Hello Everyone!
Thank you for everything you have done to help me with The World Race. Currently, I am on Month 10 in Honduras with my whole squad and after this month, I will be traveling to Nicaragua. I cannot express how much I appreciate how you have blessed me! Because of the support you have given me, both financially and through prayer, I have been able to give it back to those I come in contact with. Thank you for everything!
Costea Family-Main Missionaries in Draganesti
As many of you may know, I came on The World Race to find where God was calling me long-term. I believe I have found that, but would like to be sure before I go long-term. Here are the details: I will be working in Draganesti-Olt, Romania, for 3 onths, starting at the end of August, 2.5 weeks after I finish the World Race. Draganesti-Olt currently has around 12,300 people, in which only 0.2% of the people are Bible-believing Christians. I will fly to Romania to work with the ministry I partnered with on my race Month 6 called “Hope Church” on August 25th. Hope Church is centered in the heart of the town, and the mission of Hope Church is for the Romanian people to see the love of Jesus. There are many branches to the ministry, but my specific ministry would be teaching English and working with gypsy children in villages outside of town. While I was there, I started an English program and would like to continue that.
I am NOT going with Adventures in Missions. I am going out on my own relying on the Lord for my support and help. Here are the figures, as the Lord has provided very much already!
SUPPORT FIGURES
-
Airplane Tickets-$1800 (Milwaukee to Bucharest round trip)
-
Transportation Costs-$300
-
Travel Insurance-$250
-
Food- $50/month x 4=$200
-
Housing-$300
-
TOTAL for 4 months (tentatively August 19-December 19) = $2850
This could be much more, but the missionaries that are already working here are willing to cover some costs for me, so I can come serve alongside them as this is what God has called me to. There is also a family who would be willing to let me live with them for FREE after September! ALSO most of my food will be paid for!
HOW TO GIVE
Financially: I have opened up a PayPal account, as I’m not being sent out with an organization. The problem with not going through an organization is that donations will not be tax-deductible. And with PayPal, all donations will lose 3% for taxes and such for the website. However, PayPal is very trustworthy and one of the best ways to pay for my costs in Romania. What will happen if I decide to give: you can click on the website listed below. You need to add my email address, [email protected] and then fill out your information as to how much you want your donation to be. Your donation will be put into my account automatically on PayPal. From there, I have decided to open up a separate bank account only for the use of my Romania trip and the funds will go straight into that account. With using PayPal, I will make sure to keep receipts stating how the funds were used and be held accountable to Raul Costea, the head pastor/missionary of Hope Church.
Here is the PayPal website: https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/2Knq4?psid=b8ebd717b89146e09da832b5809b4638&ref=nf
Spiritually: There are many things you can be praying about.
- Finances
- The spiritual atmosphere in Draganesti-Olt is very dark as many people do not know Christ,
- Relationships to grow in the name of Jesus.
I have enclosed a link to the ministry my team did in Romania. This is just a few of the options there are for Hope Church.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QnIu3QZRPk
This is a link to the ministry in Draganesti-Olt and surrounding communities. I will be working with an established ministry to help them evangelize in Southern Romania.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
Thank you everyone for everything and for helping me do what God has called me to!
Love you!
-Rachel
