Tshirt Fundraiser

Hey! Thanks so much for coming and checking out my latest update. Alright, we need your help and here's why and what you can do.
We are getting t-shirts for the VBS kids, interpreters, and us. We are planning for at least 500 kids (but in reality it'll be more than that). We also have to get the shirts shipped from Addis Ababa to Gambella. The reason we do shirts is because it has gotten people talking (even more) about us! I've had multiple locals tell me they saw our shirts and asked the kids what they learned in VBS. I've had people learn who we are and our association with teaching their children to be loving and peaceful, and want to help with the work. I've had a complete stranger recognize our shirts and come interpret for us when we were having trouble communicating with a store keeper. We have had people come ask more about the things we are teaching because they associated the shirts with the Church there. I've seen them clothe orphans. THEY ARE NEEDED!!
But here's the kicker....the cost for all the shirts and shipping will be about $4000.....We need this money by mid May......
So here's the FUN part....How you can help :)
1. Message me on Facebook saying you want to go to my Jamberry party (I created an exclusive nail wrap which you can purchase!)....ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE SHIRTS
https://www.facebook.com/karisaholland.jamberry/
http://goo.gl/forms/zTc2ZVkG3Y

2. Donate via PayPal using the Friends an Family Method to westxgurl42@hotmail.com

3. Donate via check and send it to Porter Church of Christ
       earmarked South Sudan VBS SHIRTS

New way to donate

So I was blessed with some special ladies from my congregation who put together an online Jamberry Nail Wrap party. We raised $151 toward my plane ticket! After experiencing the Jamberry company and their awesome products, I decided to become a consultant. ALL of my commission until June 4th will go toward my trip. So here's the thing, if you want to help but can't financially, or if you already donated and want to help in an additional way, HOST A PARTY! I basically do all the work. All you do is invite your friends, participate in the games, and win free Hostess prizes. And the best part....you can do this anywhere! All you need is an internet connection or WiFi. If you're interested please comment, send me a personal FB message, or text me! I'd love to tell you more about the products and how you can host a party.  (Or you can just buy products directly! You give by getting!)
Also, I'm selling stamps on eBay. Which you can purchase or tell your friends about.

The links to each option mentioned above is listed below and is on the left hand side of my blog. 
karisaholland.jamberry.com
www.facebook.com/karisaholland.jamberry
www.facebook.com/karisa.holland
http://www.ebay.com/usr/karisa

Are we there yet?

So, basically I'm ready to be in Gambella already! As time draws closer I realize more and more how much I miss my family there, the culture, and the fellowship.
I've gotten my English class materials mostly ready to go. Just need to put some stuff on a USB and I'll be set. I have yet to prepare my stuff for training women how to teach a kid's Bible class, but plan on starting once I get my English class and VBS finished up. I feel like one of those people who are balancing sticks with spinning plates on their feet and head while juggling flaming batons. I think I have everything just about done and then I realize NOPE! I still have a million other things left. Silly me. VBS is about half ready. Things need to be cut out and some put on a USB. Bags are hopefully nearly finished being packed. I still have to get food and a few toiletries but otherwise for my personal needs I'm set. I still don't know how I'm going to be able to cram everything into two suitcases! (insert minor panic attack here) The weight limit just kills me every year.

One thing I'm struggling with is getting enough money for my plane ticket. We have to buy in April and I am still about $2,000 shy of my goal. Tickets aren't quite $3,000, they're usually about $2,500 or so but $3,000 guarantees I'll have it covered. I. Am. Stressing. (And here is where you can insert a major panic attack...seriously I might need a paper bag for this one.) If you can please share this mission work with friends and family. I've had complete strangers donate through my friends sharing with their friends. This is such an amazing and beautiful story. I have lived it year after year and my awe for what God has done with this only increases. Wow. He works miracles. He answers prayers beyond imagination. He guides and comforts. We just have to ask.

CUSTOM WRAPS!

DON'T FORGET to order custom Jamberry wraps! There's a little story behind one of them: "My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do. AMEN!" This song we taught our first year, and has been the children's favorite ever since. But, it has also served as a personal "mantra" for me. Anytime things get tough or I start to doubt, this reminds me God is in control and He can do ANYTHING. Please consider purchasing and wearing while I am overseas! Just click on the link. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1d2xpiNm1dWMRda0H5whu7dCGC8GDUfe8aJxzuaVLcwk/viewform?c=0&w=1

Updates and Requests

     Kaelynn and I are going for 5 1/2 weeks this year. She will be teaching the children the Old Testament 6 days a week. She was kind enough to let me teach the children on Sunday for Bible class! Teaching Bible class has always been a joy for me since the first year and I look forward to enjoying that this year as well. I feel that God has a big plan and I am excited to see how He is going to use us!
      I also have a couple of needs. If you can help in anyway it would be greatly appreciated!
-Prayers
-Books
-Children's story Bibles
-Eye glasses
-raisins (to make grape juice for communion)

Please help in ANY way you can!

Ethiopia 2016 is a GO!

Dear family and friends,

            As some of you may have heard, I’m going to Ethiopia for 5 weeks this year! I plan to leave in June and return in July. I will be traveling with another woman who will be working with the children and teaching VBS.  I am beyond excited and blessed with this opportunity!

