Oh, the Fund Raising Drama

Yesterday, Kristy and I set off early to check out the Denver botanical gardens. It was a free day (usually $8.50 per person!!) and I felt like it was an opportunity to make a big sacrifice to show Kristy just how much I loved her. It wasn’t too painful, despite the extra droves of day camp kids (who would do such a thing to kids?), and I even kinda enjoyed the big tropical greenhouse bit that had some pretty cool jungle plants. We both agreed that shelling out $17 to see it all would’ve bordered on financial negligence, punishable by written apology to every one of our financial partners.

Speaking of finances. When we arrived back at the house early in the afternoon, we discovered that GEM had increased our support need by a few hundred dollars. And this just moments after we had concluded that we were only in need of about $40 a month to be at 90% – the magic “airplane ticket buying number.” As it stands now, on Tuesday afternoon, we are in need of $200/mo. to get back to the magic departure number.

The reason for the increase is the weakening not-so-almighty dollar. I don’t understand how the dollar could be decreasing in value against the Euro when reports on the American economy are so positive, but then again, I never have been completely able to wrap my head around issues of global economics.

So after shedding a few tears and praying together – or rather, looking up to heaven with shrugs and utterly flabbergasted looks on our faces as if God Himself had adjusted our entire nation’s currency value for the sake of teaching two of us a little lesson in patience and faith – we’re shaking it off and moving forward, trusting God to provide, as has been case all along.

So if you’re a friend, family member, financial partner, prayer warrior, or all of the above, please continue praying that we would be able to discover the monthly funds that we need to get to Ireland around the first weekend in August. As you can imagine, it’s turning out to be quite an emotional roller coaster ride as we strive to get through this final stretch of fund raising. Intercession pointed in that direction would also be much appreciated.