The trip

Here is my fundraising letter:



Dear friend,
I've been invited by a family friend to go on a trip to West Africa next month. We will travel to the little-known (and very little) country of Guinea-Bissau, which is nothing more than a dot on a map of Africa. Ginneau-Bissau is about the size of Maryland and, with 1 1/2 million people, is one of the 10 poorest countries in the world. It has been beleagured by military and political strife since gaining its independence more than three decades ago. It's main sources of income are: fishing, farming, and... cashews. In recent years, Ginneau-Bissau has shown signs of hope and progress. But the country and its people still need much assistance.
What we'll be doing: My friend Tom Cromptom and I plan to visit a Christian school recently established by a Seattle-based organization called FLAME (Freedom Life African Ministries Emmanuel). The non-profit hopes to attract the country's future leaders to its Jesus Industrial School where they will receive training in sewing, auto mechanics and computers -- skills critical for success in this part of the world. In the meantime, the students will be exposed to the gospel and the ministry of both native and foreign Christians. Eventually, the school will be run entirely by Guineans.
Our goals: Tom is both a member of The Navigators and is on the board of FLAME. During our two-week trip, we hope to introduce the West Africa Leader for The Navigators, Okorie Kalu, to members of FLAME so that they can work together toward their common goals. We also will familiarize ourselves with the Jesus Industrial School and its successes as well as its challenges. We hope to return with a better understanding of what FLAME and our Christian brothers and sisters are doing in one of the world's smallest and poorest countries and let others know how they can be praying for and helping Guineans. To learn more about FLAME, go to www.flameministry.org.
Why I'm going: Tom lived in Africa for 16 years, but this will be his first trip to Guinea-Bissau. This is my first visit to Africa. We will be leaving Seattle January 30 and returning February 16. After returning from a six-week reporting stint for McClatchy Newspapers in Iraq this past fall, I've been unable to shake the travel bug. The opportunity to visit Africa is an answered prayer and an adventure I'm looking forward to. To prepare for this trip, I've allowed myself to be injected with a cocktail of immunizations and drugs. I'm now immune to pretty much every disease on the planet -- menengitus, typhoid, polio, Hep A, Hep B, Yellow Fever, malaria, Mad Cow Disease, etc.
How you can help: I am sending this letter to you for a few reasons: 1) To let you know about this new adventure in my life, 2) To ask for your prayers, and 3) To ask you to consider becoming a financial partner in this trip.
Here are my anticipated expenses:
Airfare and hotel (for stay-overs in Portugal): $2,150
Immunizations, insurance, traveling expenses: $400
Own contribution: ($1,000)
Total needed: $1,550
If you and 30 other people donate $50 then the costs should be covered, though any contribution is appreciated. If you would like to partner with me in this trip, please fill out the enclosed response card and send it in the return envelope before January 24th. Please make all checks payable to The Navigators.
Asking for your prayers: Please pray that the travels will go smoothly and that both Tom and I will stay in good health during the trip. Also, please pray that God will provide translators and that we will not be hampered by language barriers. Finally, please pray for our hearts -- that they will be excited about this opportunity God has opened up for us and that we will be eager to be good guests and develop friendship with the Guineans we meet.
As always, please feel free to e-mail me any time at chriscollins101@gmail.com. I will keep a blog during my trip, but will not always have Internet access. Feel free to visit the blog at www.blogger.com/notasafari.
God bless,


Chris