Getting really anxious...

As I sit here thinking of what to type for my latest blog update, I am literally rocking my chair.  I am feeling a bit eager about our decision to go on this mission trip in July.

This past week has been quite a mini-rollercoaster (I say "mini" knowing that it could have been much more dramatic, but still had it's ups and downs).  Now without getting too detailed or lengthy, I'll just say that my husband and I have felt some obstacles in our financials that feel like a test of our faith.  If you are a Christian reading this, you likely know EXACTLY what I mean by that.  If you are not a Believer, try not to judge me too harshly.  :)  I suppose we all have different perspectives and/or explanations for why things happen the way that they do.

Anyway, I am sitting here feeling a mix of emotions because on the one hand I am SO EXCITED and eager to make our first ever trip to Kenya.  I am so excited to embark on this adventure with the love of my life, my mate and partner in life.  I am also eager to attempt to help the God-honoring ministry of Africa HEART by volunteering my time and my hands and feet to further their cause of showing Christ's love to the women and children who will receive it.

And then there's the other emotions.... the fear, the anxiety, the uncertainty and dred even.  I have discovered that I do not actually enjoy the travel days.  I feel like I used to, maybe it was because I was just always looking forward to the destination that the travel itself wasn't so bad.  But with longer travel days to foreign countries... and with my growing age (I know, I know... I'm still young, but not AS young as when I used to travel to Ohio to visit family every summer).  And it was on my first LONG international flight (to Brazil in college) that I got air-sick... just before landing.  So now... I have a little fear and anxiety about that actual travel.  Plus, the reality and stories from the 9/11 plane high-jackings are a bit disconcerting as well.  I could go on, but what's the point?  I know that these tiny things are no match for my ALL POWERFUL GOD!

So... I just need to make the decision to look beyond the fear... not let it distract me or prevent me from looking eagerly toward the future... towards our destination.  This is true not only for our trip to Kenya (in just SIX short weeks), but for life in general.  

Today we are supposed to get a new Support Update... telling us how much money has come into Bayside for our trip.  I know that when we last met with our Team on Saturday, the figures were looking like we as a group of 10 had raised about $21,000... just $22,000 short of our end goal.  So... with only TWO WEEKS LEFT to pay the church back for our plane tickets and pay HEART the money they need for our expenses while in Kenya... we are ALMOST HALF-WAY THERE!  (We've been told everyone should be fully funded by June 1st in order for us to get to go.  Hoping no one has to stay behind.)

Many friends and family have been donating what they can... and I cannot adequately express how truly thankful I am!  THANK YOU!!!

I've shared enough for now... and will write another update once we finally receive a new summary of funds.  IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN THE CAUSE... to help the Ragles take this journey.  We cannot do it alone.  We need your prayers... we need your support... in any way that you are able.

Thank you so very much, from the bottom of our hearts.

- The Ragles
(written by Becca)

FUNdraising update! :)

Just a quick update this morning.  We receive "support updates" about once a week... (we know several family members have said they donated this past week, but it hasn't been added just yet but THANK YOU and we will see it soon)!

Last night we received an update showing that we have now raised $1,077.72 towards our $8,600 goal.  Bryan is still really hopeful to reach $10,000 so that we can donate some "extra" to the housing fund through HEART.  (See more of what the ministry we're joining up with does in Africa on their website (or FB Page)...  www.africaheart.com).


THANK YOU SO MUCH for your support... emotionally, physically, financially, and prayerfully.


It is NOT too late to donate!  Please consider donating your recycling (cans, glass, plastic)... especially if you just "donate" it to the city right now.  We would be more than happy to pick it up at a time convenient for you.  Or if you can spare $20... THAT HELPS!!! 

Remember... you can mail in a check or pay online... http://bit.ly/short-term-support  (it's the short-cut to get straight to the online giving page of Bayside Church's Global Outreach.

We'll keep you posted as more develops.  Right now we are focused on preparing our business for Final Exams for our students, summer programs, and preparing our hearts (and wallets) for this amazing opportunity to walk in faith and be the hands of feet of Christ... through His church on earth!  :)

Much love and humble thanks,

The Ragles

Will you join our journey and support our trip?

