Donation Update

Time is really flying and it is only 18 days until I leave for Russia! Wow! I can't believe it! :)

I feel like all I have time for lately is "quick updates." I apologize for that, but as you can imagine, trying to get ready for a trip like this, plus work and do things in daily life keeps you busy! This week I had my grandfather visiting from California, a wedding and my niece's 6th birthday!

But, here is where things are with the trip:

On July 19 we had our last "official" team meeting before our "packing party." We started finalizing our VBS plans and determining where we are with donations of supplies. As a team, on July 19 we were $10,000 short of the cost for land funds!

I am happy to report, however, that I personally have been able to raise all of the funds I need to go on the trip! Thanks to all the amazing people who donated money, soda bottles and prayer, I have officially sent in my last trip payment as of today! Woo Hoo!!!

Now I am focusing on making sure I have all the donations of supplies. I still have some money saved from the soda bottle donations, which I have been using to purchase some supplies. I have also been given some clothes donations and other donations by some amazing people- thank you!

Right now I am still looking for the following items:

*boys t-shirts ages 3-12- I need a minimum of 9
* jeans- new or gently used, girl and/or boy ages 3-7
*underwear- girls and/or boys, new only, ages 3-12
*kids vitamins
*lice shampoo
*Money to go towards the purchasing of the items

I will also be taking pages, pre-printed in Russian that will play into the crafts I will be doing for the VBS. So, any money donations may also go towards printing those.

I just got a donation from my Aunt & Uncle in Australia today and it came at such a good time as I just spent a lot of money on supplies and wondered where the rest will come from! It was reassuring to know that people are still thinking of me, my team and the orphans of this mission trip and are donating. We have a long way to go as a team and every dollar and prayer is important!

I am meeting with my VBS team (we're broken down between younger kids & teens) on Thursday to go over the final details. Then on Tuesday the 3rd we'll have another "informal" meeting of the group. Finally on August 9 we will have our "packing party" and then we leave on Friday, August 12!

Thanks for all your support. Please continue to support me, my team, the orphans and the orphan caretakers in prayer!

Grace & Peace
♥Janessa