first support letter

Dear Family and Friends,

As many of you know, I graduated this May with a degree in Elementary Education from MidAmerica Nazarene University. This spring, I have been spending time seeking God’s direction for where to teach the coming school year. I have always had the desire to go overseas, but I did not know if this year would be the right time. God has blessed me with so much: my wonderful supportive family, my health, my abilities, graduating from college free of debt, etc. As a result, I desire to serve Him with what I do in my life.

In April, as I was considering these things, my church’s college group was watching a video series, “That the World May Know.” After watching a video on the Old Testament concept of first fruits, we discussed how we, as college students and graduates, can give of our first fruits to God. For many, this is by working for His glory and giving of our first paychecks to His work as our first fruit. For others, our first fruits to Him will be in WHAT we do. That day I decided I was ready and willing to go overseas to use the first fruits of my career for His service.

After looking at several options, I have accepted a position to teach Kindergarten at Faith Academy, located in Manila, Philippines. Faith Academy is an international Christian school for children of missionaries working in Asia. Faith Academy’s main purpose is “equipping students to be Christ-like, life-long learners.” In teaching these missionary kids I will also be enabling the gospel to spread through their parents. You can find out more information about this school online at www.faith.edu.ph.

Another ministry closely connected with Faith Academy (and located ¼ mile away) is Kids International Ministries. This ministry has opened an orphanage serving impoverished children by seeking to meet their educational, physical, spiritual, and mental needs. As I will teach at Faith Academy I will also have an opportunity to assist with this ministry.

To keep the cost to missionaries to a minimum, the staff at Faith Academy raise their financial support. I need to raise approximately $2000 onetime and $1200 of monthly support in the coming weeks so I can join the new staff orientation beginning August 7^th.

I would greatly appreciate your prayers and I also would ask you to consider supporting the start of my teaching career in this ministry. I will be contacting you by phone in the coming weeks to see if you would want to be part of my support team and if you know of someone else that would be interested in supporting me in this ministry.

Thanks!

Betsy Barfield