India Go Go

Greetings Family and Friends!!!

            I hope and pray this letter finds you and your family well! I am now in my final year of school at Southwestern Assembly of God University and will finish with my BA in counseling and minor in psychology. The Lord has been so faithful! He is doing wonderful things and I know that He will continue to be faithful to finish the good work He has started in me, especially this last year of school as I prepare to move forward in my education.

            I have the privilege and opportunity to join with my church in Austin TX, Northwest Fellowship, to travel to India for a short-term mission trip! We are going to a town called Lonavala. It is about 2.5 hours east of Mumbai. I will be departing on June 4, 2012 for two weeks, returning the 18^th of June. Our team will be partnering with an organization that is already there called YWAM, which stands for Youth With A Mission. Our tasks while we are there will include, but not limited to, working on projects to improve the YWAM base, visiting the slums and ministering to the people there, spending time with victims of Human Trafficking, visiting schools and working with the kids.

            The caste system is still very much prevalent throughout the country. It is a ranking system of human groups based on hereditary and occupation. The traditional caste system in India is a rigid mode to compartmentalize society. Once a person is born they cannot move out of their placement making it impossible for the “untouchables” to receive any help in their situations. India’s population is roughly 1.2 billion people, with currently78 million homeless men, women, and children in India. The Country is home to 63% of all slum dwellers in South Asia. As if those numbers were not bad enough 80% of the Indian population are practicing Hinduism meanwhile only 2.3% of the population are Christian. I feel very strongly that I am called to go to India to show the love of Jesus Christ to a hurting and struggling country that so desperately needs the word and the truth shown to them.

            How can you help??? Prayer is always needed and the most important part of this trip. Without it we will be only working on our own strengths. Please pray for us as we prepare mentally and physically to go, as well as, to continue to pray for the duration of the trip! The second way you may help is by donating. The total trip cost per person is about $2000. The trip is being funded entirely through donations and by those going on the mission trip. In addition Fund-raisers are being held as well. Everything that will be used on the trip must be taken with us. Every penny collected will be used to directly benefit the children in India. Any unused supplies will be left with the YWAM organization to continue their ministry.

I am excited about the opportunity to serve and to minister, and I ask you to join me in ministry. I am seeking your support and prayers for this mission trip. If you are able to assist with this trip, I would ask that you prayerfully consider what you could be able to provide. Please contact me for the best way to donate. My number is 214.448.8881. You may also contact me via email @ [email protected]. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter! May the Lord bless you in everything you do!

God Bless,

Kaitlyn McCoy