Sponsorship Needed!

                                 

                                                                                                            January 2011

Dear Family & Friends,

            You may already know that I have left my job in Kansas City, where I was a youth minister, and have moved to Madison, WI. Since August, I have been the nanny for my twin nephews. This change was prompted by the calling I felt to pursue long term mission work, a desire that has been tugging my heart since I was at least 11 years old. Last May, my best friend asked me, “Why don’t you just go?” I tried uttering an excuse, only to realize God was telling me something! This desire to be a “missionary” isn’t just my own, but is intricately designed and placed on my heart as a chance to encounter my Creator.

I will be leaving at the end of March to spend 18 months in Bangkok, Thailand, through Heart’s Home International. Heart’s Home exists to allow volunteers to be a constant presence of compassion by serving God’s most precious people. By the volunteers living in community, united and strengthened by daily prayer, and being present in underprivileged areas, young communities of faith seek to:

-develop loving, trustful & humble relationships with suffering and lonely people;
-welcome and listen to anyone knocking at the door; 

-act as a bridge, if possible, between these people and the local social institutions and charitable organizations to find the most appropriate solution to their situation.

We also commit to belong to our friends in the neighborhood to witness love and compassion to those most in need. Friends of our community include children of the streets and their families; people who are very sick or elderly; and inmates of the immigration prison. 

 As most volunteer organizations, Heart’s Home runs solely on private donations. Therefore, they ask each missionary to find sponsors to cover expenses during the mission. This is a total of $650 per month, and covers food, housing, medical insurance, and transportation to and from Thailand. We receive nothing beyond this, living a simple life with our neighbors as we try to enter their culture and way of life. Another way you may give is by offering a commitment to prayer—daily prayer for me and for Heart’s Home in Thailand. Understanding that times are tough, if you are unable to give, I ask that you pass this on to someone who can.

I will attend training in New York City in February, and need to have my list of partners, spiritual and financial, completed by March 1. Then, at the end of March I’ll be flying to Bangkok. If you are willing to commit to me through prayer or finances, please complete the enclosed envelope or visit http://www.heartshomeusa.org.

            In return for your gift and commitment to me, I am not only committing to the work in Bangkok, but also to pray for you every day and bringing the mission to you in a newsletter every other month. As a sponsor, you are joining me in being a missionary of compassion. I would love to have you join me on this adventure of love, compassion, and service.

You are invited to attend my “Sending Forth Mass” on March 6, at 10:00 am at St. James the Less Church in La Crosse, WI. I would love to see you there to say good-bye, and to have an opportunity to thank you for your support.

In Him,

Erika Deniger-Hagman

Visit http://www.heartshomeusa.org to find out more about Heart’s Home or to donate online.

           

Details on Financial Sponsorship:

*All donations through Heart’s Home are tax-deductible.

-Monthly (withdrawals to begin and end when you choose).

-One-time donation.

*You may complete the enclosed envelope for your financial and/or spiritual contribution.

Mail to the address below. If you have an email, write it down on the envelope! This will save on the cost of mailing the bi-monthly newsletter.

*Register your credit card online, at: http://usa.heartshome.org/.

(Click on “Support us/Sponsor a Heart's Home Missionary”. Please enter in the designation bar my name “Erika Deniger-Hagman” so it is properly allocated. )

  Direct Contributions** Please consider this as well!

I am looking for direct one time contributions to my personal expenses as I prepare to leave (these amounts are not tax deductible, as they are for my own expenses). Cash/Check is acceptable for these contributions and must be sent to me directly.

                        -Airfare to/from New York in February for training $300

-Visa cost $300

-Immunizations $350

-Mailing expenses $75

            Please contact me via email, phone, or letter with any questions or support!

Erika Deniger-Hagman

2831 N Richard Dr.

La Crosse, WI 54601

Cell Phone: 608-738-7483

Email: erdh19@gmail.com