Bridges, Books & You

In 2009 I took my first mission trip, to Guatemala, alongside my friend Kevin McQuaig. I thought I was going to give something. I had no idea how much I would be given. Seventeen-plus trips later, I still come home with more than I brought.

For the past decade, that work has been in Honduras with Mission Lazarus. Over the years our teams have dug a well and installed a water system that gave a village clean water for the first time. We've built a bridge. We've built houses, schools and work on a coffee farm. And every year we install as many latrines as we can, because basic health and dignity matters more than we realize.

This February we're attempting the biggest project we've ever taken on: two bridges, a well, and a full water distribution system, all on one trip.

The goal is $130,000. Because of the generosity of people like you, we've raised roughly $80,000. That leaves $50,000 between a community and safe crossings and clean water.

I'm asking you to help us close that gap.

Donate here: https://www.missionlazarus.org/?form=FUNQTFPHRGC

Here is what I've learned after all these years: the people who give are every bit as much a part of this team as the people who go. Without both, none of it happens. If you give, your name is on those bridges whether your boots ever touch the ground or not.

One more way to be part of it.

Earlier this year I published a book called Hope in the Grind. It's a 90-day devotional for people trying to live out their faith in the middle of real work and real life. It grew out of the daily emails I've been writing to our team, friends, and family for more than six years. (If you'd like to be added to the list, just let me know).

For the month of October, every dollar I make from the book goes to the Honduras trip. If you've been meaning to pick up a copy, or you know someone who could use some encouragement right now, this is a good month to do it.

Get the book here: https://amzn.to/3U9RpQp

I'll be straight with you. A direct gift goes much further than a book royalty, so if you can only do one, please give. But if a book in your hands, or in the hands of a friend, also helps put a bridge over a river and a bridge between the frantic grind of life and a peace that surpasses all, I'd call that a good trade.

Thank you for reading this far, and for considering it. The impact reaches further than any of us will ever get to see.

With gratitude,

Matt

Donate: https://www.missionlazarus.org/?form=FUNQTFPHRGC

Book: https://amzn.to/3U9RpQp

Here we are after completing the piping from the well to the tank that will provide water to the community below.

A happy family with a new latrine