Here am I. Send me!

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" - Isaiah 6:8

Back in April or May of this last year, our church had a woman by the name of Mama Zipporah come speak to us. My church, Cornerstone, partners with her children's home in Ngong, Kenya, and Mama comes a couple times a year to share what has been happening there and to encourage those in our church to go on a mission trip to help and see the work for themselves. As I was sitting there listening, I couldn't help but feel God stirring my heart for the people of Kenya. Mama Zipporah started the children's home back in 1989 after seeing the great need for someone to reach out to the many orphans that surrounded her. Due to the living conditions and high AIDS rate, many of the children were left orphaned and homeless. She felt God calling her to take in these children and become a mama to them. My heart broke as I heard her speak. I have been so privileged to have had amazing parents who have been by my side every step of my childhood and who helped direct me through my transition into adulthood. I can't imagine not having that support. It was clear that God was calling me to go love on these children and continue to show them exactly what Mama does, the love of Christ. I decided that the next summer, summer of 2012, I would go on a mission trip to Kenya.

When I got back from being home for the summer with my amazing family, our church had an information meeting and I signed up. I found out that while we are there, we would be helping run a Vacation Bible School for the children and help do different construction projects. I also found out the trip was going to cost just over $3200. As I heard the amount, I got a little scared. That was a lot of money to have to raise. In the past, any mission projects I had done were small enough that my family was able to fund them, but this would be a whole different ballgame! As I started to get nervous, I remembered that if God wanted me to go, He would provide a way. There was nothing to worry about; everything was in His hands.

Shortly after the meeting, I spent a lot of time drafting up my support letter to send out to my friends and family, asking for them to join with me in this amazing opportunity. When I sent out my letters to my friends and family, I prayed over them, asking God to work in the hearts of those I sent the letters to. That God would not only do amazing things in my life through this trip, but that He would bless the lives of those who were going to join alongside me, too. Since then, I have been blessed immensely. It has only been a little over two months since I sent out my letters and I have already raised $2,245 toward my trip. It has been amazing to see who has chosen to sponsor me, not just in money, but also in prayer! Every time I go to my mailbox, God blesses my heart with a letter from someone new. I feel so privileged to be used through this.

Today was an exciting day because it was the first official meeting with my team with whom I'll be going to Kenya. It was great to put faces to the names I had seen on e-mails and know who would be sharing in this journey alongside me physically. I also had a great surprise today when I checked my mail and found I got my passport. My old one expired at the end of December, so I had to send it in and renew it. I'm super excited to have it in my possession now and know it's just one step close to getting there. Next up with be the $400 in shots I have to get! Ha! Not exactly my cup of tea, but I'll force my pain aside for the good of the cause. I guess all my times in Covance being a guinea pig have prepared me for it! :)

http://www.hchngong.org/about-us

On top of thanking God for allowing me this opportunity and providing the funding for me to go, I also just want to thank those who have sponsored me with their money and those who are praying for me! You all are so amazing to me and it feels so wonderful to know I have so many people behind me who care to share in this journey with me. I can't wait to see what He is going to do in my life and the lives of those around me through this trip. I will definitely be using my blog to update everyone on future progress. I love you all!