Just wanted to share a "God sighting" with you all. My missions pastor and very dear friend from Charleston recently took a job a very large church near Chicago. I had the opportunity last weekend to visit her and spend some time at this church (although, to really see the entire thing, it may have taken weeks, even months). I was excited to catch a sermon from such a powerful speaker and to spend time with someone who means so much to me. Now, Satan did his best to keep me away that weekend. I almost backed out several times for various reasons, but felt that is was a much needed trip. So, I went.
When I got there, my friend explained that there would actually be a guest speaker this weekend. The speaker was from International Justice Missions (IJM). Perhaps you've seen a little about it on Oprah, Dateline and several other places? I had started hearing about it through other resources as well almost as soon as I reached the stateds. But, I have other things to focus on and, quite frankly, it just seems so big to me. So, to hear that I would be listening to a Washington DC lawyer speak about the great things he is doing in 3rd world contries, I was slightly disappointed.
Then, this man came on the stage. He began telling stories about people they have rescued from unjust situations. One story was even of a man from Kenya that was robbed, shot and saved by a hospital, only to be thrown in jail by the vary police officers that robbed and shot him (because they were drunk and broke) to keep him from "talking." He also spoke of giving what we have (no matter how little) and letting God perform the miracles. I have to admit, I was feeling a bit convicted. Here I was complaining that I had other things to focus on and this was just "too big." I complained about a big "DC lawyer trying to take credit for 'saving Africa'." This man was actually very humble... giving God credit where credit is due. All God asks is that we give what we have and He will perform the miracles. He's placed me right where He wants me... I just need to obey. He certainly hit me over the head with a brick this weekend to get that point across.
So, I was able to meet the man that started IJM. It turns out that they have an office in Nairobi (where I will be going to language school) and I will be getting connected with them. IJM provides investigative, attourney and couseling services to those who are trapped in unjust situations (unjustice is defined as anyone being kept from God's intentions from them by someone stronger or in higher authority). To learn more about this organization and how you can help, please see the web site at www.ijm.org.
I will also try to post some pics of the great time I had with my friend while in Chicago as well. Thanks for a great time, Jodi!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Leaning on God
Really... I will get better and more consistent with my blogs. Hang in there with me. I am back in St. Louis after some great time with family, friends, training and fund raising. I had a great time, but am happy to get my clothes out of the suitcase for a little while. I leave in a little over 2 weeks and the Lord is showing me that I will need to Him to get me there. There is so much to do and so little time to do it, but God is faithful... He will see me through.
I will be flying out on Dec. 26th. Yes, the day after Christmas. I just learned that my brother, Ken and his family (including my nephew and his wife that are taking Oliver) are driving up Christmas Eve. It will be great to spend Christmas with them. It will also give my parents a much needed distraction as I leave. I am grateful that they are able to be here.
I am still looking for a good home for Pip (my Pekingese) with people that I know and trust. It is incredibly hard to give up my two little friends. I am thankful that Oliver will be with Ryan and Keri (my nephew and wife) and know He will provide the same for Pip. I also am still working on getting my paper audit completed. I need to have in mailed by the end of the week, but continue to wait on paper work. I would like to have some kind of answer before I leave (or it at least submitted). Please continue to lift these things up in prayer.
Other things to pray for:
1. The rest of my time at home... that it is fruitful and fun.
2. Continued support for the ministry and my return to Kenya in the midst of such widespread financial hardship.
3. For the staff and students at CGA and their time away from school. Pray that they experience rest and joy and that they make good decisions while away from school.
You can see more information and ways to donate/get involved at www.cgakenya.com.
Thanks for your love and support!!
I will be flying out on Dec. 26th. Yes, the day after Christmas. I just learned that my brother, Ken and his family (including my nephew and his wife that are taking Oliver) are driving up Christmas Eve. It will be great to spend Christmas with them. It will also give my parents a much needed distraction as I leave. I am grateful that they are able to be here.
