We have BIG news to announce to you!
Now, before you all get confused, we STILL work for AIM. We are still support-raised missionaries, and we still definitely need your support! I will explain more about this in the
“Frequently Asked Questions” post tomorrow. 🙂 For now though, let me tell you about our plans!
In 2007, God placed a call on my life to care for orphans and vulnerable children around the world. He also gave me a vision for a non-profit, The Sound of Hope. At that time, I was clueless about how to start a non-profit. I was a 23 year old college graduate with no money and no experience – just a call, a vision, and a lot of passion. So, when Seth Barnes shared a similar vision with me and offered me a position at AIM to work towards it, I jumped at the opportunity!
For the past 2 and 1/2 years, I’ve been working toward that vision. I was allowed to start “The Sound of Hope” as a campaign under AIM’s ministry, and began to raise money and awareness for orphans in Swaziland, India, and Kenya. I’ve been to Swaziland twice, South Africa, and India and seen the needs of the children first hand. It’s been incredible to watch this vision begin to take shape, and to be able to send funds overseas to care for the children!
My time at AIM has been a time of great growth, and I’ve learned so much from the staff there. I’ve gained invaluable insight and experience working with a large non-profit that’s been around for 20 years. For that I am SO thankful!
But…a few months ago I felt God speaking to me about the future. I was confused and unsure of where He was leading me, so I took 3 days to fast and pray for CLEAR direction. In that time God outlined 10 pages of plans for the future of The Sound of Hope.
He made it clear that it was time to take a step forward. AIM provided the building blocks to bring me this far, but now it is time to take The Sound of Hope to the next level – to make it a stand-alone non-profit! (which was the original vision). So, I flew down to GA, met with Seth, and shared what God was saying. There he gave me his blessing and permission to move forward!
to raise funds and awareness for orphans and vulnerable children worldwide.
We will work with orphanages and children’s programs who provide not only food, shelter, clothing, and medical attention, but also discipleship
and/or education. We believe strongly that God doesn’t just want to
FEED the children and sustain them in their cycle of poverty, but that
He wants to provide every child with the HOPE and FUTURE that they deserve!
We will begin by continuing to support children in Swaziland, India, & Kenya, and are hoping to add Thailand this year as well.
This process is not going to be easy or cheap, and we will need the advice, help, and PRAYERS of all of you to make it successful.
2) Pray for UNDERSTANDING as I sort through all the documents, legal requirements, etc that are necessary to start a non-profit.
3) Pray for DIRECTION and WISDOM for who to choose as Board members.
4) Pray for RESOURCES – that God will provide an attorney or accountant to help us with the non-profit incorporation.
5) Pray for PROVISION – that God will provide the money necessary to incorporate, and that He will burden the hearts of future investors who will help provide the capital to get this off the ground. (money for things like accounting software, web site serving, printing brochures & posters, postage, travel, etc)
6) Pray for UNDERSTANDING as Rusty and I learn how to do the accounting necessary to start.
7) Pray for BLESSINGS, CREATIVITY, and FOCUS for Ryan and Tina Essmaker, who are designing our new website and printwork for FREE!
I was very intimidated by this idea at first, but I know without a doubt that God is calling us to do it. I was reminded by one of our mentors of Joshua 1:7-9 which says:
servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the
left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it
day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in
it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be
terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with
you wherever you go.”
I believe that this is GOD’s vision, and that He is going to bless it immensely if we will just continue to seek His direction, be ‘strong and courageous’ and take a step of FAITH. I can’t wait to see what He has in store!
Amazing. Stacy and I have so much respect for you and Rusty and are so behind anything you guys are involved in. Praying blessings in your direction. God bless. We love you both. oh and yeah. THIS IS GOING TO BE HUGE.
Yay, Ericka! That’s so exciting!!
YEAH ~ Can’t wait to see what God has in store! We are PRAYING for all the things listed above and that He LEADS this effort in a mighty way that can ONLY be explained as the HAND OF GOD!! Love you BUNCHES ~ Mom
Very Exciting! We will be praying and are with you guys! Love you so much!
How awesome! I will be in prayer with you for the 7 specifics, and for God’s favor and blessing. This IS big and exciting news. I love to look at the pictures of those precious children. Thank you for your faithfulness and your courage to make a difference! You are an inpiring couple.
Exciting. Praying for you guys.
I am SO SO SO excited about this!!! Defiantly praying!!! love you guys!
WOW!! Very exciting news! Praying and here to support you in any way I can.
Hey girl! This is AMAZING! You guys are going to do wonderful things! I have worked with non-profit Boards for a long time. I am working with one now actually. I’d love to help in any way I can, so please just let me know. I think this is just awesome!!
Love it! Love you guys! You’ve got my prayers and support! WhooHOOO!
Just let me know where to send my financial support! I’m with you.
My first thought was….”PREGO?!” And then….”A DOG?!” But then I realized that was silly to even think. lol.
Furreals though, CONGRATS!!! Ohhh goodness, I am SO SO SO excited for this next step in your life! God is going to bless this a hundredfold. I am believing that! I actually want to talk to you about this in more detail soon…. 🙂
super excited for you guys. glad that the 3 days was one of clear vision. proud of you for your obedience. can’t wait to see it all unfold. i love you dearly ericka!
Ericka! This is amazing news!!! I am so excited for ya’ll! I too thought you were preggo when I saw the post title. 🙂 I am so excited to watch Sound of Hope develop and grow.
And thank you so much for all your sweet comments and encouragement over the past few months. Your words always bring a smile. Can you email me again with your email address? I can’t get it to pull up, and I have so much for to email you about regarding all your suggestions, etc. Too much for a blog comment. 🙂
Love,
Kelley
All I can say is WOW!! WOW!! WOW!! God is SO good and is SO faithful. He has been with you every step of the way and will continue to do so. I can’t wait to see how he CONTINUES to move in this. I’ll be praying for all that is listed above.
To anyone reading this….DONATE PLEASE!!! All that is happening in the world won’t change until the church (us….we are the church) stands up to make a difference! If the Lord stirs in your heart to donate…then donate. If he stirs in your heart to pray or to give an encouraging word…then do so!! You can make a difference! :
God bless you guys!
:),
Lindsey