Break my Heart, Lord.

Ok you'll have to forgive me if I repeat things from post to post.. sometimes things go over and over in my head.. and I'll ponder it until I've soaked it all in. (Yes, I'm weird.)

I remember being 16 and on my first overseas missions trip to Europe when I started singing a song.. "Break my heart, Lord... for the things that break yours." This concept challenged me a bit. What must God see when He looks at this world. I normally do what comes naturally to everyone and look at the world through my eyes.. my thoughts.. my opinions. But what does God see? What breaks His heart? And what would happen if I truly prayed that? So I did.. and for the years after that, traveling through Europe and Asia, and even working here at home, I think that changed me as a person. When you meet people, it's so hard to put up a guard and a front, and to be nice and polite, but not go deeper. I truly care for the people I meet, and I want them to know that. I want people to see Christ in me. I love when people tell me that they sense a peace and joy about me, and they want that.. why do I have that? How do I have that? It's really not me, it's Him. I love asking people how are they, how are things... I think sometimes people just give small answers that don't really answer the question. I'm not trying to pry.. but I do want them to know that if they need someone to talk to, I'm here. It's amazing what simple hug or smile can do to brighten someone's day. As Christians, I believe that we're God's hands and feet. It blows people's minds when you do something for them, just for the sake of doing it for Christ. When you see people through Jesus' eyes... you see the hurts, and the needs.. but you also see what you can do to help.

When I traveled with the organization Royal Servants, they did what they called "Servant Projects". During the training camp phase before we went overseas, they set aside a day to send the students out into a local town. We were geared up with things to hold car washes, to clean houses, and to pass out drinks. It was an incredibly hot day.. so we would run to cars that stopped at a light and asked if they wanted a drink. Or we would hold signs and yell free car wash. We went knocking on doors and asked the people if there was anything we could do to help them such as mow their yards, or rake leaves, or wash their cars.. anything they needed, what could we do? At first I helped with washing cars.. I noticed several people kind of badgering our students, getting out of the car and asking WHY are we doing this? What was our angle? What did we want? How much was this going to cost.. really? LOL All for a free coke.. or a free car wash. People can't fathom the word "free" anymore. We would simply tell them, "We want to show Jesus love in a practical way." I learned that summer, Jesus was quite the hands-on go-getter on earth. He met real needs. He healed the sick, He helped the lame, He fed the 5000. Through us today, I believe He would go door to door and ask people, "What can I do for you?" By mid-afternoon that day, we broke out into groups.. I was teamed with a group who had been knocking on doors that morning. They explained that they had come across a woman and her son who lived in a small two story house with a lot of cats. They had offered to clean the place. We ran to the grocery store and bought cleaning supplies and I believe they did buy some food. I remember walking in and thinking a few cats was an understatement. The place was run-down, and dirt was everywhere. The middle-aged son was overweight, and sitting on a skinny mattress in front of the t.v. Cats were everywhere. You could tell the woman had a soft heart and loved these animals. I'm not sure what their story was.. but we were here to do what we needed to so she could feel that God had not abandoned her, and that He loves her. One of the girls on our team, spent time helping the woman in her kitchen. I'm not sure what she did, but I do know that she sat down and started reading the woman's mail for her, because the woman had been without glasses for sometime. I was upstairs mopping a bedroom floor. One of the boys on our team, a 16 year old, came and was watching me and another girl work, and warned us not to go in a certain corner because it looked like it was about to cave in. I remember at that point I hadn't gotten to know that boy very well, other than that he liked to laugh and joke and was completely goofy. (We had a pretty big team.. so it took about a month to get to know everyone.) I thought this boy had a pretty tough exterior. He went into the bathroom and started cleaning something that looked as if it used to be a toilet. I remember thinking the floor was just a simple brown.. and started with half bleach and water... then more bleach... finally I was taking the bottle of bleach and pouring it on the floor. I scrubbed and scrubbed until a little bit later I realized the floor wasn't just brown.. but it was so caked in dirt that I couldn't even see that the floor had teddy bear designs on it. It broke my heart that someone lived like this. We cleaned as much as we could, until we heard it was time for us to go. We gathered our things, and as we passed the bathroom, the boy was still scrubbing the toilet with tears running down his face.
Break my heart, for the things that break Yours, Lord.
We left the woman, who broke down thanking us for our work. She said no one had shown us that type of compassion and love. I've gone knocking on doors and handing out tracks, but for me, this was the most effective way to minister to someone I have ever seen. It touches people. People have needs.. people go through things and they feel hopeless and lost. If we as Christians, did this more often.. what would the results be? I believe people would see Christ at work. Most normal people of this world, don't do those kinds of things.. especially for free. What would it benefit us to get our hands dirty? Nothing. But as Christians.. we're not of this world. What does it benefit us? It grows us into people who are molded more into the image of Christ. I say all the time that actions scream louder than words. I know for my own needs.. I worry and I fret.. and I try to trust God. I try to trust God with my finances for my trip, and for every little worry and fear that comes along with making this decision to leave for 6 months and do this. I hate asking people for help..but oh, how much it would mean to me if someone did help. So what can I do for others?
When we returned back to training camp that day, we discussed with a leader what had happened and the situation. They said they worked with local churches in that area, and called a few of them.. and told us a few days later that someone from the church had reached out and was helping that family.
Break my heart, for the things that breaks Yours, Lord.

