Raising Support....

To all my readers/friends:

I sent out a letter on email today and if you didn't get it I do apologize because I did not have many people's emails (both having to do with the fact that I am not that big of a fan of email AND that many have changed). In short, I am posting it on my blog in case you are interested in supporting me in a more physical and spiritual way than just reading my blog. This is not an easy thing for me to do - asking for financial support - but after much prayer and talking with people I felt that to have people contribute to my ministry down their would allow me to be better equipped to do what I believe God is calling me to. So without further ado, I am posting my entire letter here (because honestly I don't know how to attach it...)

Dear friends and family,

I am writing this letter to share with you some of how God has been using and changing me in the past year as I lived in Honduras. I am also using this letter to share my needs for the next year, spiritual and physical, and how I am excited for the opportunities that the next year will bring. In order to do that I would like to share with you how I ended up in Honduras and how I felt called to be there for a longer period of time.
In 2007 I was finishing my senior year at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario. I was studying for an Honours major in History with a minor in Religion and Theology. Though I intended in the future to return to school for my Masters I knew that I wanted to take some time and hopefully teach overseas. I arranged for an interview with a company to teach in Japan but after much prayer and thought I concluded that 1) because the organization was not Christian I would not be as free to share my faith, and 2) that it was too far away and entirely too different to be considered for a first longer term mission experience; that this was not a good fit for me. In one of the last months of school a Canadian teacher living in Honduras came to our school with a presentation on teaching opportunities in Honduras. Needless to say, I was intrigued and because I was the only student that attended the presentation (many of my friends tried to pull me to other presentations going on at the same time but I really felt compelled to go to this one) I was able to ask her a lot of questions. One of the things that appealed to me immediately was that they had an English bible study for the teachers. I was excited by this because I believed that this meant that the school was interested in making sure that its staff was growing spiritually in order to be able to give back into the community and the students. I was concerned because I thought it was necessary that I teach in Spanish (which I did not speak) but found out that half the subjects are taught in English anyways. We discussed the subjects and found there was a need for a Physical Education Teacher. Although I did not have formal training in the subject I had grown up and played on different teams through elementary, high school, and university. And so the recruiter suggested I apply and see what would happen. After emailing some more questions back and forth, praying, debating with myself over my lack of qualification, I finally applied. I received an offer of work in May of 2007 and accepted shortly thereafter. Since August I have been living in Honduras and teaching Phsycial Education for the High School and Grade 7-9 Science.
Originally I had only made a one year commitment – but in January 2007 I received an email from my parents that caused me to reconsider my decision. (Isn’t that the job of our parents? To make us rethink what we have already decided?) In it my mother stated something along the lines of “Your dad and I think that you should consider staying another year.” I was completely taken off guard. I had not expected this. My plans were made; one year only. Apparently God had other ideas. So I decided to pray about it. When I started to pray my attitude was one that was ‘if God wants me to stay He will have to make it VERY obvious.’ Gradually that changed with prayer to ‘if God wants me to leave He will have to make it VERY obvious.’ I also began to get excited about the possibilities of returning for another year - and not just involving the students. I was attending a good church that had a lot of community projects and outreach. I was getting to know the youth group (as much as my halting Spanish would allow.) I would be able to improve my Spanish. And I also talked to students about the high turnover of English teachers in the school (because most teachers cannot afford to stay more than one year) and learned and understood that the high teacher turnover rate was really hard on them. Differing standards, persons, expectations, and continuing change had made it hard for them to learn effectively because they kept getting new people. If I returned I would be the only returning teacher from high school.
So I decided to stay for another year. I decided based on many reasons (many of them listed above) but also because I realized that as a familiar face to these students I would have many more personal opportunities for ministry. Already in the last few months of school I experienced the students level of trust grow when they found out I was coming back. I was also excited because with one year of teaching under my belt I would feel more comfortable with my subject matter. This year will be even more concentrated on being able to show in my classes (I will be teaching Physical Education, History, and English) how God and His Word are relevant in all areas of life. (For example, when I was teaching a science class on Infectious Diseases I opened to Leviticus where God talks about how people are to clean themselves if they have an infectious disease. I walked them through the passage and the textbook and showed them how little the treatment had changed. Their eyes opened wide at seeing that things we learn and deal with today are found in the bible.) That was one of my most memorable classes and I would like to do even more of that this coming year.
Although I am currently receiving a salary (the school calls it a gift offering) it is not enough for me to live off of. I receive $250 per month and one return flight is covered by the school. I am currently trying to raise funds for 11 months that will help pay for my rent, my Spanish lessons, transportation, and other things that are a part of my life down there. I feel that this is very important to becoming part of the community and will enable me to interact more freely (and better!) with the people around me. As of this moment I am not with an organization and so I am not able to offer tax receipts to those who might be considering sponsoring me. BUT I am currently applying for association with an agency called Mission for Advancing Theological Education and there is a very good possibility that I would be able to provide tax receipts through them. I should have confirmation within the next 10 days.
I am asking from people for an 11 month commitment of 10-20 dollars per month. If I am able to raise (at minimum) $150 it would make my experience in Honduras much more comfortable and my outreach and ministry more effective. Please prayerfully consider becoming part of what I do in Honduras. However much you can give would be appreciated. I want very much to involve you on a physical and spiritual level in my life there. (And if you have time to visit – you would be very much welcome!) You would also receive from me a monthly letter about what my goals are and how they are being met.
I realize that everyone is a missionary – no matter what the economic status of the country is. Everyone needs Christ, and everyone needs to be taught that the Bible speaks to them NOW – as they live their life TODAY. For the next year I see this happening in Honduras and I would like people to be behind me in both physical and spiritual aspects.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story of what God is doing in my life and who He is working through me to touch others. If you are interested in supporting me in any way please email me before July 31, 2008. This way I can send you the information for where to send support and what things can be prayed for by you.

Amanda Van Halteren