Peru....The Journey Continues

Friends,

After my alarm went off this morning at 2:30am I quickly realized this would be a long day. I will arrive this evening in Lima, Peru at about 11pm. (currently in Atlanta). This will be a 6 day trip with the primary focus on how our South American Young Life staff and committees fundraise and how they can become self sustaining. A great friend and mentor of mine, Bill Hautt, will be joining me as we team teach a 3 ½ day session on fundraising with 6 different countries represented and a total of 40 people.

As Young Life grows and expands around the world much of the funding comes from Americans. As these ministries become established and grow as do their budgets. This puts a huge burden on the Regional Directors to raise these funds, and ultimately there is a ceiling to how much these ministries can grow because of resources. Thus, it is a HUGE priority to have these ministries be self sustaining not only because the US funding has its limits but also for the benefit of local Peruvians, Columbians, Africans, Vietnamese, etc. In some places this may never be possible, but even on a small level the dignity that comes with not relying entirely on US support is monumental. The blessing of indigenous donors giving and seeing these Young Life ministries reaching unchurched kids should not be taken from them because we fail to train and equip our staff and committees. And thus my trip!

I will also get to see some of the amazing ministry happening with Peruvian Young Life. Among other ministries they have a Capernaum ministry reaching out to handicapped and disabled kids. We will attend a Capernaum club on Friday night.

I sent out a questionnaire before hand, and here are two responses:

Paraguay

I would like to have a person who can help me share the vision of YL in Paraguay. I don’t want someone to raise the funds for me.

On collecting donations: In every case we always have to visit them. The postal system of Paraguay is very deficient, so sending checks by mail isn’t an option

Venezuela

In our country, the government doesn’t exonerate the funds donated to a beneficial institution, just a part. But in any case, despite making donations you will have to pay taxes to the state, which is different than how donations are done in the United States. Our biggest obstacle is that the average Venezuelan thinks that donations are the role of the State and their beneficial institutions. Teach me strategies and tolos to presen tour plan and how we’ll do follow up. We’ve received well written information but hearing from those with personal experience would be a bigger help.

As you can see there are some significant cultural, economic, and political issues at hand. This is no small task or goal, and is no slam dunk that it is even possible. Much prayer and work is needed, and what we do at this conference will have far reaching impact around the world as we try and create a template for other countries.

How you can Pray:

· Safety. Lots of planes, trains, buses, scooters.

· Prayer for my family. Seems every time I take a trip of spiritual significance someone at home gets sick or hurt. (with 4 kids it is kind of a roll of the dice everyday anyway). Pray Jenny feels energy and apart of what I am doing. I am missing soccer Saturday (see picture at top) this weekend, so I am pretty bummed about that:(

· Connection to staff and committee – that we would connect and the Lord would uncover some new paradigms, and practical ways to raise support locally.

· Staff and committee would leave equipped with real tools and be energized to start the road to self sustaining ministry.

· Pray for the language barrier and translations. When I train English speaking people on fundraising it seems to some I am speaking a different language…so adding an actual language barrier will be interesting.

· Pray that out of this time we could create something that could be duplicated around the world.

It is best if you subscribe to this blog, then you get notified when there is a new post. (Is that me trying to build my blog list…?)

Thank you for your friendship, support, and prayers,,

JH