Tuesday

I'm Going to.....

Two years ago something amazing happened that changed my life.


I was brand new to the blog world and discovered a community of bloggers, like Rocks in My Dryer and Boo Mama. They were both talking about going to Africa with Compassion International and blogging their trip.

It was during that week on their amazing journey, that we welcomed our first Compassion child, Bereket from Ehthiopia, into our hearts. I'll never forget explaining the work of Compassion to my children over dinner, showing them his picture.

We set out to help him. In doing so, he's helped us. We see the needs of others more clearly now because of that boy.

We chose Ethiopia because we knew my twin sister and her family would be bringing home a new daughter from there. She's home and, oh my, has my heart grown for the continent of her birth. I think of her sisters, left behind, working as slaves and worse, every day. I whisper prayers over them.

And then, I discovered Kisses from Katie in Uganda. I shared my heavy, heart-burden for the unbelievable life of sacrifice this young woman leads. You helped me carry the burden and together we bought $3,200 in chickens and blankets in just 24 hours.

Just this past Christmas, under the tree, was a package with our new sponsored child, Judith from Uganda, where Katie lives. She's ten, like my daughter and they have already written to each other.

And today, just two hours ago, I sat with my kids as they lovingly and longingly chose a third child to sponsor.

Her name is Makena, she's 6 and she's from Kenya. (She was chosen because a little red heart marked her Compassion picture which signified that she has been waiting for a sponsor for at least six months. My son, "Mom, no child should wait that long.")

My heart has grown.

And now, my life is going to change forever.

It's surreal, that two years after discovering the blog world and sponsoring our first Compassion child, and even more recently, falling in love with a strange land I've only seen in pictures, that I'm going....



Many details, papers, arrangements need to be made, but one thing is heavy on my heart as I type this...I need to ask, will you pray for me?

Compassion Bloggers: Kenya 2010

69 comments:

Amanda said...

Oh Kristen, of course I will pray for you!! What an amazing experience you will get to have. I cannot wait to read all about it! You are such a wonderful woman!

Kristy K said...

I will pray for you!!!! How exciting and amazing and wonderful!!! I can't wait to read about your travels!

UnfinishedMom said...

Oh yes. Absolutely we will pray for you. For safety, for life-change, for all that God can do.

Gina @ MoneywiseMoms said...

Oh my! What a wonderful opportunity. Sending you prayers and I'm eager to read your journey and experience. You have so much strength of heart, it will overcome any fears you may be having.

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

Kristen, what a blessing you will be. How incredibly exciting.

Steph

Heather said...

Yes!!! I went to South Africa (and some other countries) when I was a teenager. Those trips were absolutely life-changing!!

dawn said...

This is so exciting!! Congrats and I look forward to following along...

Tammy said...

I will definitely cover you and the entire team with prayers. I cannot wait to hear all about it.

Nicole @Team Pipkin said...

yes, i will pray for you as you embark on this journey. and i will look forward to you blogging during your trip.
God Bless You my sister in Christ!

O Mom said...

Yes will pray with you and for you. This is so amazing!

Ryley @ That's My Family! said...

Absolutely I will pray! Pray for you, for your travel companions and especially the children's lives you will touch while there.
What an amazing oppertunity. I can't wait to hear all the stories when you get back.
I'm sure this will forever change you.

Carol H. said...

Absolutely! I will add you to my prayer list now. Right now I pray that you find peace during all of the preparations and planning for your trip.

Tiffany said...

I will definitely pray for you! What an amazing opportunity. I do hope that you will share with us all how your life and heart are changed from your journey. I am excited for you!

pcb said...

Yay! I love that bloggers I already 'know' are going to be involved in this next Compassion trip! I came to Compassion through blogging, as well, and was moved to sponsor Patricia, from El Salvador, last March. Just got a letter from her yesterday! Bless you for going, bless your family for their support, and yes, you have my prayers. I'm looking forward to reading every single thing you post about this adventure.

