Good News in the Midst of Difficult Circumstances
IAS Missionaries, Al Burpee and Holly Findley
You may remember a major concern/prayer request from the April IAS Snapshot, which was the potential loss of a major IAS donating agency that funds an extremely large portion of our Sudan operational expenses. I am thankful to report to you that this donor institution has agreed to continue the majority of its support through the remainder of 2012, giving IAS time to reorganize our programs in Sudan and look for alternate funding. What an answer to prayer! And, may I say, with the hundreds of thousands of lives that could have potentially been affected by these funding cuts, IAS supporters around the world were mobilized to pray for this outcome. This is good news in the midst of difficult circumstances.
However, not only do financial challenges still abound for IAS, but political tensions and the danger of renewed war between North and South Sudan is becoming more of a threat each day. In the midst of these troubling circumstances, God continues to do a good work in and through IAS.
In May, one of two new IAS missionaries arrives on assignment in Southern Sudan — Al Burpee. Al, an accountant from Pocatello, Idaho, will assume the management of IAS microfinance programming in Africa. Al’s arrival comes at a critical juncture for IAS as we attempt to expand this sector of capacity-building assistance to our clients. Additionally, Holly Findley, a licensed midwife from Cocoa, Florida, is scheduled to arrive in Africa by year’s end at our Nyinbuli health clinic in South Sudan.
In the midst of difficult circumstances, the Lord is not only making a way, but also prospering the steps of IAS. On the financial front, I am thrilled to report to you this month that several major donors have stepped forward to provide IAS America an opportunity to get back on a firm financial footing.
“…HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6, NIV
During the month of May, through a matching gift challenge made possible by these generous IAS donors, every non-restricted gift (gifts not designated for a missionary or specific project) made to IAS America over and above a donor’s normal monthly giving will be doubled. This means that if you are a regular IAS general fund donor, your additional gift above what you usually give on a monthly basis will be matched. An extra $50 given in the month of May becomes $100! An additional $1,000 becomes $2,000!
If you are not a regular IAS donor, or have been waiting for a chance to give to IAS for the first time, 100% of the gift you make to the organization this month will be doubled. This is a fantastic time to invest in the life-changing work of IAS America by multiplying your financial impact in the developing world this month.
This challenge is only for the month of May, so please respond quickly. While our matching gift donors have set a matching donation ceiling, it is a very generous upper limit. For those who might be inspired to provide IAS with a large donation this month, please contact me personally if you have concerns that the amount of your gift might not be matched. We will find a way to double your investment if your gift exceeds all expectations.
Difficult circumstances mean nothing to the Creator of the universe, and I am immensely grateful for the role you are playing in making the extra effort this month to invest your personal resources into the work He is blessing through IAS.
With sincere appreciation,
Douglas Mann
President
IAS America
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