My prayer right now is that God allows me to be His hands and feet. To show His love in practical ways. I pray for the people that are put in my path, and that I'm aware of why they are there, and what I need to do. I want my heart to break for the things that breaks God's heart.. so I'll be able to be more effective for Him.

Counting it All Joy ~ Jessa

I Love Your Ways

I have said several times that I wish that I could meet myself. Step outside my body and watch me through my day and as I meet people and then come up and shake my hand and get to know me. What do people see? I know what I want portrayed.. and who I am by my thoughts, but how do other people see me? I want more than anything for them to look at me and see a mirror image of Christ. My goal is to become a godly woman, and for people to want what I have.. which is the the joy and peace of Jesus in me.

As I said in the last blog, I've really been going through a lot lately.. and I did something most Christians try to avoid: I asked God why. I'm dealing with mourning for someone who was close... I'm dealing with a new relationship with my father. I'm dealing with a new job.. and realizing I'm not going to be able to control my life by trying to steer it my way. Every time I step up and try to control what's going on in my life, things happen beyond my control that just reminds me again that life is life, and there's nothing I can do about it. I'm learning God's ways aren't my ways.. and even if I don't understand WHY things happen.. and WHY I can't have my way.. and WHY God brings people in my life at certain times and WHY and what is my purpose with certain people and situations.. it's all apart of a bigger picture. The past week I've learned more about myself, and I'm feeling like the closer I move to God.. the more I see myself.

I was feeling bummed about not being able to go on the Creative DTS, but I have been thinking about how the work with Compassion is a lot more advanced then the ministry I've done in the past. My main purpose and goal is to take myself out of the rat race I feel stuck in, and shift my universe from my bills to my God. As a Christian, that's the most important relationship I have, and it's slipping, and I want to fight for it. I think maybe if I lay aside everything... even my photography, it'll help me focus a bit more. Instead of spending 6 months focusing on God and my photography.

I'm not sure exactly why things are happening, but I do see that despite everything.. God knows, and He is still molding me into a woman of God. And that's what I need to realize and stay close to.

I'm slowly seeing answers to my prayers.. but I am still struggling with mainly the financial aspects. I'm really hoping also to find a new church family who I feel comfortable with asking to surround me with prayer, as well as finding prayer partners while I'm overseas. As every missions trip, it feels very up and down and one step forward five steps back kind of process. It touches my life in every way.. but more than anything, my focus is on Jesus and to be faithful to Him.

Peter Furler - Reach

I'm dedicating this song to my Daddy.. who's living proof of God's grace and love.. and the fact that we don't need to do anything.. because Christ's loving arms are already reaching for us!

A Hope and a Future...

  "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I've started a few of these blogs, but can never finish.. I start out strong and then fizzle out. The past few weeks has been some kinda crazy emotional roller coaster ride.. and I'm ready to get off at any point now.. However normally when something's up (or down..).. God's got a plan to teach me something..  

I've been excitedly planning my upcoming school trip to Australia... and then life hits you kinda hard. Normally in the way of something simple.. like a little white envelope labeled "Bill." (I don't know why they keep sending me his mail... anyways..) So I started praying and going over everything to figure what would be the best way to raise support and take care of things at home before I leave in 8 (well.. now officially 7) weeks! 