            During one week will be the VBS. We are preparing for 700 children to be taught about Jesus' life. The goal of VBS is to open a door into the homes of the children’s families and teach them the Gospel. The week after VBS, preachers go to the homes and ask for a Bible study. There are many baptisms as a result of this effort. Some of you may remember the first year I went. There were only a handful of members. The only children were the preacher’s 2 sons. The only woman was the preacher’s wife. Now, there are 85 children who attend on a regular basis and over 200 members…both men and women! Not only that, but it went from 1 struggling congregation to 17 thriving congregations throughout the refugee camps and tribes. The VBS contributed to that.

            It is because of these new congregations that I have decided to go for a month. There is a need for women from each congregation to be trained on how to plan, prepare, and teach a Bible class for children. So, my time will be dedicated to doing that very thing. I have also been asked to do one-on-one Bible studies. These studies teach English by using the Bible. So, not only will they be hearing the Gospel, but also learning English.

            This past year we saw something amazing. You see, the two tribes we taught, the Nuer and Anywaa, are warring tribes. They hate each other to the point of killing each other. In fact, there was a murder in one of the refugee camps a week before we arrived. The Anywaa children traveled an hour every day through Nuer territory to come to VBS. Okello, the preacher who works with the Anywaa, told us only 25 of the children would come for the end of VBS celebration because it was too dangerous. Well, all 200 children came, plus many of their families. When they arrived, the Nuer children and their families all stood, cheered, and sang to welcome them. Under the trees the Nuer and Anywaa sat  together, ate together, drank together, and heard the Gospel together. The love of the Lord withered hatred and war, and blossomed love and peace. This is what the Lord can do. This is His power and might at work. THIS IS HOW THE GOSPEL IS CHANGING A NATION!

            I am so very excited for this opportunity and am anxious to see how God uses it to further His word and His will. But with this extended opportunity is a need for funds. This year my financial need is $5,000. This will cover travel expenses, food, VBS materials, Bible study materials, and children’s Bible class materials. Any additional funds at the end of the trip will be allocated to the Southern Sudan Mission for the continuance of spreading the Gospel. 

            If you’d like to help me financially there are several ways…

1.      Send a check to me personally

2.      Send a check to Porter Church of Christ, ear marked Karisa Holland VBS Mission trip

-          These are tax deductible

-          PO Box 770, Porter, Tx 77356

3.      Send a check to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ, Ear marked Karisa Holland VBS mission trip

-          7300 Crownridge Drive, The Woodlands, Tx 77382

4.      Donate through PayPal on my blog www.heart4ethiopia2013.blogspot.com

-          please note there is a fee per donation that comes out of the donation

            You can also help by praying that the devil does not succeed in his efforts to thwart this work, that the children open the hearts to the truth and parents hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized, and live faithfully, and that each of us going have the strength, faith, and perseverance to be the hands and feet of God’s desire for this work. I am truly grateful for the overflowing love and support in the past. I could not do this if it wasn’t for you. YOU are as much a part of this work as I am.

In Christ’s love, 
Karisa 
  

Letter for Support

                                                                        Psalm 143:6

                                                                          John 4:14

Dear family and friends,

            It is that time again where we are gearing up and preparing for VBS in Ethiopia! Because of the expansion last year that included children from the Anyuok tribe, this year we will host two VBS classes. The morning VBS will be with the Nuer tribe in Gambella and the afternoon VBS will be with the Anyuok tribe in a Gambella refugee camp. Because of language differences we are not able to accommodate both tribes at one time. We figure to have around 500 children total being taught. Some are repeats from the last year or two while others will be introduced to the true and living God for the first time. We are so excited for this new opportunity and cannot wait to see what God has in store for all of us!

            Our topic this year is Moses’ birth to the plagues. After discussing things with the local preacher, Tyrone has decided to bring VBS t-shirts for the kids like we did our first year. That has been a great tool to let people know we (the church) are here. There will be classes for 4 days and then Friday is graduation day. This is when we will present the children who participated with a certificate. All classes, both Nuer and Anyuok, will be brought together to celebrate. This is very important to acknowledge because these two tribes hate each other to the point of killing. God’s truth is so far reaching, that it is turning hate into love, and war into peace.  Does the power of the Gospel never cease to amaze you? It certainly gives me chills and a prick to the heart when I think about it.

            This year I will need donations to help me to go, as well as to get supplies for the VBS. While we are cutting back some on crafts to save cost and space, we are getting 500 shirts for the kids and our helpers. I personally will need $3,500 to cover my individual expenses. That includes hotel, food, ticket, and visa. Each teacher is also trying to get extra donations in order to cover the cost of VBS supplies and t-shirts. If you are interested in sending a monetary donation please send it via online donation through my blog or send a check (made out to me) to my parent’s address. I also ask that you pray for the work. Each year we have seen the different ways the devil has worked to thwart it. We cannot do this without God and His aid. Pray that through the children we are able to reach their families, that they open their hearts to accept His word, and that through the continued efforts of local evangelists, that people will hear, believe, repent, be baptized into Christ, and live faithfully.

            Thank you so much for all of your love and support the past two years. It is because of your generosity that an entire nation can be transformed by God. There are no words for how much each of you have encouraged me.

In Christ’s love,

Karisa