What a blessing today has been! As we officially announced joining the ministry of Every Orphan's Hope, it has generated a number of questions that need answering. What better way to do it then in this blog.
So the biggest question has been, when do you leave?
Since October, we have been in prayer and then preparing our hearts, home and family for this day. We have spent time visiting with family to prepare them for this announcement and we have done some major house cleaning so we could pack our home in the least amount of time when it was time to go.
There has never been a date on the table as to when we leave and that has been a bit difficult for family, friends and even ourselves to swallow. We are responding to God's leading and each moment we have proceeded in this journey has been upon His prompting, not ours. When we have tried to move ahead of Him, and set a date we realized quickly that was our will, not His, and we adjusted our will to His.
As with everything, there is a process and yesterday was the first of this process. We announced that we are committing to this ministry and letting God take complete control over every aspect of our lives...yes, every aspect, including our finances, which comes to the next big question, financial support.
So what does this look like financially?
After much prayer and visiting with the staff of Every Orphan's Hope, we have agreed to take part in every aspect of the ministry and that includes fundraising. Every Orphan's Hope is a 503(c) nonprofit organization, which means all of their finances come from individuals like you and me to join alongside them to support them. Individuals within the ministry do their part to bring awareness to others about the orphan crisis that is present in Zambia; we are joining with them to do the same. As Every Orphan's Hope has an operating budget, we will be part of that budget and have committed to raise at least $100,000 each year for the ministry. This will provide for our living expenses and ministry expenses while we serve in Zambia.
How much have you raised to date?
As of today, nothing. We have just started by announcing and letting you know there is a need. From there, you decide where God is leading you.
Will Peter still work in his current employment?
Only until we get ready to leave. We have continually prayed about this and each time we have felt God's leading us to follow Him completely. Once we move to Zambia, we will be full-time missionaries serving the ministry as needed. So currently he is working, but from the time we leave, our income will stop, which is why we will be solely dependent on individuals walking alongside Every Orphan's Hope.
What about moving, what are you going to do?
We have decided to sell our home–it's that simple. We know that many of you who read this may be groaning here and we have listened to everyone's advice, but we don't believe we can focus on what God is asking us to do if we have something that distracts us at home. So, we have taken our personal belongings to the point of what we would like to bring and are planning on getting a 20-ft. container to pack our items in. Now if you noticed, we said we are planning on this...if we feel God's leading to go and sell our items and just go with only our bags, then we will do that. Each step we take will not be done without prayer.
Is the $100,000 you raise part of your moving expenses?
Nope. We believe selling our house will cover moving expenses, outside of the taxes we need to set aside for it. With a container to move our items and airfare, we are looking at about an additional $15,000.
So what does that $100,000 cover?
We are going to Zambia with servant hearts. Although part of those funds will provide for our family (about $60,000) the rest will enable us to do the job we are being led to do. There are many things we can do that do not require funds, but the home repairs and administrative costs of Camp Hope will be part of our operating budget.
How long will you be there?
As of now, we are signing a 3-year commitment, but we are not saying that is all. Each step of this journey, God has led us and as we pray and listen closely to Him and receive confirmation, that will determine what happens after our commitment is over. If God wants us there longer, we will do that and if His will is for us to come home, we will do that, too.
What about your girls and their schooling?
When both of our girls were born, Peter began meeting other pilots that homeschooled. I was completely against the idea but he thought it was great. To tell you the truth, I was more about myself and getting my advanced degree in History to attain that dream of a university professor. In 2009, when I began to listen to God's urging to serve part time in Zambia, I knew that God was changing me. It was after that trip in 2010 that I felt His leading to homeschool, so we have been doing that for the last 2 years and will continue to do it. Although it is not necessary, it has been beneficial that I was an elementary and middle school teacher for 10 years prior to their birth.
What about your dog?
Right now, we are planning on taking him, but we actually have a waiting list of individuals that have offered to make him their own. If he doesn't go, we will give him to a family that is best for him.
Will Every Orphan's Hope provide a home for you?
That is part of our living expenses. About two weeks before we leave, Peter will go and find us a home to rent/lease for our time that we are living there. Rental property doesn't stay on the market long there, so we will know where we are moving right before we leave.
Where will you live in Zambia?
Currently, the plan is for us to live in Lusaka, which is the capital of Zambia, although we will travel to Chongwe (about 45 minutes outside of the capital) throughout the weekdays where the Village of Hope is located.
Will you have amenities like here?
Sort of...We will have Internet, running water (that's not to say it's constant, sometimes it does turn off), and electricity (although there are often rolling brown outs). There are grocery stores. We will sell our vehicles here and buy a vehicle there since they drive on the other side of the road.
So what can I do? How can I help?
First and foremost, pray. See how God is leading you to become involved with us. In missionary work, I have heard there are 3 parts: some pray for others; some are able to financially support; and others go. We have found, through the years, each is essential and neither is less important than the other. See how God is leading you to join alongside us and then commit, whether it be as a prayer partner, financially or both. Sorry, you can't go with us, that one's not on the table.
If you do decide to commit beyond prayer, then please visit our "How Can I Help?" page or click on the Donate button on any of our pages.
I'm sure there are a number of questions I have not answered, but these are the ones we have encountered thus far.
Please visit the Every Orphan's Hope website to learn more about what they do and their financial integrity.
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