To India We Go!

If you spend any time talking with us, you already know working abroad has been on Brad and my heart for some time now. We feel God is calling us to go use our talents overseas. 

How else can I explain the persistent desire to go abroad and work with children? Seriously, every time missions is brought up in church (weekly? bi-weekly?), I scribble notes on the side about our dream to go. 

And so we are! 


Brad and I are excited to announce our first opportunity to go and work together! We will be traveling this winter with Global Hope India for a mission trip to Pune, India from December 26th - January 4th. 

India has more human need than any other nation. It tops world charts for improvised people— those without land, homes, job, education, good water or basic healthcare. India has the world's largest number of orphans with an estimated 31 million. And sadly, that number is only growing. 

Brad and I want to join those already in working to make a difference in India and spreading the word of God. We don't want to just travel there, see the immense poverty, and return home. No, we want go with an organization working towards sustainable, long-term development. 

Global Hope India (GHI) is a organization I found through our church that is dedicated to serving the people of India doing just this. GHI focuses on church planting, village development, and child rescue. The non-profit is headquartered in Raleigh, NC and you can find out more about the work they do at www.globalhopeindia.org. 

Back to the specifics of our trip: Brad and I will travel with a team of ten and work alongside local church planting pastors in Pune, India. Our team hopes to advance the Gospel through outreaches in the village slums and orphanages, as well as deliver much needed supplies and care packages. While there, we will be able to support and encourage church planters working towards community development. 

Brad is most excited to experience and learn about the daily work of a church plant. I am most excited to spend time loving on the children - showing them the love and care Jesus has for them too! We both hope to begin relationships with the church planters and community members we will be able to continue long after we return home. 

But this mission trip won't happen through just Brad and I - your help is needed!

First, we need your prayers through the entire mission. We need the encouragement that can only come from knowing friends and family members are behind us!

Second, we need your help through financial support. The total cost is $2,900 per person to cover travel and supplies. Anything you can do to support our trip is greatly needed and appreciated! We need to raise $5,800 by November 26^th and our goal is to have half of it raised by August 26^th. Brad and I need your help to do this!

Please consider donating to support us. Remember, every - every - little bit helps. If you can only financially support us in a small way, it will still greatly support us in this mission! 

And it is super easy to donate online with the direct link I've set up. Following this link will take you to our designated fundraising page on GHI: http://goo.gl/cA50wZ  

Brad and I hope you will join us in this mission! We thank you in advance for your prayer and financial support! We will be using the blog to update you on fundraising, gathering supplies to take with us, and prayer requests. And of course, you can expect a full recap when we return.

We are beyond excited for this trip and hope you will join us!!

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you 

so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—

and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.  

This is my command: Love each other." - John 15:16-17