Monday 22 August 2016

Renewed outlook & energy

For me as a teacher, summer is always about renewing my energy and starting again.  As such, I've been able to spend some time refocusing and thinking about how I can better fundraise.  I've been doing good things, but as my pastor says, sometimes we have to say no to good things to say yes to the best things.

So with that in mind, I hope to spend more energy on the best things, including fundraising.

I have completed my Travel & Expense funds, and am currently at 22% of my monthly pledge goals.  I've had to push back my goal departure date because I'm not at 100% yet.  My new goal is January 2017.


Back on the horse!

Best,
Jane

Sunday 17 April 2016

April Update

After the big push for the cookie fundraiser I found that I was exhausted.  I haven't had the time or energy to work on fundraising this month, but the Lord still provides.

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."  Psalm 91:4

I found refuge and grace.  Even though I felt like I wasn't doing what I was supposed to be doing, He is so patient and kind:  My first effort at fundraising in a month was today at church.  I asked a friend of mine whether she'd consider sponsoring me, and she said 'for sure! We (her and her husband) just need to sit down and talk about how much'.

I thank God because every time I've been discouraged, He has encouraged me by providing more support.

In His Service,
Jane

Sunday 20 March 2016

March Update


Alyse & Cedric coolin' with the cookies
This month has been Cookie Fundraiser Month.  I had 13 bakers making 12 types of cookies, bars
and tarts: spicy chocolate, gluten free oatmeal, peanut butter bars, red velvet with white chocolate chips, rocky road bars, gluten free vegan breakfast cookies, nutella chocolate chip cookies, cranberry shortbread, classic chocolate chip, egg tarts and world peace cookies.  Woo! I've never baked so much in my LIFE.

Many thanks to my bakers who put in countless hours of baking to produce delicious treats for my supporters!  Thanks to the wonderful and talented Alyse, Cedric, Matt, Genny, Jason, Laura, Esther, Jenn, Cherie, Jun, Melvine, and Daniela!

We made and sold 1311 cookies and made $1103 for the T&E fund!  Praise God!
Professional cookie model Joanne highlighting 4 of our delicious cookies

Now that the Travel & Expense fund is virtually finished, I need to focus on my monthly donations fund.  Please pray that I will be able to find time, energy and people willing to partner with me.
Best,
Jane

Saturday 20 February 2016

February Update

A friend of mine invited me to visit his Homechurch (our church's small groups) to present my mission to them this past month.   The questions and discussion that it spurred was really encouraging.

In addition, this has been a month of surprises.  Friends from Ottawa who I didn't speak to about my mission, but heard about it through my Dad agreed to sponsor me!  Also, a friend and colleague of mine who is not a Christian sponsored me as well!  It's a constant surprise as to who God will use to help me, and I'm so blessed by this.

My homechurch is also working together to do a cookie fundraiser!  We hope to raise the rest of the T&E fund through this and generally raise awareness as well.  Stay tuned for more information!

Here is my current progress:



Saturday 9 January 2016

January Update

Happy New Year!

Since I started my fundraising campaign in December I've been so blessed by people pledging support and giving donations.  Many thanks to Rebecca, Jason, Jordan, Liz and Ingle, who are my first sponsors!  With their help I am now at $3500 for my Travel and Expense Account and $200 in monthly pledges.

I still have a ways to go yet, since I need $3350 in monthly pledges, but I am so thankful and blessed by the help I've gotten so far!



Best,
Jane

Thursday 10 December 2015

The Start of a New Adventure!

