September
Subject: Newsletter from F2F
Hello all!
Happy summertime and sunshine. I hope you’re all well and getting to enjoy your favorite warm weather activities even in light of COVID-19. First and foremost: Thank you. I have experienced an extraordinary amount of encouragement and support thus far in preparation for Uganda. You all have been extremely patient and flexible with me as I continue to organize and relay information. So far I have gotten to speak with many of you and plan to continue to reach out and discuss the incredible opportunity I have to serve with Father to the Fatherless beginning in January! I wanted to share this newsletter Father to the Fatherless just recently sent out regarding many of the current happenings of the organization at the base in Uganda and locally in Grand Junction, CO.
I wanted to use this as an opportunity to update you all and hopefully connect you directly to the F2F organization. You are able to sign up to receive these newsletters through the link provided or directly on their website father2thefatherless.org. A couple important updates:
My January departure date has not changed. Of course, this remains highly dependent on how the COVID-19 situation continues to progress in Uganda. Thankfully, according to the country statistics and local resources affiliated with the organization, Uganda is doing fairly well with 1,025 cases and no documented COVID related deaths. Our prayers are well-kept in hoping those in need, in Uganda and throughout the world, are provided for as we all continue to navigate the COVID-19 situation.
Originally I wrote to many of you that my time in Uganda was indefinite. With the same heart and mentality of long-term missions and lasting impact, I have committed to two years of service in Uganda. My heart and mission continue to remain the same: to wholeheartedly love and commit myself to the children and people of Uganda to share in the love of Jesus; to equally teach and learn; to integrate into the community of Mubende and build lasting relationships through empowering one another. I determined two years to be an appropriate (and semi-uncomfortable) length of time that will maintain the integrity of my mission in Uganda and offer a concrete time-frame for you all and your involvement. After two years, I will re-evaluate and continue as my heart, and ultimately the Lord's sovereignty and blessings, guide me.
I am continuing to seek support and ministry partners to contribute for daily needs and expenses while I am in Uganda. My greatest need is for monthly ministry supporters to partner with me in prayer and monetary donations. If you are interested in investing in this mission and ministry, I would love to connect with you individually. If you would like a more specific breakdown of expenses, I am happy to email you an outline of estimated costs.
For your convenience, you can: Donate Online: father2thefatherless.org /// Missionary Fund /// Ms. Nicole Harkreader’s travel and mission funds Or by check Mail To:
Made out to: Father to the Fatherless Father to the Fatherless
Memo: Nicole Harkreader Long-Term Missions
P.O. Box 40166 Grand Junction, CO 81504
I am in the process of building a website and blog! Woohoo! This will be my primary way to communicate important updates and ministry needs; share stories, experiences, and photos; and answer any questions and connect with you all. Until I am able to finish and publish my website, I will use email as my primary method of communication!
I continually feel overwhelmed with gratitude with the amount of support and encouragement I have received thus far. I look forward to all the future conversations I will get to have with you all.
As always
All my love,
October
Subject: Uganda Update!
Good afternoon and happy Sunday!
I hope this email finds each of you healthy and well. Fall is here and winter is coming - yay! I hope you are enjoying the changing of seasons and the crunching of leaves under your feet. What a small and sweet joy. There are many wonderful parts of getting to send email updates, but my most favorite may be this: Thank you.
Thank you to each of you who have walked alongside me, prayed with and for me, encouraged me, and given financially to care for me as I go to Uganda. Your donations are not only caring for my monetary needs while I am there, but relieving the stresses and distractions money often brings. Your donations free me to extend unhindered love and care to those I will soon get to meet.
I am continually astounded by your love and generosity.
Here are some helpful and important updates I am excited to share with you all!
My January departure date has not changed. At the beginning of October the international airport in Entebbe, Uganda reopened. With this, Uganda has seen an increase in COVID cases throughout the country. As expected, my departure is heavily reliant that the international airport remains open. As with most everything in 2020, we will not know anything definitively until the time gets closer. For more information regarding the COVID-19 situation in Uganda, please refer to the Ministry of Health's website.
Come January, I will be accompanied to Uganda by the Mulumba family - Mathias (F2F Founder & Board President), Jolene, and their daughters along with Nate and Robin Staton (current F2F Board Members). We have yet to purchase our flights for a number of reasons. We will purchase them as soon as possible as circumstances allow. I will keep you all updated once we know more.
I have created and published my website! It feels incredible that I would have a platform to share stories, photos, and updates. Please subscribe to the website for regular updates, announcements, and blog posts. Additionally, there is a Wix app available for download that offers push-notifications for instant updates and an outlet to message me directly. Follow the link below to get started!
I am very close to being fully funded for the 2021 year! Thank you. The support I have received has been insurmountable. With that said, there is still a slight gap to fill! I am continuing to seek support and ministry partners to contribute for daily needs and expenses while I am in Uganda. My greatest need is for monthly ministry supporters to partner with me in prayer and monetary donations. If you are interested in investing in this mission and ministry, I would love to connect with you. If you would like a more specific breakdown of expenses, I am happy to email you an outline of estimated costs. As always, there is no amount too great or too small; each donation makes a lasting impact in my ability to go and serve.
There are multiple ways to donate!
For more donation information, follow this link to my donation information page.
My warmest gratitude, love & blessings,
December
Subject: Uganda Update - Leaving Soon!
Hi all!
I hope you each were able to celebrate your Thanksgiving holiday with much cheer and many thanks with those you love! 'Tis the season.
It has been a whirlwind few weeks.
First, I would love to say thank you for all the donations and monthly partners who have jumped on board to support me going to serve in Uganda - this is made physically possible through you.
I would also love to give my warmest gratitude to all those I have been given the chance to see, to celebrate with, and to say goodbye to all while considering the safety and protection of everyone from COVID-19. Thank you for loving me and those around me in action. You each are incredible.
Here are a few exciting and important updates:
Mathias, Jolene, their girls and I are leaving for Uganda on December 18th! This is earlier than we had anticipated, but we are hoping to leave before any borders close. How wonderful it feels to have a set departure date!
The international airport in Entebbe, Uganda remains open as do all the borders. COVID is steadily increasing across the country. According to the Ministry of Health, there are 22,499 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Uganda with 206 related deaths.
As a reminder, check out my blog and website - Loving the Little Children of the World. There is also a Wix app available for download that allows you to receive instant updates - I plan to use this quite a bit for quick updates and photos while I am in Uganda!
Currently, for the 2021 year, I am 81% funded. This is an estimate that considers all one time and monthly donations as they have been given and are projected for the 2021 year. Thank you to each of you who have contributed. If you are interested in donating, please refer to my donation page.
Lastly, I am finishing all my final preparations! I have received my Uganda Visa, completed all the necessary vaccines and prescriptions, and have begun the process of packing!
As I have shared with many of you, my heart is filled with joy and great anticipation as I prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually for the journey that lies ahead. The goodbye is never easy, but the hello will be so sweet.
With love & gratitude,
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