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

That is awesome! God we ask that you would give Kristen wisdom as she makes her travel plans, we pray for favor for each and every step between now and when her feet touch the ground of Kenya. We ask for traveling mercy, for health, for protection and that the love of Christ would flow from her and touch the lives of all she comes in contact with.
You will continue to be in my prayers. Blessings!

Stacey said...

How wonderful and exciting. We just sponsored a child from Rwanda starting this Christmas too. I wrapped up his picture, and then told my family that he is the one we will help. My ten-year-old daughter said that he was her best Christmas present. *Sniff*!

Sharon said...

WOW! That's AWESOME! Praise God for this wonderful opportunity to see the need through your eyes.

I'll definitely be praying for you!

Heather said...

Of course I'll pray for you! Thank you for being willing to go where God leads. I know that your journey will affect numerous people.

Darla said...

Congratulations!!!

And? So far you are the only blogger I've seen asking for prayers. Your heart is always just "right".

Anonymous said...

Kristen.
I read your blog and newsletter faithfully, and never comment...but, with this news I just wanted to say OF COURSE we will pray for you here in Alabama! God has opened the door for you to go...and He has great plans for this trip. Thank you for going, and sharing your journey!
Kim

Tina said...

I couldn't think of a better person to go on this trip!!

You are absolutely in our prayers.

Tammy G. said...

So, happy for you, knowing that the Lord gives us the desires of our heart. Praying for you and your family as you prepare for your trip and as you travel.

Wendy said...

Absolutely!! Wow! You are so brave! I will pray for you and your entire team. I am sure that the Lord will use you in a powerful way!

Michelle said...

Kristen that is AMAZING news!! Can't wait to hear more about it. Hope it is a wonderful, exciting, lovely, and life changing journey for you.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

That is so wonderful, Kristen! I'm hoping I get to go one day too. I would so love that. Just started sponsoring a child about 4 mos. ago. She has my birthday & is in Honduras.

Nancy M. said...

Wow! That is so awesome! I know you will be blessed! I'll be praying for you!

Beth said...

Absolutely! Wish I could come with you...you are the perfect person to share your heart with all those wonderful people!

I have a request...can you all pray for my Aunt and Uncle, who have just traveled to Haiti (they go every year to help a little village there build a school, and help with bringing supplies, etc.). They are very near Port au Prince, where the 7.0 earthquake has hit. We haven't heard from them yet and are praying for their safety, as well as the people of Haiti. Such a poor country, and now this. Please pray for them!

Jeanette said...

How cool to be a blessing AND be blessed at the same time!

I would count it an honor and a priviledge to join with God's people in prayer for you :}

Hugs!

It Feels Like Chaos said...

Absolutely I'll pray for you and for the lives you are sure to touch by writing about your trip!

Henley on the Horn said...

You will be so blessed. I loved the mission trip I went on to Brazil. Are you joining McMama? She announced the same trip to Kenya with Compassion INternational. I adopted my first Compassion child in college. Love on those children for us and we'll be praying for you@

Henley on the Horn said...

You will be so blessed. I loved the mission trip I went on to Brazil. Are you joining McMama? She announced the same trip to Kenya with Compassion INternational. I adopted my first Compassion child in college. Love on those children for us and we'll be praying for you@

Unknown said...

We will most certainly be praying for you!

When I was 12 I went to the Dominican Republic as part of a missions trip to build churches and teach VBS. The next year we sponsored a child from the area and were able to meet with him when we went back to continue our missions. It was the most amazing experience!

That child has since grown up and no longer needed sponsorship but my family continues to sponsor another little boy from the Dominican Republic because of the amazing experiences we had there.

Lisa@BlessedwithGrace said...

I find myself with a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. What a journey you and your family have taken and now, what a blessing as God is allowing you take this adventure. I know you and your family will forever be changed by these events.. for the better.
I will pray for you and your family.

Lauren @ Team Giles said...

