Kids Alive Website

The new Kids Alive website is up and running and looks very good! They had a pretty out-dated site so the improvements have helped with how to support missionaries online as well. It is now very easy and convenient to go on and find me and support me without sending a check or anything.

The best way to do If you put your mouse over “Around the World” at the top of the screen, a box will pop up with a list of all the countries with KAI missionaries. Click on the Dominican Republic. At the bottom of that page there is a list of missionaries. If you click on my name a box pops up with my biography and a section where you can donate. You can put your amount in that box there. From there they select “Support Now.” This will take you to an overview screen where you can see the missionary name, and the amount you will be supporting. When you are done, you can select “Checkout” at the lower right side of the box. The screen will then go to one where they can put in their billing address. The next screen will ask where they heard about Kids Alive. From there it will go to a final payment screen where you can input you credit card information and submit final payment.

Let me know if you have any questions/problems with the new site so I can pass them along and get them fixed.

[Af of now there is no way to become a monthly supporter through the website. The best way to do this is to just email me and I can help you/send a support letter to you or to call1-800-543-7330 which is Kids Alive's office and you can do it all real quick through that number. Thanks!]

July

After returning from Mission Training in Colorado I really hit the group running in June going straight to back-to-back basketball camps at multiple weddings. After a road trip from Chicago to Arizona life has finally begun to settle down a bit. I don't have anymore camps until the end of July so a lot of my time right now is being spent finalizing support raising and some details for my departure in September.

The reality of me leaving soon really sunk in last week when I got an update on one of the families that I was in Colorado with had already moved to Ecuador and was getting settled in. But with my move still 2 months away right now I am enjoying spending time with my family and friends.

I am starting to put my email update list together and have decided to not deal with the hassle of updating via mail. My 2 forms of updates will be through this blog and through email, so please send me your email address if you want to be added to the list! I'm anticipating sending an email update every month or so and then updating this blog on a fairly regular basis. I'm also working on my ministry prayer card/magnet, email me your address if you want to receive one so you can remember to keep me in your prayers.

I am encouraged in support raising that I have reached about 85% of support needed for my 2 years in the DR. I still have a decent amount to raise and if you have been meaning to send in support for me, this is a GREAT time to do it. Every little bit helps especially as I'm getting closer and closer to the goal. As always don't hesitate to call or email with any questions regarding my departure, plans, or support raising.

Colorado

For the past 2 weeks I have been in Colorado Springs going through a program called Mission Training International.  It was strongly recommended to me by Kids Alive and also by Dave Holzhauer who served in Constanza for the past few years and has been a big help to me.  I didn't know what to expect, but the experience has been an unbelievable one and I feel so much more prepared for what is to come in the DR.  The first day or 2 was OK, the training sessions were great but I mostly kept to myself because I didn't think I would really relate with anyone here.  

The second night we were here I had an unbelievable transformation in my heart.  It is hard to explain, especially on a blog, but I was preparing for a bible study the next morning for our small group and I was just very convicted about tearing down walls I have built up my whole life and becoming more transparent as a person.  I thought back to a conversation I had with a good friend and former roommate about how when things weren't going well for him spiritually that he started praying that God would turn his desires into God's desires.  I was feeling pretty low and unprepared for the DR spiritually a few weeks ago so even though I didn't mean it and wasn't ready to give up some areas of my life selfishly, but I kept praying.  That Tuesday night God finally answered my prayer and everything seemed to click and make sense finally!  The sermon at Glen Ellyn Bible Church before I left was about the qualities and high standards that are laid out in 1st timothy for elders in the church.  For some reason the sermon stuck with me and I didn't know why.  During that night God changed my heart to truly desire these characteristics and qualities of Godly men in my life.  I thought back to the witness of my dad's life and all I wanted to do was strive to become the man that God has called me to be.  Kinda confusing and hard to explain but an unbelievable experience for me. 

The next morning in our small group I really felt comfortable and really wanted to open up to the guys in my small group.  It was such a freeing time and an opportunity for great growth.  In the 2 short weeks here I have already established great relationships with the men in my small group and others here at MTI.  My expectations and what I wanted to get out of these 3 weeks have been truly shattered by God and I have grown so much.  

I feel very separated from Wheaton and family right now, but it is funny to think that out of everyone living at our house I am actually the closest one to home right now!  Caroline has been in Europe for a 10 week business program and is Germany right now, Chris left early early friday morning for Europe with my grandparents and his good friend steve, and my parents are laying out by the pool in Arizona! Strange.  Although I am ready and excited to leave for the DR, I am looking forward to the next couple months in Wheaton.

How to Support

If you are feeling the tug on your heart to support me and Kids Alive International and the work that is going on in the DR there are a few ways you can help.

Prayer

-As I mentioned on my prayer page this is the BIGGEST way you can help me.  God answers prayers and works in miraculous ways. Please pray for me.  Also, please encourage me either on the prayer page or through email telling me that I am being kept in your prayers! 

Financially

-Right now the easiest way to support me financially is to email me your home address so that I can send you a support letter.  Inside this letter is everything you will need in order to become a donor for me.  

-In early July, Kids Alive (my sending agency) will be completely relaunching their website and it will be much easier to donate online.  After mid-July all you will have to do is find me on the new web site and follow the instructions from there.

-As for giving online right now the only ways are via paypal and by check.

As for right now you can follow this link SUPPORT KYLE.  This will take you to their current website and if you have paypal or wish to pay by check then just fill out the necessary fields and put my name under the missionary you wish to support (makes sense). 

-Right now my financial needs are that I need more monthly supporters.  Whether it is $5 or $100 a month every bit matters at this point.  Support raising has given me a whole new perspective about money, and that in the end it is all God's money.  Before I leave in September I would love to add 15-20 more monthly supporters, please prayerfully consider if this is God's calling on your heart.

Thank you so much for considering this.  It means a lot to me to know that so many people from back home are surrounding me and supporting me as I set out for this journey.

My Timeline

I figure this is as good of a topic as any for my first post.  My time in the states is quickly winding down and I wanted to make sure that everyone was informed of where I'll be leading up to the DR.

May 25-June 12

-I am currently at Mission Training International where I am going through a conference type series preparing me for the Dominican Republic.  It is only day 4 but it has far and away exceeded my expectations and I can't even begin to explain how much I have grown.  It is such a blessing to be surrounded by such great people and share a passion for missions.

June-August

-I will be in Wheaton finishing up support raising and preparing to leave for the DR.

-During this time I will hopefully become a member at Glen Ellyn Bible Church, brush up on some spanish, as well as prepare for the big transitions ahead.

Mid-September

-This is when I am tentatively scheduled to leave the states for good.

-I will be attending language school in Guatemala for 1-2 months (hopefully 1).

-In addition to attending school I will be fully immersed in Guatemalan culture and live with a Guatemalan family.

Mid-October

-This is hopefully when I will make my way officially to the Dominican Republic.

-This date is also tentative based on when/how long I am in Guatemala.

As always feel free to email or call me at any time if you have any questions, I would love to hear from you.

Kyle.Bradley@my.wheaton.edu 

630-220-5953