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Question for those who have donated (you can PM me. if you want): would it embarrass anyone if I posted the total amount raised from this forum alone? Not individual amounts... or the names or numbers of people who have given... just the grand total? I'd simply like to give praise for the support you guys have offered.

 

I am not bothered if you post how much I have donated.

And I will just add: Maybe teaching other people religion wont help those less ofrtunate in the long run maybe it will, but atleast someone has the balls to try and make a difference in those peoples lives and if what BM does helps those people in anyway regardless of my beliefs in religion then it can only be a good thing and this is why I suppoport his endevour.

Now back to my slog. hoepfully I'll be back my often soon.

 

Actually, I'm going for a different purpose which I am unable to reveal on the public Internet. If someone asks about religion during normal conversation, I will tell them about Jesus... but that's not my focus.

Even so, I will be making a difference in their lives, much like when people take mission trips to rebuild houses or to give out food or clothing (though I'm doing neither of those). It is my hope that they will see the love of Jesus through me, and perhaps, be interested enough to ask.

 

Actually, that's a good point (assuming I'm reading this right). When we do kindness to others as a act of our faith, we are not (or at least should not) expect anything in return...including having them listen to us as we "witness" to them. If they are attracted to our behavior and want to learn about us and our faith, then yes...of course, we'll tell them. However, kindness based on faith in Jesus Christ doesn't come conditionally. Kindness was a free gift offered to us...we shouldn't pass it along with strings attached.

 

Couldnt agree more. The same goes for all faiths really. Theres nothing wrong with letting it be known what you choose to believe if asked. And doing good for others is never something to be shunned.

I dont grudge discussions on beliefs. If you enter into a discussion about why your faith compels you to do the good you are doing, and the other party is interested in learning more. Then its all good. I'm all for people discovering a faith that fits them.

 

Exactly right. So... I go to help. I'll let God do the seed planting; that's not for me to do.

 

Maybe a good thing, but I'd rather donate to chairtiable causes than to fund for religious preaching. Have you had sucess locally?

 

Ummm... last I checked, churches are fully recognized as charitable causes. And considering your snipe regarding "religious preaching", I'm going to have to assume that you haven't read any of the earlier responses in this thread.

I just sent out the letters this week, and people who send financial support are supposed to send donations directly to the church, so it's too early to know. However, two individuals have given me their donations directly... totalling $500, in fact. So, yeah, I'd say that there's been pretty amazing success locally, wouldn't you?

Additionally, there's been some amazing success on this forum as well, totalling more than $200 in financial support... from Christians AND from non-Christians.. That's spectacular, especially considering I haven't met a single one of you in person (Josh doesn't count). Those who provided support know who I am and what I'm all about.

Not to mention, many people on the forum have stated that they are going to pray for me before and during the mission trip. To me, that's just as important as financial contributions. I've seen what happens when people pray... and I've seen what happens when people DON'T pray.

In any case, God is opening doors to enable me to serve on this mission trip... just as I believed He would. I give Him all the glory for making it happen. And I thank those of you who have offered your support, both spiritual and financial. That said, we're not there yet, folks... if anyone else is called to offer support for these efforts, I humbly welcome it.

 

What she said ^^

 

Well, I Pray for a safe journey there and back home safely. I am in the unforunate state of being able to provide anything financially though due to current commitments, and donations to 'ActionAid' & British Red Cross' at the moment. I otherwise would, and hope you meet your targets

What I meant by success locally - I meant by helping people to better themselves, or have faith, or find inner peace etc.?

 

Thank you for your prayers, Mickaveli. That's worth as much to me as financial contributions.

Oh, certainly. I attempt to do so on a daily basis, including by participation on this forum. Again, I don't have to be "spreading the gospel" in order to be a light to someone's path. That's why I'm here... to help you guys in your IT career paths, and thereby enable your lives to be a bit better. What I do here is a reflection of what I try to do on a daily basis here locally.

In my church, I sing in the choir. It is my hope that my worship will embolden someone else to worship God with as much enthusiasm. We shouldn't reserve our most boisterous praise for our local football team, ya know? Additionally, at least once a month, I visit families who have visited the church to see if I can answer any questions they might have about the church and to help get them connected with a Connect Group (usually referred to as a "Sunday school class").

Again, it's not my job to "save people". It's my job to live for Christ, and to tell anyone who is interested in hearing about Him. By attempting to "love my neighbor as myself" on a daily basis, I attempt to live as Christ lived. I'll never fully reach there... but I can certainly try.

 

I'd like to give my appreciation to you guys - you really stepped up big! Several users on this forum donated a total of $227.49 (USD). I give you my gratitude.

Please know that your donations will directly help towards the cost of keeping me alive; I'm going tomorrow to get vaccinations for Typhoid, HepatitisA, Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis, as well as some anti-malarial medication... total cost, around $250.

Again, thank you.

 

Glad we could help BM.

Sounds like you'll be exposing yourself to a lot of different needles

 

At least three, unless they can further combine them (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis are given in a single TDaP shot).

Back in the Army, after I got my very first Typhoid immunization, I developed a raging headache... and when we got back to our unit, one of my friends who also got the shot passed out at his desk. They sent the rest of us to our barracks for the remainder of the day.

 

Back in the Army, I was also vaccinated for Plague and Yellow Fever... both of which sound even nastier.

 

Hi BosonMichael

I just wanted to say, I wish you the best for your mission, and I hope you achieve what you set out to.

Those injections sound a bit nasty. Hope they don't hurt as much as they sound!

All the best


Maria

 

Thank you, Maria.

I guess I hope to achieve only what God wants us to achieve while we're there... whether that be to share the gospel with everyone we meet or to simply provide assistance without sharing the gospel with anyone. It is my belief that He will make it clear what His plan is for us by the circumstances we find ourselves in and who He leads our way. Whichever path He chooses will be fine with me.

 

Stay safe on your trip Mike, but I think those dam shots are the dangerous right now. Jeesh. Hope it all goes well for you tomorrow and no headaches or passing out. Do you have someone to drive you just in case?