Kalled to Kisumu, Kenya

I have a sneaking suspicion that anyone who is reading my blog has already heard about the following, but Katie thought I should post it just in case. Who am I to disagree?

This is a letter I sent out to potential supporters about my fast-approaching adventure.

"Less than one month ago I was sitting in an auditorium at a leadership conference in Chicago. Though there was much to be learned throughout every part of this event, there was one underlying theme that struck me on a very personal level. Africa. It was as if God was ever so gently whispering it in my ear. Africa. I cried as I enjoyed the music and the spirit of the African Children’s Choir. My heart grew heavy as I listened to stories of churches who are working tirelessly to make a difference to African communities plagued by the AIDS pandemic. The whisper grew louder as I listened to speaker after speaker encouraging church leaders to find our strengths and follow our passions. Africa.

Looking back I know that these were not the first whispers. When I was only five years old I remember sitting in the downstairs lobby of my church listening to the stories of a family of missionaries to Africa. I remember the beauty of their traditional dress, their handmade treasures and, I even remember the way the sun was pouring in through the window behind them and seemingly shining around them. I remember thinking, I want to do that.

Six days after returning home from Chicago, I was helping at an LCMS District event when I was approached by Dan Deuel, pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Stockton. “Have you ever had any interest in overseas mission work?” he asked. “Yes!” I responded, without hesitation. “Why do you want to know?” Pastor Dan went on to explain that He was planning to take a group of missionaries to Kenya this February. “The first meeting is tomorrow. Can you make it?” “I’m there”, I blurted out.

All of a sudden I find myself in the middle of an adventure that I was not expecting, but one that I have been waiting for. I’m going to Kenya, Africa! And even more exciting than the destination is the mission. On February 13-28 2008, along with 6 other missionaries, I will be leading a church leadership conference for clergy and lay leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya. I will also have the awesome opportunity to work with the street boys of Kisumu, Kenya and hold a VBS for children with special needs.

...Thank you all for the love and support I have already received and for your support of this ministry. Through you I am blessed and the Kingdom of God is furthered."

“O God our savior, You are the hope

of everyone on earth…” Psalm 65:5