June is almost over which means several wonderful things.
First, the kids are almost out of school! Summer vacation was my favourite time
of year as a kid and I am so excited that they get to take a break! Second, our program
for the summer is going to change quite a bit. We are going to be focusing on
having fun, doing crafts, and teaching the gospel. Most of the parents of our
kids work long hours and we don’t want our kids to be left at home alone. So we
are going to continue running a modified version of the program through the
months of July and August.
Third, I have officially finished my internship with Extreme Response which means I am moving into full-time staff. With this change comes a change in position. While I had been acting as leader while the directors of our program were not present, I am not officially running the after-school program. This means that I am now the “boss” of two employees and I basically have full autonomy to make decisions about how our program runs on a daily basis.
The past 6 months have been a learning experience. For myself, for Extreme, and for our kids. I wish I could have shown the difference between our program in January and our program now. Our kids are learning to flourish under the more structured program. There is better behavior. There is more self-confidence. There is far more opportunity to pour into their lives. And the reason this is able to happen is because so many of you have been supporting this work in prayer and financially. And I cannot thank you enough!
But I also need to be very open about my current financial situation. As I move from an internship position into my role as Coordinator, my budget is being significantly increased per month. I am now required to be putting money into savings, retirement, and ministry funds. All three of those things were almost impossible for me to put money into as before I was living on $400 a month (outside of my rent).
If I am being honest, my gut reaction to a budget increase is one of dread. It can be very difficult to raise funds, especially when I am so far away from the people who I need to come along side me. And of course, the people who I need to keep this work going are you guys. I have been given an extension on my internship budget so that I have the necessary time to fundraise the amount I am short per month.
The good news is that this isn’t really my work to do. God is good. And he has shown that he has my back very clearly in the last few weeks. So I am trusting that by August 1st I will have half of the extra amount I need to work here full time. And I am sure that I am going to be surprised by how God works that out.
So this is where you come in. I want to talk to you. I want to tell you about what God is doing here. And yes, I am going to talk about finances, and it is going to be uncomfortable. But the reality is that it isn’t free for me to be here in Ecuador. In fact, prices are almost the same as they are in Canada on many things. Perhaps even more expensive. If you are interested in this work and have not been able to financially support it in the past, I ask you to prayerfully consider supporting it at $50, $100, or $150 per month. Would you perhaps consider working a day for the after school program and donating your earnings? Or work out your coffee budget and choose to donate that monthly? Whatever amount God leads you to, you would be investing in something that has eternal value.
Or are you already a supporter? Perhaps you can do more? I am asking that you pray about that. Pray about your involvement in the program. Pray about how you can help make this program be the best it can be.
Also, pray for me as I step into a new role. I have never had to be in charge of employees before. I want to model Christ in my leadership and keep our team united and excited as we work together. We do what we do for the sake of a group of kids who have next to no opportunity in life. Kids who literally eat garbage. Kids who can often not afford the 12 cent bus ride to the program. They need your prayer the most.
Third, I have officially finished my internship with Extreme Response which means I am moving into full-time staff. With this change comes a change in position. While I had been acting as leader while the directors of our program were not present, I am not officially running the after-school program. This means that I am now the “boss” of two employees and I basically have full autonomy to make decisions about how our program runs on a daily basis.
The past 6 months have been a learning experience. For myself, for Extreme, and for our kids. I wish I could have shown the difference between our program in January and our program now. Our kids are learning to flourish under the more structured program. There is better behavior. There is more self-confidence. There is far more opportunity to pour into their lives. And the reason this is able to happen is because so many of you have been supporting this work in prayer and financially. And I cannot thank you enough!
But I also need to be very open about my current financial situation. As I move from an internship position into my role as Coordinator, my budget is being significantly increased per month. I am now required to be putting money into savings, retirement, and ministry funds. All three of those things were almost impossible for me to put money into as before I was living on $400 a month (outside of my rent).
If I am being honest, my gut reaction to a budget increase is one of dread. It can be very difficult to raise funds, especially when I am so far away from the people who I need to come along side me. And of course, the people who I need to keep this work going are you guys. I have been given an extension on my internship budget so that I have the necessary time to fundraise the amount I am short per month.
The good news is that this isn’t really my work to do. God is good. And he has shown that he has my back very clearly in the last few weeks. So I am trusting that by August 1st I will have half of the extra amount I need to work here full time. And I am sure that I am going to be surprised by how God works that out.
So this is where you come in. I want to talk to you. I want to tell you about what God is doing here. And yes, I am going to talk about finances, and it is going to be uncomfortable. But the reality is that it isn’t free for me to be here in Ecuador. In fact, prices are almost the same as they are in Canada on many things. Perhaps even more expensive. If you are interested in this work and have not been able to financially support it in the past, I ask you to prayerfully consider supporting it at $50, $100, or $150 per month. Would you perhaps consider working a day for the after school program and donating your earnings? Or work out your coffee budget and choose to donate that monthly? Whatever amount God leads you to, you would be investing in something that has eternal value.
Or are you already a supporter? Perhaps you can do more? I am asking that you pray about that. Pray about your involvement in the program. Pray about how you can help make this program be the best it can be.
Also, pray for me as I step into a new role. I have never had to be in charge of employees before. I want to model Christ in my leadership and keep our team united and excited as we work together. We do what we do for the sake of a group of kids who have next to no opportunity in life. Kids who literally eat garbage. Kids who can often not afford the 12 cent bus ride to the program. They need your prayer the most.
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| Helping our youngest kids with their homework |
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| Doing an English workshop with the kids |
If you decide to support, please let me know how much you are committing to per month. This would really help me keep track of where I am at in my budget.
Many blessings! And please write and let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I am here to be held accountable by you and to keep you as informed as I can.
Supporting in Canada: https://www.canadahelps.org/services/wa/dnm/en/#/page/6825
Make sure to change the donation from “General” to “Robbie Murdoch-Quito After School Program”
Supporting in the USA:
http://www.extremeresponse.org/take-action/make-a-donation/us-donations
Be sure to designate the gift to Robbie Murdoch
Be sure to designate the gift to Robbie Murdoch
