Africa Support Letter

Dear Friends,

God has been tugging at my heart lately. If you have ever been tugged by God, you know that it is no escapable thing. I have known for a while now that I am supposed to be involved in missions but until recently only God knew where I was going. A few months ago, I began to pray, seeking whatever was God’s plan for my life, and more steadfastly, this summer. A friend told me about an organization called Thrive Africa, and I decided to check it out. When I got on the website and started reading, my heart leapt. I knew immediately that going to Africa was God’s plan for my summer.

In the days following, though, I began to doubt. I felt called to a 2 month internship in South Africa which is a very long time to be so far away from home with people I have yet to meet, not to mention, a rather large financial need. Throughout the following weeks God made it clear, as I had prayed for, that Africa was the right thing for me. There were countless references to Africa on a daily basis. My history class began studying Africa a couple days later, and the topic of traveling to Africa came up in my French class on that day as well. Pastor Boone even talked about a girl who was planning to serve in Africa in one of his sermons. And today, as I was talking to a woman while getting my tire fixed, and watching Oprah in the waiting room, she said to me, “Maybe they should just go to Africa.” It seemed like an ordinary comment, but to me, it was another nudge. Throughout the whole experience of seeking and applying for this internship, I have been assured by God in every way that this is where He wants me.

From June 16 – August 8, 2008 I will be staying at the Thrive Africa base, Eagle Mountain, near Harrismith, South Africa. The base is located on a 2,500 acre game reserve, which is shared with zebras, wildebeest, and African antelope. While in Africa, I will be helping to host mission teams, working with kids in an after-school program, evangelizing through relationships with the nationals, growing in my own relationship with Christ, and learning and experiencing a very different culture. I am excited to see how God will strengthen my faith and my trust in Him as well as teach me through the lives of other missionaries.

This will be a great experience but I cannot do it alone. I greatly need your support as I work to raise money for the trip. Please pray that I am able to trust God in every circumstance, that I may continue to grow in my relationship with Christ, and that my heart will remain open and ready no matter what direction God leads me. I need God’s strength as I will be far from home, becoming completely vulnerable to God’s plan and action. I also need financial support to participate in this trip. I need to raise $3850 for travel and provisions while in Africa, plus the cost of other necessities for preparing to go to Africa, traveling out of the country, and spending two months of my life living in Africa. I am doing service projects through the church and working part time to help fund the trip, but most of the money will come from donations and God’s faithful miracles. Whatever gift you have to offer will be greatly appreciated.

If you would like more information about the internship, please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail, so.human@hotmail.com, call me, 425.218.7433, or visit www.ThriveAfrica.org to check out the Outreach Staff Internship. If you wish to help me financially, please know that all donations are tax-deductible and checks may be written to Thrive Africa (for tax deduction) or Hannah Borcherdt and sent to [23806 53rd Ave W, Mountlake Terrace, WA, 98043].Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for your prayers and consideration.

In the Family of Christ,

Hannah Borcherdt

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him. _Matthew 4:19-20