Dear Family and Friends

On graduating in May 2007 with a degree in Elementary Education, I sought God’s direction for where to teach, desiring to give Him the first fruits of my career . I have had a great first year teaching this past year as a Kindergarten teacher at a missionary school – Faith Academy in Manila, Philippines.**

**Faith Academy is an international Christian school for children of missionaries working in Asia with 600 students from 15 nations. 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.

I have decided to return for one more year at Faith Academy to again teach and to become more involved in the many ministry opportunities there. Last year I had some involvement – as an assistant coach for the Faith Academy swim club as well as with another ministry closely connected with Faith Academy (and located ¼ mile away), Kids International Ministries. This ministry has opened an orphanage to house impoverished Filipino children to meet their educational, physical, spiritual, and mental needs. This coming year I hope to get more involved with the ministries that abound here. A4J (All 4 Jesus) is one ministry that I will be a part of next year. A4J reaches 500+ kids from the surrounding squatter village. Every Sunday morning they come to Faith to play games and hear the gospel message.

To keep the cost to missionaries to a minimum, the staff at Faith Academy raise their financial support. I need to raise $1000 a month in support for the coming school year. I would greatly appreciate your prayers and I also would ask you to consider supporting me in this ministry.

I have enclosed a pledge card and envelope for your monthly donation or one time gift. Your monthly gift will be especially helpful to me to reach the goal I need for living, ministry, and professional expenses. While you should send these directly to First Love, I need to know of your contributions and pledges so I know when my support raising is complete. So please call me or email me of your decision. Your prompt decision is appreciated as I plan to return on August 3.

If you know of others who might be interested in supporting this ministry, I would appreciate having them as references as I likely will need to draw on others that I do not yet know.

I maintain a blog to update everyone regularly about my work there. Please visit it at: www.betsybarfield.wordpress.com.

Thanks so much!

Betsy Barfield

betsy.barfield@gmail.com