Take a Look!

Have you seen our thermometers?  Look to the right side of the screen!  Our one time fees are completely raised!

Praise God!

What does that mean?

We are currently funded to serve one year in Guatemala.  This is so exciting!  We are looking forward to leaving in July to work with local Guatemalans and Iglesia Del Camino's building ministry!  If you haven't had a chance to see what we will be doing, please click here.  IDC is an amazing church, which is serving so many people in Guatemala and showing them the love of Christ through action.

Though we are still in need of monthly support, we are grateful for one time donations, which will now go towards our monthly needs when we arrive in Guatemala.

Do you have questions?  Please contact us at:  townsendguat@gmail.com.  It would be an honor to share the vision of IDC building ministry with you!

As always, we thank you for following this journey.  We are so thankful for your support over the past few years!

December Newsletter

Here is our December Newsletter for those that may not have received it via email.   As always, thank you for your support and encouragement.

Guatemala Update

We are so excited to work with two great ministries when we arrive in Guatemala in July 2013.  Iglesia del Camino and Campos de Suenos both seek to show the love of Christ by meeting the physical needs of the people. 

IGLESIA DEL CAMINO:

Our main role will be working with Iglesia del Camino’s building ministry.   We will help Guatemalans work to build stronger, stable homes.  Many village homes are made of bamboo, cornstalks, sugarcane, mud and any refuse they have been able to find.  These homes do not fare well in the weather elements and they provide little sanitation, which can cause severe health problems.  They lack safety and security from animals and crime, as well.  This ministry is building new homes constructed on concrete slabs with galvanized steel walls and secure doors.  A water filtration system is then added and a solar power unit for lighting.  To us, a 12’ x 16’ structure would be a room, to them it is a home which provides them with exceeding opportunities.

CAMPOS DE SUENSOS:

The second ministry we will be assisting with is Campos de Suenos.  This is a new center that is currently able to feed 200 children at one time.  They are providing nutritional meals, in hopes of eliminating the elements that have stunted generations of growth in the indigenous folks in Guatemala.  Campos de Suenos is working toward good health, education, and economic stimulus and showing the love of God to this wonderful community.  It is our strong belief that we show the love of Christ by meeting the physical needs as well as the spiritual.

Current Fundraisers

            Susie's parents, Barb and Rich DeVictor, have organized an amazing fundraiser.  They have a beautiful wall of envelopes making a tree and the word “JOY.”  There are 200 envelopes all labeled with a number from 1-200.  Friends, family, small groups, and churches choose an envelope and donate or raise the money.  It is amazing to us that people we do not even know have taken an envelope.  We are so blessed!

Example: If Great Aunt Lily is turning 91, you may want to ask for Envelope #91.  You choose any number you want from 1-200!

You would have the blessing of donating or raising the number of your choice for Guatemala!  All donations are tax deductible. 

Over $3000 has been raised through this fundraiser so far.  These are the numbers still available:  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, 94-95, 97, 104-114, 116-127, 129-143, 145-198

How Can You Help?

1.  Email us at townsendguat@gmail.com and let us know which envelope (s) you would like.  We will send a self -addressed envelope (with your number) to send your tax deductible contribution back.  We will include a NEW Townsend Family magnet, too!  ;)

2.  Join us at: https://www.facebook.com/ToGuatemalaWithJoy to keep up with this exciting fundraiser.  

3.  Share, share, share!  Please share this great opportunity to raise money with your friends.

If all 200 envelopes are filled, this will raise over $20,000 for the mission.

Financial Report

Praise God!  Our one time fees should be fully funded by January!  This is a HUGE expense which will pay for our airfare, residency fees and other one time expenses.

            We have generous folks donating $10, $20, $25, $35 $50, $75, $200 a month.  It is an honor to have so many people on this journey to help Guatemalans live safer, healthier lives.  Our monthly need is $4120 for our living expenses.  This will sustain our family of 8 in Guatemala for two years.  Currently we are at $1430 and need financial help in this area.

            When a young boy of 11 years old comes forward with his birthday money and gives us a check for $55, it strengthens our faith.  When a couple living on a limited income, who need financial help themselves, tell us they want to be a part of changing Guatemalans lives and honor God with their income by pledging $50 a month, it humbles us.  When our children hand us a $1 they received from a lost tooth and tell us it is for Guatemala, we give thanks to God.

Occasionally, raising support can be overwhelming and stressful.  We have made the choice to find JOY in this part of the faith journey.  Every time someone makes a pledge or one time donation, our hearts rejoice, no matter the amount. 

Would you consider giving a monthly donation?  Contact us if this is something you would be interested in doing as a family, small group or church. 

What do we need to be funded?

108 pledges of $25 a month

54 pledges of $50 a month

27 pledges of $100 a month

130 one time donations of $500

Family Update

We recently celebrated Joseph’s six month anniversary since arriving home!  He has grown leaps and bounds and we are extremely blessed to have him in our family!  He is walking more and learning how to maneuver in a sighted world.  The other kids have adapted so well to his homecoming.  The time has flown by…but it also seems like we’ve always been a family of eight.

All of the kids have been so open and honest about moving to Guatemala.  Some of the girls will become teenagers while we are away and the boys will be changing from babies to school age boys!  They share their hopes and dreams and most of all, can’t wait to spend time getting to know the people and culture.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love,

Jack, Susie, Sophie, Annabelle, Ava Mae, Pearl, Joseph, and Jude Townsend

I Believe

By now some of you may have heard Audio Adrenaline's song, Believer.  Please watch the video if you have not seen it.  Powerful.

It is about a young boy who seems to be having difficulty learning to surf when he witnesses a blind man surfing.  It's a true story and a documentary is being made about this visually impaired man.   Incredibly inspirational.

Of course I was originally drawn to the video because I have a child who is 100% blind.  He does not see light, he sees nothing but complete darkness.  And yet, I know and believe God has a great, huge plan for his life.   Just like he does for the blind man in the video, just like he does for the sighted boy who had little faith he would ever surf.

We can do so much through Him.  We can go places we never thought we would go, we can grow in ways we never anticipated.  The song begins with, "I want to live this life unsafe, unsure, but not afraid" and that's what I want.  I want this for each of my children, for my husband and for myself.  I want us to rely on Him because we believe.  I want us to lose our lives and watch Him move.  Way less of me and way more of Him.

The words to the song, Believer:

I want to live this life unsafe, unsure, but not afraid
What I want is to give all I got somehow
Giving up letting go of control right now

'Cause I'm already out here, blind but I can see
I see the way You're moving
God how I believe that

I can push back the mountains, can stand on the waves
I can see through the darkness, I'll hold up the flame
Take me to the ocean I want to go deeper
I'm not afraid no, I'm a believer

And so I lose this life to find my way and come alive
They can try to deny what's inside of me
But there is more, can't ignore all the things unseen

Oh I believe I can walk on water with You alone

When I walk through the valley of the shadows
When I'm trapped in the middle of the battle
I will trust in You
'Cause trouble comes, but You never let it take me
I hold fast 'cause I know that You will save me
I will trust in You, I will trust in You

Oh here I stand all alone waiting on You, Lord
Waiting on You

Newsletter Time!

Are you on our mailing list?  Be sure to send us a message with your email at townsendguat@gmail.com if you would like to be added to our mailing list!

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