Newsletter Time!

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Thank you!

Campos De Suenos

One of the most exciting ministries we will be assisting with in Guatemala is helping provide children with clean water and healthy food.  Check out Campos de Suenos and see what God is doing! 

Susie and I are eager to get down to Guatemala and begin working with Iglesia del Camino's building ministry.  July 9 is just around the corner and we are busy preparing our home, packing and putting things in storage.  We are preparing our hearts and the kids' hearts and praying for God's guidance as we make this step. 

Our one time fees are so close to being covered.  Praise God!  We anticipate having 100% of our one time fees paid by January.  At this time, we do need folks to come alongside us with monthly support.  No amount is too small.  $10 a month or $200 a month (or anything in between) would add up.  

We have seen children under 12 years old give $55 out of their savings, we have witnessed retired folks on a limited budget sacrifice $50 a month, and churches have given out of their mission budget.  God has been so faithful.  It has been an honor to be a part of this process.  It's been humbling.  We are thankful.

Would you prayerfully consider making a tax deductible donation before 2013 closes?  Would you consider making a pledge and begin giving a monthly donation? 

We would love to have you join us on this journey to help Guatemalans get back on their feet, build humane living conditions and have easy access to clean water.  

Envelope FUNdraiser Update

This fundraiser is still going really well!  It's so much fun to see envelopes being taken down and sent in the mail!

Envelopes have now been claimed from the tree and each letter of JOY!

These are still available:

12, 16, 28-29, 33, 37-39, 41-43, 46-49, 51-52, 54, 56-59, 61-63, 65-68, 70-74, 76, 78-79, 81-85, 87, 89-92, 94-96, 104-114, 116-127, 129-143, 145-199

TOTAL RAISED AS OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 9:  $2717

Envelope Fundraiser Update

BEFORE:

NOW:

TOTAL RAISED SO FAR:  $2637

POTENTIAL TOTAL TO RAISE:  $20,000

NUMBERS LEFT TO CLAIM:  12, 16, 29, 33, 37-39, 41-43, 46-49, 51-52, 54, 56-59, 61-63, 65-68, 70-74, 76, 78-85, 87, 89-92, 94-96, 104-114, 116-127, 129-143, 145-199

If you would like to claim an envelope, please email us at townsendguat@gmail.com.  

Donations are tax deductible when written to Pathways Community Church and sent to:

Barb DeVictor

1116 Millstream Court

Leland, NC 28451

Guest Post from Grandma (Susie's Mom)

Six years ago, Rich and I were blessed with a granddaughter adopted from Guatemala. We were able to share in the journey by visiting her birth country and getting to know her culture. My daughter Susie and son-in-law Jack fell in love with the people in Guatemala and they are excited to serve at Iglesia Del Camino Church and help Guatemalans build homes and provide safe water through filtration systems. Though it pains us to see them leave on a two year mission, we are thankful for the work they will do and encourage and support them.

We have prayed about how we can help them, in addition to prayer and monthly support. Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations are now under way. This is a wonderful time of year to remember all we are thankful for and continue to give to those in need. Take a look at the pictures of Jack working with Guatemalans. You can see the pride on their faces, knowing they worked hard to build safe, secure homes for their families.

Please join us on this "Envelope Fundraiser for Guatemala" and consider making a tax deductible contribution before we say goodbye to 2013.

How does it work?

There are 200 envelopes. Each envelope has a number 1-200 labeled on it.

We are asking people to commit to taking an envelope or more than one if you are feeling overly ambitious and super generous. ;)

When you agree to take an envelope, it means that you are volunteering to be responsible for coming up with the dollar amount on your numbered envelope. So, if you have the number 1 you would commit to $1, if you have the envelope 2 you would be responsible for $2, and so on. The highest numbered envelope is 200. So the most anyone would commit to is $200. You choose your number.

All donations will be tax-deductible, and checks can be made out to "Pathways" with "Townsend Family" in the memo field.

***You do not have to come up with the money on your own. Ask your friends and family members to join you. Perhaps you can have your church or small group commit to taking a couple of envelopes, or you could do your own fundraiser.

Your envelope will be sent to you with the number you have requested. It will already have a stamp and our address for you to send your pledge back to us once you have collected it. (We are having them sent to our personal address to collect them all to send them into our 501C together). PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SEND THEM BEFORE DECEMBER 20 if you would like them to be tax deducted for the 2013 year.

Several people have stated that they thought it would be fun to do this completely randomly. So, you would sign up for an envelope, and I will randomly send you one. You wouldn't know the amount you are committing to (but the minimum it could be would be $1 and the maximum it could be is $200).

Therefore, we have decided to leave both options. If you want to sign up for a specific number, you can put your name in the comments under that number that way we can all keep a tally on Facebook for which numbers are accounted for. If you would prefer that we randomly assign you one because you like the surprise factor, we would be happy to do that too.

I would like to upfront thank everyone for their help with this fundraiser. This fundraiser cannot be a success without each one of you. PLEASE share this fundraiser and invite your "friends" on Facebook. That would be a HUGE help!

Now here is the amazing part....If all 200 envelopes are committed to and returned...this fundraiser would bring in $20,000! Jack, Susie and our grandchildren will be so much closer to their goal after this fundraiser.

And the winner is....

Diane Fontaine!!!!

Thank you to all of our friends and family who donated toward the American Girl Doll Fundraiser.

There were 15 entries, therefore we made $150!

We would like to especially thank Virginia Werner who bought a brand new doll valued at $180 for this fundraiser.  She is by far one of the most giving and sacrificial people we know.  Her heart is huge and she will give all she has for someone in need.

When we think of the love and generosity of so many wonderful people, we give glory to God.   It is a blessing to be surrounded by encouraging people.

Thank you again for joining us on this amazing journey!

PS  The model who picked the winner out of a hat is Virginia's granddaughter in Florida.  ;)

American Girl Doll - CLOSED

The American Girl fundraiser has ended!  Winner to be announced today!

Thank you all for your donations!