There's a question Wendy and I seem to be getting a lot as of late. "So how is your fundraising going?" For the record, fundraising isn't something that I hate or even dislike, but it's no picnic either. Raising support takes diligence and faithfulness. God continues to stretch both Wendy and I in these areas. It's good to be stretched, but Lord if you really do own the cattle on a thousand hills, could you sell a few for us?
So how is the fundraising going? Honestly, slow...it's coming in at a pace that's beginning to make us nervous. Wendy and I have the funds to get there, but we need your help to stay there (I can just here some of you saying, "Sign me up!"). Sorry, I just couldn't resist. So what about getting a job in Kampala? This is the question I rarely hear, but know it's out there amongst conversations. The answer is, if I could I would, but with nearly 90 percent unemployment in Kampala...yes, I did say 90 percent, an American taking a job away from a Ugandan isn't a very popular move. Another question or idea we have gotten is, "What about starting a business in Kampala, after all it is a city of millions?" Wendy and I have discussed this in detail and are seriously open to this idea. But for now, in year one, getting our family settled into a new land and culture, developing relationships, and getting Friday Night Church off the ground seem to be more than enough to be focused on.
So let me lay it all out plainly...Our goal was $6000 per/mo. This would pay for Friday Night Church and our personal monthly needs. The charts located on our blog page entitled "Monthly Needs" are broken down for complete transparency of our expenses. With the challenge participants and other donors, we are now at approximately 18 percent, of our over all goal, which comes out to around $1000 per/mo. Now we understand that faith is a major component in mission work, and we have acted accordingly. Our airline tickets and container alone added up to a whopping $14,300. There have been so many unforeseen expenses that have added up to nearly another $6000. But again, God has been faithful and we have been able to pay for these thus far.
So once again we ask you to consider helping our mission. Yes, we need your prayers, and yes we need your monthly support. We're going. Would you please help us stay? For those that need a better understanding or visual of FNC, please click on the link below to grab a sneak preview of what I envision FNC becoming...
VISION OF FRIDAY NIGHT CHURCH...
Challenge Update...
So the 100@25x12=FNC challenge results have come in a bit slower than expected, but we remain hopeful. So far we have heard from and or collected 9 participants. We are looking for 91 more to join this effort. Again, for those who missed or forgot the challenge presented, Wendy and I believe we know 100 people that can afford to sacrifice $25 per month for 1 year to help launch Friday Night Church. This church will be planted and located in the city of Kampala, Uganda, Africa, with dreams of going further into other East African cities and nations.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
100@25x12=FNC
Now I realize many can do more, and if you can please do so. But the fact is, many of us are struggling to make ends meet, and we hate it, it is depressing and makes getting up in the morning even more difficult. Yet deep down in our hearts, we all want to make a difference, make a ripple in our communities and in the world that surrounds us. Can I make a suggestion? Instead of talking or dreaming about it, will you take action on it? If you could have a part in changing lives every month for a small sacrifice, would you do it? If you could help change the lives of the Ugandan people for the monthly price of a family sized pizza and sodas, would you at least consider it?
So here's the challenge: 100 people @ $25 per month x 12 months= Friday Night Church. For $2500 per month, we can hit the ground running, changing the lives of the Ugandan culture. Your sacrifices will allow us to lease a compound or base camp (offices and mid size gathering room) for FNC and it's daily ministries, provide ministry staff salaries (which is huge in a culture with a 90% unemployment rate), and the funds to rent out public spaces around Kampala for our crusade gatherings. I know this sounds too easy, and maybe we can get 200 people to commit, but I wanted to begin with a very realistic goal. I believe we can do this, and I believe Wendy and I know 100 people that can make this happen. Would you pray about being one of the 100?
THE KISSING WELL has made it super easy to do so by visiting our DONATE page. After you've taken action, let us know by emailing, texting, facebooking, tweeting, snail mailing, or even calling us...(this one we would love to get!)
Every few days we will post on Facebook and Twitter the status of this challenge. Friends, we leave October 15th, your continued prayers are priceless.