I am still looking for a good home for Pip (my Pekingese) with people that I know and trust. It is incredibly hard to give up my two little friends. I am thankful that Oliver will be with Ryan and Keri (my nephew and wife) and know He will provide the same for Pip. I also am still working on getting my paper audit completed. I need to have in mailed by the end of the week, but continue to wait on paper work. I would like to have some kind of answer before I leave (or it at least submitted). Please continue to lift these things up in prayer.
Other things to pray for:
1. The rest of my time at home... that it is fruitful and fun.
2. Continued support for the ministry and my return to Kenya in the midst of such widespread financial hardship.
3. For the staff and students at CGA and their time away from school. Pray that they experience rest and joy and that they make good decisions while away from school.
You can see more information and ways to donate/get involved at www.cgakenya.com.
Thanks for your love and support!!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
MTI training in CO Springs
Hey, all! I am officially going to become a blogger. What better way to keep people updated on my Kenya journey!?
I am currently on home assignment and spending 3 weeks at a mission training conference in Colorado Springs. I have completed the first week and am finding the training to be very fruitful. We have covered some pretty deep stuff for the first week, but am excited to see what the next two bring. The Lord is using this time to reveal some things to myself that will only help to benefit the ministry in Mbita. I also have enjoyed making some new friends that are going to serve in various places. It's encouraging to meet people going through similar things I am and to hear their struggle as well. It's a great support system. Not to mention a great time talking about the crazy things we've already experienced in dealing with different cultures.
I am a new great-aunt (although I am not really old enough to be). My much older
brother's step-son and his wife just had a baby girl named Sophia. She was born about 7 weeks early, but is home and doing well.
Fund raising has gone well in that we have been able to find sponsors for all of our students at Christ's Gift Academy and have raised some money for food and various ministries. In my personal fund raising, I still need to raise about $300/month support and funds to cover cost of air fare, language school and insurance. The Lord has been good and I know He will provide. I have several opportunities coming up to speak and meet with people to talk about the ministry in Mbita. I am looking forward to seeing how the Lord uses this time to mold me.
If you are interested in learning more about the school and the ministry or want to find ways to get involved or donate, please visit the web site at www.cgakenya.com. Also, please let me know if you would like to be added to my email list to receive monthly newletters via email about life in Mbita, Kenya.
I am currently on home assignment and spending 3 weeks at a mission training conference in Colorado Springs. I have completed the first week and am finding the training to be very fruitful. We have covered some pretty deep stuff for the first week, but am excited to see what the next two bring. The Lord is using this time to reveal some things to myself that will only help to benefit the ministry in Mbita. I also have enjoyed making some new friends that are going to serve in various places. It's encouraging to meet people going through similar things I am and to hear their struggle as well. It's a great support system. Not to mention a great time talking about the crazy things we've already experienced in dealing with different cultures.
I am a new great-aunt (although I am not really old enough to be). My much older
brother's step-son and his wife just had a baby girl named Sophia. She was born about 7 weeks early, but is home and doing well. Fund raising has gone well in that we have been able to find sponsors for all of our students at Christ's Gift Academy and have raised some money for food and various ministries. In my personal fund raising, I still need to raise about $300/month support and funds to cover cost of air fare, language school and insurance. The Lord has been good and I know He will provide. I have several opportunities coming up to speak and meet with people to talk about the ministry in Mbita. I am looking forward to seeing how the Lord uses this time to mold me.
If you are interested in learning more about the school and the ministry or want to find ways to get involved or donate, please visit the web site at www.cgakenya.com. Also, please let me know if you would like to be added to my email list to receive monthly newletters via email about life in Mbita, Kenya.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Good times CGA (Christ's Gift Academy)
These are just a couple of pictures of some of the children I met when I first came to visit the school. They are so much fun. Let me tell yo a little about the school and the area....
