My Birthday Wish!

My birthday is 3 days away..... September 13th! I have a very special wish this year and I hope and pray that you will make it come true!

But first, let me tell you about my great friend Stephanie. I met her when we moved to NC in 2005. Steph's mom introduced us because we were both somewhere in the process of adopting children. We bonded immediately and have become forever friends.

Stephanie has stuck with me through thick and thin, good and bad, and giggles and sobs. She prayed fervently and gave generously when we went to China to adopt Sam. I cried with her that she was still waiting for her daughter from Guatemala. I got to be there when the call finally came that she could travel to get her daughter. We screamed together and jumped up and down praising the Lord (we were at the zoo) while the people around us stared incredulously.

As medical issues have come up with my children, Stephanie was eager to learn and the first to offer to catheterize my one son, and stick needles (diabetes) in the other. Stephanie has always loved and nurtured my children as her own. She puts up with our quirkiness and loves us despite of it. She gives of her time, money, and energy, freely and generously to others. She's always there to listen and offer Godly wisdom. She puts up with my ranting and raving and gets me to laugh at life's circumstances. But most of all, Stephanie believes in me and has generously supported me as I follow God's call on my life.

My Birthday Wish is to do the same for her.

Will you help my wish come true?

Stephanie is leading a mission team for Caroline's Promise to Guyana, South America to a place called "The Plastic City". This team will partner with the Vreedenhoop Church to minister to children in the Plastic City community. They will read books, tutor them, and bring smiles to their faces. The team will also host a workshop for church volunteers, offering creative ways to teach children basic educational skills. In addition, they will spend time with the staff and children at Ruimveldt Children’s Home & Care Centre.

My birthday wish is to raise $820 towards Stephanie's trip!

Click on this link, then on Steph's name, you then can make your tax-deductible contribution online quickly and easily!! We have three days to make this happen!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping to make my birthday wish come true by giving back to a person who always gives so much of herself

for the sake of others!

Only $444 Needed!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!! I am so grateful for your support of my upcoming Uganda trip with Africa Renewal Ministries!! Many of you have given generously and sacrificially and for that I am deeply moved and appreciative. God will bless you exponentially!

I am only $444 away from the $3,000 I have to raise for my trip! Praise God that my plane ticket has been purchased and my other expenditures have almost been met! I am getting so excited because God is working everything out, therefore I know He has BIG things in store for our team!

My plane takes off in two short weeks! Will you please help me raise the rest of what I need?? We can do this!!!

How do you help? ASAP - Call Sonia at the African Renewal office in Austin, TX and make your tax-deductible contribution over the phone! 210.979.7441 Please make sure you tell her to put it toward my trip (Kirsten Vogel).

If you'd prefer to send a check, you can send your tax-deductible contribution to:

Africa Renewal Ministries, PO Box 13733, San Antonio, TX 78213

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. ~Proverbs 22:9