a better story.

I read a book once by Donald Miller called “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years”.  In it, he basically said that each of us is living out our lives like a story.  Most of us live our story sitting on the couch eating potato chips and preferring to watch made up stories on television than live out our own.  We’ve been tricked into living comfortable lives where taking risks seems like too much work.  Miller says, “If our story is boring, it’s because we’ve chosen a safe route.”  I’ve been thinking about this as I have decided to quit my job and begin working with Back2Back.  Undoubtedly it is a risk.  There are times (dare I admit even entire days) when I wonder if I am crazy and making a huge mistake.  It is certainly a little crazy to leave a stable job in pursuit of a career with no promise of financial security.  But it is no mistake.  When I think about my life and the story that I am living, I want it to look more like an old western adventure rather than an episode of The View.  What good is my life if I get to the end and say I lived in a comfortable house and most people liked me?  No thanks.  Before you make your next big decision, ask yourself what the character in a great story would decide to do?  My decision led me to quit my job, take a stand for orphans, and trust that God will provide. 

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

change of direction!

Hello! I hope this post finds each of you well. I have some exciting news to share with you, that I am just bubbling over to tell you about! A couple of months ago, I felt God calling me to make a change in my life-- one dedicated to serving Him. I knew it had to be God’s voice, because to be honest, I was fairly comfortable where I was. I began to pray; asking God to open doors, and promised that wherever He led, I would follow. Not long after, I made some bold moves that many viewed as crazy. In the middle of an economic crisis, I quit a program I was in school for because I knew my motivation was purely to live an “easy” life. I decided easy wasn’t going to cut it for the longing I had in my heart to do the work of God. Then, in a strangely poetic way, God opened doors and brought me back to a ministry I first got involved with when I was just 14 years old. It was then that I went to Mexico with Back2Back Ministries on a week long mission trip and fell in love with a 3-year-old orphan named Karla. My eyes were opened to the injustices occurring to children all over the world. Putting a name and a face on poverty gave me a heart for children in need. Back2Back Ministries is a non-profit organization committed to caring for orphans around the world. Currently, they have missionaries working in Mexico, India, and Nigeria to provide for the needs of children whose parents are either unable to care for them or have chosen not to. About a year ago, Back2Back began a Child Sponsorship Program that allows people to financially sponsor a child every month. Child sponsorship allows Back2Back to ensure each child receiving sponsorship is cared for spiritually, physically, educationally, emotionally and socially. Initially, this program was headed up by Claire Rogers, another Back2Back home office missionary, who already had a full plate of responsibilities. As the number of sponsored children has grown and we witness the impact it is having, the ministry has realized that the program needs a full time missionary to manage and grow it, so that more children can be reached. Enter me. Back2Back has invited me into the position of manager of the Child Sponsorship Program! I could not be more thrilled about this position, and have a vision for not only the children around the world that will benefit from sponsorship, but also the change that can occur in the lives of people who choose to sponsor a child and become a part of God’s plan! Beyond just financial support, the goal of sponsorship is to develop a relationship between sponsor and child that will allow the child to know that they are loved and have not been forgotten. My goal is that neither life will be the same as a result of the bond formed. The work I will be doing at Back2Back will allow hundreds of children to receive the care they need to offer them a brighter tomorrow.

It is estimated that there are more than 132 million children worldwide who have been orphaned by disaster, disease or poverty, or abandoned on the streets by their parents. They are left in a difficult world to fend for themselves. Many of them have been abused, either physically, emotionally, or sexually. It is easy to become overwhelmed by statistics such as these, throw up our hands, and believe there is nothing we can do. But the God in Heaven is bigger than every injustice, every broken heart, and every orphaned child. He is already calling and sending people to remote locations, to find the broken hearts, to care for them, and to tell them about a God who came to earth to save them, so that one day they can spend eternity in Heaven. The orphans of this life may be forgotten by the world, but God has not forgotten them!

With this call to ministry comes steps of faith that have tested my belief in God’s promise to provide for those willing to do His work. Every staff person at Back2Back is a missionary, and raises 100% of their own financial support. This allows for 91% of all general funds raised to go directly to the needs of the children, and 9% for operational expenses. Therefore, before I begin my work, I must raise enough support to quit my current full time job. Would you take a moment and ask God what He would have you do to support this work? All of us are blessed. If you have in your heart the orphans around the world, I would be grateful for your support, whether it is a special gift or a monthly donation. I believe God calls each of us to do our part in His work. I will do my part, but I need you to come alongside. I pray that just as I feel blessed in following this calling in my life, that you will also be blessed as you answer a call to partner with me. If you are unable to give or do not feel led, I pray at the very least this post blesses you and encourages you to know that God is moving in big ways! I pray my life is a testimony to the work God is doing and gives glory to Him who has called me to serve.

I have one last really big request, one that means more to me than the financial support. Would you pray for me? I have never had a job in a ministry, and this position is bigger than I am capable of on my own. I know God has brought me here, and He is going to use me to do big things, but I can’t do it without Him. I can’t tell you how excited I am (has the number of exclamation points that I’ve used conveyed it yet? I promise I have tried to keep them to a minimum but sometimes a period just won’t due). I would love to tell you more about this, and answer any questions you have. I generally can’t shut up about the whole thing, and feel like I am bursting at the seams whenever anyone asks me about it. I would love to talk to you about it if you have any questions or would like to hear more!

Thank you for all of your prayers and love! I feel so blessed by the support of amazing family and friends in my life!

May God bless each of you,

Tallie Betscher

All gifts are tax deductible. Back2Back Ministries is accredited by The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). If you have any questions, you may call Karen Holliday in our Finance Department at (513) 754-0300 ext. 1707.

You may mail your financial gift to: Back2Back Ministries, PO Box 70, Mason, Ohio 45040

You can also give electronically online at http://www.back2backministries.org/