Hello Everyone,
                I want to tell you about a new adventure that God has started in my life recently and how I’d love for you to be involved! 
What has happened?
                As many of you know, I spent a month serving in Costa Rica with Christ for the City International in March 2015.  I have enjoyed teaching science and biology for the past 10 years, but in the last few years, I’ve felt a restlessness to do something different.  When I was in Costa Rica, I really connected with the ministry there and with the other short term missionaries.  I felt that this might be what God had been preparing me for, and I even said to my friend Sam, “If there is a job for me here in Costa Rica, I would be willing to do it”.  When I arrived home and was speaking to my contact at CFCI, I mentioned this, and she said that there was in fact an open position!  It would be Director of Short Term Individuals, so I would get to work with the short term missionaries that I so connected with, and help staff the different volunteer opportunities I so loved!  Throughout this journey, I have felt peace that could only come from God about returning to serve full-time in Costa Rica.  If you know me, I like adventure, but I also enjoy security…  Only God could enable me to say ‘yes!’ to moving to a foreign country, learning a new culture and language and serving Him there!  After much deliberation, praying and seeking God’s will, I feel this is what I am called to do. 

We took the children of Tirrases to camp for one weekend, where we played games, sang songs, talked about God and roasted marshmallows.  Some of these children had never been out of the city, let alone to a camp.  I was so blessed to be a part of their lives, and happy to help give them those awesome experiences.
What I’ll be doing
             I’m so excited to have the opportunity to work with Christ for the City International and short term missionaries who have a heart for Jesus and serving others. There are so many amazing opportunities with CFCI in Costa Rica. There is a medical clinic, a community center in the slum of La Carpio offering free meals, Bible studies, high school classes for girls who haven’t been able to finish their diplomas, soccer clubs, a cooking school, a Saturday program that includes crafts, and a drug rehabilitation center to name a few. When I was a short-term missionary, I was so glad to be able to volunteer my time and help with the Bible school in Tirrases. My job will be to enable people who have a heart for volunteering and Jesus, to come to Costa Rica and serve.  I will be receiving their applications, doing their interviews, orientation, support while they are there and then debrief their experiences when they leave.  I hope that Jesus’ love will be shown through the love of the people who come and serve, so much so that people’s lives will be changed, keeping them out of gangs, giving them alternatives to drugs and prostitution, and helping them to lead joyful, Christ-filled lives.   I hope to also be able to join in and volunteer as well, helping to tutor English in Tirrases where it is difficult for students to succeed academically, or leading children’s programs like the camp I participated in. Check out this video that explains the program I'll be coordinating:

How you can help
                You play a vital role in every step of this opportunity.  I thank God for each of you who have already played an active role in my life through encouragement, prayer and even financial support of past trips.  God promises that He is our provider: “He will meet all my needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!” (Phil 4:19) But it is also amazing that He invites us to partner with Him to be His hands and feet.  I need each of you as a prayer warrior to stand with me as I take this step of faith in the direction the Lord is leading me.  Please prayerfully consider how He might be inviting you to be involved in this ministry opportunity in Costa Rica.  I truly believe that the “sender” is as important as the “sendee”, and that in God’s economy the good works I do, are also credited to you.
My needs
                In addition to prayer support, I will need people to support me financially.  My greatest financial need is for monthly supporters.  I will need $3350 pledged monthly to cover my expenses.  I will also need special gifts to cover my airfare, language school tuition, and other set-up expenses (like furnishing an apartment).  Around $5000 is needed in my Travel & Equipment account.  I hope you’ll consider supporting me on a monthly basis.  In order to meet my budget, I would need 6 donors to contribute $200 a month, 12 donors at $100 a month, 12 donors at $50 a month and 14 donors at $25 a month. 
Where you can send donations
                If you would like to join me as a Prayer and/or Financial Partner, please note your pledge on the response slip enclosed. Please begin sending support as soon as you would like, but my goal is to have the funds by April so I can leave by August 2016. All contributions receive a tax deductible receipt.
                Online:  Please click on "How to Donate"
                By Cheque:    Please make cheques payable to “Christ for the City International (Canada) Inc.”  and please include your response slip. Then mail to:                                              
Jane Lee
1909-914 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON.
M4W 3C8

How can I pray for you?
I’d also love to hear how the Lord is working in your life so I can pray for you.  Drop me a note or email!  May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He shine His face upon you!

In His Service,                   
 Jane Lee