Then I received news that kinda shook me up a bit: someone who had been close to me last year, recently passed away. This news hit me hard. I have only had a couple of people close to me pass away, and they were older and we were expecting it. This was a shock. Someone who was so young, and had so much life to live.. and now they were gone. It took me a bit (still taking me awhile to grasp it.) that someone who laughed and loved and lived and experienced life.. isn't here anymore on this earth. I had several people listen and talk to me, and let me cry and vent. But the biggest thing that helped was the simple: "Just know I'm praying for you." There's not a lot to say sometimes that'll make you feel better when you're going through something. It got to a point where I wasn't sure how to handle it. I started reading a lot of Psalms, and letting God tell me through His word that He was there, people were praying for me, and that He hadn't left me. I felt the ability to go through daily tasks, and surrounded myself with friends and family that love me and make me laugh. It is sad that someone lost their life.. but my life is still going, and I didn't want it to come to a stand still. I'm still in a time of mourning, but God's showing me that I need to continue with my life and my plans.. That He's created a life for me that has a hope.. and a future. I'm so grateful for His strength and promises for a hope.

So praying over everything that's been going on.. plus my finances and taking care of things before I go (If anyone wants to buy some dishes.. let me know!!) I've been discussing the fact of not going to the Creative DTS in July. I have the opportunity to either wait till next year, or hop on-board the next DTS. Sooooo...I'm seeing about changing to the Compassion DTS!! It starts on October the 2nd, and ends on March 16th, 2012. Compassion has a mercy-focused ministries. The outreach will be anything from working with children in Asia, to evangelizing to brothel owners in Eastern Europe. So far, they have announced three of the four outreach locations. I'm very excited to have the chance to work in these areas. It's a step up from what I've done as a teenager, and I believe it'll stretch me out of my comfort zone. My constant prayer is that God will mold me into a woman who reflects my Heavenly Father.


For my prayer requests.. I've had a few people asking!!

I really need prayer for:

• A prayer partner group - I'd like a few close people who will kind be on my "team Jessyca". Ones to help handle things back home in case something happens, but also a very close support group for more personal needs. Anyone want to be apart of this.. just holler :) 
• New church family - I go to a certain church when I can, but with work, it's not been possible lately. I'm hoping to find a church family closer to home, where I feel at home and a connection with the people. Finding a new church always makes me feel nervous! LOL 
• "Taking care of the Others".. The "Others" is the big elephant in the room that keeps following me, and I don't like looking at it! I've got a few things that needs to be taken care of before I go. Without going into a lot of detail, I just need prayer that doors will open to where I can take of my leftover debt as quickly as I can, so I can focus all my resources more on this trip.
• My car. I love my car.. but I can't take it to Australia with me! I'm hoping I can find someone to buy it.
• My storage unit and... storage...stuff. I have a storage unit filled to the brim with stuff leftover from my old house. I need to go through it.. huge undertaking.. prayer for strength and wisdom with what to do with it! Once again.. anyone need dishes?? :) 
• Support raising opportunities and open doors.
• My nerves! 
• Visas and Plane Tickets.. I'm starting to look.. 
• Keep praying for the decision to go from the Creative DTS and Compassion DTS.. I'd be excited to do either, but I will admit that I'll be a little bit disappointed over losing the creativity focus. I do think there's a reason I need to go on Compassion though. So pray for peace over that decision, so I can continue my journey!!

 

 

Seeing the Light at the End of the Tunnel....

So it's been a few months since I've last posted on my blog. I've thought about blogging and logging my thoughts and feelings through this process. I probably should have, seeing as now where I am. The past few months have been a ridiculous roller coaster ride... one that apparently has a lot of tunnels. I hate the feeling of not knowing where my life is going. Like.. tunnel vision. You walk blindly into it having no idea where to go or especially what's going to be on the other side. It feels like all your focus is what's out there and not where you're at in the moment. 

