We tried to send letters to everyone but in case some didn't get one we wanted to post a copy here so that you are just as informed as everyone else! We are excited for all that God has in store and we are so blessed to have friends and family who support and pray for us everyday!
May 22, 2011
Dear Family and Friends,
We are writing this letter to you because we are sure that without your willingness to support us in love, prayer, and guidance during the previous years of our lives we would not be where we are today. This support past, present and future is a blessing beyond our imagining. Just weeks ago I graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University with my B.A. in Religion and Philosophy and a minor in missions due to this support. During the course of my time at Trevecca God has brought about a burning passion in my heart for cross cultural ministry. This passion became more specific during my final internship at Trevecca, to which many of you contributed, in sending me to Bulgaria. It was here that I found a specific love and passion for the people of Bulgaria. However, I assumed it would be many years before I could be able to return. God had other plans.
We have decided to write to you to inform you of this amazing plan that God is working out in our lives. I applied for a scholarship to NTS (Nazarene Theological Seminary) not long after I had returned from Bulgaria. It is a full ride scholarship that pays for three years of tuition. To the amazement of both Katie and myself I was awarded this scholarship a week before I walked at graduation. In relation to this Katie and I were approached about participating in a program called 365M. 365M is a program through NTS based more on practical uses of theology in ministry than on classroom experience. Through this program I would be able to complete 30 hours of graduate degree while ministering in the field, in Bulgaria! We have been diligently praying about this opportunity since. As many of you know we got married in January of 2011 and became the pastor and wife of Wartburg Church of the Nazarene. We have fallen deeply in love with this place and our Wartburg family. Therefore, we have spent much time in prayer and fasting over our decision. Still, God is faithful and after much seeking we believe without a doubt that it is His will that we accept the call to Bulgaria!
We know that this is God’s will for our lives and we are excited beyond belief at the idea of the adventure that God has in store for us! The plan at this point is to spend two weeks in Kansas City for pre-trip training before heading to Bulgaria the first week of September where we will begin our ministry. We will minister in Bulgaria for a year before heading back to Kansas City for post trip classes. We would love to continue to enjoy the blessing of your support through this next stage of our lives. There are two ways you can do this. The first and most important is by way of prayer. We will need all the prayer we can get, knowing that only through diligent prayer can we remain in the center of God’s will and be fruitful in ministry. We covet your prayers, knowing that it has been your prayers throughout our lives that have kept us true to God’s will. Will you please pray for us as we prepare to leave, and also while we are in Bulgaria. We know that some days it will be a challenge and that will experience homesickness. Prayer is definitely the main way you can be a part of our adventure and support us with the greatest power. However, there is a second way that you can help!
I am sure you have been expecting this part in the letter to show up. We would love to have your financial support. There is only one other person who will be going to Bulgaria with us and her name is Debbie. She also recently graduated with her undergraduate from Northwestern Nazarene University. Because there are only three of us the money that is to be raised is increased per person. This means that Katie and I are to raise a total of at least $20,000. If you feel lead by God to help us whether, big or small you can make your check out to General Treasurer Church of the Nazarene and Joshua Haun/Bulgaria/365m needs to be written in the memo line. Please send all checks to 2600 Riley Drive Lenoir City, TN 37771. The deadline for all financial contributions is August 8, 2011. At this point we will send all received funds to the General Nazarene Church where we will have our own account for the year. We are trusting in God to provide the funds needed. We are very excited and can’t wait for what all is in store for us in the very near future. If you feel that you cannot support us monetarily we would be grateful for your support in prayer. That to us is far more important than anything else. Help us in praying that we are constantly in the center of God’s will.
While we are in Bulgaria Katie has created a Blog site where we can post pictures and let everyone know what is happening with us and we would love for you to be able to keep in touch and stay informed. The website is: www.haunbulgarianexperience.blogspot.com. You can become a fan and you can receive updates on your email anytime we post something new. We are also willing to come to your churches and speak to your congregations to inform them of the opportunity we have been given and would love to set up a date with you to do so if desired. You can contact us by phone or email. Again we want to thank you ahead of time for your love and support through prayer. You mean the world to us.
Mercy and Peace,
Joshua and Katherine Haun
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