How would you feel receiving a letter like this?

[indimom]

I thought it sounded fine, very similar to some that we have gotten in the past. We have a couple family members who are active in ministry and missions.

 

[Rora]

I voted other.

It would not bother me one bit to get a letter like this from a close family member or a close friend. If it was from a random "friend" I went to high school with or a distant family member I'd be slightly annoyed. However, I would send money if I could, regardless of whomever sent the letter.

OP- I think your plan sounds perfect. Best of luck to you raising the money and on your trip. You're doing a great thing!! You have my prayers!

 

[mdsoccermom]

My husband's aunt and uncle are missionaries, and one of their daughter's appears to be following down that path. We receive letters like that all the time. They go right in the trash. Besides the fact that DH and I hold different religious beliefs from those family members and don't believe in what they are doing, we work for the things we want to do and expect others to do the the same. We are of the opinion that if you cannot afford to achieve your goals on your own, then you don't go. No one else should be paying your way.

 

[klj27]

We received a letter from a high school boy who was raising money for a mission trip to give kids the world. We donated! The next year his family came into a bit of money and I was slightly shocked to receive another letter until I opened it and it said that his trip that year was paid for but could we offer prayers.

 

[Ember]

You've said you'd ensure that the letter only went to people of your belief system and I think that's wise. I've gotten two letters for missions and while I can appreciate the global involvement, I do not share their religious beliefs and do not feel at all comfortable supporting their work. So while I wasn't really offended, as such, I also didn't appreciate the requests for either prayers or money.

 

[autumnpalm]

You've said you'd ensure that the letter only went to people of your belief system and I think that's wise. I've gotten two letters for missions and while I can appreciate the global involvement, I do not share their religious beliefs and do not feel at all comfortable supporting their work. So while I wasn't really offended, as such, I also didn't appreciate the requests for either prayers or money.

Absolutely. My parents do not share my religious beliefs I know they would not appreciate getting a letter of any sort and have already let me know that this trip isn't something they support. I absolutely respect that and plan on sending only to people I know actively support other ministries and would feel comfortable donating.

And OT a little but it's nice to see you around!

 

[MaggieMoo'sMom]

Since a specific church is not sending you, I would make sure that I sent one to my church and others that support the same missions. For example, if I was raising money for the Tennessee Baptist Children's home, I would not send one to someone who is disgruntled by Baptist people (such as my legalistic great aunt, but that is another story). BUT, our church supports international missions for people we do not know all the time. I figure that as long as I know it's legit, what does it matter if I know them? Just me...

 

[Handbag Lady]

Yes, I planning on sending letters only to relatives I see often and close friends. To those who I know are not in a financial position to give, I plan on sending an edited letter with the financial request portion edited out.

And as the ministry is run by a religious organization, I also plan on sending only to friends and family members who share similar beliefs.

I support my friends regardless of their religious affiliations. I'm pretty much agnostic, but to me, a good cause is a good cause. I don't care what church supports feeding the poor, for example. They still have to eat.

 

[Pigeon]

I find just about all fundraising requests tacky. If I got it, it would go in the trash.

My niece wanted to go on a church "mission" trip to a foreign country and she sent out those letters. I love my niece, but if she wants to go on any trip, that's between her and her parents. I didn't respond and I did find it tacky.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I think it depends and this is a case I would say other. I've been asked three times in my life and all three times I gave money. Two of the times I gave the person $100 and other i was only able to give about $5 in change. The times where I gave $100 I was financially fine and I didn't mind them asking. The other time, the person KNEW I was really struggling with money ie, I had to take back cans before I could purchase food. I was really annoyed that they asked me, when they knew 100% that I basically had no money.

I guess my point is, if you someone is low on funds, you might want to be cautious about asking them.

 

[Ember]

And OT a little but it's nice to see you around!

That's kind of you, thank you. You seem to be going about this with both consideration and good intentions, which I can only respect. I spent the summer volunteering in South Africa and it was a wonderful experience. I hope you're able to raise the money to go, and that you have an amazing experience.

 

[mistyt]

I think this is a great idea! My best friend went to Haiti several years ago and used letters to her family and friends to help her reach her fundraising goals.

Also, while I am not able to give much, please send me a PM as I would like to contribute. Also, if you decide to set up a website to accept donations please let me know as I would be more than happy to post a link to it on my facebook as well!

Good luck in your journey and God Bless!
You are doing wonderful things!

 

[Ember]

Also, if you decide to set up a website to accept donations please let me know as I would be more than happy to post a link to it on my facebook as well!

This is a great idea. I kept a blog while I was volunteering, and had a way bigger following than I ever anticipated. You could link a Paypal donation button to your blog or website and then people could see their donations in action, so to speak.

I'm not sure how much experience you would have with this sort of thing, but there are quite a few free, simple, easy to use sites like Weebly (www.weebly.com) that are basically drag and drop website design.