*One Last Note* If this isn't enough of a challenge, by all means be a rock star...take two or three or four of these slots per month!" And please, if you think this is a worthy cause, pass it on to two more friends. Blessings...
So here's the challenge: 100 people @ $25 per month x 12 months= Friday Night Church. For $2500 per month, we can hit the ground running, changing the lives of the Ugandan culture. Your sacrifices will allow us to lease a compound or base camp (offices and mid size gathering room) for FNC and it's daily ministries, provide ministry staff salaries (which is huge in a culture with a 90% unemployment rate), and the funds to rent out public spaces around Kampala for our crusade gatherings. I know this sounds too easy, and maybe we can get 200 people to commit, but I wanted to begin with a very realistic goal. I believe we can do this, and I believe Wendy and I know 100 people that can make this happen. Would you pray about being one of the 100?
THE KISSING WELL has made it super easy to do so by visiting our DONATE page. After you've taken action, let us know by emailing, texting, facebooking, tweeting, snail mailing, or even calling us...(this one we would love to get!)
Every few days we will post on Facebook and Twitter the status of this challenge. Friends, we leave October 15th, your continued prayers are priceless.
*One Last Note* If this isn't enough of a challenge, by all means be a rock star...take two or three or four of these slots per month!" And please, if you think this is a worthy cause, pass it on to two more friends. Blessings...
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
We're ready...
55 days and counting till we depart on what has seemed like quite a journey already. For the past two years Wendy and I have anticipated a shift; we've prayed for God's hand and will to become evident. And so we are on the home stretch, almost there, almost...but we've just begun.
We're ready. Not ready in the sense that we've forgotten what it will be like to not have a home here in the states, not ready in a sense that we've raised all our support, not ready in the sense to "get to work", not ready in the sense we have crossed every "t" and dotted every "i", not ready in the sense that we have everything mapped out, and not ready even in the sense that we've become restless...(OK, maybe a little). But we're ready. Ready to live in Africa, ready to miss our friends and family, ready to sleep under mosquito nets, ready to learn the hard way, ready to rely on God more, ready to use Skype, ready not to consume fast food, ready to drive on the wrong side of the road, ready to see what God has in store, ready to...
After a certain family member chastised me about not being on Facebook or Twitter, I decided to wave the white flag. I am quickly being reminded why 2 years ago I deleted my facebook account...it's out of control! People have way to much "down time". But for the sake of low cost communication when you are half way around the world, it just makes sense. So for all of you that wish to check out The Kissing Well facebook and twitter page here they are.
FACEBOOK
Twitter address: @toddjgilliland
For the record, I'm glad he had the tech talk with me.
Homeschooling began in the Gilliland household this week. And for the most part, it is going rather well. Wendy has been in review mode with Emma and Annie, and Lucy read her very first sentence! The sentence read, "The pig sat in the mud." Her teacher had a moment.
One last note...we received our container's (the large box with all we possess) tracking number via email last week! It is on the ship and headed out to sea. It's first stop is a small island called Malta. Kinda wish I had a camera of it's voyage.
We're ready. Not ready in the sense that we've forgotten what it will be like to not have a home here in the states, not ready in a sense that we've raised all our support, not ready in the sense to "get to work", not ready in the sense we have crossed every "t" and dotted every "i", not ready in the sense that we have everything mapped out, and not ready even in the sense that we've become restless...(OK, maybe a little). But we're ready. Ready to live in Africa, ready to miss our friends and family, ready to sleep under mosquito nets, ready to learn the hard way, ready to rely on God more, ready to use Skype, ready not to consume fast food, ready to drive on the wrong side of the road, ready to see what God has in store, ready to...
After a certain family member chastised me about not being on Facebook or Twitter, I decided to wave the white flag. I am quickly being reminded why 2 years ago I deleted my facebook account...it's out of control! People have way to much "down time". But for the sake of low cost communication when you are half way around the world, it just makes sense. So for all of you that wish to check out The Kissing Well facebook and twitter page here they are.
