You've Got Mail...

As I always say, if this is your first visit please read my first post, "My Mission" to get a better understanding of this blog.

A lot of you will be coming here because you got a letter with your Christmas card from Anna and I that directed you here. First and foremost, THANKS FOR VISITING! I hope you didn't mind the intrusion into the Christmas cards, but we felt like it was an appropriate message for the holiday season...that and we figured it was the easiest solution and the closest we could come to a captive audience.

In the next few weeks I'll really start into this whole blogging thing. But for now I'm trying to keep the posts down to a minimum so that everyone can see the main points without having to dig. So please come back often!

A final thought from my soapbox. Each year, the holidays seem to get more and more commercialized. Maybe it's just that I'm getting older and my eyes have started seeing things beyond Santa and my personal wish lists, but all the same, I think we can agree that this time of year is a little nuts. And quite frankly, that stinks. Whether your celebrating Hanukkah or Christmas, this time of year is supposed to be about celebration and recognition of God, not consumerism and toys. So as you go through the holidays this year, don't let the Christmas lights blind you...be renewed by the season and bring some joy to those around you! (ie. don't yell at the cashier cause you stood in line for 10 minutes at Wal-Mart!)

Peace!

The Form Letter

If this is your first time visiting, I encourage you to read the post "My Mission" first.

Below is the form letter that we've been supplied with to raise funds. It will tell you everything you need to know if you'd like to make a donation to support the trip.


I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying life. I am writing to ask if
you would join me in caring for the sick, poor and those left behind: the
victims of AIDS in Nigeria. A small group of friends, associates and I are
planning to travel to the Faith Alive AIDS clinic in Jos, Nigeria this
winter. I am asking for your support through prayer and finances, which are
two equally important needs of our group.

We are trying to raise $4,000 for the seven of us to spend two weeks at the
AIDS clinic in Jos, Nigeria. The funds we raise will be used to contribute
to our airfare. With the remaining donated funds, we will buy medication for
some of the thousands of patients at the clinic who are waiting for
antiviral drugs. I ask you to join our mission by contributing whatever you
can.

* Each traveler carries much needed medications and supplies to
the AIDS clinic in Jos, Nigeria. Since postal services are quite limited in
this remote area of Africa, the clinic and its related facilities depend
upon volunteers to hand-deliver most of these necessities. To learn more
about the FAITH ALIVE FOUNDATION, I have enclosed a brochure from the Faith
Alive Foundation. Also, please visit
www.faithalivenigeria.org.

* All financial contributions should be made payable to First
Presbyterian Church ATT: Tona. Please write "Nigeria" on the memo line when
sending a check and please do not include my name. Your donation will be
100% tax deductible. All contributors will receive a from the church,
declaring your donation as a tax deduction. Please send your check in the
enclosed return envelope.

Our team is also looking for people who will support us by routinely taking
some time to pray for our group and the wonderful people in Jos. We will be
leaving on January 25, 2008, for two weeks. We need your prayers during our
preparation as well as during the actual trip.

Our time in Nigeria will be spent shadowing doctors, visiting and counseling
patients as well as spending time in the orphanage and schools. We are
seeking to learn from the workers and the clinic, and develop a sense of how
we can grow into life long servants of Jesus Christ and the poor. Our most
important role will be caring for and spending time with the impoverished
and neglected people at the clinic. I would like to thank you in advance for
considering these requests. I look forward to updating you upon my return
with the personal learning and growth that occurred, as well as all that God
did in the lives of the people I met there.

My Mission

When I was laid off in January 2007, I had a lot of thoughts going through my head. Why me? What next? But among the clutter in my brain, one idea kept recurring...maybe there's a way I can use my skills to help the greater good, instead of just padding someone's bottom-line. I didn't find a job that would give me that opportunity, but the thought has persisted for the past 11 months. And now I think I have my chance.

My church, First Presbyterian, in Fort Collins, CO has started sponsoring a Christian-based AIDS clinic in Jos, Nigeria called Faith Alive. I had never heard of Jos or Faith Alive before, but I have been inspired by the passion shown for the organization by our members and pastors who have visited. Also, I had the great pleasure of hearing Dr. Chris Isichei, the founder, share his story on a recent visit to the US. In a nutshell, Dr. Chris (as he likes to be called) told us that the greatest investment that we can make is not in IRA's or mutual funds, but in human life. He is an amazing man who started the clinic in his living room, offering vitamins and prayers to HIV/AIDS patients. The organization has come a long way since those humble beginnings and they are still growing. Check out their website on the sidebar for more info.

So to make a long story short, I have volunteered to create a fund raising/promotional video for Faith Alive. I am not really sure what I've gotten myself into, but I can't wait to find out.

As my journey unfolds, I'll use this blog to tell my story.