We begin this adventure of ours on faith. It is impossible for us to complete this assignment on our own. Faith does not always come easy and this seemingly insurmountable task has already brought forth tears on a couple of occasions. The idea of raising $15,000 is one that brings forth so many worries and concerns. However, our verse of the month (or months until we go) is this:
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:33-34
Pray for us that we will continue to grow in our faith and that we will release our cares unto God. If this year of service is God's will for our lives, and we believe it is, he can, and will provide for our every need.
We have made some good progress on the fund raising, although not in the traditional sense of the word. While the total expense for our trip was around $15,000, the field sent us an email a couple weeks ago letting us know that they were able to reduce our monthly living expenses from $650 per month to $480 per month. This alone "raised" $1700 toward our trip by reducing the over all cost.
In addition to 2 heartfelt donations on our website, we will soon be getting a tax refund totally around $3500.
Finally, we decided that if we move into Amy's parents house, that would be a huge fund raiser in itself. On March 6, we will be making the move from our apartment into their basement to spend our remaining 5 months saving money. We felt really bad for our landlord that we gave such a short notice and were moving out during one of the worst months for finding tenants. However, God not only provides for us, but for our landlord. The day after she ran the ad in the paper she received 4 phone calls of potential tenants and was amazed at how fast she was able to find someone.
Please pray for us in this move that we will be able to cope with living under someone else's roof and that these next 5 months will be a time to grow closer with her family instead of bickering about who's dirty clothes are on the floor. By saving money on rent, cable, internet, and electricity, this one move will "raise" approximately $4300 for our trip.
When we combine them all, our grand total "raised" so far comes to $9500, without touching the money we have in savings. God really does provide and if we have that much money raised in just one month, $15,000 does not seem that far away.
Praise God.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
God Called; We Answered
If you are seeing this, then no doubt you are aware of the calling God has placed on our lives. We have been called on a journey to the country of Papua New Guinea for a year. As we embark on this adventure, we are faced with many questions and concerns. What should we expect in this third world country? What do we do with all of our belongings and a car we haven't finishing paying off? How can we possibly afford this trip? Who will pray for us? These are just a couple thoughts going through our minds.
In the months leading up to our trip, we will be working on easing some of our concerns. If you feel so lead, there are a couple of concerns with which you can assist us. We are always looking for more people to partner with us in prayer. This trip will not happen and lives cannot be changed without the power of prayer behind us. We need everyone we can find to lift us up in prayer throughout this upcoming year of our lives so that things will go well with us and people will be touched.
In addition to your prayers, we ask those of you who can, support us financially. We know that not everyone can give, but we know that some people can. Even if we clean out all of our savings, we cannot afford this trip. This trip cannot happen without help from both you and God. If God is leading you to give, then please visit our donation site to make a tax deductible gift:
http://web.nazarene.org/goto/hollenberg
Or mail a check made out to: General Treasurer Church of the Nazarene
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184
On the memo line, please write: Hollenbergs - PNG - MissionCorps so they can make sure it gets to us.
This site makes it possible for you to make a one time gift, or have a monthly gift automatically deducted from your account. 100% of the money you donate will be sent straight to us on the mission field. For those of you associated with a Nazarene church, keep in mind that your donations will count toward your churches 10% Mission Giving. Perhaps God is calling you to meet a specific financial need. If that is the case, I have listed some possible areas for you to cover.
One Time Amounts:
Plane Ticket (Per Person): ~$2000
Visa (Per Person):$150
Insurance (Per Person): $250
Monthly Expenses:
Utilities: $50/month
Food: $200/month
Living Expenses: $150/month
On-Site Travel: $120/month
Liability Insurance (Per Person): $70/month
Amy's Insulin: $60/month
Approximate Total: $15,000
Thank you so much for partnering with us on this journey. Your prayers and gifts are greatly appreciated.
Blessings in Christ,
Stephen and Amy Hollenberg
In the months leading up to our trip, we will be working on easing some of our concerns. If you feel so lead, there are a couple of concerns with which you can assist us. We are always looking for more people to partner with us in prayer. This trip will not happen and lives cannot be changed without the power of prayer behind us. We need everyone we can find to lift us up in prayer throughout this upcoming year of our lives so that things will go well with us and people will be touched.
In addition to your prayers, we ask those of you who can, support us financially. We know that not everyone can give, but we know that some people can. Even if we clean out all of our savings, we cannot afford this trip. This trip cannot happen without help from both you and God. If God is leading you to give, then please visit our donation site to make a tax deductible gift:
http://web.nazarene.org/goto/hollenberg
Or mail a check made out to: General Treasurer Church of the Nazarene
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184
On the memo line, please write: Hollenbergs - PNG - MissionCorps so they can make sure it gets to us.
This site makes it possible for you to make a one time gift, or have a monthly gift automatically deducted from your account. 100% of the money you donate will be sent straight to us on the mission field. For those of you associated with a Nazarene church, keep in mind that your donations will count toward your churches 10% Mission Giving. Perhaps God is calling you to meet a specific financial need. If that is the case, I have listed some possible areas for you to cover.
One Time Amounts:
Plane Ticket (Per Person): ~$2000
Visa (Per Person):$150
Insurance (Per Person): $250
Monthly Expenses:
Utilities: $50/month
Food: $200/month
Living Expenses: $150/month
On-Site Travel: $120/month
Liability Insurance (Per Person): $70/month
Amy's Insulin: $60/month
Approximate Total: $15,000
Thank you so much for partnering with us on this journey. Your prayers and gifts are greatly appreciated.
Blessings in Christ,
Stephen and Amy Hollenberg
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