Twitter address: @toddjgilliland
For the record, I'm glad he had the tech talk with me.
Homeschooling began in the Gilliland household this week. And for the most part, it is going rather well. Wendy has been in review mode with Emma and Annie, and Lucy read her very first sentence! The sentence read, "The pig sat in the mud." Her teacher had a moment.
One last note...we received our container's (the large box with all we possess) tracking number via email last week! It is on the ship and headed out to sea. It's first stop is a small island called Malta. Kinda wish I had a camera of it's voyage.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Wrecked
"There is freedom in new beginnings..." As the brother-in-laws and I congregated in James' (the best brother-in-law a man could ask for) garage, the goodbye cries were in full effect directly in the kitchen next to us. No one wanted to interrupt the sisters from there final moments together, but after a while, Hank (lead Boston church planter of Reunion Church) went in to lay down the heavy. "It's time to go." For the record, Hank really didn't have to say a word, the sisters eventually came out.
It's difficult to say goodbye.
This week was extra difficult. This was the first week Wendy and I and the girls have lived in an almost empty house, and boy did it feel strange. Mom commented the other day that even our phone conversations sounded echoey! So the moment finally came...some of you have experienced it before. I happened to be upstairs in our oldest daughters room when the moment occurred. Every emotion hit me all at once...I wept like a child. Wendy heard me and came into the room. She didn't even have to ask, she knew. Wendy had experienced her moment just the day before.
Starting over is hard, the easy button just doesn't exist. I know it's just a house...but it's my house. This is the house that Lucy took her first step in. This is the house that Annie sang her first song in. This is the house that Emma found Jesus in. This is the house that Wendy and I started over again in. This house, 21 East Lake Estates has real meaning to us, it is and will ever be a part of our story.
But that's just it, it's just a part. This house will one day fall apart, or be torn down for the next generation to build afresh. It will not stand the test of time, and will certainly not last forever. But for now, new memories will be made here, happy ones and sad. Children will celebrate birthdays, and people will grow older. Yes, we will miss this sanctuary we've called our home for nearly 6 years.
If I could give you one word to describe "my moment" it would be WRECKED. My life feels wrecked. When you give God complete control, your life will be wrecked. A part of me so desperately desires normality, to return back to the way things used to be. But then something inside reminds me of how far we have come to get to where we are today. If you've ever went on a run before, you know that looking behind isn't something our bodies or minds were designed to do. Looking behind while running causes dizziness after a while, and if your not careful can lead to a good spill or as a buddy of mine likes to call it, "a lip skid". Lip skids are painful, they hurt and usually happen when your not paying attention or have a lack of focus. When God wrecks your life, it's easy to look back and wish He hadn't. Looking back causes doubt, the kind of doubt that makes you question your God and His plan...and that's OK, God understands. Jesus understands. He questioned his father on what surely must have been the longest night of his life. Jesus wrecked the world when he came down and followed His fathers plan. Jesus' wreckage became our salvation.
Kudos to Jeff Goins, the author of the new book "Wrecked". If you are looking for inspiration and encouragement while stepping out in faith, I would highly recommend it.
It's difficult to say goodbye.
This week was extra difficult. This was the first week Wendy and I and the girls have lived in an almost empty house, and boy did it feel strange. Mom commented the other day that even our phone conversations sounded echoey! So the moment finally came...some of you have experienced it before. I happened to be upstairs in our oldest daughters room when the moment occurred. Every emotion hit me all at once...I wept like a child. Wendy heard me and came into the room. She didn't even have to ask, she knew. Wendy had experienced her moment just the day before.
Starting over is hard, the easy button just doesn't exist. I know it's just a house...but it's my house. This is the house that Lucy took her first step in. This is the house that Annie sang her first song in. This is the house that Emma found Jesus in. This is the house that Wendy and I started over again in. This house, 21 East Lake Estates has real meaning to us, it is and will ever be a part of our story.
