2013 coming to a close

I can't believe 2013 is coming to a close.  Please view my year end newsletter - CLICK HERE (the pictures somehow degraded in the uploading process so I apologize that they look weird).

So much has happened in Russia this year and I'm looking forward to 2014!  Please share this blog and link to as many people as you can so they can be a part of what God is doing in Russia by using the Facebook, Google+ and Email links below.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Wow, it's almost 2014!

So with this, I look back at 2013 and see that God has moved in so many amazing ways.  I have a blessings book that I keep record of all the ways God comes through in amazing, unexpected ways.  Speaking of unexpected ways, the missions organization I work with (e3 Partners/I Am Second) is launching our "Jesus in Unexpected Places" campaign.

A few weeks ago we launched our newest film on I Am Second of the Robertson family.  You may know them from Duck Dynasty on the A&E network.  It's a great film about family, faith and ducks. :)  I have for the past year watched this show and laughed my head off with my family.  They profess Christ as their Savior and don't hide it at all on this show.  However, you don't realize where they have come from to get to this point.  We had a Robertson film launch party a few weeks ago at our church.  It was a great eye opener to our youth in the sense of a public family on a reality TV show that didn't always have it together.  And that it was Christ that got them to the place of functional disfunction that we view on TV every week.  If you haven't watched it yet, please click HERE to view this amazing film.

Because of the HUGE publicity I Am Second received from this film, they started the campaign I mentioned earlier.  This page is You click HERE to see what this is all about.  Pure Charity has partnered with e3 Partners/I Am Second to be able to heighten awareness of the need to spread the gospel to all nations.

As some of you know, I feel called specifically to Russia.  To be able to do this full time I need a team, a partnership made up of people like.....you. Yes....you.  I know it may feel overwhelming but there is a HUGE need in Russia (and all over) for the hope that only Jesus brings.  In Russia, there are 140 people groups.  Out of that, 76 groups are considered UNREACHED.  This means that they have never heard the truth that Jesus brings for eternal live.  This means they live without the hope and purpose for life.  When things get tough, they have no one to turn to because they've never been told. It's heartbreaking and for a moment, it can feel like it's too big of a task but, nothing is impossible with God.  As the saying goes, how do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.  Our goal is to reach one group each time we go as well as equipping the nationals that live there to reach as many as they can.


How do you fit in?  Well, please check out the link above on the Pure Charity page and that will help some.  But more than that, I would love to sit down and share with you all that's happening in Russia and the different ways you can partner with me.  $3600 a month is what's needed for me to raise to be full time.  It sounds like a lot but when broken down, it's achievable.  I would love all of you to partner with me to see the Russian people be set free with the truth of Christ.  They need hope - the hope only Christ can give.

This is a team effort and as the saying goes, many hands make light work.  It's such a blessing to be used by the Lord.  Why He choses to use me, a cracked, broken vessel I will never know...but I'm glad He does - And He will gladly use you as well.  Just ask Him how. :)

So blessed

I apologize it's been so long since I posted here. One of our prayers has been that The Lord would sustain us while I raised funds to be a full time missionary to Russia (stationed here in the US though...didn't want to scare anyone). God always answers in crazy ways, and I LOVE IT!!! So how did he do it? Not in the way I would've seen coming. 

Just a little bit of background, I do logistics (helping leaders with all the details to get out to their missin field successfully) for e3 Partners/I Am Second. I get paid per trip i help. I love it however it's like construction - when it's good it's good, then comes the slow season. Winter tends to be that season. So when Jeff and I were looking ahead we saw this slow time coming bit without real answers. So we took our needs to The Lord. The first answer to this prayer came when a temporary position came up at my church to fill in for janitorial until our injured janitor comes back. This is until January and that's all through out my slow season. PRAISE THE LORD!! Not that cleaning is my calling however Paul made tents for awhile til he could get back into the mission field. 

The second answer came when a dear friend of mine at church asked when I was going to teach guitar lessons to her girls who are in our Jr. High program. I was like, "I don't remember saying I was going to teach" and she replied you didn't but you should. My first reaction sadly wasn't all excitement as it really should've been. I was scared, feeling that I don't have anything to give, I'm not professionally taught, how can I teach??? Well as The Lord is so good to be, and so sweet, in my time with Him, He sweetly said "All you have is from Me, am I not good enough?"  Kinda ouchy but in a good way. I called her back and said I'll teach them what I know and share with them how to worship The Lord in it. Within days I had a full class load!!! And I haven't even advertised yet!! Again, another answer to our financial prayer to

The Lord. Thank you Jesus. :)

But with all this I've found that I haven't been focusing on my mission fundraising which is my ultimate calling and goal. I'm thankful for my bestest friend who helped me prioritize so I can get back to telling people about the mission in Russia. So in that I'll be stepping away from a few things I've been doing. All good things but Satan is smarter then to tempt me to be busy with bad things. He gets us so busy doing good things but it keeps us away from the one thing God has made us passionate about. 

