Greetings from KENYA!

Hello everyone! It is with great excitement that I write my blog to you from Kenya. I won't be able to update daily, but will do my best. Let me tell you first and foremost, Christ is alive and well in Kenya! The people here are so joyful and have great faith, it truly puts American's to shame. I am so happy that I came and I pray that I will NEVER be the same. NEVER!!!

I have adopted Kenya as my second home. The people here have honestly adopeted me as their own and treat me like royalty. I have to tell our hosts not to carry my bags or serve me because they are constantly trying to do things for me. The women who serve us and keep our home nice even iron our clothes. It breaks my heart to see how hard they work and how tired they are by the end of the day. Last night one of the servants fell face first on the couch and fell asleep instantly. She is an amazing and beautiful girl, who deserves so much more than she has.

Each morning we are awakened by a rooster who just won't stop crowing! Infact, as I speak that rooster JUST came into the house and started crowing. Too funny!!!!

In Kenya, we are learning so much about culture. Here once a man is married he does not have to tell his wife that he loves her! We are pulling out the bible to show them how important it is for a husband to love his wife as Christ loves the church. We also found out that if you are not a pastor you can have up to 10 wives!!! We are just dumbfounded. But we are all laughing our bumpers off having this funny discussion about the differences between americans and Kenyans.

It has not all been roses, but I will write about that later. But we are all back on track and doing great.

My health has been wonderful!!! I did have a horrible migraine for 15 hours that stopped me from attending the first day of our crusade. I have not had that bad of a migraine for a very long time. I slept the whole time and cried in my sleep, but the people of the church prayed for me and I was healed and attended the revival that night. I have been healthy since. No tummy problems- Praise the Lord! A pastor from Kenya who has the gift of healing prayed over me today and it was amazing. So wonderful!

I miss my family so much, but I love it here so much too. I will be so sad to leave this wonderful, god filled country. When I wave, the entire community waves back. The children run to me just to be touched and smiled at. Thank you Jesus for this amazing adventure and this opportunity to grow. I can't wait to share everything with you and to show you all the pictures. I am truly a changed person, but it is different than I expected. I am not so much sad or have pity on the people I am with, but rather see a partnership of friendship, resources, and love as the best way to help. They do not want our pity!! THey are so resourceful, smart, and amazing. I am so grateful that I got to come here to see first hand what they need and how I can help.

Miss you all. Going back to our lively discussion on marriage, sex, and saying I love you!!! I can't believe that we are having this conversation with these pastors! It is so awesome.

Love, Jenn

Great Expectations

It feels like the night before Christmas, and I am a little girl who just can't sleep. What will tomorrow and the next 14 days bring? I am not naive enough to think that this will be all roses and daisies, but I have faith enough to know that no matter what God is with us and we are taken care of. I am filled with excitement, hope, and great expectations. I am in my bliss! I feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be, and I am grateful.

So with great care, I packed my suitcase filled with personal art supplies and clothing to wear there and share with my new friends in Kenya. I packed two rolls of toilet paper for comfort, and a bunch of undies because I am shy about the housekeepers having to wash mine. Oh, the things that I think about!

I realized this week that it will be two weeks before I drive a car or watch a tv again. Two weeks before I kiss my sweet girls and smell their hair or do my "pug and a mug" morning coffee with my dogs. Two weeks before I take a hot shower again. Two weeks before I sleep in the comfort of a real bed. Things I take for granted, and will miss so very much.

But what a blessing to serve and love and to be served and be loved on. I strangely feel like I am going "home" to Kenya. It is no longer a foreign place to me, I feel like I am reuniting with family and friends. I don't know what the next two weeks will bring. So much is changing each day, but I do know that no matter what I am blessed to be a part of this amazing adventure in God's story book of life.

Please pray for me when I come to mind and for my amazing group of fellow Christians who are on this journey. I have included the poster that the church printed for the conference that we are speaking at. This is so amazing!
Love, Jenn

Determination to press on

My last week has been filled with ups and downs. We were able to ship the art supplies along with essential oils last monday through Fed Ex, which felt like a huge relief. Just knowing that the supplies would be on their way and that I would open that box once I arrive in Mumias felt like a step toward the reality of this project coming to life! Then, today we get the news. The package made it safely, and customs has it. They are charging us for an additional $200 shipping and for a portion of the value. Unfortunately, our package was quite expensive due to $500 in art supplies and a wonderful huge donation of essential oil kits...so this portion of the value is sizeable. We would have to come up with about $1000 to retrieve our package.

