To the Editor:

We had an awesome time at our fundraiser, coffeehouse-style at Fairmont Evangelical Covenant Church on July 16. Members of the community, as well as the gourmet coffee industry, helped us raise nearly $1,000 for our missions trip to South Africa. I'd like to thank members of the community for buying coffee and chatting with us that night.

I'd also like to thank Edie's Restaurant, McDonald's, Pepsi in Mankato, Door County Coffee, Caffe D'Amore, Stirling Syrups, Chicago Coffee Roastery and Blue Mountain Espresso, and Pastor Dan Wheeler and his wife, Liz, for making the coffee. Your support has helped make it possible for us to minister to both physical and spiritual needs as we travel to South Africa, beginning Aug. 4.

We would love to have your prayers as we do soup kitchens, in-church presentations, and ministry to the poor. We will be returning Aug. 19. We will do a special presentation regarding our trip at Fairmont Covenant (901 Woodland Ave.) as soon as we get back from our trip.

Steven Osborne,

FECC youth pastor and

South Africa missions trip leader