The past few months I've struggled with finances and my job, my health and my relationships. I've had people encourage me, and then moments where I've wondered if I need to stay put. But I started getting frustrated and thought maybe I do need to let this go.. this dream and desire to go back on the field. It was okay to do as a teenager, but maybe this adult life I've been wrapped up in for the past ten years is the more responsible place for me to be. So I told God that I was giving it to Him. All of it.. the frustrations, the daily battles, the desires, the hopes, the dreams, the planning, the worries.. all of it. I told Him that I couldn't live worrying constantly. Whatever His will was, I wanted it to be clear.. but I decided one thing: I was going to start fighting for my relationship with God. 

If you've read the first post, you kinda know the struggle over the past few years of feeling inadequate and not good enough. As a teen I was so close to God that I could hear His heartbeat. Oh, how I loved the pure peace and knowledge of being in His hands. And I had to jerk it all away and run with my life as if I knew what I was doing. Over the past few months, I've also had these feelings resurface. Maybe this wasn't going as smoothly because I had failed in the past. 

Then I heard this, which I've heard a number of times before: God doesn't call the qualified.. He qualifies the call. I was reaching out to Him, telling Him if He needed me, I was here. I had the heart and desire.. but more than anything, I wanted to be right back next to His heart. I wanted time out of my comfort zone, and out of everything I know here back in Virginia, to go and completely put myself to where I had to be pulled and twisted and TESTED back to Him. I just didn't feel qualified.. but with God, it doesn't matter. He doesn't keep glancing over my spiritual resume. He just sees my heart.. and my willingness to serve Him.

I continued with the application process..being reminded by the staff of YWAM by phone and email that they were praying for me. One email, I completely emptied my heart and told them (more of a warning!) that there were many obstacles in my way.. sickness in my family, my agoraphobia, financial difficulties, my car.. The response I received stunned me. They said they were impressed by my faith and persistence that God would bring me there. They thanked me for being so open to such sensitive subjects when I discussed my past and my hurts and where I've been. For me the past few years, I've been wrapped up in looking at just the few pieces of the puzzle in my hands I've not stepped back and looked at the bigger picture. I've heard a few times that God's strength is seen through our weakness. I hadn't thought of my own life in that way, but seeing it from someone else's point of view I saw that God's fingerprints have been all over my life. He's forming me and making me and bringing me closer to Him. I don't need to travel around the world to realize He's right here with me, and has been the whole time. 

I felt like I had had a mustard seed faith, where everyone else saw a mountain of faith...If God wanted me to go, He'd make a way. Little things started to open up and make it a bit easier for me to finish the application. I had a couple of difficult phone calls and conversations, trying to open up more about my agoraphobia and my past, and after some prayer time with the leader of the DTS, it was left to God on whether or not I was accepted. I truly thought I would hear no. I stressed for a couple of days then once again (so sad I'm realizing that this is a DAILY thing.. :) ) I had to give this to God. Praying with the YWAM staff and knowing that friends and family have been praying about this for me, gave me a lot of peace! If God didn't want me to do this, then the doors would be closed to YWAM. I didn't know if I would be going to YWAM in the near future.. or if I would be staying here and wondering what my other options are... 

Then I received the letter.. 

Hi Jessyca!

I trust you are going well. It's a delight to see your application complete and to be able to process it.

And....YOUR ACCEPTED!

I'm still stunned and so excited over this!! Where I couldn't see at ALL that light at the end of the tunnel.. now I see enough of that light to where I'm so excited... Through this journey, I'm truly learning what Jim Elliot once said, "He is no fool who gives what he can't keep, to gain what he can't lose." I'm giving up everything.. everything I'm clinging to.. everything that will eventually go away.. to gain a stronger eternal relationship with my Heavenly Father.. and 'prayfully' be used to see a grown in the Kingdom of Heaven!

Counting it All Joy,

Jessa

Eric Ludy - Depraved Indifference

I have been struggling with the financial aspect and am I doing the right step.. there are so many things I need to take care of before going to Newcastle... but I saw this video and it blew me away.

Support Raising Ideas

Fundraising this time is going to be so completely different than before. I had so much more time to plan car washes and bake sales, and all those fun things. As well as have more youth groups and support from my friends who also had the time to donate. It's going to be an interesting adjustment figuring out my bills, car, full time job, and raising support.. as well as starting to prepare mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally for another adventure. 

