Once again it's been a while since the last post, this last month has been a very busy and crazy one, but now that I'm home for Christmas it's beginning to slow down a bit! I'm completely done with college now (praise God!), so from here on out I can completely focus on getting ready for my trip.
The Photography Show was a huge success. I sold about 70 photos and made a profit of $1,500! I was amazed by how many I sold, and I've continued to be amazed by how more funds have continued to come in! The total is now at $10,500!!! I only need another $1,500 and I'll be there.... $1,500 seems like nothing in comparison with what God has already provided.... 30 people at $50 would totally cover it. I know God will provide, and just the fact that He was able to help me raise $12,000 during a recession is a great testimony in and of itself.
I've had my photos up at Radinas; however, I haven't sold many there. I'm going to have my photos up at my home church in Fort Scott, Faith Christian Center. Hopefully with that and another speaking engagement I have in January, I'll be able to get the rest of the funds I need.
Not only am I almost there as far as funds go, I'm literally almost in SA! Just about 5 more weeks and I'll be on my way.... I am getting more and more excited as it gets closer and I know it's going to be great experience.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Photography Show
It's been a while since I've made a new post, so I think it's time for an update. As a fund-raiser I will be having a photography at the KSU Gardens Visitors Center. Above is one of the photos that will be in the show. I have a variety of photos, mostly plants, ranging from places like the East Coast to Panama. The show is from November 14 to 21 and is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. I'm really excited about doing this, and getting it all put together has definitely kept me busy the last few days! Doing a fund-raiser like this can be kind of risky because you never know if people will actually buy the photos, but I'm trusting God will continue to be faithful and provide for me!
Speaking of providing, the fund-raising total is now at $7,200! Only about $4,800 to go! This number may seem big, but I know God will provide. If you think about it, if just 96 people gave $50 that would cover it!
Again, it's important to remember that me going to South Africa for a year isn't about me. It's about getting the word out and saving the lost! In many ways I feel inadequate to do this, but in my weakness God is strong! This is a huge leap of faith for me, and I'm excited to see what the outcome will be.
The trip is getting closer and closer and it's starting to feel more real. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and being totally freaked out! But, it seems like the great things in life happen when you have to be a little scared to do it.
Please continue to pray for South Africa, the effectiveness of our ministry while we are there, and the funds I need to go on this trip.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Half Way There
It's been three weeks since my last post and in that time over $1,000 has come in! The current total is $5,750, just about half way there!A few weeks ago I was able to speak at my sister's church, Centerville Community Church. I was a little bit nervous about speaking at a church, but it went very well and I was extremely blessed through doing it. Although it was a very small church (less than 50), they gave an offering of over $400!
I will be having a photography show at Radina's coffee-shop here in Manhattan during the month of December. I'm very excited about doing this, hopefully it will be a good fund-raiser and it will be a lot of fun to have my photos on display at Radina's :)
On October 11 I'll be speaking at my church, First Assemblies of God. I'll have a few minutes to present during the service and then I'll have a table set up in the back where I can speak with people who stop by.
As always, God never fails to provide and I'm continually reminded of His faithfulness.
The picture above is one that I found and I just wanted to show everyone. I'm really looking forward to living in this beautiful land, and experiencing everything God has for me there.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
$ Update $
I'm very happy to say that my fund-raising total is at $4,695 now! A lot of money has come in these past few weeks, and things are moving along nicely. Dr. visits are done with and the paperwork is still going well. I'm getting some more plans worked out for fund-raisers and speaking at churches.... That's about it, I just wanted to give you all a quick update. As always, thanks for the prayers and support. It's always incredible to see how God provides! :)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Dates Are Set!
The dates have finally been set for the Nomad trips to South Africa in 2010. I will be leaving February 1st and returning on November 16th!
Today I got started on my visa paperwork, which has turned out to be quite confusing! But, with some help from the people at OneHope, and maybe the study abroad office here at K-State, hopefully I can get it filled out in the next couple of days. I've already set my Dr. appointments for check-ups and travel consults.
