I am about to embark on a journey back home. Mombasa, has become a home that lives in my heart year round and every time I get prepared to go back, the butterflies come back. I am excited to see familiar faces, to hold the kids and just be able to bring my love that the Lord has given me to give back to these people.
This trip looks a little different because I am not just a team member, and I am not just going alone, but I am leading 11 wonderful individuals to my Home. Through training and preparation for this trip, they have all gotten to witness my excitement for the trip, but I do not believe they know how close Mombasa is to my heart. I am ready to smell the Kenya air, I am ready to see the sunset and sunrise, I am ready to eat fresh mangos, I am ready to graze my hand in the Kenyan dirt, I am ready to whisper in a childs ear mimi nakupenda rafiki(I Love you, my friend), I am ready to walk the trails and share Christ love and unending joy, and in the words of David and Kim Hayes and Chris and Lisa Moore, I am ready to portray that "I AM REAL!" (real = reaching east african lives)
The Lord has given me a peace about traveling far, a peace about leading and a peace about the unknown. He has complete control and I am blessed to know He knows my plans and I do not have to worry.
I ask that you pray for our team and each one individually. I have listed the team names below.
I thank you for all of you support and everything you all have done for me. God Bless each one of you!
We leave in 8 days!
Mission Mombasa July 2011 Team:
Jenny Jenkins
Rachel Driskell
Jaylyn Gramer
Allison Stroud
Elyse DeBuck
Stephanie Box
Cayla Newkirk
Kaylene Ullom
Whitney Cloud
Austin Lewis
Tyler Hayes
Matthew Schilling
In Him,
Jenny Jenkins
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Faith
I just want to start off saying that fundraising for this trip has been such a blessing to my life. I was dreading it, and honestly didn't think God would provide for me. I seriously doubted not that He could, but that He would provide for me. Some how the money just kept pouring in. Every little bit I received I was so incredibly thankful for. The day before I had to turn in the remainder of my money (which was nearly $600) I was feeling doubtful. Those doubts didn't last long though. I started to think of all the things I have seen and heard that God does. Every day he does millions of unbelievable miracles that go unnoticed. So I prayed to God that He would provide for me. I knew it wasn't a lot of time, but to God a few hundred dollars is nothing. Literally within 15 minutes of praying that prayer God had provided for me. I ran into my pastor who asked me how money was going. I told him and just like that God had provided for me. In Matthew 17:20 it talks about faith the size of a mustard seed. It says "For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." In Mark 4:30 the mustard seed is examined a little more. The mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds in the ground, and yet it grows into a big tree that provides shade and nests for the birds. So God takes something so small and turns it into something great. Just believing God will do great things in our lives and being willing to follow whatever that may mean opens us up to God on a whole new level. I have heard these things before, but never have I experienced them. Faith the size of a mustard seed is real. Our Father will provide the things we need to accomplish His purposes. I just want to end this with the encouragement that nothing is hopeless. God always provides even when things seem to impossible to us.
Allison
Allison
Saturday, June 18, 2011
He is so good!
Preparing for this trip has been quite a journey, and I feel like God has really been preparing my heart throughout the past year. I have a passion and a love for Africa that only God could have put there. I wasn't surprised when He presented me with the opportunity to go. Without hesitation I committed to go, despite the fact that I had no way of paying for it. I had no doubt in my mind that God would provide.
For the first deposit I needed $500 and had about two weeks to raise it. I spoke at my home church to share my need with them. Within an hour I had $470 in my hand! Instantly I knew God really had a plan for me in Kenya. Next I sent out my support letters with high expectations. As weeks went by with no money coming in, the doubt began to creep in. But I pushed it away again and again, remaining steadfast in my faith. I knew God was faithful.
In December, I was discouraged with news that several people had dropped out of the trip, and our team had dwindled to almost no team at all. I couldn't understand why that would happen, but I trusted in God's plan. I had committed to go to Kenya, and I was going no matter what it took! In the months following, God provided a team of 12 and an incredible team at that!
Throughout the past few months the devil has attacked me with different fears, doubts, distractions, discouragements, and insecurities regarding the trip. But God has equipped me and strengthened me, so I could withstand. I have gone through bouts of doubting my adequacy to make a difference in Kenya, but I know that God has hand picked me to go, and through Christ I am more than adequate. I know God has a huge plan for us in Kenya, and I feel honored to be a part of it
I paid my last payment for the trip about a month ago! Looking back I am just in awe that God actually did it. He faithfully paid for my trip, and He has also provided plenty of supplies for my ministry bag. I have been encouraged by the willingness of the body of Christ to help out.
I have been praying every day for unity and a special bond among our team, and I know God will answer that prayer! We had a team get together last weekend, and I feel like we all really clicked! I can't wait to get to know my team members better, and there is no greater bond than the bond of Christ.
God has exponentially expanded my heart for missions in the past year. I absolutely cannot wait to serve Him in Kenya. The past 7 months of preparing for this trip have been amazing. God has taught me so much, and in 19 days, it will all come together. Praise God! For He is so good!
Jaylyn Gramer
For the first deposit I needed $500 and had about two weeks to raise it. I spoke at my home church to share my need with them. Within an hour I had $470 in my hand! Instantly I knew God really had a plan for me in Kenya. Next I sent out my support letters with high expectations. As weeks went by with no money coming in, the doubt began to creep in. But I pushed it away again and again, remaining steadfast in my faith. I knew God was faithful.
In December, I was discouraged with news that several people had dropped out of the trip, and our team had dwindled to almost no team at all. I couldn't understand why that would happen, but I trusted in God's plan. I had committed to go to Kenya, and I was going no matter what it took! In the months following, God provided a team of 12 and an incredible team at that!
Throughout the past few months the devil has attacked me with different fears, doubts, distractions, discouragements, and insecurities regarding the trip. But God has equipped me and strengthened me, so I could withstand. I have gone through bouts of doubting my adequacy to make a difference in Kenya, but I know that God has hand picked me to go, and through Christ I am more than adequate. I know God has a huge plan for us in Kenya, and I feel honored to be a part of it
I paid my last payment for the trip about a month ago! Looking back I am just in awe that God actually did it. He faithfully paid for my trip, and He has also provided plenty of supplies for my ministry bag. I have been encouraged by the willingness of the body of Christ to help out.
I have been praying every day for unity and a special bond among our team, and I know God will answer that prayer! We had a team get together last weekend, and I feel like we all really clicked! I can't wait to get to know my team members better, and there is no greater bond than the bond of Christ.
God has exponentially expanded my heart for missions in the past year. I absolutely cannot wait to serve Him in Kenya. The past 7 months of preparing for this trip have been amazing. God has taught me so much, and in 19 days, it will all come together. Praise God! For He is so good!
Jaylyn Gramer
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