Because you gave over $327,000 in the last three months of 2010 to the NOW campaign, 2011 will be a year of progress and growth. Giving came in amazing ways: Children gave up Christmas gifts; adults gave up retirement funds; churches,

businesses, and families gave collectively; countless people bought Back to Africa gifts; some donated proceeds from art and music projects, and small businesses committed portions of fall revenues in advance. What an incredible joy to witness such creative, sacrificial and inspirational giving.

We will continue to believe that God can fully meet the NOW goal before the end of this month, BUT

because of what He has already miraculously provided we are NOW ready to move full speed ahead.

In February, new missionaries will take their posts in Africa, and members of the HOB home staff will be overseas as well. Construction projects will begin; orphaned children will move into new spaces; and new economic development projects will launch. It will be an exciting and busy year, and we need help on the field more than ever before.
 

Consider helping in two ways this year:

1. We have at least ten teams going out in 2011, but we specifically need more workers for our Zambia Ministry and Construction Trip in June. Multiple facilities are under construction, and our partners need encouragement in all of their ministries to orphans and the needy. Pray about going to Zambia and get all of the details here.

2. Help spread the word that we are praying for more full time missionaries to go engage in discipleship and economic development. Many important eternal opportunities are waiting NOW. Any candidate can learn how to begin online at heartofthebride.org, or contact Caryn Rominger in our office: 850-678-9008.

If you want to learn more about ministry developments, keep up with us online through our new "page flip" feature: We now have the technology to post our printed materials online so you can "flip" through them! Check out our 2010 Christmas Newsletter
 

If you are close enough to come, you can still attend  the Heart of the Bride Annual Gathering on January 29 in Niceville, FL. Through interactive booths, stage presentations, and multimedia, we creatively share in one evening enough information and inspiration to keep you moving forward with us in the coming year. Contact amy@heartofthebride.org  if you want to register or add guests. Capacity is limited.

We want to share a couple of great ways to give to Heart of the Bride that you might not be aware of:

1. Donate Your Skymiles to HOB!  It's an easy way to support HOB staff when they travel on behalf of the ministry, and it has a significant impact on keeping our administration costs low. To make a donation contact Amy amy@heartofthebride.org

2. Donate directly from your IRA by January 31, 2011, and receive tax benefits for 2010 (if you're over 70 1/2)! The Tax Relief Act recently passed by Congress means your Required Minimum Distribution can be given to HOB and won't be counted as income. It will be available for 2010 and 2011 but you must act by January 31, 2011 to make it count toward your 2010 taxes.  A simple summary of this option is here.  Consult your tax or investment advisor for more info.
 

3. Heart of the Bride is working to become a  National/International Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) participant!

We've been part of the local area CFC before but in 2011 we plan to take our donation opportunities national. This will be a great way to involve your network of friends and coworkers in the ministry. We will provide more details once it becomes official. The impact could be significant if friends of HOB get the word out.