The Official Word

Here is the support letter that I mailed out last week. So just in case yours either got lost in the mail or pile on your counter, here it is again!

"Dear whoever-you-are,

I’m so excited to be updating you on my newest adventures!

As I’m sure you know, I graduated highschool this last spring and have spent the last seven

months working as a certified nurse’s assistant at a facility for adults with intellectual and

physical disabilities. It has been a hard but beautiful opportunity to serve and bless the “least of these”.

On March 9th, I will be leaving my little Idahoan iglu to go spend 3.5 months on the

African island of Madagascar with the Shattenberg family.

So many things lead me to this adventure, such as my parents encouraging me to take a gap

year, growing up seeing graduated young adults serving through missions trips, and by

watching my parents support a specific missionary family based in Madagascar. At first I was

drawn to the fantastical thoughts of serving on such a unique field, but soon I was captivated by

the specific ministries the Shattenbergs are involved in. When my junior year of highschool

rolled around and it was time to make some decisions, the draw to serving the people of

Madagascar was pretty evident.

The Shattenberg family consists of Jamie, Alissa, Isabella, Eliana, and Gavin.

Jamie works with Eden Reforestation Projects to not only replant forests, but also help the Malagasy community combat poverty. I really love how Jamie puts it in his own words, “It’s God’s story that is amazing. It’s an amazing story of restoration, not only in habitat but also in communities; personal identity restoration… We’re looking to empower the Malagasy people to plant, protect, and lead.” Not only are they restoring the land, they’re restoring hearts.

Alissa started and runs the Sarobidy Maternity Center, which provides free healthcare to the women that need it most. The maternity center uses a 12-month program to empower impoverished women with truth, education, and compassionate medical care during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the newborn stage.

The Shattenberg family partners with World Venture, a biblical Christian organization fighting to bring the gospel to unreached people groups. I was connected with them through Jamie and Alissa, and have joined their Pathfinders program. This program is is a 4 week to 1 year volunteer program focused on growing the kingdom of God, both in the life of the Pathfinder and in the locations where we serve. Every volunteer is paired with long-term missionaries to serve and support by using their unique gifts and strengths. I will be supporting the Shattenberg family in any way that I can, but specifically through homeschooling their children. This will allow their kiddos to receive very personalized schooling and support and allow Jamie and Alissa to invest more in the mission work that is so desperately needed by the people of Madagascar.

Here’s the problem: Getting to Madagascar, Africa from Idaho Falls and living/working there

for 3.5 months requires a lot of things. And as my friends and family, I would like to ask for your support and help. This trip is so important to me and I would like it to be important to you as well. I will be able to serve God in ways that I have never been able to before.

First, and most importantly, I need your prayer and encouragement. Because this is something I have never done, I would ask for your prayers for God’s peace and just a reminder of His sovereignty through this whole thing. I would love to have a group of people commit to praying for this trip on a regular basis.

Second, I need financial support; I have chosen to work with World Venture because of the safety and insurance services it provides. However, that means that not only will I need financial support for my everyday expenses and travel, but I’ll need to be paying for their services as well. Overall, I need $7,200 in one time donations. All financial gifts are tax-deductible. Please pray and consider supporting me in these two areas. If you have any questions or concerns please shoot me an email or give me a ring anytime.

Thank you for your time and prayers!"

Bethany Randall

208-243-7865

j.bethanyrandall@gmail.com