Frequently Asked Questions

I'm going to try something new. I'm going to be short, sweet, and to the point, while trying to answer many of the questions people have been asking me. The whole being concise thing is new to me :-) but I'll give it a shot!

1. "What will you be doing?"
Good question! A large part of my work will be administrative. The members of the team there are headed in so many different directions! I'm hoping to take some of the pressure of paper work and communication and details off them so they can focus on other aspects of their ministry. Cause I LIKE details and organizing and nerdy things like that! :-) Other opportunities include:
*A small (English-speaking!) Christian school.
*A camp that is being started by my teammates, Andrew and Leah Postema.
*The youth group and young adults group at the church in Bucharest.
*Sunday School teacher training.
*A ministry to unwed mothers.
*An orphanage visitation group.
These are just some of the things I'm aware of, and I'm sure I'll see more once I'm in Bucharest. I'm excited about the various opportunities, and many seem to be a good fit for me!

2. "When will you leave?"
Really, there is nothing holding me here in Columbus. I'll leave as soon as I have raised all my support (ABWE requires that I have 100% before I can go), but I have no idea how long that will take. I could be home for six months or two years, it just totally depends.

3. "How much support do you have to raise?"
The total amount is $2,704.05 a month, for two years. Housing is the biggest expense, because rent in Bucharest is ridiculous. Originally, they had me budgeted at $1600 a month JUST for rent, but they have bumped it down to $1000 a month with the stipulation that I find a roommate. Because of the weak US dollar and the fact that Bucharest is in the top five of the most expensive cities in Europe, this amount really IS necessary.

4. "What are you doing now?"
I'm working full-time at Walgreens still. I'm also just beginning the process of raising support. I finished copying and addressing the first round of support letters just yesterday, and will meet with the Missions Committee and Deacons at my church this week. I'll soon be making prayer cards, working on a presentation and display, and then contacting churches where I can present. I will also (hopefully) be starting Romanian classes at OSU in September. Added to that, I'm thinking and praying about how I can be involved in my home church while I'm here. As you can see, I am indeed busy.

5. "How can I help?"
I'm so glad you asked! :-) First of all, you can pray. I'll be sending out regular prayer updates, and I'd be happy to send you a prayer card as well. If you'd like to be involved that way, email me at: kabernathy@abwe.cc
I'd love to add you to my prayer list!
Second, of course I need financial supporters as well. The nice thing about being short term is that I can accept monthly gifts and one times gifts, and both are REALLY helpful to me as I begin this process. If you'd like to be involved this way, you can also email me (see above), and I would love to send you a support letter, or give you information about how to contact ABWE.
Third, there are a MYRIAD of other ways you can help me, if you'd like! I need people who are good with computers and PowerPoint to help me with a presentation. I need people who like talking on the phone to help me make contact with churches and figure out which ones would be good opportunities for me. I need people who are good at public speaking and can help me and give me pointers. And I ALWAYS need creative people who will brainstorm will me, help with prayer cards, and think about how to make a display. As you can see...I need a lot of help. If any of this sounds up your alley...please email me!

I think that's about all I have. Thanks for your interest in me as I prepare to go. And sorry that the whole "short, sweet, and to the point" thing didn't work out so well! ;-)