So, today as I received the news, sadness overwhelmed me for a moment. I nearly cried, but instead got angry. I felt like I was going to fail the people of Mumias, by coming without the Art for Africa supplies. Then I remembered the story of the loaves and fishes and how God multiplied the supplies to feed all of those people. If God can do that, surely he can multiply the supplies I am able to bring with in my suitcase to meet the needs of the start up of the project!

What I end up doing in Kenya may be very different from what I imagined. I can accept that. God's plan is bigger and better than my plan. I am so grateful that I am not alone and that He is the author of Art for Africa, not me.

So, I go on with even more determination to make this project a success. I refuse to be discouraged. I refuse to let anything get in the way of Art for Africa. Kenya, here we come!

Jenn

Mixed Emotions

I did not expect this. I am just 12 days away from my departure and I am struggling with my emotions. I expected to be excited and on cloud nine. I am not. Sure I feel excited about starting this adventure and meeting the wonderful people of Kenya. I also feel somewhat excited about the flight itself. But something else has crept in, and I need to allow myself to feel all the emotion, no matter how uncomfortable I am with them.

Let me try to explain. I feel like I am on the edge of a giant cliff and I am about to jump off to see if I can fly. I know I can fly in my heart, but that slight bit of self doubt is nagging at me as I peer over the edge of the cliff and see the rocks below. What if I fall? What if I don't make it? What if I start off well, then suddenly plummet? This is how I feel about this amazing adventure I am about to step into. It is truly a step of faith, and I am trusting that God has our backs and will see us through. It doesn't mean that this is an easy step, but I know I am not going alone.

My fears will not overcome me (I am trying to hold tight to God's promises and word). I refuse to have a spirit of fear, and yet I have moments where I am a little afraid. What am I afraid of? Terrorism. Being killed. Not returning home. I know that my life in in the hands of our Lord. I am holding onto HIM with all my strength, praying that He will see this through and return me to the States safely where I can continue His work.

The other thing I have been dealing with is the feeling that this is in essence the last week of my naive and innocent view of this world. After I see and experience Africa I will never be the same. I will no longer be able to walk in this world caring only about my family and those around me. I will no longer be able to be concerned only with the welfare of my children. I will no longer be able to buy frivelous luxuries (like Starbucks or a $50 pair of jeans) without seeing the people and children I met in Africa who can benefit so greatly if I just sacrifice those luxuries for their sake. Buying new furniture or pretty decorations for my home will not feel good. I expect that it may even feel wasteful and selfish. I don't know how ready I am for these feelings. I am afraid that I will begin to feel a little anger toward America and our ways of living for ourselves while others die of starvation. I already see this in me...when I feel sickened by money going into programs to battle childhood obesity in the US, while our children in Africa don't even have the food to eat to keep meat on their bones. Why is there so much in this world, yet it is so unevenly distributed? I am wrestling with these emotions, all while trying to just enjoy my last week and a half of just being who I am today. Naive. Innocent. I have not seen, yet those things that will change me forever. I feel like I need to just breathe and be.

So if you ask me if I am excited, and I hesitate, please understand that this is uncharted water for me. I am learning and growing, and it is wonderful and amazing and painful all at the same time. I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve God and to hopefully make a difference in our world. Thank you for being a part of it.

I have almost made it!

Thanks to the support of my friends and family as well as several fundraisers, I am only about $600 short of my $4000 fundraising goal for Art for Africa and Kenya Called by Faith! I just had to share this for those who are following.

On a personal note, I need prayer for health. This has been a big hurdle and complication for much of my life, and today I am not well. I overdid it yesterday and kicked my fibromyalgia and fatigue into high gear. I just want to be my healthiest for the mission trip and ministry, but I feel like the more I try the more I feel miserable. Even if I can just make it through Kenya healthy, and come back and recover it will be enough for me right now.

So..since I am not myself I will sign off. No need to hold a pity party for myself!
Jenn

I have to admit it, I stink at remembering to blog! But I know that it is time to step it up! We are now only 2 months away from Africa! I can hardly believe it. Things are falling into place. Our garage sale raised 1100 toward my trip (over 4000 in all!). I am so relieved, but have a ways to go. I just have faith that God will see this fundraising through. I wish I did not have to focus on money, it feels like such a waste of precious time and energy that could be spent focusing on the real needs and on the long term program to help the women and orphans! But I know that it will all happen in HIS time, not mine. I know HE will see this through!!!! Please keep me in prayer and ask that God will lead those who He has planted with wealth to come forward and share their blessings with our mission group.

