A Letter from E.J. McKnight

**** My nonprofit 501c3 has finally been approved, so all donations are tax deductible****

                        TOGETHER AS ONE, INC   EIN# 87-4095295

Twenty five years ago I visited the Republic of the Philippines for the first time. I traveled with a missionary friend and a group of high school/college students. That trip changed my life. I had engaged in Christian mission work before in South America and here in the United States, but it did NOT prepare me for the transformation of my heart that ensued.

I  recently returned from my 74 Philippine trip, and it was as rewarding as the first. I am in love with the people. In fact, I probably have more close personal friends in the Republic of the Philippines than I do here in the United States. Except for the initial two trips I have traveled alone, but with the Lord’s guidance and financial help from many friends, I have been part of something incredible. Two churches have been built and/or renovated. Three schools have received major overhauls and equipment. Surgeries have been secured, libraries established, 27 educations have been funded, hundreds of individuals and thousands of smiles have been generated. I am not a wealthy man, so I depend on the support of generous donations to fund these projects. I assume all of my own expenses, so every cent raised goes toward the projects... there are NO organization overhead expenses!

One of my greatest joys has been to provide students with funding to study. Some have already graduated from college and are engaged in the workplace. Some are struggling in their quest for jobs, and some are still involved in day to day studies. Many others have received some temporary help with tuition and supplies for school. Some have also needed appendectomies, glasses, dental work, stitches, minor surgeries, general health checkups, and a “dad.” I have always been quite humbled by those who have bestowed that unofficial honor on me. I have also been honored to be given the opportunity to share God’s love for us over a hundred times, and with the help of some local Pastors, I have experienced surviving a typhoon  under a piece of rusted corrugated metal, and journeyed through some incredibly rough mountain terrain.

I have no set criteria for offering my help. I allow God to nudge me when He wants me to act. There are no prerequisites, only a very real tug on my heart.

I love these young people. I love this country. I cannot explain why God has placed my heart on the other side of the world. It would have been so much easier (AND CHEAPER) had He given me a calling closer to home. But, my job is not to question the calling. My job is to be faithful to the calling!!!!! The Philippine people are the most resilient and creative I have ever encountered in handling disasters and adversity, and they deserve very effort I can generate.

BUT THE CALLING REQUIRES MONEY, and I will always be grateful to those who have donated and to those who will help me in the future. Should your heart be moved to help me in this ministry, please contact me at 904-955-7742 or EJM22048@aol.com. There are still so many things I still want to accomplish for these deserving people.

Donations can be accepted through any of the following:

Checks can be written to TOGETHER AS ONE, INC and sent to E.J. McKnight at 1435 Cheshire Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32207

VENMO...Edwin McKnight ( EJ-McKnight-1)

CASH APP... Edwin McKnight ( $EJM22048 )

PAYPAL...Edwin James McKnight ( use email or cell number above )

Each of these methods is linked to TOGETHER AS ONE, INC.   EIN #87-4095295

THANK YOU.