Last night I stayed up until 3 A.M. coming up with ideas on how to raise money. So I put together a list.... now this list has ideas I feel I can do, but also in case someone else wanders on to my blog and sees ideas that may help them out. I also like the idea of, even though I'm busy.. a few of things are cheap and also can be easily posted through facebook or any other type of media social networks.. So I'm hoping those will help me out.. but here's a few ideas I had:

Fundraising Idears...

1. Flamingo Flocking
I've always heard of this.. but never have gotten to see one or get in on this little fun fund raiser!! Here's the instructions:
 Purchase 10 pink plastic flamingos (lawn decorations). Pick 10 yards in your community to be the lucky recipients. Attach cards to the flamingoes' necks with a phone number along with all the info needed regarding your group or mission.  State that for a $10 donation, the flamingos will be removed but for $15 they will be moved to the lawn of their choice. Make sure you also place a sign that has a contact name and phone number among the flamingos for those who drive by and would like to have the flamingos placed in a friends yard. (Also give the option to simply pick up the flamingos, since some people have no sense of fun.)  It takes some organization, but is lots of fun. An additional fundraising idea is to sell "Pink Flamingo Insurance" for $10 to protect yourself from the invasion of these pink pests. For $15 they can pick the next victim.

2. Donation Containers
There's a few places I have in mind to set these up at... and you can even ask to set them up in churches if you are traveling from different churches and speaking on your trips trying to raise support. Decorate mason jars, or a lock box, or a type of canister... print a nice label that briefly explains the mission, even post social networks (like my blog or facebook support page..) where people can check it out. Ask local businesses if you could place it somewhere in their store and check on it weekly.
 
3. Beautiful Baby Contest
I found this idea and like it:
A color or black and white photo of the child — preferably a close-up — is required with an entry form and $15 registration fee. If the photo was taken by a professional photographer, a consent form from the photographer authorizing its publication was also required.
Contestants could be viewed on The Robesonian web site and after the registration deadline had passed, photos were published in the Mother’s Day edition of the newspaper. Votes cost $1 each. There were two first place winners — a boy and girl. Each received $100, a parade magnet, and a crown or tiara. Other winners received: second place, $75 and a trophy; third place, $50 and a trophy; and fourth through sixth places, $25 and a trophy.  A calendar featuring the 12 babies receiving the most votes was sold for $10. All of the contestants were pictured in the back of the calendar.

4. PortaPotty
This one cracks me up.... for $10, you can have a tacky-ily decorated toilet placed anywhere you choose, including local businesses or someone's home. Like the flamingo thing...To have the potty removed, the recipient must pay $15. A second option is to pay $10 to have it passed on to someone else. If someone decides to be a "potty pooper" the group will remove the toilet for no charge. The team offers "potty protection insurance" for $25. This insurance ensures that the potties will not be delivered to your home or business.or a donation, they would deposit the potty on the yard of some lucky recipient. If you found it in your yard, you could make a donation to have it removed and sent somewhere else.

5. Face Painting

This is something I've just recently gotten into, and a good way for me to be creative for the Creative DTS! I have professional face painting.. My plan is to charge anywhere between $25-50 per party (depending on how many people and hours the event would be.) and painting faces for any party-goers who want their face painted. This is great for church events, birthdays, local get-togethers... I enjoy doing this.. and really hope this'll be something I can do when not working.. Above is a couple of samples of my work. I can do just a flower or star or something simple on a cheek, to a full face.

6. Sell your Wares
I love this idea: Anyone who sells items at home type parties (Longaberger, Tupperware, Avon, Scentsy, etc.) and set up vendor tables at a local church or recreation hall. Make it available for two hours, for people to come in, book parties, and make purchases. Have cash and carry items. Each vendor donates a portion of their profits for the evening.

7. Christian Karaoke Night/America's Got Talent type competition
 Admission is $5 per person for the karaoke. Make it more competitive by having people say how much money would have to be donated before they sing.. once that goal is met, either by people paying, or how much is raised that night... that person has to sing. (Have name tags with a price on it...) OR Hold an America's Got Talent type competition.. this can be just singing or anything. People pay $10-15 to enter, and be judged by 3 local business people who have donated to the cause for a grand prize. 

8. Beauty Pageant
I must confess I'm a huge Toddlers & Tiaras fan... but I think most people would love the chance to do a small beauty pageant. Have the ages 0 on up... $35 for an entry fee. Come up with a beauty, talent, and dress of choice.. award each age group but also have a grand title over all.

