Forever Immortalized . . .

This is a gem of a song. It's about my dog, by my brother. It's a few years old but somehow it never looses its charm. Enjoy! :)

Why Africa?

My first visit to Africa was technically before I was born, when my parents traveled to Kenya to visit my mom's sister and her family. It was that Christmas that my parents made the announcement that they were expecting their first baby, me! While I doubt that has anything to do with me going to Kenya now, 23 years later, it's still interesting.

I spent a big milestone in Nairobi, my first birthday. My aunt had just had my cousin Julie so my mom and I went to visit for three weeks to help out. I'm the blonde baby in these pictures, with the Maasai lady and with my older cousins.

Maybe it got in my blood or something, because in ninth grade, for some unexplainable reason, I was suddenly dying to go to Africa. A year later I went to Tanzania on a spring break trip and after that, I was hooked. I ranted and raved about my experiences working with Habitat for Humanity and the people I met and the places I saw, and the following year my whole family went to Tanzania to visit some missionary friends of ours and do the safari thing. Growing up in Dubai, I had the opportunity to visit some exotic places, but Africa was always first on my list and in my heart. Which explains why it was my choice for a semester abroad in college, back to Tanzania, this time for three months.

On each of those trips, God worked in my heart to draw me closer to His plan for my life. I saw missionaries working with various skills in different cultures with differing methods. For the first time, I learned a language I actually needed (and wanted!) to learn. I developed a fascination with nature and creation that I had never taken time to appreciate. Then there were the practical skills, like camping and using bucket showers and other 'facilities.' Not that I'm the nature woman or camping expert (ha!). But after all of that, how could I stay away? Each time I left, I knew it was just a matter of time before I came back. And this summer, I knew it was just a matter of time before I came back to live.

I know this is what God has for me - to use my skills as a teacher in Africa, teaching MK's. While I wasn't technically a missionary kid, I did grow up overseas and I always knew God would use those experiences somehow. Why not to teach other kids growing up away from their home culture? So, for these reasons, and many more that would take all night to write, I am confident of my calling to Africa. I can't wait to get there, and continue on a path that has been 23 years in the making.

Nairobi Giraffe Park, 1985 Nairobi Giraffe Park, 2007

A Partnership: How to Support Me

NUMBER ONE - PRAYER. I am off on this exciting new journey, and I know the Lord will teach me many new things. He gives us just what we need, when we need it. Pray that I will be diligent in my relationship with God so that I can serve Him with my best. Pray for my students and opportunities to interact with Kenyans. Pray for God to work in Africa. Let me know how I can pray for you. :)

The deal on financial support

God is good. Through the support of friends and family, I raised 100% of my outgoing and monthly needs in no time. Thank you. You should see my monthly pledges - I am at EXACTLY 100%! (Well, 33 cents over!) Praise God!

If you would like to give a one-time gift, you easily give online. Or, if you prefer, you can mail a check to AIM. Please don't write my name on the check, just write it to Africa Inland Mission and include my name on a sticky note. The address is:

Africa Inland Mission

PO Box 178

Pearl River, NY 10965

If you want to give a bit each month, you can sign up for automatic giving at this web address or download this pledge card and mail to the above address.

My monthly need is $1989. This great pie chart, available here, shows how each dollar is split in my account. Every gift you give through AIM is tax deductible and split as seen in the pie chart - toward retirement, social security, salary, etc. If you would like to give a personal gift - that is not tax deductible, but also not split into the said categories - write the check out to my name and send it to AIM. They will deposit it into my bank account for me.

That's the updated information on how to give financially. Thanks for all you've done. I wouldn't be here with out you!