"God is good, all the time!  And all the time, God is good!" 

As our fundraising deadlines are fast approaching, I just keep reminding myself that God continues to bless us in SO many ways.  We are still behind in sending out some of our support letters, as it seems I have more on my plate than I sometimes admit.  Running our own tutoring business (Best Tutors Ever, LLC) has become a full-time job (which I why I resigned from my part-time positions at American River College back in December).  Business is growing and with that growth it requires me to be even more organized so as to not let things slip through the cracks.  (Especially important with things like the bookkeeping, getting paid correctly is pretty important as a small business owner ya know.)  :)

From the support letters we've sent out so far, Bryan and I have received $75 from two very awesome couples.  (We won't embarrass you here, but will list you when there is a slightly larger group to collectively thank).  

Some people I haven't gotten new addresses for yet, and others we just haven't gotten organized enough to address and send the letter to you.  :(  If you are reading this blog though then YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN OUR MISSION TEAM.... BY PROVIDING US WITH YOUR SUPPORT.


You can support us by:

* PRAYING FOR US 
- pray that we can raise the $10,000 for our trip... $8,600 is the minimum we need to raise, but $10,000 is our goal so we can donate money for two extra homes and some special gifts for our Compassion Child Oliva
- pray that we have safe travels and a safe trip while in Kenya
- pray for our entire TEAM that we all keep God and His children as our focus

* MAKING A DONATION 
- easiest way to donate is online through Bayside Church at http://bit.ly/short-term-support  select KENYA-JULY, then BRYAN & REBECCA RAGLE from the drop-down list.

* DONATING YOUR RECYCLING
- if you are local...we can pick it up from your house or you can drop it by our house anytime! (we live in Citrus Heights and can come pick up your recycling from anywhere in the Greater Sacramento Area)
- if you are NOT local to Sacramento, CA... you could save your recycling (cans, plastic, glass) and take it in to a Recycling Center near you... then donate that amount of money to our trip.  Seriously... even if you can only donate $5, we would be so grateful.  If we can have a huge network and family and friends supporting our mission, we just know that God can provide, just as he multiplied the fish and loaves of bread. :)


Thank you for your support and prayers and for your encouragement for us as we prepare for this journey.  We have requested you send in any donations/support cards by April 30th if possible as we have deadlines to meet for our raising of funds and our Team Leader has already purchased our plane tickets and will need our funds as re-reimbursement soon.  We of course will continue to accept donations after that date, but the sooner you can contribute (even if just $10 now and maybe an additional donation later on, that would be AMAZING!).

Some of you know (or maybe I mentioned it in another blog article), but I've been struggling with the reality of the financial side of this trip because earlier this year we had a plumbing leak that cost us $4,800 to fix (which was a final cost of $5,300 after paying for the first estimate before we got a second opinion).  It was discouraging to me that our hard earned money had to go towards a "home improvement fix" that was completely unplanned and just a part of "home ownership" that sometimes "just happens".  I wish we could've skipped the plumbing fiasco and just put that money towards our Kenya trip, but alas... sometimes life doesn't work out that way.

And so we humbling ask that you will partner with us... and join our journey by providing your support.  We don't want to guilt anyone or beg anyone... so please know that whatever you choose to do (or not do) is completely up to you.  But every single one of you matters and CAN help make a difference.  If you have a heart for serving or a heart for abondaned women and children, we would be honored to have you help us to travel to Kenya to impact the lives of God's children there.

Much love and sincere respect to you all.

Thank you for reading.  May God bless you abundantly.  *hugs in Jesus name*


- Becca Ragle

Let the FUNd-raising begin!

You should soon be getting a Support Letter, requesting your support to pray for us and (God-willing) help contribute financially to fund our mission.

If we don't have your address, please send me an e-mail at rebecca.ragle@gmail.com to be sure you get your letter!  :) Family and friends should start getting letters this weekend or early next week. 

