Support Letter

Dear Friends,

WHAT IF Life isn’t just about yearning for God’s presence? What if it’s also about God yearning for and expecting ours? When I went to Pretoria, South Africa in 2007 to be a part of a missional community called NieuCommunities, I realized that God had been expecting me. He wanted me to come to a place that was rejuvenating, reflective, and Spirit-filled so that I might finally hear His steady “Yes” to my question of “Will I ever be able to do what I really want to do as a creative person?”

He wanted me to show up so that I might discover how strongly He cares about justice, and how He has wired me to similarly yearn and fight. He wanted me to meet “Granny Beauty,” matriarch of a multigenerational family of women struggling to raise kids and be the hands of Jesus to their community in the townships amidst their poverty.

He wanted me to lend an ear to the survival stories of the women at Potter’s House in downtown Pretoria, a non-racial shelter for women and children in transition.

He wanted me to begin my first real story-telling project and learn and grow as I pursued it with fellow apprentice Barbara, gathering in all, seven women’s stories to be published in book format.

By the end of the year, it had become clear that God was calling me to be a part of NieuCommunities and diverse, post-apartheid South Africa more permanently. I knew that as I continued my ministry of helping to give voice to the voiceless through word and art, I would be inspiring incoming apprentices to similarly realize and follow their God-given dreams. For at least the next two years, I decided, this is what I would like to devote my life to.

I have been invited on as NieuCommunities staff and have recently been accepted into the CRM family (Church Resource Ministries, the parent organization of NieuCommunities). Barbara is also returning as staff, and we will get to complete our book of South African women’s stories. As I make this more permanent transition into a missional role, I am relying on the full support of others both financially and in prayer. I invite you to join with me, as aligned with CRM’s mission, in making God’s name “renowned among the nations.”

My needs for 2008 are as follows:

• $5,600 for transitional expenses as I finish up my time in the States and get settled in South Africa. This will include my relocation expenses, such as shipping, airfare, and a rental deposit.

• $2,050 monthly for ministry and living expenses.

I return to South Africa May 29th. May I encourage you to begin praying now about your level of involvement? I am praying for God to provide 12 people to give $100 monthly, 10 to give $50 monthly, 10 to give $25 monthly, and 10 to give $10 monthly. (The last one equals about three trips to Starbucks per month☺) I welcome one-time gifts as well. If you would like to contribute to my ministry financially, you can click here, enter my last name “Woolley,” and follow the instructions for online giving.

Although I do need support financially, I really appreciate prayer as well. I would love to connect with you before I leave and catch up in person. Feel free to email me at skwoolley.girl@gmail.com or call my cell (503) 789-8971. Thank you for all of your support thus far and I look forward to touching base with you soon. May you increasingly sense God’s yearning for your presence,

Sarah K. Woolley