Thanks again for all your prayers and support. Please feel free to pass along my blog and let people know if they want to hear more about what's going on in Russia I would love to share with them. Some amazing testimonies from there will be posted here soon. :)

Thank you thank you thank you!

I can't say thank you enough for all your support.  Thank you to all who gave, shared my link or prayed that God would bring the increase.  e3 Partners is still processing the donations from Donor Bridge so I don't know how much or who gave yet.  Hopefully in the next few weeks it'll all be complete and I'll be able to thank all those who gave personally. :)

As some of you know (and others may not) I have been approved as a team leader through e3 Partners to short term mission trips to Russia (specifically).  This mean that I'm forgoing working a traditional full time job to do this full time.  So sadly no, I'm not independently wealthy but this opens up partnerships with people who maybe can't go overseas but still want to make an impact.  The Donor Bridge day was just one day where other organizations partnered to match any donations given to help promote giving and get things started.  But I pray that this wasn't a one time event, but the start to a possible partnership.  Amazing things are about to happen in Russia.  Russia you say?  Yes, Russia.

e3 Partners is labeled as a short term mission organization however, we're more than that.  We are a longterm strategic mission organization.  Yes we take people in and out of the regions through out the year however, there's constant contact and discipleship happening all year long.  e3 Partners does exactly what their name says, partner.  We partner with the nationals that live there, equipping them to disciple and start churches, and build them up as leaders in their sphere of influence.

Soooooo, what's going on in Russia? Some amazing doors have opened up and I'll be sharing those with you over the next few weeks so stay tuned.  Meanwhile, please continue to pray about monthly support or maaaaaybe even going on a trip with me.  :) :) :)

Today is the day!! Donor bridge donation matching

We went live today for donations. We noticed though the "other" drop down menu isn't there like we thought. You now have to put my name and staff number (Franny Lowry #624) in the "notes" section. Please pass this along to everyone you know. Thanks!

Here's the direct link:

https://www.donorbridgetx.org/npo/161680978/

Hoping to get fully funded today. Please continue to ask The Lord about partnering with me monthly as well or maybe even going with me on a trip. :)

Tomorrow is the day!! North Texas Giving Day September 19th

Please read below explaining why tomorrow is so special.  I have been blessed to be accepted as one of the leaders to serve with e3 Partners.  However, I am still raising monthly support so that I can focus here full time.  There's still a large deficit and I can't proceed forward into full time ministry until it's met.  This day will double all donations and further me towards this goal.  It also allows you the opportunity to partner with me in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations.  Please read below for instructions.  Thank you all so much! :)

Nothing is more strategic than providing the mission support and infrastructure necessary to keep all of the vital ministries of e3 Partners advancing. From core evangelism and church planting, to strategic initiatives such as preventing human trafficking, providing medical teams, or facilitating community transformation - all require building capacity. 

We can't do that without your help and your gifts to e3. 

Please maximize your giving and help build our ministry capacity to grow by making a special gift on September 19th, from 7am to midnight(Central). Your special gift will be multiplied by a match from a $1.5 million matching fund. Go to www.DonorBridgeTX.org on September 19th, find the e3 Partners page, and select any e3 Partners initiative or even an e3 staff person you may support - You would put my name Franny Lowry in the "other" drop down as well as my staff number #624.

Because of your gift, lives around the world will be changed through e3 Expeditions, I am Second, EvangeCubes, and other e3 strategic outreach tools, training and teams. 

SEPTEMBER 19th!!! IMPORTANT DAY

As many of you know, I'm still working on raising support to be full time in missions.  The organization I'm with has an amazing opportunity coming up on September 19th.  

Each year e3 Partners participates in the Communities Foundation of Texas “North Texas Giving Day” campaign (they’re based in Texas).  What this means is each gift of $25 (the minimum is $25) is multiplied by sharing in a match from a $1,500,000 matching fund provided by North Texas foundation, for over 600 North Texas non-profits.

Ok, so what does this mean exactly for me.  Well on this day, when you click on the link I’ll provide below, every $25 you give, this organization will match it!  So all funds are doubled on this day.  And what’s great is this year, they are allowing you to designate to a fund within the organization.  So, when you click on the link, you look for e3 Partners, then select “other” and put my name (Franny Lowry) and support number #624

Here’s the link you’ll need:

www.DonorBridgeTX.org

You will need to go through the link above on September 19^th from 7am to midnight (CST) and then it’ll take you to the e3 Partners webpage to make sure they get the information they need to be able to match all donations.

Thank you all so much for your support thus far.  I’m praying September 19^th is just the jump I need to be able to get going in full time missions.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Sold for Sex

Got your attention didn't I. :)  Well our attention should be to this subject.  We can't close our eyes to those suffering all over the world.  This is a brand new Cube that our ministry has created to help prevent and assist those in sex slavery.  Please watch the video under prevent.  I'm so blessed to know Jenni and her heart for those in slavery.  So much that her and her whole family moved to Thailand.  Please watch and let me know if you'd like more information on how to help me in this war against slavery.  

https://www.pricelesscube.com/

Ok, today's the day

Well, today is the day for me to finally step out of my "comfort square" and talk to people about partnership with me through e3 Partners.  So, if you're reading my blog, you'll be hearing from me soon. :)

I am so honored and humbled that God choses to use this cracked pot to do His work in the nations.  I just want you all to see God in my work with e3 Partners, not getting hung up on the cracks in the vessel.  I'm so thankful that the Lord has made it so that I can go into the nations and be the hands and feet of His children here that maybe can't physically go.  I want God passion and compassion be displayed in all that I say and do....even in this support raising phase of my faith walk with Him.

