Introduction to my trip!

Hello!

Picture a land where tens of thousands of children are without parents due to HIV/Aids. These children are deprived of food, educational opportunities and a future. In some areas, Vineyard churches are making a difference in the lives of these kids. I want to share with you a challenging ministry opportunity God has presented to me. During July 17- 31st, I will be going to Zambia with a team from Vineyard Columbus.

For the last eight years, through prayer, bible reading and involvement in local churches and campus ministries, God has really developed in me a heart for the poor and oppressed people of this world. I have been on multiple stateside mission trips to impoverished areas, most recently to New Orleans, Louisiana to help with the Hurricane Katrina recovery. Through my jobs, I have raised money for the Tsunami victims, food and money for local food banks, and toys and food for various Christmas initiatives. And on June 6, I will graduate from the Vineyard Leadership Institute, a 2 year theology program. It’s time to put what I’ve learned in class and from the Bible to work.

Our two-week trip will focus on building up the church’s response to Zambia’s lost and the least. We will be partnering with several Vineyard churches in Zambia. Our time there will be divided between multiple different ministries. We will be spending several days in the village of Kasempa, where we will visit a leper colony, as well as meet with local farmers, who are working with young men to teach and train them with productive farming skills. We will also be participating in the National Pastor’s Conference in N’Dola. The third chunk of ministries that we will be connecting with are ones supported by Vineyard Columbus, including the Twatatella project, which provides food and medicine to HIV positive mothers and their babies. In connection with all of these different ministries we will be doing a variety of evangelistic outreaches throughout the cities.

I'm super excited about what lies ahead. I have heard wonderful stories about Zambians and the ministries and am so excited to partner with them in working for Jesus. I hope you see the value in what we will accomplish. As you can imagine there is a financial component to a trip like this. The total cost of the trip is $3,500 and I am attempting to raise $3,500 by July 1st. This cost includes transportation, housing, food, insurance, and project and/or mercy ministry supplies.

Would you prayerfully consider becoming part of this ministry through financial support? A gift in any amount you would help me get closer to my goal.

If you would like to be part of this mission through your financial support, please copy and paste the text below, print it out and include it with your check. Checks should be made payable to Vineyard Columbus and write "Zambia 2008 - Katie H." on the memo line and return it to:

Columbus Vineyard
6000 Cooper Rd.
Westerville, Ohio 43081

All contributions are tax deductible.

Although money is important in a trip like this, just as important (if not moreso) is prayer! Please be praying for myself, the team, Zambia and the trip itself over the coming weeks. We always need prayer support. See you all when I get back!

Blessings,
Katie




Zambia Trip 2008:

Checks for tax-deductible purposes should be made out to Vineyard Church of Columbus with “Zambia Trip 2008 - Katie H.” in the memo line. Please include this form instead of writing my name on the face of your check. Thank You!
Amount: __________ For: _____________________________
From: ______________________________________________

Contributions to Vineyard Church of Columbus for short term mission trips are tax-deductible and Vineyard Church of Columbus will issue a contribution statement/receipt for all donations. In accordance with current IRS tax guidelines, all donations are non-refundable for any reason. When contributions for a particular individual exceed trip expenses, or if that volunteer is unable to participate on the trip, Vineyard Church of Columbus may use those funds for other costs associated with this ministry trip or redirect those funds to other ministries of the church. As with all tax issues please consult with your tax advisor if you have questions regarding tax deductibility of charitable gifts.