Update!

In just a couple of days three more envelopes are already filled! God is so faithful!

In 24 hours we want to give thanks to God and a thank you to the Martinez family, Rector family and Redwine family for your contributions.

Africa Fundraiser

Hello again! If you have read the letter in the previous post, watched the video posted on the right, or asked our family what we have planned for the summer you would know we are going to Africa! Right now we are in the process of raising money for 6 of us to go on a two week mission trip to Africa to follow a calling of God and love on the people there. The letter and/or video have more details about the trip.

Below is the start of a fundraiser. It is a very practical and an impactful way to help. We have a wall of 175 envelopes, numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. up to 175. Each envelope represents an amount of money. We need you to choose an envelope with an amount and fill it! When every envelope is filled we will have raised about $16,000 - the rest of the money needed for this trip! $16,000 seems like a lot of money but $175 seems a lot smaller, right? We even need the $1 envelope filled so everything helps! If you would like to help by filling one or more of our envelopes email us at carriganfamily88@gmail.com, or contact us at 817-300-9472.  Just one envelope and the amount we need goes down! Encourage others to support what God is doing in Africa by having them fill just one of our envelopes of any of the available amounts.

By participating in this fundraiser you could win a prize! After we have received the money for an envelope, your name goes in the pot for a drawing. For every envelope you fill, your name is put in the drawing. When all of the envelopes get filled, a name will be drawn and that person will win a weekend stay in the Gaylord or Great Wolf Lodge-your choice! By blessing us, you could in turn receive a blessing!

Stay updated with the progress of this fundraiser by checking back on this blog! We will post pictures as envelopes are filled so  you can see what is still needed and how far away we are from our goal!

We are beyond blessed by those who have come along side us to support us in this exciting adventure. We need your prayers and encouragement along the way.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

You may send money to our address after contacting us at 6524 Stone Lake Dr. Fort Worth, TX 76179
or the Count Me In address on original letter. 

Our Heart for Africa

Dear friends and family,

            Excitement and anticipation hardly describe the feelings about the opportunity God has placed before our family.  The youth outreach ministry, Count Me In, has established itself in Nairobi for the past 4 years reaching out to teenagers who are hungry and open for the message of God’s love.  The young people of Kenya show up by the thousands to attend these specially designed youth camps.  It has been a challenge to accommodate all of the teens because often more would come than what was expected. Many travel for miles on foot to get there, literally, bare feet.  Unlike youth camps here in the United States where we typically pay for our children to attend, Count Me In covers the cost for the Kenyan teenagers to participate. God moves among the teens and they eagerly engage. Stories and photos from previous events only show a glimpse of how beautifully they received and worshipped the God who created them.  Part of the challenge in ministering to the numerous teens is the lack of “ministers” or support staff.  When we heard about the impact this ministry was leaving in young lives, Angelia and I instantly felt the urge from Holy Spirit to fill that gap.  For years, we knew we were to take a family mission trip together and felt like it would be in Africa.  We knew this was the one.

            Hope resides in our children to touch the lives of people thousands of miles away. This hope is actually an extension of what our children already do.  From hosting nights of worship with their friends in our home where a couple of students received salvation, to missions trips to Moldova and Honduras, to hosting a one-day youth conference in Bedford where nearly 80 students participated, they have a mission to share the love and life of Jesus in their everyday life.  They are eager to use these experiences to minister overseas in Kenya.

            In Nairobi we will help teach workshops, lead worship and facilitate sports tournaments, as well as work with the children in the Kiberia slums, the second largest slum in Africa, by performing dramas, leading worship and making crafts. We will also have an opportunity to help in several local orphanages ministering to children abandoned by political war or left to survive in trash heaps. Although there is a lot to be accomplished, we can make a difference.

            We sent this letter to you because we wanted to share our heart and purpose in accepting this huge call to Kenya.  We also wanted to ask you to pray for us.  Pray that we would hear God’s heart for the teens in Kenya. Pray for salvations.  Pray for healing.  Pray for revelation.  We also ask that you would consider joining us with your financial support.  The cost of the trip is $3600 per person.  We are extremely thankful to those who have already helped with your donations.  Because of your help we were able to make our entire deposit!  We have two more deadlines to raise your support.  The next is May 12^th where we will need to have $7200. The last deadline is in June for the balance. By helping us fulfill a needed position, you will also be enabling other teens to attend this youth camp. We appreciate your prayers and your heart for our family.  

            You can make checks payable to Count Me In, writing “Carrigan trip” on a separate note, or donate online at https://kenya.sagefundraisingonline.com/carrigan.  All donations are tax deductible.  Check out our video on Youtube.com and search Carrigan Africa!

God richly bless you and your family!

The Carrigans

Mailing Address:

Count Me In

c/o Carrigan - Kenya

502 N. Main St. #130

Weatherford, TX 76086