His link to donate through paypal is linked on my sidebar (I hope)!
Here is a letter from Chris to any desiring more information:
Dear Friend,
This letter is to tell you about an opportunity I have to join God in what He is doing among the nations. I have recently been presented with a chance to take a trip to Uganda with an organization called Churches Together (CT). I am very excited about this opportunity, and I am praying for God to provide me with the necessary resources to make this trip possible. If He chooses to do so, it will be through the generosity of people just like you. I could write pages about the needs and opportunities present in Africa right now, but I will refrain. However, I do want to give you some information to help you as you prayerfully consider whether or not you will financially contribute to this trip.
Let me pause here for a disclaimer. If you’re reading this, obviously it’s because I already know you. That being the case, I will take this opportunity- as informal as it may be- to forewarn you that this letter is to tell you that I would like to go to Africa, and I would like for you to help me cover the cost. Ways that you can do that are at the end of this letter. It will take between $2,000 and $2,700 to go, depending on whether I go in April or in October (the October trip will include Mozambique as well as Uganda). I would prefer to go in April, but if I don’t have the money to go then, I will continue to raise support for the October trip. This letter is a bit lengthy, so I wanted to be upfront and honest with you before you commit to reading it further. Now that I’ve tipped my hand, I sincerely hope you’ll read on to see why I’m so excited about Churches Together and what they’re doing in Africa!
Africa is plagued by poverty, malnourishment and starvation, civil wars, genocide, disease, spiritual darkness, and bondage. If it seems like God has turned His back on or forgotten about Africa, it’s our fault. After all, we are His hands and feet, are we not? I know many people have different views concerning the problems present in Africa, the causes of those problems, and what (if anything) they are willing to do about them. But I’m sure everyone can agree that the ones most affected - the women, children, widows, orphans, destitute, and infirm – are the very ones we are commanded to care for. We see this command many times throughout the entirety of the Bible. When we think of the unimaginable number of people suffering from so many problems it can be overwhelming, but remember that each of those numbers has a face. And each of those numbers represents someone very precious to our Father- someone for whom He sent His only Son, my beloved Jesus! Who will share this good news with them? Well, thank God that there are some pretty incredible churches in Africa doing just that.
Churches Together is not a relief organization. CT is committed to helping the African Church to minister in Jesus’ name to those in their communities. CT has a broad strategy, but its key component is facilitating partnerships between African churches and North American churches. CT is dedicated to the conviction that the redemptive force commissioned by Christ to lead the attack against everything that stands in the way of God’s will on Earth – including hunger, injustice, poverty, abuse, bondage, etc.- is the Church. So the vision of Churches Together is, just as you would expect, to bring churches… together!
God is providing vision and power to pastors and churches in Africa as they serve His purpose in their communities. To say that their task is enormous would be a huge understatement! But the good news is that we can help! In fact, we should help. We are called to help. In Matthew 25 Jesus teaches us about helping “the least of these”, and in Luke 10 He teaches us the parable of the Good Samaritan. He teaches us that whatever we do for the least, we do for Him! Whatever we do not do for the least, we fail to do for Him. He teaches us that we are to be a good neighbor to others by helping them in their need. And, in his epistle, James teaches us that to love in word and not in deed- isn’t love at all. In fact, it’s not even Christian. The American Church has the technology and resources to play a crucial role in the lives of millions in Africa. And, at the same time, we can learn a lot about perspective, priorities, and God’s heart from our African brothers and sisters. CT helps to introduce North American churches to African Churches who are looking for a partner in this God-sized task in hopes that they will form and maintain a life-long relationship that will result in hope being shared, lives being saved, souls being saved, churches being strengthened, and God receiving glory – on both continents!
Our trip will involve seeing first-hand what God is doing through local African churches in Uganda. We will be accompanied by representatives of at least one North American church as they pursue the possibility of partnering with a church in Uganda. We will meet local pastors, encouraging them and being encouraged by them. We will see ministries carried out by local churches to help people in their communities. We will see the positive effects of CT’s Biblical worldview training being implemented in and by local churches. We will strengthen the relationship between the North American Church and the African Church. This trip will give me an education in and glimpse of the poverty of mind, body, and spirit that exists in Africa without Christ. I want so badly to go to the front lines of the battle and experience it for myself! I am praying for God to use this experience in my life to give me a better understanding of His heart, make me a better mouthpiece for Him, and allow me to be a stronger voice for those who have no voice. I hope that you will pray the same thing for me.
If you are in a place where you are able to help me go, I would greatly appreciate it. Every dollar helps- there really is no gift too small. Of course, there is no gift too large either! But either way, whether you do or don’t contribute financially, I truly hope that you will pray. Pray for me. Pray for Africa. Pray for Churches Together. Pray for yourself- that God would break your heart for the things that break His. And pray to the Lord of the Harvest that He will send out workers into His harvest!
You can send donations to me at:
Chris Furnell
8405 Newcut Rd
Carlisle, AR 72024
OR - I have a dedicated account set up at National Bank of Arkansas where you can send checks directly, if you prefer. Make the check out to me and be sure to reference account #1280732 and “Africa Trip” in the memo line.
Mail the check to:
National Bank of Arkansas
PO Box 837
North Little Rock, AR 72115
Thank you so much!
Chris Furnell
PS- To get a more complete picture of the dire situation in Africa, I strongly encourage you to read The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns. I really can’t recommend it enough!