But that's just it, it's just a part. This house will one day fall apart, or be torn down for the next generation to build afresh. It will not stand the test of time, and will certainly not last forever. But for now, new memories will be made here, happy ones and sad. Children will celebrate birthdays, and people will grow older. Yes, we will miss this sanctuary we've called our home for nearly 6 years.
If I could give you one word to describe "my moment" it would be WRECKED. My life feels wrecked. When you give God complete control, your life will be wrecked. A part of me so desperately desires normality, to return back to the way things used to be. But then something inside reminds me of how far we have come to get to where we are today. If you've ever went on a run before, you know that looking behind isn't something our bodies or minds were designed to do. Looking behind while running causes dizziness after a while, and if your not careful can lead to a good spill or as a buddy of mine likes to call it, "a lip skid". Lip skids are painful, they hurt and usually happen when your not paying attention or have a lack of focus. When God wrecks your life, it's easy to look back and wish He hadn't. Looking back causes doubt, the kind of doubt that makes you question your God and His plan...and that's OK, God understands. Jesus understands. He questioned his father on what surely must have been the longest night of his life. Jesus wrecked the world when he came down and followed His fathers plan. Jesus' wreckage became our salvation.
Kudos to Jeff Goins, the author of the new book "Wrecked". If you are looking for inspiration and encouragement while stepping out in faith, I would highly recommend it.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Stuff
As the semi truck pulled away with most of everything we held so tightly to for the past several years, one of my neighbors looked straight at me and asked me if I was nervous. Which I replied, "You know, actually I haven't felt more glad to be with less." Which she graciously said back, "Yeah, I guess it's just stuff." For the record, I really hope the container makes it to Kampala, Uganda in a decent time frame. The company (Nile Cargo) claims it will take 10-12 weeks from the time it leaves New York to the time it arrives in Kampala, but we're not holding our breath.
So what to do until October 15th...the day we leave, the day we depart the USA and head to Africa? A few churches have asked us to come and present our mission, and this month we go and speak at 3 of them. Our girls start a brand new experience called "home schooling" very soon. For the most part they are all looking forward to it. Wendy is making sure all of our health and wellness concerns are being taken care of. Plus she keeps me grounded, which is a full time job. Continuing to build awareness and support seems to be my number one focus for the moment, though I am chomping at the bit to be there.
So for those that care to know, I have updated our needs list. It has changed due to the container being gone now. So please, if you would, take a moment and look at it and see if there is anything you can do to help.
A special thanks to everyone that helped us pack up our "stuff" into that 20x8x8 container. And how can I forget to say thank you to Kathy Grady, Linda Luthy and Sandy Prather for the amazing meal they provided for all of us packers! Below are a few pics of the day...
So what to do until October 15th...the day we leave, the day we depart the USA and head to Africa? A few churches have asked us to come and present our mission, and this month we go and speak at 3 of them. Our girls start a brand new experience called "home schooling" very soon. For the most part they are all looking forward to it. Wendy is making sure all of our health and wellness concerns are being taken care of. Plus she keeps me grounded, which is a full time job. Continuing to build awareness and support seems to be my number one focus for the moment, though I am chomping at the bit to be there.
So for those that care to know, I have updated our needs list. It has changed due to the container being gone now. So please, if you would, take a moment and look at it and see if there is anything you can do to help.
A special thanks to everyone that helped us pack up our "stuff" into that 20x8x8 container. And how can I forget to say thank you to Kathy Grady, Linda Luthy and Sandy Prather for the amazing meal they provided for all of us packers! Below are a few pics of the day...
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Packing...
By now most people in Brown County (the county we reside) are aware that the Gilliland family is moving to a foreign land. It's amazing how much unwanted attention a "for sale" sign in your front lawn will attract. But I guess it's fair when you live in such a small community. People seem to just know too. Just today, a lady whom for the life of me, never can I remember remotely ever meeting, asked me if I was excited about our great adventure? And to her response, I gladly smiled and said yes. So we're in that stage of transition. If you've ever moved before and lived in a small town, you know what I mean and feel. Friends and family seem to be satisfied now, it's like they've had time to process, and figure it's probably to late to talk anyone out of it. Yep, on this side of the mic, that's how it feels. And for me, this is par for the course.
