What Debbie's looking forward to . . .

When St. Luke’s began talking about sending a mission team to Maua Methodist Hospital, I asked my husband (Ray) offhandedly if he would like to go Africa. To my surprise, he not only wanted to go, but he had wanted to go with the team that went 6 years ago! Well ok, then – we’re both going to Kenya!

As excited as I am about going and all the preparation involved, I find myself a little apprehensive. Are we truly going to be as helpful as we think we are? Can we be everything they are hoping for? I know we can’t do it all, but I pray that we are more of a blessing than a hindrance.

Based on my experience of other mission trips, no matter how much I involve myself in working to better someone’s life – I am far more blessed than I ever imagined. It somehow doesn’t seem quite right that I receive more than I give! And, the more I give – the more I receive and it just never seems to even out. I always come out the winner!

KenyaDoIt 2012!!  Wow, I am so excited.  After many years of supporting and praying for the mission work at Maua Methodist Hospital - I am so blessed to be able to see first-hand how the hospital, orphanage and bio diverse farm are changing lives in rural Kenya.  To be able to share this experience with my daughter, Madison, and the rest of our mission team adds to my excitement.  Pray for us and pray for the people and work of the Maua Methodist Hospital, Aids Orphanage and the farm.
                                 KenyaDoIt -- YES WE CAN!             - Alison Peeler

What Katie is looking forward to...

In our meeting today, we decided it would be neat if we each posted on the blog what we are looking forward to/why we are excited/what we are hoping to do/learn/etc...

Katie: As many of you know, St. Lukes has been doing Broadway themed church services this summer, it sounds very odd, but it all made sense to me when I was able to go to church this morning. The theme today was based on the amazing broadway musical, Wicked...which I have seen twice. The entire service touched me in so many ways, not because of how much I love the musical and wish I could have seen the original on broadway with Kristen Chenowith and Edina, but because of what the story means. It is about figuring out who you are, and realizing that each experience you have and the people you surround yourself with help you grow and become exactly who you are.

Alison and Tammy sang a beautiful duet, which happened to be my FAVORITE song from Wicked, "For Good". The entire song speaks to me, especially this part "I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them, and we help them in return. Well I don't know if I believe that's true. But I know I'm who I am today because I knew you. Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes the sun like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood. Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you I have been changed for good. It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime, so let me say before we part, so much of me is made of what I learned from you. You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend."

In a not so short way of getting there, this is what I KNOW I will "get out of" this trip. That it will change me for good. That I will meet people who I would not have had the opportunity to meet before, and though I may never see them again, they will leave a handprint on my heart.  This is what I can't wait for, I know that the time we spend in Africa will impact my life in nothing but a good way.

Countdown...

Wow. We leave for Kenya in 17 days! We met today as a team (minus a few who were out of town) to get down to the "nitty gritty" and work out the logistics for our trip. Madison and Katie mostly concerned about what to pack, others hoping for a specific itinerary, and previous "Kenya go-ers" sharing valuable "lessons learned" from their previous trips (thanks Leon!). I am only speaking for myself, but I am the MOST excited I have been about this trip since God presented this opportunity to me.

Here are a few things we need from our supporters: we are still collecting childrens clothing and cloth diapers at St. Lukes UMC. We also have a sign-up for a prayer chain, you sign up for a 12-hour block to take some time and pray for us, and BONUS...you get a yellow KenyaDoIt bracelet! You are, however, welcome to pray for us at any time prior to our departure and during our mission:) If you have any questions, contact Kelly Inman at the previous stated e-mail address.

Kenya Do It!

August 16 - September 1
The St. Luke’s UMC "Kenya Do It!" mission trip is coming! The group will spend two weeks in Kenya building a home for children who have been orphaned due to their parents having AIDS, visiting and working with the needy, and more. There are ways you can help spread the love of Christ to those in Kenya: first, you can pray for our team before during and after the trip. On Sunday, July 15th we will have a booth in the office foyer for you to sign up to pray for us and the people of Kenya on our journey. Second, we need your help in providing some much needed items for the care of the children of Kenya. We are asking you to bring new or gently used clothing for children from birth to age 8 as well as cloth diapers. You can drop these items by the front desk or to Kelly's office at the church. Thank you for your help in sharing God's blessings and love through this mission and ministry.
Be sure and check back on the blog periodically, we will make sure to post lots of pictures and updates throughout this mission! Please contact Kelly Inman at KInman@StLukesUMCMidland.org if you'd like to help!