Interview with Toru and Ikuko Ogawa-san, The Navigators University Ministry. Sendai, Japan.

Question 1: How have you "felt" about fundraising in your 25 years with The Navigators?

TORU: Fundraising has been a heavy burden to me—a never-achieved goal. What I did for raising support was only writing letters to appeal my ministry needs. I always have been under economical pressure. For ten…

Do you follow up after funding appointments? What if people promise to give, but don’t start?

Here is a letter exchange with my friend H. about checking back after appointments. What do you think of my counsel?

I had just finished a conference at Glen Eyrie on training international fundraising coaches, and I was exhausted in a good way. I went for my Sunday afternoon swim at Bally’s Torture Chamber, but later I found myself back…

Made it home safely last night about 7 p.m. On the airplane I recorded these “metrics”:

Appointments: 13 appointments over 7 days in 4 states plus a funeral (interacted with 27 individuals—staff, giving partners, future donors)

Yesterday’s 7 a.m. breakfast was with a periodic, sporadic giving partner who gives when he receives lawyer settlements. He also owns four homes. I said, “You mean you have four mortgages!” Right. So no monthly! But his heart is with us, and he will continue to give periodically as the Lord leads. I have no doubt…

Spent the day coaching two staff couples in their fundraising.  Here is what seemed to connect:

• Bible study entitled “Four Money-words Ministry Workers Must Know Well!” Do you know them? B—, S—, B—, T—. Good discussion and good laughing over the question, “What did Paul the Apostle teach about tithing?” Highlight for me was the wives actively and energetically participating!

Made it to Baltimore okay but left late and arrived late. I noticed again that the favorite topic of conversation among air travelers is complaining about air travel--late arrivals, poor food, cramped seats, etc. A few years ago I decided not to join in on these conversations. I'm just glad to arrive safely in a few hours as opposed to a few days!

Tomorrow I start a seven-day trip to visit three staff and nine giving partners on the East Coast. Actually, eight giving partners and one Nav alumni I haven't seen in 20 years! She seemed glad on the phone, but it's been such a long time I find myself apprehensive.

Typically I try to see at least 14 people on a seven-day trip…