I am so grateful for all of the prayers and the donations and support from friends and family. I just want to give my heart and soul to this mission as I reach the people of Africa for Christ. I will try my best to blog to keep you up to date on the trip. I want to remember every moment, every feeling, every smell, every face, every experience surrounding this adventure. Thank you for being a part of it!

The picture above is of Deb and I at the fundraising garage sale we held a couple of weeks ago! The biggest blessing that I can share with you is that there was a 100% chance of rain that morning, and the rain was not supposed to clear until 8 pm. Our sale was outside, with no tent. We did not have one single drop hit our sale the entire day! Truly God's blessing upon us. We found out that night that the people of Africa held an all night prayer vigil over our fundraiser (as it is night in Africa during our day) that God would BLESS us! Our God is so AMAZING and Faithful in answering our prayers.
Until I have more to report...

Jenn

So Excited

So today I took a big step toward actually getting to Kenya! I got my passport picture taken AND picked up the passport app..then called dad to ask him to send me my birth certificate which by the grace of GOD he actually had! This is really happening...I am going to Kenya!

I have not updated my blog in awhile because life has kept me busy, and because I had a health relapse for a bit. I am back up and at it again so you can expect to see and hear more from me now.

As for my jewelry to benefit the orphans, I have had an influx in orders which I will put together this weekend (as long as all of the supplies arrive)! I also started a program to help spread the word about my Art for Africa project! I am recruiting marketing help for my jewelry and a reward program for anyone who signs up to spread the word! The current promo rewards my marketing team member with $5 for each necklace order that comes in as a result of their help with promoting my jewelry special. Know someone who might enjoy becoming a part of this team and earning some extra income while raising money for a great cause? Have them contact me!

Have an awesome day!
Jenn

He is Risen!

Over the past week I have felt inspired and blessed every single day because of this ministry that God has laid on my heart. I feel like I am benefiting more than then children who will ultimately be supported through our project. This new mission in my life has given me a reason to get up every morning, inspiration to be the best I can be, and something other than myself to think about. True happiness comes by following God and serving others..and now I see why!

So, today I ask you this question: Are you truly happy? Do you feel joy when you look at your life and what you spend you time and energy doing each day? If not, I challenge you to give it to God. Ask him to ignite a fire in you and to show you how He wants to use you. I know that this is scary..but trust me. It is worth the risk. He already has a plan for your life, and he knows you inside and out. His plan is not to cause you anguish but to lift you from the things that you have strayed toward in your pursuit of happiness. Don't leave God behind. Seek Him each day, and He will direct your paths. You might be amazed at where he leads you. Look at me...he lead me all the way to Africa!

Happy Easter!
Jenn

Decisions, Decisions

So I finally came to peace with myself and where I believe God is leading me to help. I will be sending $100 to Pastor Lucas this week to help with the famine alleviation.

Though sad to say, I am grateful that I am not aware of every need in this world. I would drive myself mad knowing the truth about the pain and suffering that goes on. How does God do it, being all knowing and all powerful..yet allowing free will? I would not be strong enough to allow my children to starve and suffer, knowing full well that I have blessed my other children with the money and means to alleviate their suffering- yet they keep it all for themselves.

I am that child with the better life, with more money, more blessings, too many belongings. And here I sit tonight having pity for myself, because of a migraine and stomach ache caused most likely from the stress of chasing the American dream, and eating too many foods that are not the best for my body. I need to become balanced in all that I do.

Though this is my heart, I want to focus more on the positive that I will be doing now that I have had a fire lit under me. I know I cannot do it all, but I refuse not to do what I can to make this world a better place. Now the trick will be to balance that so that my family does not resent me, and so that I do not punish myself for enjoying the life God has so graciously given to me.

Jenn

The Good The Bad and The Ugly...

The Good News
God continues to lead this ministry and project in ways that I could not have ever imagined. I did some research on SESOK, and found that they have basically the same mission as I do! SESOK is a part of a larger group called The Global Outreach, which is a non profit that believes in sending 100% of funds raised to the place it was raised for. They have started a project recently for the orphans of Mumias, too! I am making contact with them to find out how this program works and how much money it has generated so far. I am so excited to have a potential ally to help meet the needs of the orphans who I feel like are a part of my family.