The second round of letters were sent out yesterday, I will be speaking at my sisters' church on September 13th, and maybe at my home church youth group that night. I will also be speaking at my church here in Manhattan sometime soon... It seems like things are progressing nicely and it's starting to feel a little bit more real!
My fund-raising total at this point is around $2,650... I may need more than the original $12,000 due to medical costs, but we will have to wait and see about that.
That's about it for now I think, thank you again for your continued prayers and support!
Today I got started on my visa paperwork, which has turned out to be quite confusing! But, with some help from the people at OneHope, and maybe the study abroad office here at K-State, hopefully I can get it filled out in the next couple of days. I've already set my Dr. appointments for check-ups and travel consults.
The second round of letters were sent out yesterday, I will be speaking at my sisters' church on September 13th, and maybe at my home church youth group that night. I will also be speaking at my church here in Manhattan sometime soon... It seems like things are progressing nicely and it's starting to feel a little bit more real!
My fund-raising total at this point is around $2,650... I may need more than the original $12,000 due to medical costs, but we will have to wait and see about that.
That's about it for now I think, thank you again for your continued prayers and support!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
End Of The Summer Update
Hello everyone,
Well, as you can see it's been a while since I've made a post, but it's been a busy summer which is sadly coming to an end. I just finished my internship at Longwood Gardens and I am already missing everyone there! It's been a great summer :).... Right now I'm staying with my parents for a few days before I head back to Manhattan to do my LAST semester of college! YAY!
I'm thrilled to report that God has supplied me with $2,500 for my trip so far! It's really been incredible to see how He has been a faithful provider!
Today I wrote another support letter that I will be sending out shortly, I also made some prayer card reminders to send with the letters.... I'm working some fundraising ideas, such as selling some of my photos from this summer, and doing some child care date nights at my church in Manhattan, I'll keep you all posted on that as the plans become more solid.... I'm also need to start working on getting my visa. January is coming up faster and faster and, but it still doesn't quite seem real to me. I think it's not really going to until I'm on a plane headed to Florida for training!
Please continue to keep in your prayers. Thank you all so much for your support, and if you have any fundraising ideas I'm open to hearing them!
Well, as you can see it's been a while since I've made a post, but it's been a busy summer which is sadly coming to an end. I just finished my internship at Longwood Gardens and I am already missing everyone there! It's been a great summer :).... Right now I'm staying with my parents for a few days before I head back to Manhattan to do my LAST semester of college! YAY!
I'm thrilled to report that God has supplied me with $2,500 for my trip so far! It's really been incredible to see how He has been a faithful provider!
Today I wrote another support letter that I will be sending out shortly, I also made some prayer card reminders to send with the letters.... I'm working some fundraising ideas, such as selling some of my photos from this summer, and doing some child care date nights at my church in Manhattan, I'll keep you all posted on that as the plans become more solid.... I'm also need to start working on getting my visa. January is coming up faster and faster and, but it still doesn't quite seem real to me. I think it's not really going to until I'm on a plane headed to Florida for training!
Please continue to keep in your prayers. Thank you all so much for your support, and if you have any fundraising ideas I'm open to hearing them!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Fundraising Update & My Future Home
God's proved Himself to be very faithful and an amazing provider! After just around 3 weeks from sending out my letters $1,300 has come it! I'm astounded, but in a sense I really shouldn't be because I know that God is in control and will provide for me!
As you all know I will be traveling around South Africa while I'm there, but our homebase is located on a game farm called Shikwaru in the North-Eastern part of South Africa, in the Limpopo region. Our lodge is on the property of a ministry partner who runs the game farm. It's a beautiful place from what I hear; the picture is from the Limpopo region. The weather in that region is very mild as well; the summer ranges from about 82 to 62 degrees F, and the winter ranges from 66 to 40 degrees F, a definite improvement from the crazy weather I'm used to in Kansas!
