“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
Dear Friends and Family,
It was a simple display set up at church and a whisper on my heart… “Kenya”. It was a little, silent “nudge” after the announcement of a mission trip in church 3 years ago… there it was again, “Kenya”. It was a seed planted earlier and then watered by my kids when they came to me and asked if they could give some of their own savings to the “Baby Jesus Fund” at school (a fund that their school uses to support a hot lunch program for a group of school children in Kandaria, Kenya, who otherwise would go without)… really Lord? Kenya?
My life has continued on as normal everyday, since I heard about this precious place almost 3 years ago, but always, somewhere in my being the whisper was there and it wouldn’t go away – “Kenya”. Finally the whisper brought me to my knees a few months ago and I gave it and all of my excuses for not going, to the Lord. Looking back I know that “to my knees” is where I should have gone FIRST, but this time it took me 3 years – I can be a really stubborn listener sometimes. Once I gave it to Him, it seemed so simple, “Go!”
The call was clear, “Kandaria, Kenya”. After consulting with Rich, who without hesitation said “Go!”, the answer from me, though long in coming, was simple, “Yes”. Now I need your help to get me there.
I am excited (and a little nervous) to join a group from my home church as we head to Kandaria, Kenya, for 10 days this summer from June 23 – July 2, with an organization called 410 Bridge. While we are there we will be doing a number of different things to help out the people of this village. Past groups have worked side-by-side with villagers to build a school, helped complete a clean water project, taught classes to the children, provided teaching materials and showed the teachers how to properly utilize them in the classroom, ministered to the villagers and so much more. Our group will be doing more of the same and possibly begin work on a new, much needed medical center in the area.
There are a couple of different ways you can come with me to Kenya. First and foremost I am building a group of prayer partners. There is no way I can go alone. I have so many excuses to keep me in North Carolina this summer, I could probably fill a college ruled notebook several times over, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that for 10 days, I need to be in Africa.
My prayer requests are simple:
- For my precious family while I am gone. They are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves, but I am a mom. It is in my DNA to believe life cannot go on without me at home, but alas it will and I know they will be fine – I just might not be…
- That God’s light will shine through me as I do whatever I am called upon to do while I am in Kandaria.
- That I will remember that My God will supply ALL of my needs, whether they are physical, emotional, spiritual or monetary.
If you feel led, the second way you can help is monetarily. In order to go on the trip I will need to raise approximately $3600. The money raised will be used to pay for my plane tickets, accommodations and travel needs while I am in Kandaria. I will need to have 50% raised by April 23 and the final amount raised by May 9. Any amount raised above my $3600 will go towards others in my group and any extra costs we may incur.
Tax-deductible donations of any size can be sent to the following:
Make checks payable to: Carmel Baptist Church
1145 Pineville-Matthews Road
Matthews, North Carolina 28105
*on the memo line of the check please write: Jennifer Callinan – Kenya 2011
Surprisingly this part of the journey is the part I am the least nervous about. So often God has provided above and beyond for us and I know this time will be no different.
Thank you for taking this journey with me. I will be posting updates on my financial progress as well as my preparations for this journey on my blog as well as the Facebook page I created for this trip “Kenya Hear Me Now”. Please feel free to join and follow the progress! Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus through your prayer and support on my behalf.
In Christ Alone,
Jen
