My process

So I'm thinking of adding a trip to South Africa into my list of missions. This is the biggest one for me, so it's the scariest I've ever done (or at least I'm trying to do it). Here are the issues I face:



1. I need to raise $4000.00 in 8 months in order to be on a plane on July 3rd, 2009.

2. I need to convince my company to either:

A. Give me 2 extra weeks off, with pay.

B. Allow my co-workers to donate days off to cover the 2 weeks I will be gone.

I've all ready started on this one.

3. I need to pay my deposit and get on the list of people going. Seeing as how this trip also includes a photo safari, I'm guessing more people will want to go. My church has a mission trip that goes to Ghana, and it's always full.



I'm not sure I can pull this off. I mean, I have to have my company add something to their rules that they have never addressed before, or at least as far as I know. If they don't do it, the trip is a no go. I'm all ready committed to one week in Mexico on my Mission Juarez trip, which I won't give up. I'm now on the planning committee for this one, and it is very important to me. That trip will cost me $700.00, which I don't have, so you can see that the Africa trip will have to be on a donation basis (I'll be getting to that later). I'm also going to spend a week in CA with Marcy, which I won't give up either. That leaves me with one week of vacation, plus my paid days off, another 5. If I used these to go to Africa, I wouldn't ever be able to call in sick, or take a day off for my mental health or to work around the house. This would make for a very long year and I don't think I could pull that off.



You may be asking yourself, "Self, what can I do to help Mark live out this call." First, you really shouldn't call yourself "self." Second, I'm so glad you asked, here is what you can do. Obviously, I need money for my trip. The good thing is, you can make a donation for my trip and then claim that donation on your taxes. You will be able to make a check out to my church, then send it to me or directly to my church, and they will hold the money in a account for me to use. If you send it to my church, just be sure you include a note that it is for me, but don't put my name on the check anywhere. Don't send anything yet, I know you are dieing to, but consider what you can do, or who you can get to help me, and when I clear the time off from work hurdle, I'll get everyone info on how to help. I'm even working on a way for people to make monthly donations, if they so desire, so one doesn't have to come up with a chunk of money. I know times are tuff, and money is tight. Believe me, I'm the last one you have to explain that to, so don't feel you have to, if you can't. This is in God's hands, if it's meant to be, I will go. If this isn't in his plan, it won't come together. I also have a backup plan for the money if I'm unable to reach my $4000 goal. Since your donation would not be refundable, I would use it for my Juarez trip the following year. That would be something for you to consider when making a donation for Africa, it might not happen.

Keep your eyes on this site and I'll update as things change.