The purpose is to raise money to support IRIS Ministries in Mozambique, Africa and to minister to those along the way about Jesus Christ. On August 14th of 2011 we will begin a canoe trip from Sugar Creek to the Gulf of Mexico just below New Orleans. The trip, “Sugar to Salt” we are calling it, will be 2000 miles in length encompassing five connecting rivers and ten states. It is hard to say how l
ong the trip will take, but we should be home by late November. Over the next few months, we will be raising money to help cover our trip expenses but the main focus will be raising funds to support IRIS Ministries in Mozambique, Africa. Founded as a small orphanage by Rolland and Heidi Baker in 1980, IRIS now supports nearly 10,000 children around the world and equips the next generation of African pastors through schooling, among other projects. We have a heart for the poor and we want to use the finances raised to help bring about the kingdom of God in Mozambique. The way that the trip and the mission come together is this: we want each mile we travel to support an orphan ($100 per month) or a pastor ($210 per year). Each of the first 1,478 miles (the river-distance from Jon's front porch to the Mississippi River) will equal full support for one orphan for a month. Each of the last 1,000 miles (the river distance from the mouth of the Mississippi to the Gulf) will support one pastor for one year of Bible training school. There will be multiple ways to give which include equipment, cash, and/or food. We are in the process of obtaining non-profit status and will have the ability for online transfers sometime in the spring. There is a final aspect of the trip. In the day-to-day travel we are expectant that as we take this step of faith, the Lord will bring discipline and maturity to our hearts, minds, and bodies. We anticipate opportunities to minister to people along the way who need to hear the good news of Christ. We hope to be able to spread the word to churches along the way concerning God’s work through IRIS. Jesus is the one who will receive the praise for He supplies, gives strength, and provides the words for those who are willing to live adventurously for Him.
