Hello Friends of the Phifer-Houseman Family,
This message comes incredibly belated, yet it would be sad to not end properly with a closure post. When we first set out to raise funds, I thought we ought to present some sort of structure in order to have any chance at even making a dent in the Phifer-Housemans' financial need, like a gala, auction, or other special event to raise money.
At the suggestion of another friend, we decided to simply ask people to give. And seriously, you guys gave! Our final grand total of all the funds raised amounts to $21,695.30! What a powerful and generous impact you all have made as a community. Not only did the Phifer-Housemans experience this blessing, but I've been so blessed to observe the power of generosity in the context of community. I went into this endeavor with the faith of a mustard seed that not much would come of it, but clearly God still moved mountains =)
Thanks everyone! Please keep the Phifer-Housemans in prayer, and in friendship be mindful to continue to inquire of and pray for their needs as we all do the same for each other.
Happy New Year!
-Marie Fang
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Monday, June 23, 2014
Grand Sub-total
Ack! Forgot to say-----our current grand total is $16, 275 raised (not counting what Marie and I still have to sell on eBay and craigslist). Amazing!
Almost There . . .
Friends:
Think of this blog post as a huge hug to all of you who have given and prayed (and prayed that people would give) to our P-H Dire Straits Fund. Your love and generosity mean so much.
Financially speaking, it's enabled us to pay off one 0% credit card before we were hit with interest (Thank You, Jesus!), make it through the chaos of moving and the navigating security deposits, repairs and extra set-up costs, help Yodit with her deposit for next year's Arrowsmith program and fund a sabbatical from the Lord. Hallelujah. We have one last 0% loan to deal with before August, but so much less financial pressure than two months ago, that it finally feels like we can breathe.
Emotionally speaking, your care and generosity feels like being enveloped in an enormous group hug----a "cinnamon roll" if you will. Usually I will not submit to these on the grounds that they are just too touchy-feely. But, in this case, I can only say, "Thank you all, so very, very much".
Back in January, when the full force of our move into one of the worst rental markets in the history of the South Bay hit us (amidst an already stressful year), it felt like the valley was literally spitting us out, as if to say, "You don't belong here. You have no place in this valley." But then within weeks God brought so many people, like you----from our community and folks who were totally unknown to us----who extended themselves in care, concern and generosity of spirit, as if God was saying in return, "See, I have many people in this place."
Thank you for being the family of God and the voice of God to us in this turbulent time. We are humbled and incredibly grateful,
Gayll and Mark
Think of this blog post as a huge hug to all of you who have given and prayed (and prayed that people would give) to our P-H Dire Straits Fund. Your love and generosity mean so much.
Financially speaking, it's enabled us to pay off one 0% credit card before we were hit with interest (Thank You, Jesus!), make it through the chaos of moving and the navigating security deposits, repairs and extra set-up costs, help Yodit with her deposit for next year's Arrowsmith program and fund a sabbatical from the Lord. Hallelujah. We have one last 0% loan to deal with before August, but so much less financial pressure than two months ago, that it finally feels like we can breathe.
Emotionally speaking, your care and generosity feels like being enveloped in an enormous group hug----a "cinnamon roll" if you will. Usually I will not submit to these on the grounds that they are just too touchy-feely. But, in this case, I can only say, "Thank you all, so very, very much".
Back in January, when the full force of our move into one of the worst rental markets in the history of the South Bay hit us (amidst an already stressful year), it felt like the valley was literally spitting us out, as if to say, "You don't belong here. You have no place in this valley." But then within weeks God brought so many people, like you----from our community and folks who were totally unknown to us----who extended themselves in care, concern and generosity of spirit, as if God was saying in return, "See, I have many people in this place."
Thank you for being the family of God and the voice of God to us in this turbulent time. We are humbled and incredibly grateful,
Gayll and Mark
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Update!
Wowza!
...In less than a month you all have already contributed $11,8745 to the Phifer-Houseman family. I'm so amazed! Thank you all for your generous contributions.
That still leaves us with just over $8,000 remaining before we reach our goal amount. We'd like to reach this goal by the end of June. If you are planning on giving to the Phifer-Housemans and are simply waiting to accumulate or redistribute funds as time allows, please contact the Phifer-Houseman's by May 15th to let them know the amount you plan to give (or ballpark amount) so they can plan accordingly. If you plan to give but are unsure of what amount you will give yet, your generosity is still welcomed!
