Letter to Supporters

June 27, 2001

Dear family and friends,

I guess my dad's been right all along. He always introduces me to his friends as "my son, the missionary in Haiti." His pride couldn't be more evident, yet being referred to as a missionary has always made me cringe. I fear that the moment people hear "missionary in Haiti" an image of me preaching "fire and brimstone" to Haitians pops into their minds. Nothing I do here resembles that.

Now, if by "missionary" we mean someone who is working for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, then, yes, I am striving to be a missionary. Of course, by this definition, you probably are, too.

But maybe I match the stereotypical missionary image in a way you don’t; to a large extent, I live on the generosity of others. That is part of why I am writing you now. I’m going to be depending on your generosity more than ever.

Ten Year Anniversary

Last month marked ten years since I began this chapter; changing careers, moving to Haiti, learning a new language and culture. As most of you are aware, I've been involved with Beyond Borders and Limyè Lavi (BB’s affiliate in Haiti) from the very initial phase of conception right up to the present. This has been an extraordinarily compelling project for me. And it is humbling to know that literally thousands and thousands of people have been touched through our work both here in Haiti and abroad. I feel honored to have been a part of creating and developing these two unique organizations. The people that make up Limyè Lavi and Beyond Borders are like brothers and sisters to me. I hope I grow old working alongside this bunch!

Nonetheless, I've decided to change my role within our community. On July 1st, I became an associate of Beyond Borders and Limyè Lavi. I am no longer a full staff member. My decision to make this transition grew out of a tremendous amount of prayer, reflection, and dialogue with my co-workers.

There are two main reasons for making this change:

Making Space for Other Leaders: This move will give others involved in our work more space to take leadership and develop their potential. True, from the very beginning, Beyond Borders and Limyè Lavi have both functioned without a hierarchy at the staff level and decisions are made by consensus. Our intention was to create an organizational model which would foster inspired performance, where people would have the freedom and responsibility to follow their personal sense of call within our collectively defined mission. But, as the only founding member who continues to work in Haiti, there is a certain amount of power and authority that gravitates my way. For Limyè Lavi and Beyond Borders to continually evolve in healthy ways, and ways which are consistent with our intentions of continually nurturing the leadership potential of all involved, it is time for me to step away.

Making Space for Open Space: For more than five years I've been a practitioner of Open Space Technology, which is a particular methodology for facilitating meetings. Increasingly, I am invited to facilitate meetings in the Open Space format for organizations and networks wishing to foster broader participation and higher levels of creativity and synergy among those involved. Facilitating Open Space meetings and teaching others to facilitate them is at the core of my sense of call.

What does this change mean practically?

First, I will no longer be involved in decisions about organizational direction and policy. I will, however, collaborate closely with Beyond Borders and Limyè Lavi and their partners in various leadership development initiatives and with the Transformational Travel Program. In all of my activities I have established structures of accountability that will provide for the regular evaluation of my work by co-workers, associates, and those who I aim to help.

Secondly, I am now responsible for raising the full amount needed to cover my living and work-related expenses. Because I am choosing to become an associate, I am no longer in Beyond Borders’ budget and am not guaranteed any income beyond what I directly raise from supporters. Beyond Borders is, however, serving as my fiscal agent and will pass on to me 100% of the tax-deductible gifts that people make to Beyond Borders that are designated for me, up to my budget’s total. In Haiti, Limyè Lavi will provide me with accounting services and use of the office.

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

When we formed Beyond Borders and Limyè Lavi eight years ago, we knew that we never wanted them to become big bureaucracies, where people were simply showing up for work rather than following their calling. We wanted to "foster an entrepreneurial spirit" within our ranks and among our partners. Entrepreneurs bring their dreams to fruition. They take responsibilities for their ideas. This entails risk, hard work, and creativity.

This step I am taking is motivated by this entrepreneurial spirit and sense of call that we wanted everyone on staff to have. Of course, I am willing to take this risk because I trust that many people like you will join me and be a part of this call to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti and will respond to that call even if it requires personal sacrifice.

An Invitation to Continue to Accompany Me

I can't begin to express my gratitude to all of you who have accompanied me in this calling these past ten years. Your love, friendship, prayers, and many forms of support overwhelm me. Thank you so very much, from the bottom of my heart.

Will you continue with me as this new chapter begins? I’m asking you for friendship, prayers, ideas, feedback, suggestions, plus regular financial support.

I need to raise $2,500 per month to cover my living expenses and the cost of my work, which includes travel and transportation in Haiti and abroad, office supplies, mail service, internet access, etc. I can send you a detailed budget if you like.

I am enclosing a little form with this letter to make it easier for you to reply. Any support you could provide would be deeply appreciated. Pledges of monthly support are the biggest need because it gives me a clear idea of how much I still need to raise.

If you are currently giving to Beyond Borders and want to start designating your support for my work, you can indicate this there . If you want to designate support for me and also continue supporting Beyond Borders at some level, you can do that, too. Everyone on the staff and board of Beyond Borders is supportive of this move I’m making, so there is no competition between us. So, give in whatever way and at the level that feels right to you. In the happy event that funds designated for me exceed my yearly needs, I will let you know, and pass the excess on to Beyond Borders for other work we are doing here.

So, as you can see, I’m writing this letter to you much like missionaries all over the world write asking for support for their work. (Dad, I know that I’ll have to try harder now to not cringe when you introduce me as a missionary.) I’m a missionary in Haiti and have no intentions of changing my professional status. I feel as though I’m living out my call. I hope you feel that you are too.

I hope, too, that however you decide to respond to my invitation to help, you will do so out of your call and mission. We all need to be missionaries.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and for considering my request.

Love,

John

Tax deductible contributions can be made to: Beyond Borders, putting "for John Engle" on the memo line if you choose.