ONE WEEK till take-off!

Wow... just ONE WEEK till we leave home to fly to Kenya!

Please keep the prayers and support coming.  Our team (of 10 people) have been facing various obstacles and challenges as we reach the final stretch.  

Biggest prayer need for us personally is for Bryan's knee.  Pray for miraculous healing... or that we would have the patience and peace to listen if it is God's will that he not go on the trip.  Bryan injured his knee on Fri night / Saturday day... and it's been swollen ever since.  So for the past 7 days he's been trying to keep his knee elevated and iced, and just laying low trying to let it recover.

I can't imagine going on this journey without my partner in life, but it is looking more and more like that may be the reality of it.  Depending on how he's doing in the coming week, he will be faced with deciding whether or not he will join the team, or stay behind.

Please pray for this decision and for his healing.... and again... for peace.  Perhaps I can attempt to take comfort praying the serenity prayer.... 

Amen.

I will keep you posted of our plans and our travels.  

Ohhh... and our latest financial update is that we've raised $4,680 directly to Bayside and about $300 that family/friends wanted us to use for our other expenses (such as our cost to see Oliva, our Compassion Child, postage, etc).  If Bryan goes, as originally planned, we will still be responsible for raising/paying Bayside the remaining $3,920.  If Bryan cannot travel with us, we're not yet sure what the difference in funding would be (his flight will be covered under the trip insurance, but not sure of numbers and details yet).  We'll cross that bridge when we get there.  

For now... pray for each member of our team and for the work that God has planned for us to do in Kenya.

Donations are still accepted through Bayside  -  Global Outreach ...   http://bit.ly/short-term-support

Keep the support coming...

A HUGE THANK YOU to all our amazingly generous supporters.  We know that money is a very finite resource and you have likely way too many ways that it is being pulled... so THANK YOU for deciding to contribute what you can to help people who are in even greater need than you and I.

We are making forward progress towards our goal... but are still in need of your support.  It costs $4300 per person (so for Bryan and I it'll be $8600)... about $2200/each is the cost of the plane tickets to Kenya and then $1800/each goes to HEART, the wonderful non-profit organization that we'll be serving with while in Kenya.  The remaining $300 goes towards our food/travel expenses throughout our 2 week journey.  Our deadline is Monday June 16th and as of May 29th, we have raised just under $4,000.

You can still contribute...
- mail a check (made out to BAYSIDE CHURCH) to BAYSIDE - ATTN: Global Outreach  PO BOX 2336, Granite Bay, CA 95746.  DO NOT INCLUDE OUR NAMES ON THE CHECK.  Instead, include a note (even a post-it will work) that says something about KENYA - Bryan & Rebecca Ragle!!!  This way you will get a receipt of your tax deductible donation.
OR
- donate online (you can pay using PayPal) http://bit.ly/short-term-support  Select KENYA - July and then Bryan & Rebecca Ragle from the drop-down list... then type the dollar amount directly next to it.
OR
- place a Cutco, AdvoCare or MaryKay order through Bryan or Becca... contact us through e-mail... bryan.ragle@gmail.com or rebecca.ragle@gmail.com.  THANK YOU and please contact us THIS WEEK!


I had a request to share a little about what we'll be doing on this two week mission trip of ours... so here's a little update for all our readers....

Our team of 10 (3 men and 7 women) will be partnering with H.E.A.R.T. (Health Education Africa Resource Team... www.africaheart.com).  We'll spend some time outside Nairobi at the HEART Lodge, in Kibera (the largest urban slum in all of Africa), and Kisii.  Some amazing pictures and a better description of what our trip will be like can be seen at our Team Leader's blog from last year...http://adisciplelife.wordpress.com/2013/07/02/kenya-2013-in-the-mud/

Basically, we will be building houses and working with HEART's WEEP ministry.  Read below...

Women’s Equality Empowerment Project  (WEEP)

Keeping mothers alive, healthy, and self-sustaining so they can raise their children

As an orphan prevention initiative, WEEP empowers women with HIV/AIDS. Our projects saves the lives of mothers suffering from advanced stages of AIDS, sparing their children from becoming orphans. Operating in impoverished areas, WEEP identifies HIV positive mothers who have been widowed or abandoned. WEEP commits to providing medical care, nutrition, vitamins, shelter, and access to ARV drugs. We also assure that their children have the resources to attend school. Once physically stable, the mothers are taught a trade at a WEEP center, where they come self-sufficient and break out of poverty.

In a country where unemployment is estimated to be close to 70%, a job allows the WEEP women to provide for their families in a way that would be impossible without this project. Beyond the devastatingly high unemployment level, the lack of information and the stigma associated with AIDS make it nearly impossible for an HIV positive woman to secure employment, support her children, or access ARV drugs. WEEP’s objective is to keep mothers alive, healthy, and employed, and protect her vulnerable children from becoming orphans.

Again, thank you for your support.  Big or small... we want to say THANK YOU and GOD BLESS!

Matthew 6:25-34... DO NOT BE ANXIOUS

It's not too late to donate... 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

Do Not Be Anxious

25 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you,even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.


Praying for peace... for miraculous generosity... and for a calming of my mind regarding our financial obstacles... or as some might call it "opportunities." Praying that God will help remove this frustration, disappointment, and eagerness within me. I truly am praying for a change in perspective... that I will more easily see our cup of blessings as over-flowing... none of this "half empty" nonsense. God is good. All the time! And all the time... God is good!

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH to each and every person... family, friend, generous stranger... who has helped to contribute to our 2 week mission trip to Kenya this summer. I just know that our lives will be changed forever by this opportunity and pray that somehow God will ease our financial hardships and work a financial miracle to help multiply our funds in the coming weeks.

An official update: 

Bryan and I have received word from the church that we have raised a total of $3,474.94... plus two more checks today (for +$225). 

The trip costs $4,300 EACH PERSON, so we need to raise a total of $8,600. This means we are still short on funds by $4,900. Definitely sounding like we need a miracle, doesn't it?

Any ideas on how we could raise $5,000 in the next TWO WEEKS! (We need it by Monday June 16th!) We will be turning in a bunch of recycling this week... perhaps God can multiply it.... a lot. :)

There have been a few glitches with the accounting of things, so if you donated to us and are not listed below... you may need to reach out to us (rebecca.ragle@gmail.com) or Bayside Church directly (Global Outreach or the Finance Dept... www.baysideonline.com).


Our list of donors (updated May 29th):

THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!!!

Jerry & Cesca Erb
Joanne & Gary Bach
Carol Culian
Tanja Sacco
John Aubert
Linda Drever
Rob & Lauren Prichard
Steve & Melissa Magee
Julie Kvarme
Lottie Hinson & Beth Jolley
Ken & Dottie Magee
Rory Kinoshita
Linda Weber
Justin & Laura Patterson
John Wott
Linda Kline
Carl & Mary Sue Jacobson
Skip & Janet Magee
Pat & Wayne West
Tim & Ruth Magee
Tony DeLoney
Pete Bauman
Lori Ford
Tammi Lovvorn
Johnna & Wayne Humbert
Kimberley Clark
Dorinda Adams


IF YOU DONATED TO OUR MISSION TRIP AND YOUR NAME IS NOT LISTED ABOVE... CONTACT ME, BRYAN, OR BAYSIDE CHURCH DIRECTLY, ASAP!

Thank you for your contribution.  We are still accepting donations (our new deadline we've been told is Mon June 16th).  
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


Humbly and sincerely,


Becca & Bryan Ragle

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