In 2012, going into my senior year of high school, I had the opportunity
to serve, teach, and love in Kenya, Africa. One of my favorite memories was walking
through the towns and villages, admiring the children. When they saw a ‘mzungu’
(white person) they giggled and shouted. Some would run toward me with
excitement, and others would hide from the sight of a foreigner. Those who
weren’t afraid would grab my hands so eagerly, as though we had been friends
forever. It was easy for me to fall in love with them and their country. My
heart had found its joy, as I served the beautiful people the world calls
“poor” but who seemed so rich in love to me.
It is now 2016, and my heart is more than happy to share with you the
opportunity I have to return to Kenya, November 11-21. I will be sharing this
journey with a team from Harborside Christian Church, and partnering with the Christian
Ministry, “Maasai Threads of Hope.” The key focus of our trip is to share the
love of God, while teaching useful skills and helping people to become self-sustainable.
Another part of our mission will be planting vegetables and natural medicine
gardens among the compound. We are also planning a Vacation Bible School, as
well as a program for teen girls to learn about purity, and their significance
and worth. It is not only important for them to know their worth as young
women, but to see themselves through the eyes of their Maker. We are not
expecting to change their culture, rid of diseases, or eliminate poverty. We
have been called to go and to love, knowing that there is no limit to what God
can do!
While God has
opened up a door for me to develop a greater heart of compassion for His people
around the world, the exciting part is that you can share in this compassion
too. Prayer is the fuel that will allow us to be successful as we follow God’s
leading to minister in Kenya. Pray for us as we prepare, travel, and serve. As
you can imagine, a trip like this also requires financial support. I need to
raise $2,500.00 by September 1, 2016. If you would like to be a financial
sponsor for my trip, you can make a check out to Harborside Christian Church –
then please include my name and “Kenya” on the memo line of the check. You may
also sponsor me financially online (debit or credit) at www.harborsidechurch.org/kenya in a few easy steps. Please pray
about being a part of this opportunity, for I know you too will be blessed!
From a heart that is simply too big
for just one city,
Kaitlyn