As it nears closer to our departure, I find myself in a frantic state trying to organize myself and sort out my responsibilities at work. I feel so overwhelmed, I have a list of people that I need to return calls to and a huge to do list staring at me from my kitchen counter. Although God has been very clear to me that this is His will for me through providing the financial support and encouragement over the past few months, I feel somewhat lost. I feel discouraged and wonder if ten days will make a difference, I wonder why I am so blessed and others are not. I realize God has a purpose and a plan for each of us, but I still feel undeserving of my fortunate circumstances. God has blessed me far beyond than I ever imagined and he has brought extraordinary people into my life to encourage my Christian walk. I want him to use me as He sees fit, not as I see fit.

This being my first mission trip, I was caught off guard by the spiritual warfare I’ve been experiencing over the past month and I’ve been allowing it to distract me and not be able to fully embrace God’s grace and love for us. Yesterday, one of our trip leaders said that spiritual warfare is strongest when we are doing what God wants us to do – which I find to be such an encouraging statement. I ask that as you are reading this blog, you take a few minutes to pray for our team, pray for God’s protection for us and for all of the distractions and emotional battles to fall away. Pray that we surrender to God and that we are consumed by Him and nothing else.

I have been so excited about this trip and opportunity, but I also know we will be back on the plane to the States before we know it – and I want for each of us on my team to fully experience God’s will for us and for Him to use each of to His purpose. I believe God has a greater purpose than for us than just going to Kenya, I believe he wants to change each of our lives.

In that day you will say:
“Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things;
let this be known to all the world.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
Isaiah 12:4-6

A prayer for courage.

This time next week I will hopefully have been asleep for quite a few hours at this point in the night. Because next Thursday morning I have an international flight to catch at 7:15am. To D.C. To Ethiopia. To Nairobi, Kenya.

As the time to leave for Kenya gets closer and closer and the lose ends begin to tie into pretty bows, I find myself hesitant. Pausing for a minute to catch my breath. God, is this what I am expecting it to be?

No.

I have moments of pure excitement. Moments of pure joy and giddiness. 

Other times I have moments of crippling fear. Moments of doubt.

I am not too proud to say that I have lived a comfortable life in my little bubble. I don't feel as if I have been sheltered from the realities of this (harsh) world, but at the same time...that is exactly what has happened. God, what if I can't take it?

You can. I can.

I will admit that I have been so focused on the price tag in front of me that I have forgotten the purpose of our trip. I have wanted so badly to do the one thing that I feel is in my power that I have completely missed the point. The purpose. The goal. The reality of what He can do.

He who is all. He who is above all. He who is before all. And after all. He who raises up mountains. He who fills oceans. 

He is the purpose of this trip.

His love is the fuel for our mission. The foundation for what we have to give; individually and as a team.

He made it possible. He makes it possible everyday.

In this coming week, I pray that I not lose sight again of what the purpose of this trip is. Or even the purpose of what daily living is.

Jesus. To love. To shine. To submit. To be emptied. To be filled. To give. To love. 

[Open our hearts, God. Open our eyes. Help us to see the world as you do. Prepare the way.]

Final Prep!

Today is Tuesday and we leave bright and early next Thursday morning. From Atl to DC to Addis Ababa to Nairobi to Ngaamba!! Crazy how vast our world seems in that context and how vast God's Kingdom must be in comparison to our tiny world. I just know it is going to be a life changing experience as our team learns so much from quality time spent with the kids in Ngaamba and of course, quality time spent with our wonderful, loving God. We appreciate everyone's prayers as we get close to our departure date and look forward to sharing our stories of God's love and grace along the way!

Mungubariki (God Bless),

Neal

We Leave Next Week....

To tell you that I am excited for our trip is an understatement. Our trip to Kenya is all I think about these days! I am really looking forward to seeing what God has in store for our group. To be able to serve these children in Kenya will be a life changing experience for me. I cannot imagine the impact these young lives will have on me and my outlook on life and how I see and love God. I know with all my heart that God put this group together for a reason. He single handedly picked each one of us and placed us together to experience this journey. A journey across the world but also a journey with Him and each other. Selfishly, I am so looking forward to this trip because I am craving a closeness with Him. In my every day life, I often feel so distant from Him and I long for moments of complete silenece where all I can hear is His voice. 10 more days to go and counting....

Love to all,

Caroline

19 days and counting.

There are only 19 days before we leave for Kenya!!! Our team is divided into three groups that will be involved in a Children's Camp with 150+ children: Arts & Crafts, Sports, and Curriculum! We have such a talented, creative, hard-working team and are eagar to get there and love on these kids :) 


My heart is so excited to see how the Lord uses us to teach the children of Kenya about the Lord's love. I know that I will come back a different person and I'm so ready for it. Please join us in praying for our team and the children we will be impacted by. Pray that the Lord gives each of us PATIENCE and FLEXIBILITY during uncertain times of the trip. Most of all, pray that we open our hearts and minds to something we've never done or seen before. 


1 9  D A Y S!!


-jessica hardy

Meet Our Team

We are so excited about leaving for Kenya in less than 30 days. Our team has been working hard to get ready for over 100 children! We are excited and ready to meet them!

Because He So Loved...

Hi! My name is Cory Jones, and I'm exceptionally grateful and humbled to have been asked to join this team of wonderful God-loving people...on an adventure to Ngammba, KENYA! I am sure God has been planning our mission long before we knew, and I am so thankful for the opportunity.

Personally, this is the first mission trip I have joined so I am full of tons of expectations and loads of anticipation. For the first month or so after I found out I made the team, I was still in shock I think! I'd applied around the holidays last year after having a strong desire to do something to show God how much I love Him back. God has shown me in the past year how BIG He is, and how He Means It when He says to the entire World "I love you SO Much...I sent my one and only Son to save you, so that you can spend eternity with Me." {John 3:16 paraphrased}

So that is where my heart is in going on this trip... desiring to do BIG things for God... or even little things like loving on sweet children :) This trip involves working in a kids bible camp, playing and creating games and activities. Our virtue is INDIVIDUALITY. I love that our virtue is to teach children how special and unique God made them. I love that our team is built of individuals who are each bringing unique talents and character to our team. It is just an awesome feeling knowing that God loves us so much, that He has blessed and allowed us to be who we are, where we are, just as we are. And even greater than that...we have each other to lean on!

To my team, John and Julie, Calley and Josh, Emily, Betsy, Hannah, Lynda, Kelly, Jessica, Caroline, Neal, Jenny and Nicole... God has given us an experience we will likely never forget, and be changed by forever. I want you all to know I will be there to encourage you when you need it, and here is my prayer as we head to Kenya...

"The LORD will guide you always;
   he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
   and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
   like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11

To our followers, stay tuned for more updates... :)

Blessings!