Letter

Dearest Friends and Family,

Currently in my junior year at Indiana Wesleyan University, I’ve spent much of my college career pursuing my course of study in Marketing and growing in my faith in God. In the spring of 2010, I discovered Business as Missions and helped establish a student group called IWU Students for BAM. In short, BAM is a method of doing holistic missions work both in the US and overseas using the talents, skills and passions each individual is given to better God’s world. Learning more about the ways BAM is done and the opportunities available completely changed the way I saw my major and calling in life. In addition, the Lord has been moving my heart to greater compassion for those who are hurting and underprivileged. During a Spring Break mission trip to Atlanta, Georgia, I worked in very broken parts of the city with children, low-income families and the homeless. During a weekend class trip to Chicago, we visited ministries in the roughest neighborhoods, the places with the least hope. Yet, we saw God working in amazing ways—He shows Himself even in the most seemingly hopeless situations.

This summer I have the opportunity to go to Guatemala City, Guatemala to do missions and business work. A very close friend of mine, Jessi Miller, has extended family living and ministering there. They are currently running many different businesses that help fund their missions work, hosting visiting mission teams, bringing supplies and ministering in rural villages, teaching people in a village how to run businesses, volunteering with local ministries, and starting a homeless ministry.

In Guatemala City, the stark contrast between wealth and poverty is inescapable. Children are raised in slums by parents who lack the ability to care for them. Gang activity is increasing, making the impact of violence more prevalent. In rural villages surrounding the city, parents lack an effective way to provide for their children. Lack of proper nourishment leaves children underdeveloped. The basic literacy rate is 76 percent. These needs do not even begin to underscore the spiritual needs of the people there. After seeing the way God revealed himself in hopeless situations in the States, my heart has been directed towards the needs of those in Guatemala. Showing me His love for His people in Guatemala, God has laid the groundwork for this opportunity in amazing ways and with incredible providence. I’m excited to follow His leading by going to Guatemala this summer to be His hands and feet.

During my time in Guatemala, I will be involved in marketing and planning for some local businesses and ministry organizations. I will also be out on the field serving and ministering directly with the Guatemalan people, including spending time at an orphanage called Casa Bernabe and at Casa del Alfarero, a ministry with the parents and children who scavenge at the local dump. I will be spending about 2 months in Guatemala from June 22nd to August 22nd.

First and foremost, I am asking that you and your family would be in prayer for me as I prepare and while I’m on this trip. Please pray that He would provide, keep me healthy and safe, and use me to help His people. I strongly believe when we pray God moves in response as Jesus says in Mark 11:24, "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you." Your faithful prayers are the most important thing to me. Second, I ask you to consider supporting me financially. Jessi’s family has generously offered to provide for much of my needs, but there is still a remaining amount I need to raise before I can go. This trip will cost about $1,500, including travel, room and board, medical expenses, and passport cost. I greatly appreciate all your help!

In His love and service,
Lauren Rahman