Letter to Family & Friends

Family & Friends,

Over the last couple of years we have been aware that God has been working in us, but for what we were not exactly sure.  Events that seemed to have little or no correlation were working to shape us in a very specific and similar way.  In this time our eyes have been opened to those in need and our hearts to causes supporting children.  Many of you know that we have worked with the March of Dimes since the loss of our son, Jack. While this work has been incredibly satisfying, we continue to struggle, believing there was more for us to do.  After much prayer and deliberation, we have decided to move forward with adopting a child from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  The process has been prolonged and deliberate, sometimes by choice and sometimes by circumstances.  Adoption, we believe, is the next logical step in our commitment to God’s calling. Thus our desire for a child, despite the many road blocks and heartbreaks we have faced, paired with our awaking for orphans and the oppressed has led us to this decision.

  

 We are sharing this information with you for few reasons:

• ·              As family and friends we want to share this journey with you
• ·             We need your prayer support to survive this process
• ·             Bluntly – we need your financial assistance

Understanding that we have come to many of you for support in the past, we want to tread lightly. But the truth is we will have difficulty meeting the financial commitment of $30,000 - $35,000 needed. In truth, the cost is something we have struggled with but have determined the need is too great to do nothing. Therefore, we first ask for your prayers, but also ask that you consider supporting us in some way.  Some ideas are attached; we will continue to brainstorm others and are open to your suggestions.

We have created a Facebook page –Coughlins to the Congo - and ask that you consider sharing it with all your FB friends. We have also started a blog CoughlinstotheCongo.blogspot.com, if you would like to follow our journey.  There is a link on the blog page where you can pledge or you can contact us directly. Please know that we truly appreciate any support that you provide: prayers, letting others know about us, financial, nothing is too small.

Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving,

Amber & Jim Coughlin

2415 Hubertus Ave

Fort Wayne IN 46805

260.403.7314 / 260.705.0210

jtctriguy@comcast.net

CoughlinstotheCongo.blogspot.com

Possible Donation Ideas:

One opportunity is to pledge pennies per mile as Jim commits to ‘Running and Riding to the Congo’, accumulating 7000 miles to equal the distance from Fort Wayne to Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC.

Example pledge amounts:

½ cent per mile = $35.00

1 cent per mile =  $70.00

5 cents per mile = $350.00

Donating Frequent Flier miles to help defer the cost of out travel to the Congo – (2 round trip tickets and one – one way ticket).  Estimated travel costs are between $3,000.00 and $8,000 depending on the time we travel and the amount of advanced notice we receive.

Host a house party selling 31, Avon, Pampered Chef, etc. and contribute the proceeds

Attend one of our fundraising events, as details emerge we will be sharing through Facebook and the blog.

Make a donation.  No amount is too small or too large.

Have an idea how you could help?  Let us know!  We are open to all suggestions.