Today we are doing serious packing and organizing for our departure early Tuesday morning. Besides our carry-ons we now have one checked bag with all the baseball equipment. It is full to the 50lb limit! I must admit to giggling a little as I packed the checked bag. I can only imagine the reactions of friends from High School if they knew Laura Crisler (who never did a sport in her life!) was going to teach kids how to play baseball.

While completing our last minute lists and calls and sorting I am overwhelmed by the funds that continue to come in. We are in awe of the generosity of so many of you. At the same time we can't help but wonder what God has in mind for this trip. Why has He given us more money than we asked for? What are we supposed to do with it? I feel compelled to share with you the amazing ways God has blessed us through our fundraising. He alone could provide such blessings and we are immensely thankful.

We started our fundraising in February. We planned for three fundraising events and then prayerfully left the rest up to God. We conducted freewill soup suppers four times in February, the Teens of our congregation put on a Sweethearts Dinner for Valentine's Day, and we sold Easter sugar cookies in April. These events totaled $4175. Our initial budget of plane tickets, food, class supplies, playground materials, etc. was (and still is) $7485.00. Each of our families committed to personally paying for half of our plane ticket costs. As of Friday, our financial support totals an amazing $11,155.50. This support came from approximately 70 individuals or families.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " ~ Jeremiah 29:11

I want to share with you how we have specifically been supported by some:

1. One family offered to cover the expense of sending our belongings ahead of us. We had planned to do this to simplify the airport and going through customs with two children. We have confirmation that our boxes arrived safely. This was a blessing for which we cannot say thank you enough.

2. Two families wished to fund the building of the playground. One of these families sacrificially gave of their own savings which was intended to build a "fort" in their own backyard. I cannot wait to share this story and their family picture with the children in Varazdin.

3. Another woman who lives in low-income housing gave me a crumpled envelope with $20. While this might seem a small donation, it was truly an example of a widow giving all she had.

4. Another special friend handed me yet another envelop with cash. She too has seen a life of trials, but God has worked in her heart and the Spirit just gushes out of her. At the time she was living in a shelter but recently got a job driving a taxi. Her instructions were to use the money to cover all our taxi fares..."from one taxi driver to another" she said.

5. Friends through Ray's work insisted on supporting us despite knowing we had met our goals. Their generous check for $500 will most certainly bless the lives of people in Croatia.

6. A very special family to us also sacrificially gave $500. Their check came with special instructions. Each adult was given $100 and each child $50. We are asked to use the money for a need we observe when we arrive. I am excited to share the stories of this money when we return.

7. Another couple very special to us gave us their entire tax return - $300.

8. A business owner in Wamego donated a large piece of luggage to transport all the baseball equipment.

9. And finally, one gentleman offered to purchase K-State baseball hats for the kids to wear while they are learning baseball. He not only purchased them, but paid to ship them as well.

I could go on and on. I hope you see here how God is working already. When our "feet are on the ground" I'm sure there will be more stories to tell.

It is just not enough to tell you all thank you for your support, so I hope you read between the lines because the Spirit is there whispering.

Love,
Laura