September is right around the corner and I'm trying to come up with some creative ways to raise my remaining support. So, I'm looking for freelance writing jobs. News and feature articles, brochure copy, appeal letters, Web copy, devotionals...if you need a writer or know someone who does, please contact me! All I will ask for is a small donation made to my missionary associate account.
Since my writing on this blog is more casual and doesn't reflect my overall writing ability, I can email samples of my work to anyone who may be interested. I've been writing articles for AG News for a year and a half now; have had articles published in Today's Pentecostal Evangel (see this week's issue for an article on General Council); did freelance work for the AG's T5 teen devotionals; and did extensive writing of all kinds for Convoy of Hope during my one-year internship. I am also a nerd who really (I mean really) enjoys editing (primarily AP style), so I would also love to do that kind of freelance work as well.
Yesterday at church, God reminded me once again that He is making a way for me to get to Thailand. And He has given me peace as I trust in Him to continue to provide. But at the same time, I'm also aware that He's given me abilities that I can use to be a part of His process of provision. So, if the opportunity presents itself, I am ready and willing to write for Thailand!
My email address is karamchase@gmail.com
**UPDATE**
It's been a few hours since I posted and I already have a praise report to share! I'll be writing an article for OnCourse magazine (the publication for AG teens). The best part is that the article will be all about how teens can practically prepare to become a missionary-- and I get to weave in some of my own experiences! I'm so excited and grateful for this opportunity! As always, it's so cool to see what God does when we make ourselves available and put in a little of our own leg work!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Almost There?
I ran my second 5K yesterday, this time accompanied by my roommate Bethany (yay!). I finished nearly two minutes faster than my previous race in February, so that alone made me feel pretty good. But now in a contemplative moment (which could have been brought on by the excessive amount of bleach I just used to clean the bathroom), I'm beginning to see a metaphor from yesterday's 5K that is providing some much-needed encouragement as I am just three months away from my target departure in September.
If my math is correct, I am only $100 or so from having raised 100 percent of my cash budget. (God is good!) Once my cash budget is entirely raised, any additional cash I receive will be distributed to my monthly support, which is still only at 30 percent. While knowing I'm this close to having raised my cash budget has been a huge reminder of God's faithfulness and the generosity of many people, the worrier in me realizes there's still a lot of money to be raised in three short months. (Oh me of little faith!!)
So back to the 5K.
I was feeling good throughout the majority of the race. I had set a good pace and was able to pass a lot of other runners. But towards what I estimate to be the last half mile or so, I began to tire. The road was not well shaded and the sun was beating down. I couldn't see the finish line, so I had no idea how much longer I would have to run. Some people who were around me began to walk and, although walking was never an option, I was tempted to slow down. But I kept running, knowing I wouldn't be satisfied if I didn't beat my previous 5K time. As I rounded the final corner and finally saw the finish line a mere hundred yards away, I realized I was going to make it. And I knew I wanted to finish strong. I forced my legs to pump as hard as they could and sprinted (well, it felt like a sprint to me, onlookers might have called it something else) to the finish line.
As my September goal draws closer, I admit that sometimes I wonder if I'll reach the goal. But I'm choosing to place everything in God's hands and continue on this path that He first directed me to two years ago. It's been a great journey so far, and it's pretty cool to think that my September finish line is really just the starting point of a yearlong adventure in faith and ministry. If you are reading this, please keep me in your prayers as I finish this first leg of the race - that I will not grow discouraged and will continue to rely on the Lord and trust His promises. Although I could rely on my own strength to finish yesterday's run, this metaphorical run will by no means be won on my own. Pray that I will finish strong, so that I can start strong.
If my math is correct, I am only $100 or so from having raised 100 percent of my cash budget. (God is good!) Once my cash budget is entirely raised, any additional cash I receive will be distributed to my monthly support, which is still only at 30 percent. While knowing I'm this close to having raised my cash budget has been a huge reminder of God's faithfulness and the generosity of many people, the worrier in me realizes there's still a lot of money to be raised in three short months. (Oh me of little faith!!)
So back to the 5K.
I was feeling good throughout the majority of the race. I had set a good pace and was able to pass a lot of other runners. But towards what I estimate to be the last half mile or so, I began to tire. The road was not well shaded and the sun was beating down. I couldn't see the finish line, so I had no idea how much longer I would have to run. Some people who were around me began to walk and, although walking was never an option, I was tempted to slow down. But I kept running, knowing I wouldn't be satisfied if I didn't beat my previous 5K time. As I rounded the final corner and finally saw the finish line a mere hundred yards away, I realized I was going to make it. And I knew I wanted to finish strong. I forced my legs to pump as hard as they could and sprinted (well, it felt like a sprint to me, onlookers might have called it something else) to the finish line.
