UPDATE: We are still looking for some help to get out tickets, so if you meant to reach out and haven't gotten around to it, now's the time!! Thanks to all.

Have some frequent flier miles in your account? This is a great idea given to us this week. We've done some research and figured out the details. Our plane tickets are the major expense for which we are raising funds. According to American Airlines, they would cost about 30,000 frequent flier miles each. Jeff has a little over 5,000 coming to him for the Bogota trip. If you have miles you would be willing to donate, we would be delighted to put them in the fund. There is a $30 fee from AA for the transfer, but we have a way to cover that if it isn't feasible for you. Please send us a message on Facebook or comment here on the blog if this is something you would be interested in doing. We can give you all the details and help make arrangements if you decide to donate miles. Thanks to everyone for all your help and prayers -- it has been quite a faith journey for us personally up to this point, and we love that there are so many others sharing it with us.

"There are many young people today, here in this square. Let me ask this: have you sometimes heard the voice of the Lord through a desire, restlessness, inviting you to follow him more closely? Have yo any desires to be apostles of Jesus... Ask Jesus what he wants from you and be brave!" Pope Francis I 4/21/13

Those of you that have heard my sermon on Call, can tell that the Pope and I are on the same sheet of music these days! I may not be Catholic, but I can definitely support the catholic Church!

Peace,

Jeff

I am starting to realize that the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa is FULL of wonderful caring people. This morning, I had the privilege to preach at St Mark's Episcopal Church in Fort Dodge, and then in Church of the Good Shepherd in Webster City. Both parishes welcomed us with open arms, and shared the excitement that is growing in us. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Fr. Richard and both congregations for the hospitality, and the chance to let other folks know of the good works going on at the UAC-CP!

If there are any other parishes that would like to have us come and talk about the work we are being called to do, please let us know soon. I will be in Bogota, Columbia May 4-10, then I preach in Waverly at St Andrew's Episcopal Church the 12th. I will be preaching at Trinity Episcopal Church in Waterloo the 19th, so not many Sundays left!

Now on a serious note: Our fundraising is falling short of the minimum we need to accomplish our goal. So far, we have raised about $3000 of the $15,000 we originally budgeted. If we cut back on the planned budget and only go bare minimum, we still need another $6000. If you know someone that might like to contribute, please share our information with them, and please continue to pray for this worthwhile mission.

Peace, Jeff

Here is a copy of our brochure. Please feel free to distribute far and wide!

Thanks...


Bolivia Brochure PDF

Exciting news today:

St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Cedar Falls, IA collected a special offering on Palm Sunday for our Bolivia Fund. What a wonderful blessing to have such caring people thinking and praying about us.

If your church or group is interested in helping with our fundraising, we'd be happy to send you some materials or come and speak. Get on our schedule soon! We'd be so happy to have your help, and any funds not used for trip costs will be donated to the Carmen Pampa Fund at the end of our year. Here is the information on where to send a check:

St. Andrew's Bolivia Fund

PO Box 176

Waverly, IA 50677

Also, for those of you who are members of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, check out the article about our trip on page C of this month's Iowa Connections. You can also view/download it online using the link posted below. A big shout-out to Lydia Kelsey Bucklin for getting that included. Thanks Lydia!

Episcopal Diocese - Iowa Connections

Please visit our fundraising site at indiegogo ---

We have a new camera to take on our adventure! Thank you Dennis Stilwell for your generosity! Show Dennis some love now and go to: http://www.nwhiker.com to see what Dennis does with a camera. Thank you again Uncle Dennis!