So please, pray for me as I step out this week and talk to ya'll about joining in with me.  Pray that God's mission to reach the nations with the TRUTH of His gospel goes forth and that this wave of raising support passes quickly so I can get out into the field to do His work.  People are waiting to hear.

Thanks everyone!

Starting on Week 2 of my support raising journey

Some of you have already received my letters (I'm about to be calling you soon, I promise) :)

I'm excited to say that my prayer supporters are growing and I'm also working on my financial support as well.  Feeling very blessed!

Please continue to pray as I reach out through phone calls and emails this week to follow up on my letters.  Pray that the passion behind what I'm doing comes out and that God speaks to the hearts of those I'm talking to.  I want it to be clear what I'm doing on mission and how God is already ordaining my steps even as I type this.  It's hard not being able to go in country until this part of my mission is through (the support raising part) but I'm confident that God has this all worked out and His timing is always perfect.

Sooooooo, in my efforts to make things as easy as possible for current and future supporters, I created my fundraising page through e3.  This way, you can track my progress and make it real easy now to give online (it's a secure site I promise).  Here's the  URL friendly link:

www.e3partners.org/franny_lowry

Hope this works easy for you all and thank you again for your prayers and support.  ;)

e3 Medical in Peru

Here's a link to some of the holistic work going on with e3 Partners. Not only are we meeting the needs spiritually across the globe, but physically as well. 

http://280living.com/businesses/chelsea-dentistry-aims-to--bring-smiles-and-faith-from-home/

Riding the wave - Story behind the name

I'm so excited that this is my first blog post!  I felt this was the best way to keep everyone up to date on the current "wave" that God will have my family and myself on.  :)  Riding the Wave is basically how I feel life is for me.  I trustingly get on the board and trust the Lord where the wave will take me.  This blog will be the updates on the current "waves" God has me on and where they're going.

First of all, as some of you know (and others may not) God has called me into full time mission work.  Does this mean I'm packing the family up and moving out of the country? No, at least, not yet anyways.  I've been working with a ministry called e3Partners.  They're also known from their US outreach called I Am Second (check it out here at www.iamsecond.com).  For the past 8 years I've taken a few trips with them but mostly was helping through my administrative and organization gifts as logistics coordinator.  I helped many leaders throughout the year to get in and out of the countries successfully by making sure all their paperwork and details were in order.  About a year and a half ago, my full time administrative position at e3 changed to doing the same work but as a contractor.  Which basically boils down to getting paid per trip I helped out with instead of a steady income from month to month.  So this "wave" just meant I needed to trust the Lord a hole lot more with the finances.

I asked the Lord what to do at this point.  I couldn't imagine not being a part of mission, I truly loved what I did.  I loved being a piece that helped teams successfully share the gospel throughout the world.  how could I leave this?  God's answer was very simple.  It wasn't to leave it, but to go full time into it.  So all that to say, I'm riding the next wave into full time ministry with e3 Partners.  Now comes the fun part, riding the "wave" of raising support!

The "wave" God has me on now is a big one, but I know He's in control.  This may scare some people but honestly, I'm excited about it.  I get to invite all the people that maybe supported me one time here and there for my yearly trips with e3 Partners to now partner with me on a monthly basis on an even greater scale of God's calling and moving throughout the nations.  I will have the opportunity to share stories upon stories of how God's spirit drew many to His name and that miracles were happening for His glory, and how they can be a part of all of it with me.  It's not just asking for money, it's so much deeper than that.  It's giving them a chance to be a part of the great commission, with me being their hands and feet through out the world!  Seeing God change lives, there's nothing greater anyone could be a part of.

Our family decided about 2 years ago that we were in ministry together.  This mean sacrifices at times but we all know God is greater than any obstacle we could experience here on this earth.  I'm so thankful that my boys understand at their age that God can and will overcome the evil one.  Not just because my husband Jeff and I have told them, but because they've seen it played out in our lives.  It's a stretching place to step out in faith and trust God for all things, but it's a beautiful place to be as we see God's plan unfold in front of us and to see His provision constantly throughout our lives.

So, here's the blog where I will keep everyone clued into the current "wave" our family is on and my progress as I have stepped out in faith with full time mission work through e3.  I will try to blog at least once a week if not more.  If through reading this you want to partner with me in ministry, please email me at franny.lowry@e3partners.org and we can talk more.  I'm currently in need of financial supports AS WELL AS prayer supporters.  I want to build up a prayer team as quickly as I can to help fight against the enemy during this time as well as praying for the future Americans I will be mobilizing to go on trips with me and the nationals we will be ministering to. :)