Christ's Gift Academy (CGA) is a school located in Mbita, Kenya (SUBA District) that serves primarily orphans. Nyanza province is the largest to be hit by HIV/AIDS. The school provides Christian-based education and hope to the children and community. They also provide two meals a day, clothes/uniforms, books, medical needs and love. They also support widow groups of the community and many other needs that arise.
CGA is a primary school (nursery to grade 8) and supports our graduates in secondary schools (two classes at this time) as well. The school is one of the best in the province academically and has done amazing in athletics, achieving invitations to tournaments meant mostly for secondary and club teams. Many of our students go on to compete at provincial levels. But, most of all, our students' character is beyond measure. They are bold, driven and energetic in their faith. This is evident in the joy they show. These are children that have seen and been through more than I can ever imagine, but, because of their faith, they find joy in even the littlest things. It is our hope that these students can graduate from CGA and go out into the world to share their testimonies and joy with others and bring new hope to this country.
Christ's Gift Academy (CGA) is a school located in Mbita, Kenya (SUBA District) that serves primarily orphans. Nyanza province is the largest to be hit by HIV/AIDS. The school provides Christian-based education and hope to the children and community. They also provide two meals a day, clothes/uniforms, books, medical needs and love. They also support widow groups of the community and many other needs that arise.
CGA is a primary school (nursery to grade 8) and supports our graduates in secondary schools (two classes at this time) as well. The school is one of the best in the province academically and has done amazing in athletics, achieving invitations to tournaments meant mostly for secondary and club teams. Many of our students go on to compete at provincial levels. But, most of all, our students' character is beyond measure. They are bold, driven and energetic in their faith. This is evident in the joy they show. These are children that have seen and been through more than I can ever imagine, but, because of their faith, they find joy in even the littlest things. It is our hope that these students can graduate from CGA and go out into the world to share their testimonies and joy with others and bring new hope to this country.
How it got started
In 2006 I was lived in Charleston, SC and attended Seacoast church. I was enjoying my life... many good changes. I really thought I had found my home there. I have always been interested in missions, but not very serious about it. I never thought it was something I would do on a long term basis. I thought... maybe I'd visit a 3rd world country someday... see what I could do to help out while I'm there... nothing more. Africa had always been on my heart. I remember watching Feed the Children and World Vision when I was little, thinking, "I want to go there and meet those children." But, it stopped there. Then, my church was presenting their short-term mission projects for the year. I felt the urge to participate. Two weeks? Perfect!
At the time, I had been working as a speech therapist in schools (mostly middle and high schools) for several years. I was so very burnt out at the time. I had actually decided to take a break from the school system and return to working as a therapist in acute care hospitals. So, I thought a medical mission trip to Africa sounded perfect for me. I attended the missions dinner at my church with this in mind. Each leader presented their trip. The leader for the missions trip to CGA gave her presentation along with a video. My heartstrings were be yanked. I went and sat at her table to listen to more and the minute she said "lesson plan," I was out of there. I signed up for a medical mission to South Africa that day.
I attended the first meeting for this trip. I started my fund raising... even achieved my financial goal. I was ready. It was clear that I was supposed to go. However, a few weeks later, I received a call that my application was not in the file... they had no record of me. The trip was full and I would not be able to go on the trip. I was discouraged, but found 2 more medical trips to Kenya. However, one was such short notice that I could not get things together in time. The other was cancelled 1 week after I signed up. I was ready to forget it. Then, a friend mentioned CGA, the first place that really captured my heart. I called the leader, Sherry to see if she still had room on her team. She said that the team was actually full. However, they needed someone that had experience in the upper grades, like middle school, but was having difficulty finding someone. I explained that I was actually calling her from work... at a middle school. We immediately decided to meet.
