Update Letter - June 2006

PLEASE NOTE:  If you have committed to join our support team, or plan to, but have not yet sent in the funds or your commitment card to Global Partners, please do so ASAP.  If you plan to give an ongoing gift or a one time gift in the future please let GP know your intentions.  Future gifts can be counted as already raised if we know they are coming.  We cannot leave for NZ until all of our funds have been committed/raised.  You can let Global Partners know by mailing in the commitment card, or signing up on their website www.paygivego.com.  If you have any questions or concerns please let us know. 

The Following Updates Have Been Added Online:
      -          Support Team Thermometers Updated – notice the recent increase in prayer and financial support!
      -          Our New Address – Where we can be reached while here in New Brunswick
      -          Current Schedule – We are booking visits with churches, youth groups, ect. Let us know if you are interested in
             being added to our schedule.
      -          Youth CoMission Page – a program for teens/youth groups supporting teens in NZ
       Click here to visit our website www.addministries.com

Dear Support Team,

Thank you so much for your support and your prayers.  They have been much needed over the last month as we quit our jobs at the end of April, packed all we could fit into our two small Japanese cars, and made the 13 hour drive to my parent’s house in Perth-Andover, NB.  We had a very encouraging service at Perth-Andover Wesleyan (what a blessing to start our tour of the Atlantic District at “home”).  So now, homeless and unemployed, we are in the Maritimes to stay for the next few months.  We have lots of family here to put us up as we connect with and cast the vision for NZ to our friends, family, and the churches of our home District.  Every weekend we’ve been on the road at churches and conventions in the area.  During the week we are mostly at Drew’s parent’s home where Drew works for the village doing lawn care whenever he is able.  God has provided so nicely with this source of income without the commitment it set hours so that we are free to travel when we need to.  I’ve now taken on a larger role in setting up our appointments, updating the website, sending our emails, etc.  So, that is why you are hearing from me this time.   

Here is our new contact information:
233 Sunbury Drive
Fredericton Junction, NB
E5L 1S1
(506) 368-7289
amy@addministries.com
drew@addministries.com  

Some news & prayer requests:
-Please remember us in prayer as we are still adjusting to the new living arrangements.  Our home base, when we are not traveling, is with Drew’s parents.  They have been very generous and accommodating, (Contrary to all I’ve heard, it’s not so bad living with the in-laws). However, it is still an adjustment to having smaller living quarters, not always knowing where to find things, and having all of our belongings in boxes and stored in about five different locations.

 -Recently, we were at our district youth convention, May Rally, to present a new opportunity for students to get involved in our mission through a strategy we’ve developed called “Youth CoMission”.  The concept is that teens/youth groups here can sponsor a teen in NZ by supporting our ministry and connecting with that teen through email/chatting, etc.  The weekend went very well and we were encouraged by the response to the program.  Please pray that God will continue to stir the hearts of the teens and youth leaders to get involved in Youth CoMission. (Find out more on our website - www.addministries.com).  We are very excited about the possibilities for building our support team as well as fostering positive relationships between the youth of the Atlantic district and NZ.

-Drew was recently asked to lead a district sponsored, short-term missions team to NZ next year.  The trip will have a youth ministry focus.  Please pray for the planning phase as God brings the team together.

-We also need your prayers as we continue to raise our support and meet with people about building our support team.  We hope to meet with many pastors and missions directors in the district to cast the vision for ministry in New Zealand.

The breakdown of our Financial Goals:
Approximately $36,000/year (CAD)
            GOAL                              TARGET FUNDS              AMMOUNT TO DATE:
            10 Churches at $1500/year  =$15,000/year                     4 churches
            30 people at $20/mo           =$7,200/year                       15 people
            20 youth groups at $20/mo  =$4,800/year                       5 youth groups
            10 people at $50/mo           =$6,000/year                       7 people
            Other gifts**                       =$6000 total                       $3165 

Things are coming together little by little and we are optimistic that we can reach our current goal of going to New Zealand in August.  East City Wesleyan in NZ has found a house that they would like to rent for us starting in August, so this would be the ideal time.  We received notification that our visas have been approved less than a week after sending in the application.  This was exciting as they had told us to allow two months for approval.  The church and especially the teens of NZ are waiting for us.  Please read the attached letter form Beth Fussner, wife of Jeff Fussner -Missions Director for the Pacific Area, and mother of a teen in NZ.

Thank you again for your continued prayer and support.

Blessings,
Amy & Drew Donovan
Missionaries to Auckland, NZ
www.addministries.com
amy@addministries.com