Spring 2002

Dear Coach Blackman,

I have some exciting news!  I have been given the opportunity to serve this summer as part of a short-term missions team to the Island of Roatan, Honduras!  And, while meeting the great needs of the kids on this Caribbean island, my group leaders at Campus Life have convinced me that I will be challenged physically, socially, and spiritually!  This is an experience that I believe would benefit any teenager, especially in today's world.

Like my parents, you may be a little concerned about me traveling out of the country.  I am a little anxious myself.  Our team will be working with Peggy Stranges, an American nurse.  She is a missionary on Roatan and lives there year-round, so she is very familiar with the local people and surroundings.  She runs a clinic out of her home and is coordinating the construction of a new one for the people of Colonia Balfate.  You really need to look at her web site at www.missionroatan.org to see pictures of where we will be and some of the people we will be working with.  I am hoping to play soccer with some of the kids and then, later, help them with their school work.  I know some of the others in my group want to help build a house for a family that needs one.  We will also be planning and having a VBS event each day in two different places. 

One of the things I am unsure about is whether or not I can raise enough funds to make the trip.  My leaders are convinced I am supposed to be a part of this trip and that there are generous people out there who support worthy causes such as this.  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 VBS supplies.  My 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.  This is a tax-deductible contribution, as Campus Life/Youth for Christ is a non-profit organization.  If this is something you are willing to 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 "Youth for Christ," 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 YFC, 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!

Sincerely,

Bailey

Bailey Tichenor

baileygirl@aol.com  Ph. 555.555.5555

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