The Bad News
Kenya is experiencing Famine due to flooding. Pastor Lucas told me today that the crops that were planted have been washed away and that food is running out. Homes are also being flooded. Pastor Lucas has been providing food aid to surrounding communities, but the food ran out last week.

The Ugly News
If they do not receive help soon, many will die. People have already gone a week without food.

So now I struggle with this heaviness on my heart. How can I help them now? How can I send money that way? How can I raise funds for the urgent need as well as funds for me to actually go on the mission trip and to start the Art for Africa program? The needs are so great and I feel like my hands are tied and that I am just treading water waiting alongside them for rescue. I am in conflict internally..I am the rescuer..but I don't know how to swim and I have no life preserver to throw to them.

Paul and I had received some money from my great aunt this week, that we planned to use to enrich our marriage by using it for dates. This is an area that we really truly need in order to improve and maintain our relationship. I feel so guilty thinking that I really want to keep this gift so that we can go on dates..and at the same time I get scared thinking that if I don't use this blessing for dates with my husband that I am not placing value on my marriage (which has been an ongoing theme by me that I want to change). Then on the other hand I think about how this money (though it is not a huge amount) could be a blessing to the people of Kenya.

As I struggle with this in my mind, heart and soul I come to wonder how much this amount could do? Could it save a life? Could me hoarding it allow another to die of starvation? How can I live with myself knowing that?

OK, this blog post is definately not inspiring today!!! I am so sorry for that. I just need to work this out and writing it helps to make it real. I will let you know what I decide to do.
Jenn

Blessings from above

I sat with tears running down my cheeks and a feeling of warm gratitude that touched my soul as I read an email from Pastor Lucas yesterday.

I had been working on Art for Africa for a couple of hours and thought that maybe I should move to another area..work or housekeeping. It was my only day "off" this month, where I could catch up without kids or obligations. Surely I should not spend it all on my Africa project.

I have been a little scared, seeing how great the need is, and how small I am. I am not rich. I am not even financially stable. I can barely support my own family, and my tithing has been less than adequate as I have struggled to pay bills and keep gas in the car. I do not have many friends who have offered to help financially with the needs..what makes me think I can successfully run an ongoing program to support 26 orphans half a world away? Doubt and fear overwhelms at times, yet there is always that glowing "knowledge" inside me that says do not fear. With HIM all things are possible for those who believe. If I follow His will, not mine, He will run this project.

Suddenly, I saw that I had a new message..it was Pastor Lucas. He had only written to me twice before, both initiated by my questions. I did not expect to hear from him again for months. Besides, it was 10 am our time..what time was it there?

As I read his words of affirmation and encouragement the fear melted and my heart swelled.

I do not think that Pastor Lucas would be upset that I share his email with you all. It was so timely, so encouraging, so much a message not only from him, but from God just when I needed it most.

Dear Beloved Sister In Christ Jenn,

This week My wife Jane has been leading 15 women in our church fasting and praying for you that God will bless your efforts and plans you have about helping us with funds to help orphans in our community.

They have been in prayer for the whole week until this Saturday.These group of women are so much excited for meeting you face to face and work together with you to make better lives of this young ones who are in suffering .

Expect a big breakthrough for i know as they pray God will release his blessings and victory.He will touch many people from all four corners of this worls to support us through you.

May God use you very powerful as his vessel in lifting up the standard of our community
and our churches. If you get some one with a call of helping to buld churches into permanent direct him to us.For we are praying that our churches shall have buildings that are permanent.

You are in our prayers , dear Jenn.

May God bless you

pastor Lucas obanda"


Speechless..I sat with tears of joy and thanksgiving. Then I spent the rest of my day "off" completing the web site and asking for sponsors to consider supporting this project.

I know that I know that I know that God has laid this ministry before me, and that He is in control and that His will will be done. Praise you Jesus.

Africa Connections Everywhere!

As I go about my days, I am amazed by the connections I am coming across for others who are interested in Africa. Today I told my story to a client who told me about selling his home to people from South Africa last year and a neighbor who just returned from a month long trip to Africa.

Yesterday I received a phone call from a member of our team who met a metalsmith who is also an artist and teaches at the local University (Art no less!)..who said she would like to go to Africa with us. How perfect for the Art for Africa project!

