First things first...

Dear Friends and Family,

As you may or may not have known, I’ve been praying for my next direction in life.  Over recent years, I have realized that I have become too comfortable in Southern California.  Comfort has never been something I’ve strived for, yet here I am, finding myself trapped by the allure.  Although my heart wanted to leave Los Angeles, I know I needed to wait for God’s leading.  Was He going to keep me in LA, or was He going to provide another opportunity?  As doors have closed, I continued to wait on Him.  He has now opened a door of great adventure and opportunity.

Starting at the end of June, I will be leaving the United States and working for International Justice Mission (IJM) as an Investigations Fellow in Rwanda.  IJM is a human rights agency based in Washington, DC that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of violent oppression internationally. IJM lawyers, investigators, and aftercare professionals work with local officials to ensure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators, and to promote functioning public justice systems.  My role as an Investigations Fellow includes leading cases of illegal property seizure and sexual violence, conducting training for the local police, and working alongside other investigators and the local police to apprehend perpetrators.

My move to Rwanda will be for one year and is a volunteer position.  I will receive no pay, and I am responsible for the finances associated with this new journey.  That being said, I need your help, and I need your help in two crucial ways:

1. Prayer.  God is leading me down this path.  It is for Him that I follow.  It is through Him that I will succeed.  However, He does not intend for me to do it alone.  If you do anything at all, please pray - for Rwanda, for IJM, for me.  I will be setting up a Prayer Support Team, and if you will commit to regularly praying for me, I will put you on that list.  In return, I will commit to regularly updating you on how God is working in Rwanda through IJM and me.
2. Financial support.  Below, I’ve listed a projected budget for the year.  You can give in two ways. First, you can give to IJM.  Further information is listed in the attached “How to Provide Financial Support.”  IJM reimburses me through the support that I’ve raised, and your donation is tax-deductible.  Second, you can give directly to me.  There are several costs that aren’t reimbursed by IJM, and that direct donation will be extremely helpful.

Qualified Reimbursements:
Training Week Airfare/Transportation						$400
Training Week Per Diem						$195
Airfare to/from Field Office						$2,500
Visa Runs/Fees/Postage						$400
Support Raising Costs (postage, materials, etc.)						$200
Immunizations						$700
International insurance	$170	/month	X	12	months =	$2,040
Total Estimated Costs:						$6,435
Per Diem:	$35	/day	X	365	days =	$12,775
		Total Suggested Budget:				$19,210
Housing Per Diem:	$20.30	/day	X	365	days =	$7,409.50
		Total Maximum Budget:				$26,619.50

“All that is required for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” - Edmund Burke

Thank you in advance for doing something.  It is with great honor that I partner with you and IJM to battle injustice for Christ in a land that thirsts for it.  If you want to know more about IJM and the work that they do visit www.ijm.org or email me at ams.angelo@gmail.com.  

Thank you and may God bless you greatly,

Anthony Angelo

PS

Also, please forward this blog to, or put me in touch with others who you think would be interested in walking alongside me this next year as well.