As my September goal draws closer, I admit that sometimes I wonder if I'll reach the goal. But I'm choosing to place everything in God's hands and continue on this path that He first directed me to two years ago. It's been a great journey so far, and it's pretty cool to think that my September finish line is really just the starting point of a yearlong adventure in faith and ministry. If you are reading this, please keep me in your prayers as I finish this first leg of the race - that I will not grow discouraged and will continue to rely on the Lord and trust His promises. Although I could rely on my own strength to finish yesterday's run, this metaphorical run will by no means be won on my own. Pray that I will finish strong, so that I can start strong.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Electronic Mail
As September, my target departure month, draws closer I'd like to keep in better contact with my financial and prayer supporters. If you are interested in receiving email updates, please send me a message at karamchase@gmail.com. At this point, I'll probably send out the emails on a monthly basis, but once I arrive in Thailand it may be more frequent, especially as prayer needs and praise reports arise. Of course I'll still update my blog, but the emails will be more in detail and have more of an emphasis on the much-needed prayer support.
In the next few days I'll probably be posting an update on the current status of my budget. With the success of last month's Zumbathon, the ongoing generosity of my monthly supporters and the generosity of other friends and my home church, I am getting closer to Thailand every day! God is good!
In the next few days I'll probably be posting an update on the current status of my budget. With the success of last month's Zumbathon, the ongoing generosity of my monthly supporters and the generosity of other friends and my home church, I am getting closer to Thailand every day! God is good!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
As a missionary associate, I see the issue of frequently running out of thank you cards as a very good problem to have.
The generosity and faithful enthusiasm of my friends, family and fellow Christians continually amazes me. I wish I had better ways of expressing how truly grateful I feel. But in the meantime, I'm going to buy a bigger pack of thank you cards this weekend, as I believe God is going to continue provide in miraculous ways.
The generosity and faithful enthusiasm of my friends, family and fellow Christians continually amazes me. I wish I had better ways of expressing how truly grateful I feel. But in the meantime, I'm going to buy a bigger pack of thank you cards this weekend, as I believe God is going to continue provide in miraculous ways.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galations 5:1
I'm so grateful when God gives me much-needed reminders that this promise applies not just to the women that I'll be working with in Thailand, but also to me.
I'm so grateful when God gives me much-needed reminders that this promise applies not just to the women that I'll be working with in Thailand, but also to me.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Exceeded Expectations
Yesterday morning my parents prayed that God would exceed my expectations of Zumbathon. And their prayers (as well as mine and everyone else who prayed for Zumbathon) were definitely answered!
More than 100 women attended Zumbathon and the event raised a little over $1,300, including a few donations that were made by friends unable to attend.
I still can't believe it! As my parents prayed, God completely exceeded my expectations through this event. I am so amazed at the generosity of the women who attended. Their excitement for the ministry that I'll be involved in was incredibly encouraging and another confirmation that God will provide for my needs.
Having the opportunity to briefly share my heart with so many people was also a blessing. At the conclusion of Zumbathon I read Psalm 103:6, "The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed." I told the ladies that I believe God uses His people to help work justice and that through their support, they were a part of bringing justice to the women in Thailand who are involved in the sex industry. I can't wait for the day when I can send back stories to them of how God is transforming lives!
More than 100 women attended Zumbathon and the event raised a little over $1,300, including a few donations that were made by friends unable to attend.
I still can't believe it! As my parents prayed, God completely exceeded my expectations through this event. I am so amazed at the generosity of the women who attended. Their excitement for the ministry that I'll be involved in was incredibly encouraging and another confirmation that God will provide for my needs.
Having the opportunity to briefly share my heart with so many people was also a blessing. At the conclusion of Zumbathon I read Psalm 103:6, "The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed." I told the ladies that I believe God uses His people to help work justice and that through their support, they were a part of bringing justice to the women in Thailand who are involved in the sex industry. I can't wait for the day when I can send back stories to them of how God is transforming lives!
As I think back over the tremendous success of Zumbathon, one verse comes to mind. Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen."
Through Zumbathon, God really did more than I could ask or imagine.
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