Fundraising Email for Christian non-profit

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the gift of…

new shoes and the Gospel message to a child in Iraq-$5
fresh drinking water for 10 children in Ethiopia-$32
food, clothing, and education for 20 children in Garbage City, Egypt-$64

the gift of hope…priceless

Dear friend,
Together, we have the opportunity to offer something priceless—something eternal—to thousands of children and young people around the world: Hope that is found in Jesus Christ. It is within our power to touch hurting lives, to rescue hurting children, to act on behalf of the vulnerable and disadvantaged. Whether we are funding an orphanage or drilling water wells in Africa; providing shoes for children in Iraq; or rescuing young girls from sex slavery in India…each cause carries with it the opportunity to sow God’s love, power, and Word into a nation—and more importantly—a life.

Your gift today to our  Christmas Outreach [Link to donations page.]  will be a tangible expression of your faith and compassion.  In return, we will send you the [organization name] green bracelet as a tangible expression of our appreciation—and to remind you that you are part of a team who is making a difference in the world! It’s not just a bracelet; it is the bracelet on the wrist of God’s people extending their hands to reach the world and impact a generation!

The spirit of generosity is abundant at Christmas time; but so are the needs. It can feel overwhelming, especially with so many challenges and needs within our own borders—within our own families!  I know we can’t solve the world’s problems with one email—but I believe WE CAN make a lasting impression and an eternal difference in each life God brings across our path. Thank you for doing all you can to help us help others—and to share the love and power of God with those who so desperately need it.
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P.S. You can make this Christmas count in the life of a child by giving your best gift today! We’ll send your green bracelet out right away as a reminder of your love and compassion for children and young people around the world.

PPS. Please forward this email to a friend who loves God…and has a heart for today’s world like we do!

Blog Post Appeal/Update

(Israel Outreach Report Web Page)

Israel Outreach
I just returned from Israel…and my heart is still reeling from what I saw!  What we see on TV does not convey the tragic circumstances the Israeli people are facing.  I had to go, to reach out—with the love of Jesus—and see how we could help…

We stopped in a small town close to the Lebanese border that was hit with over 1,000 missiles over a period of 32 days.  It was very chilling to visit a junior high school that had been bombed.  We spoke with the vice-principal and met a 14-year-old girl whose brother had been killed in the incident.  Their father is also a teacher there!  Can you imagine?
We picked our way through the shell of a bombed-out hospital—a place that is supposed to bring hope and healing, now just piles of rubble. When I spoke with the hospital director, he broke down as he told me one family’s story.  Concerned for their grandmother, they went to check on her.  While in her home, a missile hit killing the grandmother and one of the children.  The grief that mother must have experienced—losing her own mother and her child in one tragic moment.  All anyone can do is prepare for future attacks, which despite the current peace accord, could come at any moment.

While visiting a small village in Northern Israel, God brought a dear family across our path.  I met two young children whose mother was killed right before their eyes when a Ketyusha missile crashed into their home.  While holding the hands of her children, this lovely mother was struck in the head and killed instantly.  My words can’t begin to describe the pain I felt for this young family…and the urgency in my spirit to do all I can to help them and the thousands just like them across this region.

Overall, the Israeli people have really pulled together to survive this…you can sense a spirit of camaraderie and an attitude that says “We’ll get through this…we’re survivors.”  Your prayers and support made this outreach possible—thank you for standing with us…and with the people of Israel!

Donor Thank You Letter/Email

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YOU made a huge difference in Ethiopia…

Dear Friend,

You made a huge difference in Ethiopia…by praying and giving!  As I was sharing with my staff this past week, Ethiopia is IN my heart, even stronger now that before I went. My daughter, name removed, was crying because she missed her new friends in Gondar and wanted to go back. I feel exactly the same way.

One of the most moving days was the day we felt led by God to drive into the countryside to learn how the people of Ethiopia are really living.  We drove for two hours when we found some children carrying water jugs. We stopped the van and followed them, wanting to see for ourselves what the water and sanitary conditions were. We met a girl about 8 years old who walked over a mile a day to gather water from the river for her family. The full jug would weigh about 50-60 pounds when filled!  But that isn’t the worst part…the so-called “clean” water came from a hole dug just two-feet from the river so that it looked clear. In the river, there were oxen, sheep, and goats drinking, swimming, bathing, and defecating IN the water. I don’t mean to be gross—but it was awful! Invasive parasites have infested most of the children of Ethiopia and 10,000 are dying each day as a result.

My heart just cried out to God as I though of our cushy conditions back home and how we take clean drinking water for granted.  God brought this home as I went into our bathroom and happened to notice the water in our toilet.  I thought: our toilet water is cleaner than the water these children drink.  I have a real problem with that!  I feel God calling us to do more for Ethiopia, and we will—but I can’t share all that right now.

I just wanted to thank each of you for sending me to Ethiopia, for those who came with, and for every one of you who followed our blog and PRAYED!  It made such a difference to us—and we saw God move in tremendous ways.

I can’t tell you how much the people of Ethiopia impacted me—and how humbled we were to be the hands and feet of Jesus to them.  When you see the pictures—the faces—you’ll see what I mean…