Most of you reading this probably never realized I was a professional mover...really I am. Since I was born until my senior year in college, I moved 7 times. And after that it only got worse. Since Wendy made our vowels, we have moved a total of 8 times, 15 moves in all! And honestly, I think I might have left one or two out. I'm not sure, but I've often wondered if I was part gypsy.
Let me give you all a run down of our personal deadlines that we face. First deadline is August 3rd, when our 20x8x8 shipping container arrives at our doorstep. We will have just 3 hours to load it! I'm sure Wendy and I will be completely relaxed on that day. As you can imagine, all that we own, or want to take to Uganda needs to fit in this space. Furniture, beds, tables, chairs, toys, clothing and all the Friday Night Church music gear and instruments will need to go. This is our one chance to take the big stuff, so taking advantage of this and getting our money's worth is critical. The cost of shipping a container from Mt Sterling, IL, USA to Kampala, Uganda, Africa is about $9000 when you include all the taxes and custom charges. I don't care who you are, that's a chunk of change, and so we are planning and packing well. Second deadline, October 15th, when all of us board a plane at terminal 5, at O'hare International to cross the pond to London, and after an 11 hour layover, we board one more 8 hour plane ride to Entebbe, Uganda, Africa. The time difference, 8 hours ahead.
So what are we doing now? Packing our home and stuffing envelopes filled with our support letters. I'm sure some of you reading will receive one. We are sending them Monday morning. As I mentioned above, our home awaits a buyer. It seems that both of our vehicles have been spoken for so praise the Lord for that! This money will help us to purchase transport in Kampala. If only our home would go as smooth. Wendy and I pray daily for this and would gladly appreciate you partnering with us in this matter. Honestly, it's good to have plenty of time between now and October 15th. Nothing is feeling rushed, and we are having ample time to think and process our moving strategy. We don't feel ahead or behind schedule. This I believe is an answer to our prayers and from the many that are praying for us daily. It's also giving us proper time to say our goodbyes. For this I am truly thankful.
I want to make one plea for Friday Night Church before our first deadline which is coming up fast. We really need to fill our container with more musical gear and instruments. If you would, for those that care to, please go to our "MONTHLY NEEDS" page and see if there isn't something you could do to help us out here. Again, I need to have anything donated be at my doorstep no later than Friday, August 3rd in the a.m. so we can load it in the container for shipment. But if you would prefer to make a donation via check or a one time online donation, please visit our blog page entitled "SUPPORT" for all the info you will need.
Thank you Thank you Thank you for all your prayers and support thus far. Blessings.
Let me give you all a run down of our personal deadlines that we face. First deadline is August 3rd, when our 20x8x8 shipping container arrives at our doorstep. We will have just 3 hours to load it! I'm sure Wendy and I will be completely relaxed on that day. As you can imagine, all that we own, or want to take to Uganda needs to fit in this space. Furniture, beds, tables, chairs, toys, clothing and all the Friday Night Church music gear and instruments will need to go. This is our one chance to take the big stuff, so taking advantage of this and getting our money's worth is critical. The cost of shipping a container from Mt Sterling, IL, USA to Kampala, Uganda, Africa is about $9000 when you include all the taxes and custom charges. I don't care who you are, that's a chunk of change, and so we are planning and packing well. Second deadline, October 15th, when all of us board a plane at terminal 5, at O'hare International to cross the pond to London, and after an 11 hour layover, we board one more 8 hour plane ride to Entebbe, Uganda, Africa. The time difference, 8 hours ahead.
So what are we doing now? Packing our home and stuffing envelopes filled with our support letters. I'm sure some of you reading will receive one. We are sending them Monday morning. As I mentioned above, our home awaits a buyer. It seems that both of our vehicles have been spoken for so praise the Lord for that! This money will help us to purchase transport in Kampala. If only our home would go as smooth. Wendy and I pray daily for this and would gladly appreciate you partnering with us in this matter. Honestly, it's good to have plenty of time between now and October 15th. Nothing is feeling rushed, and we are having ample time to think and process our moving strategy. We don't feel ahead or behind schedule. This I believe is an answer to our prayers and from the many that are praying for us daily. It's also giving us proper time to say our goodbyes. For this I am truly thankful.