Today I was struck by a passage from James 1.  Air1's daily Scripture verse is James 1:23, and it didn't make sense without verse 24... which we quickly realized once we did a little further investigating.  Anyway, this is what I mean:

James 1:22-27 says...
 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 


Bayside has been helping us to see that we as Christians need to help change the view that many non-Christians have of us.  We want to LOVE others... and be KNOWN for our acts of love, not known for just the law that we stand for.  Christianity is also about GRACE... LOVE... the Gospel message is what balances out the LAW.  So many non-believers do not know that we too deeply desire and require the other-half of that Law.... which is God's GRACE, mercy and forgiveness. :)

It's crazy to me how many doors are opening and how many "signs" (sounds cheesy I know), seem to be pointing us towards this trip to Kenya this summer.  I definitely NEVER imagined that I would EVER get the chance to go visit the child I have sponsored in Kenya for the past 10 years.  I had heard stories, but again, NEVER thought that could be me.  And now... the wheels are slowly in motion to set up a day visit for my husband, Bryan, and I to spend a half or whole day at Oliva's (Oliver's) village just 20-30 km from where we'll be in/near Nariobi.

I must admit that I was fighting feelings of discouragement and doubt when we found a serious leak in our hot water line (under our master bathroom into the concrete foundation slab under the house).... which... first estimate to fix was $6,200... or $5,200 if paid in cash.  We got a second opinion, and got a quote of $4,500.  In my head... $4,300 = Africa.... soooo.... "Does that mean only one of us can go to Africa?"  The cost of fixing a leak was the cost of ONE TRIP to Africa for our mission trip?!  :(  WHY?!  Like I said, I was feeling discouraged.  Now, granted... I'm still by no means "happy" about the leak.  But I have come to grips that money is a very "fluid" material that comes and goes A LOT in life, especially as home owners, or car owners, or pet owners, or parents, etc.

Bryan has been, as always, a great comfort to me as I struggle with accepting God's promise in His verses that reference, "Who by worrying can add a single minute to his day?"  and reminding us that the birds of the air and the lillies of the field do not worry about where they will sleep, or what they will eat, or what they will wear.  You know... things like that... God can and will make provisions.  We simply need to trust in Him and follow his advice.  :)

With that said... we are stepping out in faith and offering our family and our friends (and anyone with a heart of compassion) to support us on our journey.  We will be so thankful for each and every prayer and each and every dollar donation.

An easy way to donate.... go online to www.baysideonline.com or the short-cut link to take you directly to the Global Outreach Support Page....  http://bit.ly/short-term-support

If you're local... save your recycling for us and we will gladly come pick up your cans & bottles.  Every little bit helps and a little from many goes a long way.  If every friend on my FaceBook page donated just $10, my trip would be paid for in full!  :)  (Bryan's friends may need to pay $20/each though.... ;-)  hehe)


Thanks for your support!  Leave me a note so I know you stopped by my blog... or FB / text/ e-mail me with any questions or comments.  :)


In His Love,

Becca Ragle

We're GOING TO KENYA!!!

We're going to KENYA in JULY!

We, the Ragles (Bryan & Becca), are excited to announce that we have committed to join Bayside's Global Outreach Short Term Mission team by travelling to Kenya in July 2014.  Our team will be partnering with HEART and staying from July 4th-20th.  (Yup... we'll be spending our 4-year wedding anniversary together in a foreign land witnessing to women who are HIV positive and abandoned by their husbands, children who have been orphaned, visiting some of the most tragic slums of our world, all the while surrounded by God's glorious creation.)  

We will soon begin asking for support from family and friends... fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to join along side us in partnership.  Support comes in various forms and levels.  If you feel so moved, we would appreciate your prayers and positive affirmations throughout this process.  We will be praying that God will bless us with support from many of our friends and family... be it spiritual, emotional and/or financial.

Those whom we have mailing addresses for will receive an opportunity to reply with a commitment of support in the form(s) of prayer and/or monetary assistance.  We will let you know when our names get added to the Bayside Church website... where it will be easy to make contributions through their secure website directly to our mission fund.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and for prayerfully considering how you may begin to support us in this coming missionary adventure.  We know that it will be life-changing... for all involved and look forward to sharing the journey (the before, during and after) with all of our closest friends and family.

May God work in your lives to share His love with others.  Have a blessed week!

- The Ragles (this post written by Becca)

Check out HEART's website at  www.africaheart.com

Here are a few photos our Team Leader took on their trip last summer...