When we met, we found that it was a perfect fit. Things that I had done in my professional career over the last 6-7 years; things that seemed so random at the time, now became clear. God had set the path the entire time. I just hadn't seen it. I even had many connections with the team leader. We were both from the same town in St. Louis, had attended the same high school, our brothers ran track together, and some of our family attended the same church. I think God threw these things in for our own entertainment, but how great is that? Thanks!
So, I began preparing for the trip. I boarded the plane in Charleston with my team on June 17th, 2007. We arrived in Mbita, Kenya (another fun story here, but I'll wait) on the 19th. I think I knew before we even landed that this experience would change my life.... I didn't know then how much. Over the next two weeks, I received so much confirmation that this is where I was supposed to be. However, I still wasn't convinced and decided to go home and pray about it for at least a month. Two weeks after I had returned home, I couldn't get it off of my mind. God spoke to me through so many different avenues... After two weeks, I emailed a friend that I had met while in Kenya. I asked him how long it took him to make his decision. His answer was, "two weeks." Hmmmm..... I filled out the application the next day and here I am. Did I have moments of doubts in the 10 months I spent preparing? Yes. Do I sometimes have doubts now that I'm here? Yes. I even sometimes question my decision to return long term. Really? Me? Kenya? Do you know my past? How flawed I am? But, His answer remains the same... Yes. Sometimes I'm too busy to hear, but somehow He always stills me and makes me listen...
At the time, I had been working as a speech therapist in schools (mostly middle and high schools) for several years. I was so very burnt out at the time. I had actually decided to take a break from the school system and return to working as a therapist in acute care hospitals. So, I thought a medical mission trip to Africa sounded perfect for me. I attended the missions dinner at my church with this in mind. Each leader presented their trip. The leader for the missions trip to CGA gave her presentation along with a video. My heartstrings were be yanked. I went and sat at her table to listen to more and the minute she said "lesson plan," I was out of there. I signed up for a medical mission to South Africa that day.
I attended the first meeting for this trip. I started my fund raising... even achieved my financial goal. I was ready. It was clear that I was supposed to go. However, a few weeks later, I received a call that my application was not in the file... they had no record of me. The trip was full and I would not be able to go on the trip. I was discouraged, but found 2 more medical trips to Kenya. However, one was such short notice that I could not get things together in time. The other was cancelled 1 week after I signed up. I was ready to forget it. Then, a friend mentioned CGA, the first place that really captured my heart. I called the leader, Sherry to see if she still had room on her team. She said that the team was actually full. However, they needed someone that had experience in the upper grades, like middle school, but was having difficulty finding someone. I explained that I was actually calling her from work... at a middle school. We immediately decided to meet.
When we met, we found that it was a perfect fit. Things that I had done in my professional career over the last 6-7 years; things that seemed so random at the time, now became clear. God had set the path the entire time. I just hadn't seen it. I even had many connections with the team leader. We were both from the same town in St. Louis, had attended the same high school, our brothers ran track together, and some of our family attended the same church. I think God threw these things in for our own entertainment, but how great is that? Thanks!
So, I began preparing for the trip. I boarded the plane in Charleston with my team on June 17th, 2007. We arrived in Mbita, Kenya (another fun story here, but I'll wait) on the 19th. I think I knew before we even landed that this experience would change my life.... I didn't know then how much. Over the next two weeks, I received so much confirmation that this is where I was supposed to be. However, I still wasn't convinced and decided to go home and pray about it for at least a month. Two weeks after I had returned home, I couldn't get it off of my mind. God spoke to me through so many different avenues... After two weeks, I emailed a friend that I had met while in Kenya. I asked him how long it took him to make his decision. His answer was, "two weeks." Hmmmm..... I filled out the application the next day and here I am. Did I have moments of doubts in the 10 months I spent preparing? Yes. Do I sometimes have doubts now that I'm here? Yes. I even sometimes question my decision to return long term. Really? Me? Kenya? Do you know my past? How flawed I am? But, His answer remains the same... Yes. Sometimes I'm too busy to hear, but somehow He always stills me and makes me listen...
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