So blessed to see community coming together in this way,
-Marie Fang
...In less than a month you all have already contributed $11,8745 to the Phifer-Houseman family. I'm so amazed! Thank you all for your generous contributions.
That still leaves us with just over $8,000 remaining before we reach our goal amount. We'd like to reach this goal by the end of June. If you are planning on giving to the Phifer-Housemans and are simply waiting to accumulate or redistribute funds as time allows, please contact the Phifer-Houseman's by May 15th to let them know the amount you plan to give (or ballpark amount) so they can plan accordingly. If you plan to give but are unsure of what amount you will give yet, your generosity is still welcomed!
So blessed to see community coming together in this way,
-Marie Fang
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Paypal Update
One of our blog readers informed me of a nice change in PayPal policy. It is now FREE to make a payment through PayPal balance or direct bank transfer through PayPal. That is, you are charged $0 for sending the money and the Phifer-Housemans will be charged $0 for receiving it.
If you use PayPal to send money via debit or credit card, you will still be charged the usual 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction as before. View PayPal's updated policy here:
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/paypal-fees
Scroll to the bottom for info on sending and requesting money.
So feel free to send money via all the available means!
And I'm doing a little victory dance that so far you all have contributed over $3,000 to the Phifer-Houseman family! What a great start!
If you use PayPal to send money via debit or credit card, you will still be charged the usual 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction as before. View PayPal's updated policy here:
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/paypal-fees
Scroll to the bottom for info on sending and requesting money.
So feel free to send money via all the available means!
And I'm doing a little victory dance that so far you all have contributed over $3,000 to the Phifer-Houseman family! What a great start!
Friday, March 21, 2014
Who is Hosting this Blog?
What's this Blog?
The Phifer-Houseman family has experienced significant financial strain throughout the past year. They could use our help to recover financially and get back on their feet. Our plan is to use our common property to build a financial foundation underneath them.
This blog is run by Marie Fang. She is a friend of the Phifer-Houseman's and attends their small group at the River Church Community. She will help monitor the amount of giving and post updates to this blog regularly.
What's this Blog?
The Phifer-Houseman family has experienced significant financial strain throughout the past year. They could use our help to recover financially and get back on their feet. Our plan is to use our common property to build a financial foundation underneath them.
"And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need."
-Acts 4:32-35
What a beautiful testimony to the strength of God's people when we unite! Why can't we do the same as the Acts 4 church by sharing our finances with our friends?
The Breakdown
The Phifer-Houseman family has had to put an array of costs on their credit cards in order to meet their needs, including various medical, legal, college, car, and rent fees they didn't have sufficient income to cover. Their credit card debt is currently at zero interest. A portion of their debt will begin accruing interest in June, while the remainder will accrue interest beginning in August.
The Phifer-Housemans are also in the process of moving (not by choice). This move involves an array of additional costs and also puts them in a position that makes it difficult for them to find additional sources of income at this time. They can anticipate that their debt will significantly deepen during the next several months without financial assistance.
The Bottom Line
The Phifer-Houseman's credit card debt amounts to $12,000. They've also estimated a need for an additional $8,000 during the next several months to help defray moving costs and rent. Our goal is to raise $20,000 for the Phifer-Houseman family by the end of JUNE to cover both their credit card debt and their additional needs. However, if there is opportunity to raise even more than this, that would be great!
How to Give
In addition to paying via check or cash directly to Mark or Gayll, you can give through Dwolla. Dwolla is much preferred over PayPal because Dwolla charges a flat fee of 25 cents per transaction, while PayPal charges 2.9% of every transaction PLUS 30 cents. If we raise $20k, that's $600 down the drain with PayPal!! Dwolla also allows you to cover the 25 cent fee yourself if you wish. How to give on Dwolla:
Create an account at Dwolla
Send money to email account: GayllPH@gmail.com
If you wish, you may also send money through PayPal instead.
If you have money available to give, please be prayerful of giving to the Phifer-Housemans generously in a way that's beyond your normal giving commitments. If it would be more of a sacrifice for you to give at this time, please consider praying about giving sacrificially from your tax refund, or redirecting some money you would usually be putting into investment accounts during the next few months.
This blog will be updated with giving updates on a regular basis. You can also enter your email in the left side bar to sign up for email updates.
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