As you know, in the first week of April, 2009 the White House received more than 2.25 million empty red envelopes. All together the number of envelopes have surpassed 3 million. Washington insiders consider this one of the largest mail campaigns in our nation’s history.
What’s next?
The response to this simple email has been amazing! This shows the power of the “new media” and the power of a “sticky” idea. To be on the front of a truly “viral” phenomenon has been amazing, and also quite an education.
The White House has confirmed that 2.25 million envelopes were sent on March 31, 2009. It is one of the largest single mail campaigns in the past 35 years. At least 1 million envelopes were sent between January 22 and March 3o. That works out to roughly 17,000 a day.
THANK YOU.
Two weeks ago I made the decision that after March 31 I would be returning to my main focus–establishing prayer, creating a center of prayer in Boston, and preparing for the revival that I believe is on the horizon. If you want to know more about this exciting work, check out My Mission.
Why don’t we send them to Notre Dame?
Although I am not involved in the effort to send them to Notre Dame, there is a coordinated effort to do so. Go to here to find out more.
What can I do after I send my envelopes?
You can pray. I recommend this prayer:
Jesus I plead your blood over my sin, and the sin of my nation. God end abortion and send revival to America.
You can begin to listen to God and do what he tells you.
You can turn off the TV, and BE NOT AFRAID.
You can also pray for those in the media, who have spent a lot of energy and time withholding truth, and even lying, to the American people
Bad ideas are always bad. Truth and time go hand in hand. Good ideas are always good, they often just need a new medium
Why red?
The envelopes represent the innocent blood shed through abortion, and the plea for the blood of Jesus over the sin of our nation. This campaign is a symbolic act to flood the mail with red. The more we send, the more powerful this symbol will be.
Why March 31?
If you missed the March 31 date, don’t hesitate to send your letters.
Although that date was chosen arbitrarily by Brian Potter when he created Red Envelope Day, it also reinforces the symbolism of blood. The envelopes will be arriving near the beginning of Holy Week, just prior to the start of Passover. I don’t think it is a coincidence that these arrive so near the annual remembrance of the Passion and Death of Christ. I joined with the Red Envelope Day effort because it had the most momentum, and Brian Potter was in communication with me. The other dates that have appeared on the internet did not originate with me, and those anonymous individuals never contacted me–and have created a lot of confusion.
Where do I send them, and will empty envelopes be delivered?
The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington D.C. 20500.
As long as you have proper postage, federal law requires the delivery of all mail. Messages on the outside of an envelope will not hinder their delivery. There are many strange urban myths about where the mail is going, and that no empty envelopes will be delivered by the USPS. Red envelopes are not a problem for the postal service (hand addressed envelopes are more of an issue and require hand processing) and can be scanned. Although empty envelopes may not be opened, they will be delivered.
PLEASE PUT YOUR RETURN ADDRESS ON THE LETTER–RED ENVELOPES ARE BEING PULLED AND SENT TO THE DEAD LETTER BIN BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE RETURN ADDRESSES!!! This from a postal worker on Friday March 27.
Postal workers have contacted me to tell me the letters are coming through the mail, but that they need to be standard sizes. If you send square red letters, please put 62 cents on the envelope. They will be returned without proper postage.
Where can I get red envelopes?
You can send them online from here.
This company has negotiated agreements with me, and they are not profiting from their involvement or using this to raise money.
What organization is behind the Red Envelope Project?
This movement is a true grass roots phenomenon. There is no entity behind this project other than the thousands of men, women and children that have volunteered their time, money, and effort to be involved. The Red Envelope Project has spread largely through emails and word of mouth. I believe that many have been moved by the Holy Spirit to do this. It has crossed all denominational lines, and has brought together the efforts of Roman Catholics and Protestants in our common value for life and the blood of Christ. Churches, schools, CCD classes, youth groups, religious communities, and small groups have joined in this effort.
