Thanks for stopping by to read more about my mission trip!
I will be departing for Saint Lucia in mid-January 2015 and returning at the end of February. Five whole weeks! This will be quite the adventure and one that I’m, honestly, a little nervous about but here I go, with God guiding me!
I will once again be living and volunteering at the YWAM (Youth with a Mission) base on this small Caribbean island. YWAM’s mission is to know God and make God known throughout the world. There are YWAM locations throughout the world and they offer evangelism training for young adults and Discipleship Training Schools to teach these adults to become disciples wherever they go.
I’ve included the breakdown of my costs below and fundraising goals but to hear the whole story, visit Stony Brook Fellowship on October 19!
My Role
My role on the base, at least on my last trip, was to do practical ministry. I helped maintain the base by cleaning, cooking, doing yard work, doing office work and some childcare. I had opportunities to participate in two prayer tours around the island and to visit a homeless shelter twice.
God really opened my eyes to how He could use me to do something so simple as cleaning the front porch or washing dishes. Because this meant that the directors and YWAM staff did not have to do these tasks and they could focus on their own ministry.
I anticipate a similar type of ministry on this next trip again. But, I would like to focus more on childcare and providing homeschooling for the YWAM directors' three-year-old son, Asaph. He and I had so much fun last time and I just feel God calling me to provide more help with him on this next trip. I am ready and willing to do whatever I am asked to do. Last time, I would wake up in the morning expecting to work in the office and set up databases only to spend my day pruning banana trees and cleaning bathrooms. It’s truly amazing how God will use you when you offer yourself up to Him as willing and able. He gives you a spirit and heart of willingness and not dread or tiredness.
Fund-raising
This past August, I held a small fund-raiser and raised $470. I couldn’t be happier about that! Every dollar counts! However, it is a long way to go to reach my ultimate goal of raising $4,000 (for a full break-down of my expenses, see below).
If your schedule allows, please join me and my church family on Sunday, October 19 for our Thanksgiving service followed by lunch. I will be speaking that morning about my upcoming trip and sharing many of the details that I couldn’t fit into this one message. J My church family will also be taking up an offering in support of my mission trip.
God, with all His amazing provisions, has given me direction and blessed me with a wonderful support system of family and friends.
I am simply asking you, if you are able, to support me to go on this trip with a monetary donation.
Monetary donation or not, please remember me in prayer as I prepare for this trip and while I am away—for safety, health, opportunities to serve and that God will be able to use me to my fullest.
Even if you are unable to attend on October 19, your monetary donations would still be welcomed and really really appreciated! If you are able, please write your cheque to Stony Brook Fellowship and note in the memo that it is for ‘Lauren Unger’. Tax receipts are available.
Expenses
Why do I need to raise $4,000? Why so much money? Well, I want to explain all of that!
First of all, any money raised or generously donated goes directly towards my travel, accommodation and food costs while living in Saint Lucia plus helping to cover essential costs at the YWAM base.
None of the money raised or donated goes towards any of my personal expenses that I incur in preparation for the trip or to cover any bills that need to be paid while I’m gone (apparently, life goes on while I’m away and the Credit Union still wants my debt to be paid!). Since returning from my last trip, I have been saving up money to pay for all my bills and expenses—I am crazy about my Excel spreadsheet that keeps track of every penny and I know that I will have enough money saved up by January to cover all my at-home bills.
So, here’s how that $4,000 goal gets broken down:
My flights (plus checked baggage) have cost me $1,357.
My daily cost to live at the YWAM base is $30/day and I will be staying 35 days which totals $1,050.
The airport is on the opposite end of the island of where I’ll be living so the bus rides to/from the airport will be approximately $50.
The YWAM base cannot afford a vehicle so all transportation is done by bus or on foot. We are able to walk to and from the local churches or to the food market but any trips into the city or anywhere else on the island require taking the bus. I have budgeted $225 for transportation.
While part of my daily cost at the YWAM base is to cover food, food is extremely expensive in Saint Lucia. Though tourism is one of the main industries that supports the island, it is due to tourism that the cost of living is very high for locals. Many stores and food markets increase the price on essential items because they know tourists will pay that cost but, it unfortunately, affects the locals as well. For these reasons, I have budgeted an additional $400 for food costs.
That brings my total to $3,082. But, my goal is still $4,000. Here’s my desire for what to do with that remaining amount:
I am passionate and supportive of the work that is being done by the directors at the YWAM base in Saint Lucia. They are giving up so many of the “wants” that we have in our society and instead devoting their lives to furthering the kingdom of God. Their sacrifices are far greater than anything I could imagine giving up in my own life.
I would like to use any additional funds raised or donated to go to the directors and assist with their ministry programs—like their Discipleship Training School, summer programs and outreach opportunities. There is so much work to be done and so many pre-Christians to be reached and sometimes a little extra funding is required to do that.
These essential costs of the YWAM base are all important and it is my desire to help them as much as I possibly can. And, with your generous support and encouragement, I’ll be able to reach my goal!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Your support means SO much to me!
