Shameless Begging

I'm writing today to beg for some friends of ours, and also to beg for us.  Shameless, I know!

First, for our friend and a church:  We visited Andre's church about two months ago.  They are having a building campaign, and they are just as intense and stressful here as they are in the United States!


We loved visiting their church - such a vibrant, happy, alive congregation.  But, their roof leaks, and their walls are a little wobbly.  They really do need a new building.  They've been collecting money and also building supplies as they go, and there are stacks everywhere of cement bags, bricks, rocks, rebar rods and the like outside.

Recently, due to the leaky roof, their amplifier was ruined in a big rainstorm.  Normally, they store it in a place that doesn't leak, but alas, while they were gone, that place sprung a leak as well, and totally destroyed the amplifier which they use for their guitars and most importantly, keyboard.  (You just can't have church here without a keyboard and amplifier.)

Additionally, their choir, which sings beautifully, is hoping to obtain "uniforms".  We would call them choir robes.  Choirs are the BIGGEST deal here.  Every place has one choir, some have 5,6 or even 10!  Our hospital has a choir, the university has a choir - the big church just down the road has about ten, seriously.  Maybe more.  If you ever visit here, you'd better be ready to SING.

And, choirs always have a matching outfit to wear when they perform.  Except this church is so remote and poor that they do not have any uniforms.  They have 45 choir members, and they would so dearly love to have choir robes!  

I know, it may seem silly, when so many do not have enough to eat, or cannot pay school fees.  But having a good choir and them having uniforms is a matter of pride here.  I can't think of what to compare it to, except maybe that it is similar to a small town's football team or high school band.  It's huge.

So, the church approached me to ask if I could possibly fund uniforms for them, along with a new amplifier.  The cost for this would be 600,000 francs, or $882.  If we only got the amplifier, it would cost 300,000 francs, or $440.  Either way, the church would be blessed!

So, the church's request is for $880.

****

Next up is a young man with a soccer team.  Soccer is also a BIG deal here.  And his team has played without a uniform for years and years.  They've been asking me for shirts for their team for over a year - but it just has seemed a little luxurious.  Again, when there are hungry kids everywhere, it is hard to get all excited about soccer shirts.  But then again, I've never played soccer.  I went to watch a game the other day, and I realized they were the only team without a team shirt.  And it was kinda hard to keep track of them out there on the field.  I don't know.  I'd rather spend my money on something else, but in case there are any sports enthusiasts out there reading this who "GET IT" about why this is so important, here is another way to donate to the mission.  Send in money and let me know it is for soccer shirts.  If I get enough, I will buy them, along with a few soccer balls, for "TEAM ADVANTAGE" (that's the name of their team).  There are 30 players on their team, because their team is really more like a club - it has 3 levels of teams within their team.  (If that makes sense.)

Shirts for the team = $600


Lastly, here is our "Team Berg" Beg List.  My friend and old neighbor, Chrisie Platt, is coming to visit in two weeks.  She asked me if there was anything we'd like for her to bring.  This is always a dangerous question!

Here is my wish list:

Oral-B Advantage Floss Picks Plus Scope Outlast Long Lasting Mint (or any kind of floss picks) : Sam uses them much more diligently than he uses plain dental floss, and since he only goes to the dentist once a year at most nowadays, I NEED him to floss twice a day!) (Would like 6 bags.)
Arm & Hammer Complete Care Plus Whitening Toothpaste with Baking Soda & Peroxide (Need 6 tubes.)
Ziploc Storage Bag, Gallon (Would like about 50 of these bags.)
Ziploc Freezer Bag, Quart (Would like about 40 of these.)



 If anyone wants to get any of these items, perhaps you could bring them to her at St. Peter's Episc Church where she works, or call her and arrange to meet to drop them off?  Her cell is 830-377-1567 (*Chrisie, I hope it's okay I put this here!*)