Preparation and Fundraising Update

I have very exciting news: You all helped raise over $4,000 to complete my fundraising for the year!! I was not expecting this overwhelming response. Thank you to all of you who have given generous gifts and kept me in your prayers! More thank-you notes will be mailed this week, so check your mailbox soon.

I leave on the 16th to fly to New Orleans, spend a few days with the other New Orleans Young Adult Volunteers before we all fly into Newark. From Newark, we are headed to Stony Point, NY for the week-long orientation for all of the YAV's. And finally, on the 26th we fly back to New Orleans for our year of service to begin!

I am thrilled and a little anxious about this year. I've never spent so much time away from home and my friends, so I am anticipating that some days will be challenging. Still, I am very privileged to be able to serve with some amazing people in an incredible city. I am ready to learn more about discipleship, servanthood, compassion, and trust in God over the coming year.

I am asking for your prayers throughout the year for my ministry and the ministries of my fellow YAV's. If you are interested in becoming a prayer partner for me and are able to commit to praying for me once a month, please email me at hannahmills7@hotmail.com.

Again, I thank you for reading this blog, taking a moment out of your day to think or pray about my ministry and how God will be working through me and the people I am serving this year. Thanks again for all of your generous contributions to make this year happen! You rock!

In gratitude,
Hannah

My Support Letter

Hello friends,

Below is my letter asking for support through prayer and finances that I have been sending out the past month. If you would like one, along with more information about the YAV program, please email me at hannahmills7@hotmail.com

I am thrilled to tell you that I have been chosen by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to serve for one year as a Young Adult Volunteer in New Orleans, Louisiana! As part of this exciting commitment, I have to raise at least $3,000 in gifts and pledges for my year of service, and I am hoping that you will join me on my journey by supporting me in this effort.

Through the Young Adult Volunteer program (YAV) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), I will be joining over 70 other young adults serving at 16 different sites both domestically and internationally. While I am still learning my specific responsibilities, I will be working in two part-time positions. One of my positions is at the First Presbyterian Church of New Orleans working on the Christian Education committee and helping run their homeless ministry. My second position is working with the non-profit Mid-City Ministries where I will be helping run an after school program tutoring program for elementary school students.

I am definitely anticipating this year will be life-changing for me. Although I have experience working with children and in Christian education, I know that I will be challenged and have to step outside of my comfort zone. My focus will be on helping meet the needs of others. I will be challenged to trust God in new ways through this process. I am eager to see what God has in store this year for all of the YAV’s and in the ministries that we are participating.

As I am beginning to write this new chapter in my life, I am inviting you on this journey with me. I am inviting you to be a partner in ministry with me. I hope you prayerfully consider making a gift or a pledge toward my financial support. The timing is critical as I need to raise $2,000 by July 1.

I have enclosed a special flyer that includes more information about the YAV program and my own reasons for wanting to serve. I am also including a Covenant of Support form and ask that you consider making a gift or pledge. I invite you to please pray about becoming a partner in ministry with me for this year.

I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for your consideration, prayers, and hopefully your support as well!

In gratitude,

Hannah Mills