Empty closets & messy desks!

Some may say I am ahead of the game by starting to pack and downsize with 7 weeks before I move to Kenya, while I feel like I’m months behind.  I finally had some time this week (and some awesome help from my sister Kori) to start downsizing and packing. For some reason I thought that this process would go a lot faster than it has…

I figured I would start with my desk because I thought this would be a small project and once I finished my desk I would have some motivation to continue.  Two hours later, I realized that this small project was filled with memories that made it so difficult to just through into a box labeled, “Kenya”, “Trash” or “Parents house”. It wasn’t that I felt like a pack rat and I needed every piece of memory with me- but it was that I wanted to take the time to slow down- to read every letter, to remember every picture and to recall every moment.

Going through this desk made me realize a lot of things.

1. I need a box of Kleenex
2. I have an awesome support system of family & friends
3. These memories, people and events have helped shape who I am today
4. There is no doubt of my calling to Kenya
5. I hope my next desk is a lot more organized!

As I read through old letters and cards from family and friends over the years I began to realize the depth of my calling to Kenya.  I began to appreciate every trip I have taken to Kenya and how God has used that trip to prepare me for this move. Not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.  While I may have thought that these trips were just preparing ME, I’ve seen that they have also been used to prepare so many people around me. For that, I’m grateful that God pays attention to every last detail in preparation for this move.

So as I continue to downsize and pack my closet, kitchen and bedroom, I’m thankful that I started with that desk.  As it’s becoming harder to give away some of my favorite things that won’t be necessary in Kenya, I’m reminded of those encouraging letters, cards and memories I went through and that God has something bigger for me. God has designed this passion that burns in my heart, he has prepared me and called me to something that I feel so complete doing.
I’m ready to make Kenya my home. I’m ready and excited to make lifelong memories in Kenya, like I have done here.  I’m ready for what God has for Fred & I as we continue to chase the fullness of Christ to the ends of the Earth.

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Project H20

I have been completely humbled by the support and energy that has been behind the Well Challenge this Lent season.  Some fasted from drinking soda, or their daily Starbucks Coffee, while others fasted from eating out or going to the movies.  I have been so encouraged to see the dozens and dozens of water bottles that have returned with donations. Wednesday evening I had an Awana family come in with excitement as they returned their water bottle after fasting for over 40 days knowing that they were taking part in providing a well for a village in Kenya.  It has brought me such joy to see people walk in on Sunday morning with a water bottle filled with donations to help provide a well. These aren’t just donations, but these are donations that people have sacrificed for, so that our brothers and sisters around the world could receive clean drinking water. God has continued to show me many different elements of the body of Christ, and again this stands true toshow the true beauty of the body of Christ.  I believe Jesus is looking down on us with pride, as we continue to help our family in Christ all over the world. 

If you participated in this challenge, I lack words of appreciation.  I am not only thankful for you, but honored that you are standing with us as we unite with our family in Christ.  You are indeed a special blessing in my life as well as being a part of changing and improving lives in Kenya in the name of Jesus.

If you are still interested in contributing a tax-deductible donation, we still need funds!
Click “Donate” and select “Kenya Missions” to help provide clean drinking for our Kenya village.

Thank you for your prayers as we work together to bring hope to our brothers & sisters in Kenya!

Asante sana, Mungu akubariki- this means, Thank You and God Bless you in Swahili

May Update: Missions, Moving & Marriage!

May 2012 Update: Missions, Moving & Marriage

It’s hard to believe that something God put in my heart years ago is coming to fruition in just a few short months! Right around the corner I will be graduating college with a degree in social work, moving to Kenya to do mission work full-time and marrying a wonderful man that shares the same heart for missions as I do.  The past six years of traveling to Kenya part-time, continuing my education and serving at Trinity as the youth director have been a transforming part of my journey that God has used to lead me to this point. Though I will greatly miss this chapter of life and all of my family and friends at home, I am excited to be on the path to what God has in store next.

Missions
For the past 6 years, I have partnered with an organization in Kenya called Good News Community Center.  Their mission is to develop sustainable projects for widows and orphans that provide regular income, education and basic healthcare.  While I am in Kenya serving with Good News, I will be working on the beginning stages of developing our first orphanage and boarding school, called “Children’s Village”.  I will use my first year in Kenya to intern at a well-developed orphanage, Agape Children, and learn the structure of establishing a safe haven for orphans. I am eager to start this new adventure and use my education in social work to help serve the community more effectively.

Moving
On July 17^th, 2012, I will be officially moving to Kisumu City, Kenya, where Fred and I will base our mission work from. While we hope to come back to Wisconsin for visits and furloughs, this will be our home as Fred and I both feel called to missions in Kenya at this point in our lives. Please keep me in your prayers as I adjust to the Kenyan culture and life. Fred and I will be looking to regular support from our friends and family in the United States to provide for our basic living expenses, as we will not receive income for our work. This is something we are stepping out in faith on, yet we know that our God will take care of all our needs as devote our entire lives to serving others.

Marriage
Fred and I met through Good News in 2008 and have continued to serve beside each other since that time. Fred is a native to Kenya and serves with Good News as an associate pastor and translator. It is our hope that by 2014, Fred and I will be able to return to the U.S. and you will have the opportunity to meet him. But until then, we are eagerly anticipating August 11, 2012 (August 11 at 2am Central Standard Time) to say I do! The wedding will take place in Kisumu, and while we understand it will be difficult for most of you to join us physically, we hope you will join us through celebrating in thought, prayer, and facebook pictures.

 

Thank you for all your support and encouragement during these milestones in our lives. Be on the lookout for the next update, which will include even more opportunities to join us in this journey to more.

In Christ,

Holly Camalieri & Fred Okoth