I want to make one plea for Friday Night Church before our first deadline which is coming up fast. We really need to fill our container with more musical gear and instruments. If you would, for those that care to, please go to our "MONTHLY NEEDS" page and see if there isn't something you could do to help us out here. Again, I need to have anything donated be at my doorstep no later than Friday, August 3rd in the a.m. so we can load it in the container for shipment. But if you would prefer to make a donation via check or a one time online donation, please visit our blog page entitled "SUPPORT" for all the info you will need.
Thank you Thank you Thank you for all your prayers and support thus far. Blessings.
Monday, July 9, 2012
In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day
Mark Batterson recently published a book entitled
The Circle Maker. Good book and would strongly recommend this read for
anyone deciding to do something crazy, ministry crazy that is. I usually
shy away from reading the same author back to back, but in this case, I'm real
glad God led me away from my usual habits.
As most of you are probably aware, Wendy and I and
the girls are moving to Kampala, Uganda to begin an evangelistic ministry
called Friday Night Church. We leave October 15th of this year, and we
are scared. We are so scared, we are scared of being scared. But God has
clearly marked this time for us to go, and we are willing, so we must act.
I don't have time to share with you the severity of our scaredness, but
in short, we are fearful of everything from our girls getting malaria, to just being plain lonely
and everything in between. All of these fears will probably rear
their ugly heads in one fashion or another in the time God has us in Africa.
In the book, "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy
Day" Batterson introduced me to a man in the bible named Benaiah.
Seriously, I thought I knew about all the heros in scripture, but this
guy was never taught to me in Sunday school or Bible College. In my professors’
defense, I did take advantage of all my "skip" days. In second Samuel
chapter 23 we are introduced to a man named Benaiah.
"Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant
fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two
mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a
lion. 21 And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the
Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He
snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own
spear. 22 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada;
he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors. 23 He was
held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the
Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard. "
After reading this, the first thought that came to
my head was when Brad Pitt slayed the giant in the introductory scene of the
movie "Troy". Killing a giant is one thing, and a feat that
most of us will never be able to understand, but killing a lion in a pit on a
snowy day, that's on a whole different level. I would like to go so far
to say, it's not even in the same ballpark. Can we all agree that
Benaiah's brain seemed to be missing a key God given element, fear? This
guy was fearless! Even King David never killed a lion in a pit on a snowy
day...at least his lion was in broad daylight and his feet were on secure
ground. Yeah, I'm quite sure that King David read his resume and the pit
and snow details caught his attention.
Here's the point Batterson is trying to get across
and something that God is beginning to instill in me: Benaiah was a lion
chaser, he loved guaranteed uncertainty. Did Benaiah ever have doubts,
did he ever have fears...yes I'm sure he did. But did he allow his fears
to take his eyes off his Lion, never.
Most of us out there are not Lion chasers, and by
the looks of most men's faces, we stopped chasing our lions a long time ago.
Maybe it was when someone told us we couldn't do it. Maybe it was
when someone disappointed us. Maybe it was when a loved one died.
Maybe it was when life hit us hard, and everyone around thought we should
take the 9-5 job that seemed at the time "the right thing to do", the
safe way out. I don't know, but what I do know for sure, is that most of
us have given in to our fears. And we hate it...we just hate it.
Only one thing holds us back, FEAR. That's it, nothing else.
The fear of the unknown, of risky possibilities, of failure, and of embarrassment.
I need to be transparent here...I am fearful of all
the above, truly I am. But one thing I fear more than any of these, is
the fear of regret. One day when I stand before Jesus and He asks me,
"Todd, what did you do for Me?" My one desire is to answer with
complete confidence that I took every risk and conquered every fear and that I
chased my lion with reckless abandon for the sake of the one thing I love more
than anything else, the Gospel.
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