9. Adult Spelling Bee
$50 per entrant, and have the participant find sponsors just like a real spelling bee. These sponsors can give donations towards prizes to who wins.. as well as list it in the local paper for publicity and advertisement for the sponsors, as well as the event. Use words dealing with the mission, the sponsors, the area.
  

10. Scrabble Tournament
Scrabble is all about being fluent in the language and coming up with words that might be worth a lot of points. People have fun coming up with strange and exotic words no one else has thought of.  Teams of four, six, or eight gather at different tables, each with a Scrabble board and all the letters available. Each team starts with the same opening word, and has 20 minutes to fill the board with high-scoring words. A judge sits at each table. Individuals pay $35 to participate. Players can sneak a peek at a dictionary for an additional $5-10 donation. Make extra fundraising money selling refreshments, raffle, auction, etc. Additional details and ideas available from the National Scrabble Association.


11. Mini Bible Towns
A good idea for a Sunday School class or Youth Group.. I've painted a little village of houses for my mom. You can find them at wal-mart or craft stores like Michaels:

What started as a miniature building project to teach the books of the Bible to Sunday School children at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, turned into an event that raised $5,400 to build real homes in Mexico. The children decorated 66 miniature houses, one for each book of the Bible. The class got enthused about the project and included other buildings, parks, lakes and streets in the town. Houses were arranged in the order that the books are organized in the Bible.

12. Imaginary Tea Party
The concept:  Send an invitation for a "Make-Believe Tea Party" to your friends, neighbors co-workers, etc.  Send a tea bag (inexpensive per tea bag if you buy them in bulk - or you can try to get the tea bags donated) in an envelope along with a classy, yet catchy, invitation explaining that they are invited to a "make-believe tea party" on a certain day (Mother's Day, for example) at a certain time (high noon, for example). Explain that on that date and time, you will all enjoy a cup of tea (using the tea bag provided) in support of your cause (or in memory/honor of someone).  Remind them that they can take part in this tea party while still enjoying the comforts of their own home! Ask each "guest" for a donation in return for "attending" this tea party.  Provide a SASE for their convenience.  The tea bag is theirs to keep whether they make a donation or not, but the hope is that your efforts will encourage them to send you a donation.  You can either ask for a donation of a specified amount as the "cost" for "attending" this tea party, or leave the donation amount open-ended and up to the individual.

Be sure to send a "thank-you" to those who make a donation.

13. Unbirthday Tea Party
Hold a tea party,... dress in the craziest dress up clothes.. so much per party-go-er... (I'm a big fan of Alice in Wonderland.. :) )

14. Sticky Fly
I probably couldn't do this.. but it's a cute idea for someone else... here's the story:

Find a popular teacher willing to participate. You'll also need lots of duct tape. Post flyers around the school a week ahead of time advertising your fundraiser. On the appointed day, during lunch hours, find a spot where students and faculty pass by regularly. Set a chair up against a wall so that the side of the chair (NOT the back or front, otherwise it won't work right) is firmly against the wall. Place a couple of gym mats or cushions in front of the chair as a precaution. Have the teacher stand up on the chair with his/her back against the wall. For fifty cents per yard of duct tape, students and faculty can tape the teacher to the wall. When the teacher is firmly taped to the wall, stop selling tape. Announce that you will now remove the chair to see just how long the "fly" can stick to the wall.

15. Pastor Pays
The Pastor pays a quarter (or more) for every time he says “God,” “Jesus,” and “Amen” during a service. The congregation plays along by shouting out every time he says one of these words.

16. Calendars
Make a calender using my own photographs and Bible verses... sell for how much the cost to make it, plus a profit... Custom town calendars, flowers, or nature shots. For me, this would be even more effective, since photography is a big part of me, and will also be used as a tool during my trip.

17. Pampered Raffle
A winner of this raffle will receive a 'Pamper Me' packet for a day of relaxation and pampering. Find local businesses and shops that will be willing to donate haircuts and style, manicures, department store gift certificates, dinners, movie passes, tanning, body massages. Tickets sell for $1-5 each .. all of which was profit and with minimal effort!
Prepare a nice certificate or letter for the winner. Make sure you publicize the donations from the local merchants and be sure to send them a personal thank you!

