Dobrý den! (Hopefully thats Hello in Czech)

Hello there! Before we get started there are a couple things you should know about this blog. 
  1) Its purpose it to track the growth and progress of my missions trip to The Czech Republic in January. 
  2) The name credit goes to Zachary King. (shout-out to Zachary) 
  3) Im not a good writer so just be prepared for that. 
OK. Now lets start. 
  I am extremely excited about this trip. I have always had a special place in my heart for this country. The date of my trip is January 6th through January 23rd. Oh the beauties of homeschool. Anyways, for the first post Im just going to post my support letter for you to have. Most of you that I’m close to will already be receiving one of these puppies in the mail.SO be looking out for that! But before you read that you need to know something. Im not actually going to Prague. Im going to a beautiful nearby town of Zlin. But for blog-naming purposes I went with Prague. Plus thats where I’m flying into so it’s basically okay. 
Here is my letter: 

Dear family and friends, 

 I’m very excited to share with you all about an opportunity I have to go and serve in The Czech Republic. I have always had a love for this country and its people. I have never been there but it’s been something I feel like God has laid on my heart for a reason. Shortly after my family moved to the field in Costa Rica I found out that my mothers mentor and previous boss had just moved with her husband to The Czech Republic to be missionaries.

  Before we moved to Costa Rica my mom was the nurse manager for a ministry called Save-a-Life. Her boss and mentor was Annette Johnson, one of the sweetest ladies you will ever meet. After talking via email with Annette and praying I knew that this was defiantly something God wanted me to do.

  I plan to head over to Zlin around January 6^th through January 23^rd.  I will be helping out with Bible study, Prayer groups, a mom and babies group, and Sunday school. Or anything else that pops up while I am there. The total cost for my trip will be $2,500. I realize that this is a lot of money to raise but if living as a missionary has taught me anything, it’s that God is able.  He owns every cattle on every hill. If every person I send this letter to supported me an average of $35, I would have all the funds I need. I would ask that you would prayerfully consider supporting me for this trip.

  But more than asking you for your money I would like to ask you for your prayers. I definitely need financial support but that won’t do me much good if I’m not backed up spiritually. This is my first time to Europe and although I’m excited I will have to brace many airports and new languages. I would like you to pray for the hearts of the people I will meet and also for my heart. I want to be selfless. I want to serve, and I want to show these people what the love of Christ looks like. Which is not easy considering I have a sinful nature. But please pray that God will use me in any way possible.

  Thank you so much for your prayers and even the time to read this letter. I look forward to letting you all know what God does on this trip.

 Serena Long

If you would like to support me financially please mail your checks to:

Indigenous Community Development International (ICDI)

P.O. Box 1045

Helotes, TX  78023

Please attach a note saying the funds are for Serena Long's mission trip and do not put anything in the memo of the check.This is for a tax deduction. Have a blessed day!

So thats that. Check back here for updates on fund-raising and exciting other things to come. Thanks for reading. 
S.