We have about 4-5 weeks left before travel. Four to five weeks! I can't believe how close we are. Many people have asked us over the past two weeks if it is too late to give? My heart swells every time to see more friends waiting in the wings eager to help. My friends, we are close, but we are not there yet. There is plenty of time to participate in the last few miracles.
We feel confident we have reached the point that both boys will be traveling home at the same time. No more heartbreak over the idea of leaving Aiden until we could raise the funds to return. We are close enough (probably within $2,000) to the financial mark needed to get them both home that we are just moving forward as if the money were already there.
We also received miraculous news this week regarding orphanage donations. We were originally told not to ask Nathan's orphanage for a reduction as his orphanage never says yes and would be offended by the request. We were, however, encouraged to ask Aiden's orphanage. Last week Aiden's orphanage said no to our request of a reduction or waiver. We did not lose all hope. But I will admit this was a difficult moment.
Then the miracle came: Our agency received news that the director at Nathan's orphanage had changed. There was a feeling that perhaps the new director would be more open to a waiver request. We were nervous to ask. It is not our desire to offend anyone. We understand the significance of these donations and why they are required. So, we prayed and sent the request off.
Thursday the response came: the new director had approved a complete waiver! We could not believe it and jumped around like giddy little kids. This is absolutely the deciding factor in Brad being able to travel with me. We have fasted and prayed over this one for months.
We also received great news regarding our tax return. We were anticipating a healthy return but did not want to count on it before all of the final numbers were in. Yesterday we were able to get our taxes back from our CPA and our return is what we had hoped for.
At this point we only have about $2,200 left to raise before we leave. There is still the variable of travel costs because we cannot count on any of the numbers until we can book flights and hotels. But our estimates show we should land close to this estimate.
So what's the plan for the last $2,200? I'm glad you asked! We are searching for every possible way to cut costs on this trip. If you or someone you know has access to airline miles or Marriott points please share our story and let them know a donation of miles or points could be the difference to bring 2 boys home!! We will be booking flights and hotels in about 2-3 weeks so time is of the essence.
We are still looking for handyman side work for Brad. If you or someone you know has a project sitting please let them know hiring Brad will not only get them an amazing finished project, but they will be helping to bring 2 boys home! Brad has done everything from ceiling fans to new garbage disposals to water heaters to new windows to interior and exterior doors to landscape work to flooring repairs to dry rot repairs to drywall patching to you name it, he has probably done it.
Our GoFundMe page is still up and running as well as our LiftingHands account (see links below). Please continue to share our pages on social media.
And last but certainly not least, we want to ask our friends and family for continued prayer. None of the miracles over these past 8 months have come as a result of our efforts. This has been Our Father's story all along. All of the glory and praise goes to Him. Please join us in lifting these final needs to Him. He has already planned and prepared a way.
click this link to go to our lifting hands page
copy and paste this address to share:
http://www.liftinghandsproject.org/krinke.html
click this link to go to our GoFundMe page
copy and paste this address to share:
www.gofundme.com/bring-nathan-and-aiden-home
No comments:
Post a Comment