Missions Trip To Togo, Africa With My Son
UPDATED!! *** See below!
My church has long been involved with missions. It’s an area of ministry the church focuses on quite often. I’ve never felt led to go on any missions trip before. Our church has taken missions trips to Mexico, El Salvador, and Cambodia as well as missions trips within the United States. When it was announced that our church was going to take a missions trip to Africa, I knew that it was a trip I wanted to be part of.
A missionary couple we support in Togo West Africa, JJ and Melissa Alderman have a ministry there that is geared towards the youth of Togo. You can read more about it here.
A team of about 20 people are stepping out in faith to sign up be part of a team that will travel to Togo in August for 10 days serve at Togo Palms and to serve the children there. My heart has been drawn to that continent despite never being there before. Our family, through Compassion International, sponsors a young boy named Henry in Kenya. When I talked about going on the trip, I was surprised to hear my son ask if he could go as well. Now, as a 14 year old I know that part of his desire is based on the fact that there is some adventure involved. He’ll be flying for the first time and visiting another country. But when I told him about the focus on sports and that basketball would be involved, he became more interested. I want him to go because I want him to see how God impacts people that have so much less than we do in terms of possessions. It will be an amazing experience for the both of us.
We do ask for you to pray for us first. My view is, if this is in God’s timing, it will happen.
That being said, the trip is of course, not cheap. For the both of us, it will cost $5000 to take this trip. That money needs to be raised in the next 5 months. This is where I need you to help. There are two different ways you can do this.
- You can donate any amount that you’d like using the ChipIn widget that is on the sidebar. You can use your PayPal account if you have one, but you can also use a credit card. All donations are tax deductible.
I am making some images of Florida landscapes I have made over the last couple of years available for purchase. You’ll see the ‘Buy Print’ link under each image. There are a number of options including regular prints along with, fine art prints and gallery wraps. Again, your purchases are tax deductible.
UPDATE: I am removing the option to purchase prints. Unfortunately, the overhead costs are too much to sustain. For instance, somebody ordered a large fine art print. The cost to them was $96, but the amount I received for the missions trip was only $30. As every dollar is critical to the chances of going on this trip, I would ask that if you saw fit to contribute, you use the Chip In link above.
Thank you so much for your consideration. I truly appreciate it.
UPDATE: I have to apologize for neglecting to ask people to pray not only for me and my son but for all of those who want to take this trip. One of the most encouraging things for me was to see about 4-5 teens from our church at the meeting and declaring their intention to go on this trip as well. There are about 20 in all that have signed up so pray for the entire team. Thanks!
UPDATE: Unfortunately, it appears as though I am going to be solo on this trip (if I go at all). I wanted to bring my son and he wanted to go but to be honest, the idea of having to raise $5000 in such a short time has appeared to be too daunting. Plus, his friend was supposed to go and he isn’t and Michael was looking forward to ministering with his friend. But Michael is still interested in doing missions and my guess is we will get him on a short term trip in the States somewhere before going overseas. That being said, it does ease the burden of me raising money for the trip. If you can donate, I would truly appreciate it!
Mr. Jay, I’m so excited that you and Michael want to go on this trip! My dad and Jackson want to go and I think that it will be a really fantastic opportunity for all of yall. For the boys, having dads there will help them with any homesickness or discomfort. Also, having another kid their age will help them feel more at home in the very foreign land. All of you will get the experience of a lifetime coupled with life change and a whole new perspective on life when you spend some time working in a third world country. So stoked! Maybe I’ll be able to convince my mom to buy me one of your Fl prints to put in my dorm room, too.
Thanks Sarah Beth! When I told Michael he would be playing some basketball he was that much more excited!
Praying with you, Jay!
Thanks Justin!
Hey man. So I think it’s totally awesome that you have this opportunity to go to Togo, and even more that you can experience it with your son! I’ve only ever had the opportunity once to go to Guatemala a few years back, and it was such an incredible experience. I definitely will be helping out in the little that I can. Praying that God will provide all the means possible to make the trip a reality. Btw…the images are stunning!
Thanks bro! I appreciate it!
Praying that you receive blessings beyond your imagination and that every need for this trip is met tenfold.
Thank you Mona!
I’ll be praying for you man!
Thanks dude!
Now I am excited about this, my friend! This is going to be a life-changing trip for you and your son. I just prayed over this experience, the finances and the grace of God to go with you. I pray that you have an opportunity to bless those you meet and that God would give you his heart for the nation(s) you visit.
This is going to be great!
Thanks Tony. I appreciate it!