Just last week I went on an organizing consult to a new clients home...and guess what her theme of her home was? AFRICA! I have not mentioned the mission trip, yet but I am looking forward to hearing about her interest or connection with this amazing country.

Last week I also talked with another client of mine about Art for Africa and she told me that she was on a mission trip to Africa 5 years ago, and wants to support the orphans and Art for Africa in anyway she can.

God is placing the right people in line with my life at exactly the right time. I love this experience of watching HIM work in my life and for the lives of those who have been praying for help.

I have a wonderful feeling that this is only the beginning of the great things to come.

Wrestling with the Needs

I sit here tonight trying to figure out how to raise $1500 in addition to the $3500 that it will cost for me to go to Mumias this October for our mission trip and to get things rolling for Art for Africa. I know that with God all things are possible, yet I feel so small and the need is so ENORMOUS.

I understand that Africa is experiencing famine as I write this. I am ignorant. I really don't know what this means, but it cannot be good in any way, shape or form. Tonight I dined on a taco salad, followed by my dessert of choice-chocolate chips straight from the bag. I wonder what the dear children who I am starting this program for ate today? How is this famine affecting them?

Pastor Lucas has told me that they would like to be self sufficient and to feed the orphans and others in their community through purchasing a piece of land to grow their own food on. He would like to buy some livestock, including a cow so they can sell milk and chickens so they can sell eggs. Such simple things, yet they seem so hard to obtain. There must be some way to raise $1500 so that the land can be purchased and the livestock can be brought in for them.

My heart is heavy for their needs, yet I know that I have been called not to wish but to do something about these needs. So, my prayer tonight is for guidance and wisdom to know what to do. I don't expect the money to fall from the sky, but I do believe that the idea for raising the money will come from our heavenly father. Please say a prayer for me as I wrestle with myself and with the needs of these precious people.
Jenn

I received a wonderful email from Pastor Lucas of Mumias yesterday. I just wanted to share with you some of the pictures that he sent to me of the orphans that we will be helping through Art for Africa. I cried when I got to see their faces, and felt like I got to see a piece of my family for the first time.

I am truly blessed to be given an opportunity to help these children.

Jenn

Have you ever had one of those days that feel just "off"? I am having one of those OFF days today. I am completely exhausted and wondering how I will make it through the rest of the day without collapsing. I do however see God working in all that I am doing and I want to share some of the Kenya updates with you and also give you a glimpse into the blessings I have had this week.

JENN'S LIST OF BLESSINGS

1. I had $20 donated toward Art for Africa yesterday after telling a client about the mission and trip. It was so encouraging to see her give so willingly without me even asking. She also pre-ordered 2 necklaces after seeing one on me. I was on cloud 9!
2. A local coffee shop has asked if they could put out a jar for donations for our trip! What a great opportunity to educate the community on the issues the people of Mumias are facing daily!
3. We are nearly set for running our funding through a local non-profit, this way we will be able to give charitable contribution receipts to those who donate!
4. My Great Aunt called me to tell me that she felt lead to send our family a check!-ok this one may not be related to Kenya, however this check will enable my husband and I to have dates and keep our relationship thriving! Something we really need.
5. We had 2 calls for cleaning today that I was able to give to my newest cleaner (who is also in need of work to support her family). It feels so good to be a blessing and pass on the blessings to others!
6. The Art for Africa website is up and running! It needs some tweaking, but check it out! You can donate, become a sponsor, or even purchase a necklace online now!
7. OH and this one is BIG! I am able to eat chocolate again! I had given up carbs for a week to test how my chronic fatigue and pain might be connected with sugar and carbs...and now I am re-introducing carbs starting with Chocolate! Oh it makes me sooooo happy!

I think I better go have some chocolate now! And work some other things before my family time begins tonight.
Jenn

My Journey Begins

You are invited to follow me on this incredible journey. A journey that can only be explained as unexpected and incredible. I am going to Africa. Not only am I going there, I am suddenly faced with the realization that my entire life is about to change. I feel the call to create a program that incorporates art, jewelry, and fundraising to support the orphans of a small village near Mumias Kenya. I have not yet met these children, but I have seen their pictures and God has heard their cries. Join me as I am lead on this journey of a lifetime, a journey that will change my life, the life of my family, and quite possibly your life as well.