Updates and final thoughts before we go - Jon

by Jon

Hello to all of our faithful supporters and all those who are sending us out. I want to wish you a happy new year and a reminder that no matter what our resolutions this year, only what is done for the Kingdom of God matters. I’m sending out this blog post now to handle just a little bit of housekeeping before we hop on the airplane to our new mission field in 6 days. But don’t worry, after I know that I’ve thought of everything to tell you, expect to see some truth from God’s Word. It is our goal that you will never read a blog post or a newsletter and not get God’s Word in the process.
First is that on the 7th, the day before we leave, we will be sending out our first newsletter. What you can expect to see in our newsletters is a list of specific prayer requests that you can pray for us as well as updates and pictures from our mission. Our desire is for all of our friends and family who support our mission both financially and in prayer to have the details on exactly how God is working in Uganda through your support. The reason I point this out is because there are quite a few people who read our blog posts but are not subscribed to receive our newsletters. If this is you, I want to give you the chance to get signed up now before we send it out. So if you need to get signed up...here’s how…
Go to our website www.coupalstouganda.com, click on the tab that says “contact”, scroll down the page and look on the right side, there will be a place for you to type in your email address and subscribe to our newsletter.
Secondly, I want to let you know that our YouTube channel will be going active this week. This is very exciting for us, because it will allow our supporters to get to see the work that God is doing in video. I know that we all have busy schedules and not everyone has the time, or sometimes the desire, to sit down and read a blog post or a newsletter, so this will allow a way for you to see what is happening without needing to sit down and read our updates. Although I recommend you still do read them, because we can’t put everything in the videos. I will include more information on how to find our YouTube channel in the newsletter this week.
Third and final thing to say. And just so you know, this is our least favorite part of being a missionary, but we have to do it because how will you know what we need if we don’t tell you? So here is what we need. Our goal right now is to live on and run our mission on a budget of $18,000 dollars a year. This probably seems ridiculously low because most of us American’s wouldn’t dream of living on a budget that small, but we believe that it is totally do-able in Uganda. Now if you break that down it comes to $1,500 dollars a month. Now what this means is that in order for our mission to operate on a long-term basis, we need to have that amount coming in every month, and be able to count on that amount too (which means more than just one time donations that fluctuate every month.) So all that comes to this end...we need 10-20 families who are willing to make us your primary supported missionaries, and commit to monthly donations of $100-$200 dollars. I hope that every person who reads this blog post would prayerfully consider putting your money where your mouth is and supporting us in this way. If this is you, then let me tell you how to accomplish it…
Head to our website www.coupalstouganda.com, click on the tab that says “get involved”, and at the bottom of the page click the button that says “online giving”, this will redirect you to Calvary Chapel Cherry Creek’s online giving page. Once there, input the amount you would like to donate, and select the frequency (again, please pray about committing to monthly giving), IMPORTANT: there is a drop down menu that says “select a fund”, be sure to select Uganda Missions. Input all your information and card information and click “give now” and you’re good to go.
I hope that everyone will pray about committing to supporting us monthly, but even if you are not called to support us financially, or can’t, don’t feel like you are not a part of what God is doing in Uganda through our mission. Souls that will be reached with the gospel and kids without parents will see the love of a Father God through us by the consistent and deliberate prayers of the church. Even if you can’t support us financially, please don’t forget to join alongside us in prayer.
Finally, the part that I am most excited to share, a message from God’s Word. In Matthew 4:17, we see the very beginning of Jesus earthly ministry after He was baptised by John the Baptist. It says, “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” This is very first time we see Jesus publicly preaching in the Bible, and what is His message? REPENT! GET SAVED!!!
Knowing that the kingdom of heaven is at hand (our time on this world is short) means that if you are not saved, get saved. Stop waiting, there is no better time to start walking with the God who made the entire universe yet knows the number of hairs on your head. It means that if you ARE saved, take it serious. Don’t just continue in the way you always have. A relationship with God inspires change, letting His Word be effective in your life requires growth. Don’t be stagnant, be serious!