I have endorsed redenvelopeproject.org and redenvelopeday.com as officially representing this concept, although there are countless blogs, several other websites, and many youtube videos carrying the message. Brad Miller created Red Envelope Project, and his effort was the first to count the envelopes sent. He has joined forces with two other websites that were started in the beginning. Red Envelope Day was started by Brian Potter. I am receiving emails from both sites.
Who is funding this effort?
The individuals who are volunteering their time are also volunteering their resources. I have requested that the red envelope idea not be used for fundraising. I am a prayer missionary, and live by faith. I am not using the red envelope project to raise funds for my ministry.
What kind of feedback are you getting?
I would guess the feedback is roughly 99.9% positive. I have been contacted by more women who have had abortions than any other group. These women have thanked me for giving them a way to have a voice. After post-abortive women, young people, including many children, have contacted me and thanked me for sharing this idea.
The small amount of negative feedback can be broken down into three groups. First, pro-life activists (no, I don’t understand). Second, pro-choice people telling me I don’t care about raped women (nearly all say that–even though rape victims are a tiny percentage of abortions). Third, obscene or insulting comments. The last two groups have largely been anonymous. I guess it’s safe to say they aren’t willing to put their name on the freedom to take innocent life. About one email in a hundred is negative.
Do you really think that this will make a difference?
Yes. But not because it is an effective form of protest. I think it will make a difference because it was done out of obedience to what I thought God was guiding me to do. Any time you obey God you will make a difference. I am astounded at the response so far. The fact that it has brought so many people together, encouraged them, and also changed a few hearts along the way is exciting. The fact that it has motivated thousands to pray is also exciting.
Do I think it will change the President? I don’t know. Seeing how the mainstream media is covering up the tea parties, I doubt they will cover this story. Even without the press, it has been impossible to keep nearly 3 million envelopes a secret, and it is out there on the blogosphere.
I have heard from a U.S. Senator, and several news agencies. I do know that this is not a secret in Washington.
Ultimately though, this is about the war of ideas. These red envelopes in the mail are igniting a lot of folks to think about the value of life. If a new generation can begin to care about life, we are going to win the war of ideas. I think the red letters have done this.
Doesn’t Responsibility begin BEFORE conception?
Absolutely. Lots of folks seem to be bothered by that last line. I think a lot of people are overthinking it all. (I have even been accused of creating a ploy to get good Catholics to promote contraception!) This line is a reference to the President’s inaugural address, in which he called Americans to begin creating a culture of responsibility. Part of this culture was not taking innocent life, according to the new President. As you may know, the next day his actions spoke otherwise. Sadly, either a lot of people weren’t listening, or didn’t understand.
For those who are interested, I have been involved in working with young people to make good choices regarding relationships and sexuality. I myself have suffered the consequences of bad choices, and want to help others avoid making my mistakes. Sexuality has been devalued as another form of entertainment, and because of that, life has been devalued as well. The conception of a child is intended for the sanctuary of holy matrimony.
Why is your name misspelled on the website?
It’s not. My name rhymes with “mist” and I am named after my Great-grandfather, Christ Masse. It was at one time a common German name, and means “christian.” My name is also misspelled on my passport, my driver’s license, and my birth certificate. My bio is here.
What is the goal of this project?
This project is a living parable of my philosophy of life, “listen to the Lord and do what He tells you.” If you make listening to God a habit, and you do what God tells you, you are going to impact the world around you. My main goal is to show people that anything is possible if you listen to God.
My second goal is to communicate the message, “Fear not, God can be trusted.” By simply trusting God, this idea has reaped amazing results.
Finally, we are trying to change the president’s heart. This is a message to a man that God hears the cry of innocent blood. It is not a political stunt, although I hope it changes policy in Washington. Even if the mainstream media ignores this, I know I was obedient, and SOMEBODY in Washington will have to cope with 50 million red envelopes.
Who has endorsed the project?
Women’s Christian Temperance Union
And many, many local churches. Thank you!