Spring 2002

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

I have some exciting news!  God has given me the opportunity to serve this summer as part of a short-term missions team to the Island of Roatan, Honduras!  And, while serving and ministering to kids on this Caribbean island, they have convinced me that I will be challenged to grow spiritually myself!  Can you believe that?  Do you think I can handle something like this? 

I know you're probably a little concerned about me traveling out of the country.  I am a little anxious myself.  Our group will be working with Yourgin and Brandi Levy.  They are missionaries on Roatan and live there year-round, so they are very familiar with the local people and surroundings.  They use a variety of activities and team with a variety of people to build relationships with the children so they can then share the Gospel of Christ.  You really need to look at their web site at www.missionroatan.org to see pictures of where we will be and some of the kids we will be working with.  I am hoping to build a tree house and help some of the younger boys play soccer, and I know others in my group want to spend a lot of time in a clinic there.  We will also be planning and having a Bible camp each morning in a village called Colonia Balfate.  This trip is going to be a challenge for me both physically and spiritually, but I am really ready for it!

The first thing I want to ask is for you to consider praying regularly for me and my team.  There are a lot of issues that we are concerned about, including our activities as we prepare for the trip, our effectiveness as we minister to the kids on Roatan, safety as we travel, and raising funds to cover our costs.  Is this something you could add to your prayers?  It would mean a great deal to me and my group.  Another thing that I am unsure about is whether or not I can raise enough funds to make the trip.  My leaders are convinced that, since God wants me to be a part of this, He will provide the funding.  But I have to do my part as well!  My total cost for the trip is $1500.  This includes my transportation, food, lodging, and other expenses for the 12 day trip.  It also includes some money for construction materials and Bible camp supplies.  Our church is providing $300 per person, so I need to raise an additional $1200.  I am hoping to receive three $100 gifts, ten $50 gifts, and sixteen $25 gifts.  If this is something you guys would consider, but you have other questions, please give me a call.  If you do want to send a gift to help me, make the check payable to "Grace Baptist Church," put my name on the memo line, and use the enclosed envelope.  We are supposed to have the majority of our support raised by March 31st.  If you have questions for the church, their address and phone number is on the enclosed informational brochure.

Thank you so much for considering this!  I am so excited!  While we are there, you can go to the web site listed above to see pictures of our group working hard!

With Love,

Drew

Drew Heiniger

wakeboarddude@net66.com  Ph. 555.555.5555

I will send you a report of how things went when we return!