2009 Trip to Casa Bernabe Orphange

Hey all!

I am supposed to turn in all my money asap, so the chipin account has been shut down.

If you are still interested in donating (I did fall short as far as donations, and the remainder of the trip fees will have to go onto a credit card), please email me right away to let me know it's on it's way, and then mail a check to me. Email me if you need my mailing address:

contentedlb@yahoo.com

THANK YOU TO ALL MY GENEROUS donors who are making this trip possible. We leave in less than three weeks!!!

- Laura

I changed my goal (down to $1725) because the church just notified me that I have received $400 from a large donation made to help those who are going on this trip.

Also, want to thank Jackie and Bill Clark for their donation (put in via my brother Bill), and a promised donation from Kathryn, my brother's gal. Thank you so very much!

Did you see Santiago's picture below? Are you wondering who he is? Read all about him on my blog from last year's trip: www.helpingkidsinnicaragua.wordpress.com.

He's the little boy that I partnered up with when we took kids who live IN the garbage dump out to a restaurant. What happened with Santiago had a huge affect on me, and still does to this day. I really pray I manage to somehow see Santiago again this year.

THANK YOU!!!!!

- Laura

I also want to thank Charis who just set up a jar in her tanning salon, Montego Bay Tanning, on Shore Drive, across the street from Westminster Canterbury.

Thanks so much Charis!

We're just a few short weeks from having to turn our money in. This is obviously a tough year for everyone as it's been difficult to get donations this year. I've lowered my $ goal because I received a few cash and check and money order donations at home, so less is needed in my chipin.com account.

Thank you to these dear folks who have donated:

Jan G., my sisters Mary and Sharon, Michael B. and Roz and Grace M. (who all know me through Lynnhaven River NOW), Joe C., Kim M., J. Winters (whom I have never even met but look forward to meeting someday!), and Sal.

So, I've tossed around in my head ... what DO I DO if I don't get more donations? I feel like I can't NOT go. And Ryan's dad has finally come through with the passport paperwork so I can get him a passport. Ryan also got his typhoid shot and will be taking malaria pills during the trip. So .... I've just decided that I will just have to open a credit card and be ready to charge the balance of my trip fee to that.

If anyone is still considering donating, please send me an email and let me know what amount you'd like to contribute and the approximate date you would make that donation (and via check? or chipin.com or ???).

I sincerely thank all of you who have contributed. I PROMISE to do good work with these great kids down in Nicaragua. I really feel a bond to them now, and hope to keep encouraging them to work hard at school and SEE a future for themselves, their community and their country.

XXOO Laura