18. Balloon A Gram
A balloon-o-gram is a telegram with balloons. It can be done on any holiday (Mother's Day, Father's day, etc...) or it can be an ongoing process for someone's birthday, anniversary, etc. The deliverer takes a bunch of five to six balloons, a card and sing a song for the receiver. The cost for the balloon-o-gram was on a donation basis.
Variation:  Lollipop Bouquets containing five lollipops: Charms, Tootsie Pops, Valentine Suckers, etc. Tissue paper is used to make the lollipops look like flowers. They are held together with a rubber band and a gift tag is attached.

19. Shower of Flowers
Much like the flamingos... only try pinwheels.. or anything with iron stems you can place in someone's yard. One organization found fake daisies.
You can charge a $5.00 donation for simply removing the flowers, $10.00 to remove and select someone to send them to next, and $15.00 to remove, resend, and find out who sent them to you.  Most people choose the $15.00 option. 

20. Dinner For a Week
Ask 7 restaurants to donate a dinner for 2 and raffle off a week of eating out. Tickets can be sold for $25-30 each and the lucky winners are able to eat out every night for a week.

21. Favorite Photos
  Entrants submit a photo (specify maximum size accepted), and may also submit a 3x5 card with a few sentences as a description to create more interest. Votes are made with coins, dollar bills, or checks (made payable to your organization).  The picture with the most "votes" (total money collected) wins a prize.

22. Kidnap the Pastor
I think you'll have to have a congregation that would really be into this idea before you go into it... Simply put: you hold your pastor or youth pastor "hostage" until a certain set amount of ransom is paid. Here's an example: 

One youth group decided to "Pastor-nap" their pastor as a fundraising project. On a Friday afternoon, the MTT (Manzanita Teenage Terrorists) came in and kidnapped their pastor. They had a video team on hand and MTT taped the invasion leading to the ransom of the pastor for only $2,000. "If you give us the money, you get him back. If you don't give us the money, you still get him back."

On Sunday morning, the Pastor was still no place in sight. The service went on as planned with the teenagers leading the service. Then, a group of teens dressed in black quietly entered the service.

The music stopped suddenly and the tape was shown. The leaders presented their own part of the video by being the News Telecasters. As the service ended, so did the pastor-nap. The "terrorists" stood at the doors with their bags to collect the $2,000 ransom.


23. Benefit Concert
Find local Christian bands to play...there's several local bands in my area, and I've spoken to a couple of people and I'm hoping to set a day aside this spring where several bands come, and have dramas and such to where people would pay an admission and also donate.

24. Celebrity Autographs
Write every celebrity you can think of and ask for an autographed something to auction off at your fund-raising event. Lots of people collect autographs of the rich and famous. Send best-quality, blank note cards to famous people with a POLITE request for them to sign the supplied cards and the reason why you are asking. These guys may not be home, so be patient. But, on the upside, celebrities are often more than willing to help out a good cause.

ALWAYS supply a self-addressed, stamped envelope, in which the cards are returned to you. Make sure the address is your organization's. It's okay to say "John Jones, c/o xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx." If you can include some proof of who you are in your request (on letterhead, your charity ID number so they can check up, etc) that will be good. Here are a few hints to help improve your chances of success. Don't ask for too many autographs, as this will guarantee a refusal. Always include a self addressed, business sized envelope with the correct postage. Not only is this a common courtesy but the only way you will get a reply. Include cards or something for them to sign. Don't expect them to expend energy or their own money on you. If using note cards, make them the best quality and the color and size you prefer, not what's cheap at the store. Include two envelopes: the one for the card to protect it, and the one that the card goes in to mail to you. The better the condition of the card, the more money you can get at auction. If you have a theme, like the entire Boston Bruins, supporters might want to buy the whole series. Do your research and price the cards appropriately. Don't overprice or under price yourself. If you must go one way, go under. If they don't sell at auction you can always see if they sell on eBay!

TRY CHRISTIAN MUSIC ARTISTS OR REGULAR MOVIE STARS

25. Flash Mob!! 
Group members pay to participate in dancing or singing....Flash mob participants came together with the help of Craigslist advertisements, Facebook and word-of-mouth .

26. Dinner Theater
Help a youth group prepare a drama or play... and charge donation for admission...