Coming Alongside

Friends and Family,

This phrase, “coming alongside” is one of my most favorite word pairings, and has been for nearly a decade. At one time or another, we will all need someone to come alongside of us, and there are always endless ways for us to support others in coming alongside of them. One of the greatest ways we can use our lives to create change and support communities is to come alongside of local organizations who are creating impact in their communities already.

I’ve had the opportunity to experience this in 2 major times in my life. The first time was in 2007 when I traveled to the slums of India, where we primarily served children and families who lived on the streets. In 2010 I was able to serve at a foster home for disabled and special needs orphans. Those trips allowed me to come alongside of local organizations that were creating impact in their communities, to those who had the most desperate needs. Each of these trips changed my worldview and as a young adult, I was able to learn the value of using my abilities to serve others. Ultimately, these experiences led to a desire to work in a profession where I could come alongside families and children, at some of the darkest times in their lives. Working in public child welfare as a foster care Social Worker, I’ve found that fulfilling career. I daily have the honor and responsibility of partnering with families, other government agencies, non-profit agencies, and other local organizations to help create stronger families in my community.

The local church I have attended for the last 4 and a half years has partnered with local community organizations in Nairobi, Kenya. These community members have dedicated their lives to journeying with, loving on, and offering a helping hand to the most disadvantaged children and families around them. From February 19th-March 2nd, 2018, I have the honor of being on a team that will travel to Kenya to serve with these organizations. It is such a privilege to be able to lock arms with these incredible people and support their amazing missions. While in Kenya we will have the honor of meeting and service the children, families and volunteers connected with the following:  

Shujaa Community Center- Offers job training and leadership development to lift people from poverty
Family Worship Center- An amazing local church
Amani Children’s Home
Ngegu School- Public School

To make this trip possible, I’m prayerfully asking for you to join me by coming alongside. The cost of the entire trip is $2200. If you’re able to contribute to lighten the costs, you can make a tax deductible donation here. If you’re local, please consider hiring me for babysitting, dog or house watching, or any other way I can be useful to you! Additionally, please come alongside this entire team in prayer. We will be doing lots of preparation for this trip and truly need the prayer support of those around us so that we can serve and honor God in the best way possible.

Thanks so much for reading and partnering with me. I cannot wait to share all that I experience and learn through this trip.