Thanks you for your prayers and support, and please continue to keep me in your prayers, without them this journey can not be a success!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Update & Info on South Africa
So far God's been faithful to provide! With some money that I received prior to sending out my letters and since then I've gotten $500! This is a good start, and I know it's only going to keep on coming because God is in control, not me; He had to teach me that this last week. I was pretty much trying to figure out how on earth I could do raise $12,000, and I realized I can't, but He can!
I also want to give you some quick info and some history about South Africa.
History:
After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch setters (the Boers) traveled north to found their won republics. The discovery of diamonds in 1867 and gold in 1886 spurred on wealth and immigrations and intensified subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British resisted British encroachments but were defeated by them in the Boer War that lasted from 1899 to 1902. The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid- the separate development of the races. The 1990's brought an end the the apartheid politically and ushered in a black majority rule.
General Info:
The population is about bout 44,000,000, with the average life expectancy of about 43 years of age. There are 3 main ethnic groups in SA, black African 79%, white 9.6%, colored 8.9%, and Indian/Asian 2.5%. They speak many African languages, but English is also widely spoken. AIDS is a huge issue in South Africa! Nealy 20% of all the adults (about 5 million people) are infected, and it is much more prevalent among the black population. With so many adults dieing from AIDS there is an increasing number of "AIDS Orphans". These children in many cases are dependent on the state for care and financial support. Also in many cases, older siblings will become responsible for taking care of their younger brothers and sisters. It's estimated that there are about 1,200,000 Aids Orphans in SA.
As you can see from a quick bit of info, SA is in desperate need of a Savior that can bring them eternal hope, and that's what I'm going there to do. To spread the good news and let them know that there is something worth living for, and that Christ died to forgive them of their sins... This trip isn't about me going to SA, isn't about me doing presentations, isn't about me period! It's about saving the lost, giving them something to hope for, and bringing them into the Kingdom of God!
I also want to give you some quick info and some history about South Africa.
History:
After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch setters (the Boers) traveled north to found their won republics. The discovery of diamonds in 1867 and gold in 1886 spurred on wealth and immigrations and intensified subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British resisted British encroachments but were defeated by them in the Boer War that lasted from 1899 to 1902. The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid- the separate development of the races. The 1990's brought an end the the apartheid politically and ushered in a black majority rule.
General Info:
The population is about bout 44,000,000, with the average life expectancy of about 43 years of age. There are 3 main ethnic groups in SA, black African 79%, white 9.6%, colored 8.9%, and Indian/Asian 2.5%. They speak many African languages, but English is also widely spoken. AIDS is a huge issue in South Africa! Nealy 20% of all the adults (about 5 million people) are infected, and it is much more prevalent among the black population. With so many adults dieing from AIDS there is an increasing number of "AIDS Orphans". These children in many cases are dependent on the state for care and financial support. Also in many cases, older siblings will become responsible for taking care of their younger brothers and sisters. It's estimated that there are about 1,200,000 Aids Orphans in SA.
As you can see from a quick bit of info, SA is in desperate need of a Savior that can bring them eternal hope, and that's what I'm going there to do. To spread the good news and let them know that there is something worth living for, and that Christ died to forgive them of their sins... This trip isn't about me going to SA, isn't about me doing presentations, isn't about me period! It's about saving the lost, giving them something to hope for, and bringing them into the Kingdom of God!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
How You Can Help
I'm happy to report that my letters were sent today! It seems like it's taken forever to get here, but I know God is faithful and will provide for me!
Here is a little bit more information about how I learned about OneHope and how you can support me.
Over Christmas break I went to a conference called The World Missions Summit, as the name hints to, its all about missions. It was a great experience and it was there that I answered the call to give a year of my life to missions. At the conference is where I learned about OneHope and all the opportunities they have. One of the trips they do are Nomad team trips. Nomads focus on a country and travel in that region. In my case of South Africa, I will travel all over South Africa and possibly to surrounding countries such as Swaziland and Namibia. While I'm in SA I will be doing the traditional type of OneHope ministry in the schools, as well as doing some special soccer camps since the World Cup will be in SA in 2010.
