Trekkies

Until recently I've never had much respect for Trekkies. For that matter I've never had much respect for anyone who dressed up as a fictional character in support of a TV show or movie. How does that thought process even work? "Hey let's go see the new Stars Wars Friday night." "Nah, let's go see it Thursday night at midnight in $300 costumes that make actually seeing the movie painful" But, I must concede that my opinion has changed. Why? 1 word, 4 letters: LOST.
I am obsessed with LOST. I won't go on about why Lost is so awesome, but if you don't watch it, I apologize. I've never missed an episode, and my conversations are dominated by lost theories for 2 days after a new show airs. I've actually read several theories online, most of which are several pages long. It really hit me one day when I had this thought: "I wish I had a way to show everyone that I love the show more then they do." I told my friend Dave about this and guess what he called me..."Trekkie". Unfortunately, I can't say I would rule out dressing up like a Lost character at some point in my life. And that's how I came to respect Trekkies.

Caroline and I have gone through a big transition recently. As we get closer to our financial goal we realized it was time for me to start working part-time to allow more time to fundraise. So, my last day at Shenandoah Growers was March 3rd. I am now working part-time waiting tables at Madison Grill and substitute teaching.

I posted some new pictures today as well. It's from a trip we took to Annapolis/Baltimore in February.

Prayer Requests:

1. Funding: We would like to be funded in time to leave in August
2. Discipline: Ryan needs to use his extra time wisely
3. Joy: We've been going through some personal trials lately and we need to find our joy in the Lord

His,

Ryan and Caroline

Weekly Updates

Up to this point our blog has mainly been a resource to find more information about what we're doing and how you can be a part. That information will remain, but now we will also be updating our blog on a weekly basis. Thank you for taking the time to keep up-to-date. Our posts will be a mix of ministry updates, personal updates, prayer requests, and pictures. If you need to contact us at anytime please feel free.

His,

Ryan and Caroline

Giving FAQs

We have tried to making the nuts and bolts of supporting us financially as clear and easy as possible. However, in case you're still not sure about some things this post will hopefully clear up some of those questions. As always, if you still have questions please call or email us.

1. What are the different ways to support Ryan and Caroline financially?

• one time gift
• Monthly Gift

2. I want to give a one-time gift, What do I do?

• Credit Card: Just call the SI office (559-627-8923). Be sure to say it's for "The Holloways".
  
• Check: You can mail a check to the SI office (Students International, P.O. Box 2733, Visalia, CA 93279-2733). Please make it out to Students International. If you're sending this check in an envelope we sent you, SI will know the money is for us. If you're addressing the envelope yourself please write "The Holloways" in the bottom left corner of the envelope.

3. I want to give monthly, what do I do?
Step 1: Fill out the commitment Card. You should have a commitment card we gave you that we'd like you to fill out and mail to the SI office. This tells us how much you'd like to give and how we can reach you in the future. If you do not have a commitment card please email us at hollowre@gmail.com and we can send you one.
Step 2: Decide how you'd like to give. You can give by sending a check to the SI office (see address above) each month, or you can fill out a form to have the money taken out of your account automatically. You should have a copy of this form, but if you don't, there is a link to the "Auto Bank Draft Form" on our homepage. Please fill this out and return it with your commitment card to the SI office.
Step 3: Begin sending your gift/Return completed Auto Bank Draft Form.

4. What is the easiest way for you to receive a monthly gift?

• Giving each month through the Auto Draft program. Sometimes people sending checks will simply forget to send their support sometimes. Using Auto Bank Draft makes it easier for you and for us.

5. What month can I start giving?

• We would encourage you to begin giving as soon as you're ready. We put all the monthly support we receive before we go the DR towards our Pre-Field budget.

6. How long am I expected to commit?

• We would like you to commit through August of 2010. That's 2 years from the time we arrive in the DR.

7. Why aren't I giving to Ryan and Caroline directly?

• Students International is a non-profit organization and all gifts are tax-deductible. Any financial gifts for them or any of their members must be given to the organization and not a specific member. 100% of all your gifts will support our ministry directly

8. Can I give quarterly or annually?

• Yes! For simplicities sake we did not list this option on our commitment card, but if this is the easiest way for you to support us that's no problem. If you have a commitment card simply write somewhere on the card you're committing to send a check totaling $x every quarter or year?

9. I still have a question?

• Call or email us. There's a link on our homepage that has all our contact info.
  

What is microfinance?

Microfinance is a relatively new method used to help combat poverty mostly in third world countries, but some larger groups (accion) have institutions in Chicago and New York. Essentially microfinance is a bank for poor people. The problem is that traditional banks, especially in third world countries, only lend money to low risk clients that have some type of collateral to offer. People in living in poverty are viewed as high risk and have no collateral, so they either don't have any opportunity for a loan or, if they do, the interest rate is way too high. Microfinance banks, which are normally non-profit, provide small loans, from $50-$5000, to impoverished people in the communities they're involved with. These clients, often women and normally very poor, use this money to purchase the start up supplies they need for their business (raising chickens, making sandals, or selling second-hand clothes). This loan is often coupled with an extensive educational aspect in which the clients are taught basic accounting principles and budgeting, and in the long run they are expected to pay of the loans. The goal is to provide impoverished people with the opportunity to become self-sustaining and not handouts that are often unreliable. For more try www.accion.org or the always useful wikipedia.