Some people have been inquiring how our fundraising is going, so we’ll try to summarize it here. In some ways we hoped to be further than we are. We have about $800 more monthly we would like to have committed to hit our goal, but the biggest “needs” are one time expenses. We will need to purchase our airfare (about $5,000) and purchasing a vehicle in country (about $10,000 more).

Our church has donated a lot toward a vehicle, but we just found out this week that the price is much higher than expected. In Burundi there are no car manufacturers so every vehicle is shipped in, Burundi is also landlocked so the only way to get cars in is to travel through other countries which charge for transport through their country. There is also a charge for wiring the money. All of this and more makes the process expensive and finding a truly reliable vehicle is tricky. Just like here someone will rebuild a vehicle so it looks nice, but has actually been totalled and is not safe. So, we continue to pray for a vehicle and trust God will bring what is needed!

The old way of support raising for missions was typically to visit churches and the churches would give, but anymore churches are giving locally or to their own congregants (which is understandable). So, we rely on individual support, which is wonderful, it’s just not usually in as large of an amount as an entire church could donate. So, we continue to seek to meet with more people to share what we’re doing.

As we’re winding down and looking at a departure date of July 27th, we continue to try to meet with as many people, small groups or churches that we can, but we’re also running low on people we know. The biggest ways you could help are by praying for our support to be fulfilled and by telling others or getting a group together so we can tell them. If every donor we already have could get us in touch with 1 other person who would be willing to partner with us also we would be fully funded.

All in all, we continue to press into the Lord and trust Him in every detail. We do this imperfectly (especially me when it comes to finances), but we’re learning and consistently remembering He has never once left us without a need, and we know He is not going to fail to meet our needs now or in Burundi. We continue to look forward to this new adventure as a family and work to enjoy the waiting and support raising process.

It’s very neat to hear how God uses giving to bless the giver and receiver. We have multiple neat stories people have shared: 1 of a husband and wife who felt led to give and prayed separately and came together with the same amount God laid on their hearts to give. Multiple families that I would consider going through significant tough times, but God put it on their hearts to give and they want to obey in all things. It reminds me and us as believers that HE OWNS IT ALL. It’s not our money and our stuff, it’s His and I’m so thankful for how He provides for all of us. I can’t say to one family, “no, what you’re going through is difficult and you should keep that money for an even rainier day.” If God lays it on their hearts to give then they should give and I need to trust He will provide for them and for us.

Trusting in His provisions! -Josh and Michelle K.