I have wanted to put this off for so long. It is my least
favorite part of what we do. My favorite parts: working on putting an
internship in place, thinking of ways to improve the school and systems that
are in place at TRS, watching my husband work with Pastor Daniel to build a
garden and play area for the kids, teaching the kids at TRS, spending time
getting to know them and what they love, getting to know community members and
their needs and then trying to find a way to help, talking with Sierra Leonean
nationals about adoption and what it means. I love so many things about this
job God has called me to, but naming our own needs is not one of them.
God has provided and blessed us throughout our time here. We
have been blown away! Every month God gives us what we need in love, cards,
special notes, financial contributions and little extras that get us through
those tough days. It is so amazing to me!
We have made the decision to call Sierra Leone home for a
while longer. We feel that there is more work we want to accomplish both with
TRS and with other ministries that exist here. (We’ll tell you more about that
one later) However, we still have need to go to the US for an extended stay
trip to visit churches that partner with us, talk with new churches about
partnerships, see our dearly missed friends and family and restock on supplies
we can only get there. It has been nearly 2 years! We are a little homesick. We will then come back home to SL and continue
the work we are doing. Both leaving here and having to leave there will be
bittersweet.
When we arrive in the US we will be fundraising for another
two year stay. However, the need to fundraise is not waiting for our adoptions
to be finalized and we find ourselves short to finish out the year. Rent is paid
one year in advance here as well as residency visas, vehicle renewal expenses,
etc. If you are reading this you may already contribute to the ministry we are
doing here and this isn’t a plea for you to give, give, give, but a request
that you share with others what you obviously see as important. It is important
and it takes a village to do it. We could never do this on our own. We have
teams of people helping us, family that supports us so totally. We have prayer
teams that drop everything to lift us up, we have smart financial people keep
track of things for us, we have friends packing bags with gifts that make us
happy, happy, happy. Not to mention, friends and family that come to see us and
boost our spirits. There are no words.
We are asking for a little more help though. We have a large
sum of money we need to raise and quickly. So we are asking you to do our job a
bit and pass on the word for us. If you know someone who may be interested in
being a part of what we do or even a group of people that want a connection
here in SL. We are so close we just need this extra push.
In all honesty, we are in a time crunch as well. We are
hoping to take care of many of these details by the end of the month. It’s a
big task and we are sure God is up to the task.
We appreciate everything we know you all do for us. We are
overwhelmed by the love that is poured over our family and we can’t wait to hug
necks and see everyone who has been such a support throughout this crazy ride.
Thank you for seeing value in what we are doing here.
How to give:
http://thebridgefellowship.net/online-giving
This web address will show you a few options on how to give. There is also an option to mark it
for the Ropieckis. This is easy and completely secure.
How to give:
http://thebridgefellowship.net/online-giving
for the Ropieckis. This is easy and completely secure.
THE BRIDGE FELLOWSHIP
5066 LEBANON ROAD
LEBANON, TENNESSEE 37087
5066 LEBANON ROAD
LEBANON, TENNESSEE 37087
You can also send a check to the above address and just put “Ropiecki Africa Mission” on the for line.