me to go and I am extremely excited about this opportunity. The plan is to serve in Uganda for 5 months, starting some time in mid-March and ending next August. I need to raise $1,500 for the roundtrip airfare by December as well as $5,000 which I’d like to raise by the time I leave.
But in order to accomplish these goals, I need three things specifically from anyone that can help!
· First, I need to raise money – which means I need your money. If you have the means of supporting me financially, I would be incredibly grateful. Financial support, both one-time gifts or on-going, would allow me to live in Uganda for 5 months. Any extra funds would go directly to JAM. You can find out all the ways they use support by checking the website.
· Second, I need your prayers. I honestly believe that prayer support is worth just as much as the financial support, so please ask God for a successful and safe mission, pray for JAM, and pray for the millions of people that need help.
· Finally, I need your time. There are so many atrocities and tragedies happening right now in Africa that deserve our attention. Take the time to educate yourself on the issues and know that there are so many ways you can help.
Information regarding financial support
If you would like to be part of this mission through your financial support, you can write a check made out to Juna Amagara Ministries with a memo made out to me. JAM is a non-profit organization and any donations made are tax deductible. I ask that you would send the check to me so that I can keep track of the money raised.
You may be wondering what exactly this money will be used for. Here are the main areas where the money will be used:
· The money will be used to support my time in Uganda. I will not be financially compensated in any way for the volunteer work I am doing and JAM is a non-profit organization. This is why I need to raise money. Therefore, the finances will fund a place for me to live (including electricity, phone/internet, etc.), food for me to eat, and other necessities I may need.
· Secondly, the money will be used to support JAM. As stated before, JAM is very involved with the community (there is lots of info on their website) and is non-profit organization based out of Glenview, Illinois. The money is used to support the church, its pastors, the AIDS orphans, and many other activities that the church is involved in.
Envelopes are enclosed for your convenience. Again, all contributions are tax deductible.
Once again, while money is important, I want to again ask you for your prayer support. This will be a very difficult and challenging mission and I need God, Jesus Christ, and my friends and family backing me in every way possible.
I have also set up an email account to send out updates and news. You can email me at Matt2Uganda@gmail.com. Also, I have set up a blog (an online journal that I will update with information about my mission) which you can find at Many of you are already added to my addresses under that account, but if you aren’t then just send me an email and I will add you! Thank you so much for your help in anyway you can provide!
In Christ,
Matthew Wedell <><
Matthew 28: 16-20
Address:
Matthew Wedell
516 s. Garfield Ave.
Libertyville, IL. 60048
Cell: 773-320-3201
Home: 847-362-2239
As many of you may already know, I graduated from Colorado State University in December with a degree in Technical Journalism. My goal is to be a broadcast television reporter for a major news organization. However, now that I have graduated I’m at a crossroads and I believe God is leading me to serve His kingdom in other ways rather than starting my career. This is why I am writing to you.
For the past months, I have been praying about an opportunity I have to serve in Uganda, Africa. Specifically, I have a friend who is a pastor in Uganda and he has asked me to join him in his ministry for a little while. There are several ways I will be using my time and energy to help serve Juna Amagara Ministries (JAM) (check out www.amagara.org for more information) and the Ugandan people.
· I have been asked to serve with a program called ABIDE. It is a discipleship program set up for recent high school graduates in order to strengthen their walks with Christ and gifts in ministry (check out www.amagara.org/abide.html for more information).
· I will also serve directly with JAM which was founded in 2004 with the goal of helping children orphaned because of AIDS by growing in Christ to become healthy, productive members of society.
· I will also have many chances to serve in other ways including construction, education, ministry, and using my time and energy in serving the Ugandan people. However, I won’t know some of the specifics until I am there!
God is opening up doors for me to go and I am extremely excited about this opportunity. The plan is to serve in Uganda for 5 months, starting some time in mid-March and ending next August. I need to raise $1,500 for the roundtrip airfare by December as well as $5,000 which I’d like to raise by the time I leave.
But in order to accomplish these goals, I need three things specifically from anyone that can help!
· First, I need to raise money – which means I need your money. If you have the means of supporting me financially, I would be incredibly grateful. Financial support, both one-time gifts or on-going, would allow me to live in Uganda for 5 months. Any extra funds would go directly to JAM. You can find out all the ways they use support by checking the website.
· Second, I need your prayers. I honestly believe that prayer support is worth just as much as the financial support, so please ask God for a successful and safe mission, pray for JAM, and pray for the millions of people that need help.
· Finally, I need your time. There are so many atrocities and tragedies happening right now in Africa that deserve our attention. Take the time to educate yourself on the issues and know that there are so many ways you can help.
Information regarding financial support
If you would like to be part of this mission through your financial support, you can write a check made out to Juna Amagara Ministries with a memo made out to me. JAM is a non-profit organization and any donations made are tax deductible. I ask that you would send the check to me so that I can keep track of the money raised.
You may be wondering what exactly this money will be used for. Here are the main areas where the money will be used:
· The money will be used to support my time in Uganda. I will not be financially compensated in any way for the volunteer work I am doing and JAM is a non-profit organization. This is why I need to raise money. Therefore, the finances will fund a place for me to live (including electricity, phone/internet, etc.), food for me to eat, and other necessities I may need.
· Secondly, the money will be used to support JAM. As stated before, JAM is very involved with the community (there is lots of info on their website) and is non-profit organization based out of Glenview, Illinois. The money is used to support the church, its pastors, the AIDS orphans, and many other activities that the church is involved in.
Envelopes are enclosed for your convenience. Again, all contributions are tax deductible.
Once again, while money is important, I want to again ask you for your prayer support. This will be a very difficult and challenging mission and I need God, Jesus Christ, and my friends and family backing me in every way possible.
I have also set up an email account to send out updates and news. You can email me at Matt2Uganda@gmail.com. Also, I have set up a blog (an online journal that I will update with information about my mission) which you can find at Many of you are already added to my addresses under that account, but if you aren’t then just send me an email and I will add you! Thank you so much for your help in anyway you can provide!
In Christ,
Matthew Wedell <><
Matthew 28: 16-20
Address:
Matthew Wedell
516 s. Garfield Ave.
Libertyville, IL. 60048
Cell: 773-320-3201
Home: 847-362-2239
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