Support letter

I hope this letter finds you doing well and off to a great start in 2008. I am now in my junior year at the University of Georgia (can’t believe I’m over halfway through!) and facing an incredible opportunity for this upcoming summer. Since my first semester here in Athens I have been involved with Campus Crusade for Christ, called Crossroads here at UGA. I have been a part of the student leadership team for going on two years now and have grown tremendously through discipleship, the staff and other students involved. One of the current developments at Crossroads is our new partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The University of KwaZulu-Natal, in the coastal city of Durban, has close to 50,000 students and is one of the best universities within the entire continent of Africa. Much like other parts of Africa, it is being ravaged by AIDS/HIV. Research done by the university has shown that of those students who get tested (and many do not) almost 50% have AIDS/HIV. They literally have to train two people for every job, knowing that realistically one may not be alive in 10 years. Beyond the incredible physical needs South Africa is also a country of great spiritual need. Many in South Africa have been exposed to Christianity in some form, but it seems that very few know Christ as their personal savior. Currently, Campus Crusade has only six full time staff members in the entire country of South Africa and none at this specific university. For all these reasons and more we are thrilled to begin partnering in Durban and hope that God might raise up a thriving ministry for the students on this campus.
As you may have caught on by now, there is a connection between Durban and my summer. I am feeling led to go on Campus Crusade’s first student trip to Durban, spending six weeks there working with the students and also helping meet the unfathomable needs of the Durban community. Outside of evangelism and discipleship at the university we hope to spend time working with a “sex-ed” program in the local high schools and also spend time volunteering in some of the local orphanages, which are numerous because of the AIDS epidemic.
The primary reason that I write to you is to sincerely ask that you be praying for our team and me as we prepare to go to Durban and as we live and work there from May 9- June 20. Specifically, pray that God would take care of the many details that are still unknown, for safety while we are there and that we will have a good “team dynamic.” Most importantly, please be praying for Durban, asking the Lord to begin a work there in the city and at the university. Lastly, I would ask that you prayerfully consider financially supporting me as I go. Please do not feel obligated to give because you have received this letter. If, however, you do feel led to contribute, please put a check in the enclosed envelope made out to “Campus Crusade for Christ” and return it. In total I must raise $4800 to go, which I admit is an intimidating number, but I trust that God will provide because I feel confident that this is His will for me.
“I thank my God every time I think of you” (Phil. 1:3).