In order for me to go on this journey that God has set before me I will need to raise about $12,0o0. Checks written to OneHope with my name in the memo line are tax deductable. You can send contributions to:
Paul Cook
1560-205th Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
I will be leaving in late January of 2010 and returning in early December of 2010. I need $4,000 by this October, $4,000 more by November, and the final $4,000 by December. If you'd like to send my monthly support for the remainder of this year please indicate that with a note along with your contribution... More important than monetary support is pray support! Please continue to pray for me that God will use me and the Nomad team in an awesome way, that the kids we minister to will have open/receptive hearts for His love, and please also pray for financial support for this trip.
If you're curious about OneHope check out their web-site at onehope.net
I think that's it for now, I will keep you updated on my fund raising and let you all know some more general information about the country of SA!
Here is a little bit more information about how I learned about OneHope and how you can support me.
Over Christmas break I went to a conference called The World Missions Summit, as the name hints to, its all about missions. It was a great experience and it was there that I answered the call to give a year of my life to missions. At the conference is where I learned about OneHope and all the opportunities they have. One of the trips they do are Nomad team trips. Nomads focus on a country and travel in that region. In my case of South Africa, I will travel all over South Africa and possibly to surrounding countries such as Swaziland and Namibia. While I'm in SA I will be doing the traditional type of OneHope ministry in the schools, as well as doing some special soccer camps since the World Cup will be in SA in 2010.
In order for me to go on this journey that God has set before me I will need to raise about $12,0o0. Checks written to OneHope with my name in the memo line are tax deductable. You can send contributions to:
Paul Cook
1560-205th Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
I will be leaving in late January of 2010 and returning in early December of 2010. I need $4,000 by this October, $4,000 more by November, and the final $4,000 by December. If you'd like to send my monthly support for the remainder of this year please indicate that with a note along with your contribution... More important than monetary support is pray support! Please continue to pray for me that God will use me and the Nomad team in an awesome way, that the kids we minister to will have open/receptive hearts for His love, and please also pray for financial support for this trip.
If you're curious about OneHope check out their web-site at onehope.net
I think that's it for now, I will keep you updated on my fund raising and let you all know some more general information about the country of SA!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
South Africa
Hello everyone,
This first post is just going to pretty much explain the purpose of this blog... For the year of 2010 I will be living in South Africa working with OneHope, a Christian organization that spreads the gospel all over the world. They have taken the gospels and combined them into an easy to understand childrens version, it's called The Book of Hope. OneHope Goes into schools and orphanages and gives presentations explaining the heart of the gospel. Their mission statement is to have the word of God the hand of every child and youth accross the world.
I plan to use this blog to keep people updated on my fundraising endeavors as well as keep people back home updated on what I'm doing wile I'm in South Africa.
I'm very excited to see what God will do through me on this journey and I know great things will indeed happen!... When I get all of my fundraising information I will let everyone know how they can support me financially, but more importantly I need prayer support! So I ask that you would be in prayer for me before and during this journey. Pray that they people we minister to would have and open, receptive heart for the gospels, that God would protect everyone on the trip, and that God would provide the necessary finances to make this possible.
Thanks
This first post is just going to pretty much explain the purpose of this blog... For the year of 2010 I will be living in South Africa working with OneHope, a Christian organization that spreads the gospel all over the world. They have taken the gospels and combined them into an easy to understand childrens version, it's called The Book of Hope. OneHope Goes into schools and orphanages and gives presentations explaining the heart of the gospel. Their mission statement is to have the word of God the hand of every child and youth accross the world.
I plan to use this blog to keep people updated on my fundraising endeavors as well as keep people back home updated on what I'm doing wile I'm in South Africa.
I'm very excited to see what God will do through me on this journey and I know great things will indeed happen!... When I get all of my fundraising information I will let everyone know how they can support me financially, but more importantly I need prayer support! So I ask that you would be in prayer for me before and during this journey. Pray that they people we minister to would have and open, receptive heart for the gospels, that God would protect everyone on the trip, and that God would provide the necessary finances to make this possible.
Thanks
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