think big, its a texas thing!

jou san, (good morning)

i am assuming you are reading this in the morning, since you're sleeping right now as i type this! silly time difference! i have not filled you in on hope's refuge in quite some time so i thought i'd take a brief moment to do that now. :) i have been doing my research and reading the books that Heartbeat International sent me. I have also been on the waiting list of Mother's Choice, a local pregnancy center/orphanage volunteer waiting list. so while things slowed down for hope's refuge a bit, things have been coming to mind with the direction and the movement of the center that God has instilled in my heart. many things come to mind and into my little leather journal that i keep all my ideas in. well, ANYWAY - just recently, i received an email from Nathan Burd from Heartbeat International. he has been diligent in helping me and keeping in contact with me and keep me abreast of things that may be in my interest. well, you can read the below email and see that the Lord is still moving, regardless of the slow time that bud and i are in at the moment. bud and i have been invited to a conference that will no doubt continue the process of starting hope's refuge and will, i believe, shed some amazing light on areas that need to be discussed, etc.

unfortunately, bud is committed to work and would not be able to take any time off, not a substantial amount that is. so in his place, cami kellenbarger (our good friend daks wife and my right hand of hope's refuge) will be going in his place. we ask that you please pray that bud and i are able to provide the money for the plane ticket and a little spending money while i'm in the US. also that we can find the best deal on a round trip plane ticket. it looks like i will be flying to kansas to meet with cami and she and i will drive to dallas together. i am very excited and hopeful that the Lord will continue and remain faithful in providing our needs in the best interest of His children. this conference is going to be a blessing, it will answer a lot of questions, give me more questions to think about, allow me to talk to other people who have started similar centers and give me a lot to chew for the remainder of our time in hong kong until the Lord brings us back to the states for a period of time.

to reiterate and to be clear (sometimes i ramble!) these are what i'm asking you to pray about:
** affordable round trip ticket for me to kansas back to HK
** that the funds will be available
** for safe travel mercies to and from kansas and to and from hk
** for God's hand over the conference
** clarity in the direction of Hope's Refuge
** continued unity in the direction and decisions of Hope's Refuge between bud, cami, daks and i.

if you feel the Lord leading you to donate to help cover the price of a ticket for me to attend this conference, please email me and i will let you know how to go about that. we appreciate all your help and prayers in the past and we love you all very much. i will keep you updated on whats happening with the conference and my trip to the states.

agape,
christin joy.

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Dear Christin,

I hope you are doing well. I wanted to contact you about Heartbeat International's upcoming annual conference, April 16-19 in Dallas, Texas. We typically have around 600 people attend and we offer a variety of sessions relevant to those working in pregnancy centers. We also have daily keynote speakers, many pro-life exhibitors, and a multitude of networking events.

In even-numbered years, we try to arrange for international guests to attend. Would you and Bud have an interest in attending this conference? It might be very helpful as you consider various options for Hope's Refuge.

We could offer you a scholarship that would cover the cost of your registration fees, hotel accommodations, and most meals if you are able to come. Please let me know if you have an interest in attending. You can get some information about the conference here:

http://www.heartbeatinternational.org/Trainings/2008_Conference/conference_update2.htm

Our entire conference brochure, including all topics and speakers, will be available in early January. Let me know if you are interested and I will send you additional information.

Thanks and God bless,

Nathan Burd

Director of International Program & Public Policy

Heartbeat International

www.heartbeatinternational.org