Oh Kristen, I am so excited for you and I can't wait to see what God is going to do and is already doing. I was SO excited to read this, SO excited! I'll definitely be praying for you. :) YEAA!! How great is our God!

texasinafrica said...

"Makena" means "joy" in Kikuyu, one of the big local languages in Kenya. Praying that you will continue to experience joy as you are stretched and challenged in this experience, and looking forward to reading all about it!

bridget {bake at 350} said...

Of COURSE we will be praying for you! What a journey, Kristen! You will touch so many, as you have already with your blog...and now sharing your trip. It's, you're, amazing.

Anonymous said...

YES!!! It will be my extreme pleasure to pray for you as your prepare for your Compassion trip. And ... tonight when I say prayers of gratitude, I will remember your sweet three. How very special they are! Destiny D.

Laryssa Herbert said...

When I was 14 my Mother, Sister and I went on a 40 day mission trip to Kenya. It was life changing. The beautiful people are still in my heart, I'd love to go back.

I'll be praying for you!

LifeAtTheCircus.com said...

How truly exciting!! Ya know, I was just reading on MckMama's sight about her going and thought to myself, "wonder if kristen is going to go" then what do you know?! you are. What an incredible opportunity! I must say I am jealous, and excited of/for you!

Real Life Sarah said...

This is such a great thing, Kristin! I will pray for you, for sure!

Whitney said...

Oh my, that is AWESOME, Kristin! You don't even have to ask. Of course, I will be praying for you, your family, and those beautiful families you will be helping!

Tracey said...

I am privileged to pray!

Lisa @ Simplified Saving said...

I am so excited about your trip and will be praying for you. Our family just signed up to sponsor 2 children through Compassion. We are excited about seeing God work in the families of the children we sponsored as well as in our own family through our involvement with Compassion. Thanks for sharing your heart!

KK said...

How exciting, I'll pray for you!

Kim Sorensen said...

Will Pray of course and what a wonderful thing !!!

Angela said...

How amazing this will be for you! Of course we will pray for you! You will see Jesus in every single child you meet there. Anything I can do to help please let me know! I will be praying!

MelaKamin said...

Happy for you & the kids in Kenya, who will benefit from you being there and the exposure you can bring to them. We will lift you up in prayer. God bless!

Lori said...

Yes, yes, yes!! What an amazing trip, and I know you'll take us along - which might result in more sponsored kids! :)

Kathleen@so much to say, so little time said...

Wow! How wonderful, and what a beautiful way to really live out the faith and make a difference in the world.

Julie said...

TAKE ME WITH YOU!!! I am dying to get over to Africa and get our little girl from Ethiopia!!! Adoption waiting is HARD! Kiss every child you see... my husband worries that when we leave for Ethiopia, I will never come back!

Adoption of Jane said...

Keep up the good work!

Meg @ Higgins Happenings said...

Kristen,
You are SUCH an inspiration! I will pray for you every night! You are doing a wonderful, selfless thing. I am proud to say that I follow you blog!! :) I'm really excited to read what happens while you're in Kenya! You.Are.Awesome!

Jennifer said...

Yes, I will pray for you, starting now. What a great opportunity!

Shelly Wildman said...

Definitely will be praying for you. Your life will never be the same.

Nancy said...

Absolutely!! I'm so excited for you! And thank you for introducing us to Katie...I'm obsessed with her blog and have been reading through every entry since she went to Uganda. AMAZING!!!

The Halbert Home said...

I am about to start crying for you! What a wonderful experience! I will pray for you!

km said...

I will pray. We have a World Vision child in Kenya.

Michelle said...

Oh yes yes yes!

Robin said...

I'm so excited (and a little jealous!)for you. We also sponsor 3 children (with 3 different organizations) around the world (China, Zambia, and Dominican Republic). You know we'll be praying for you!

Shari Lancaster said...

Okay, so yes, I AM pregnant & therefore emotional at times, but WOW...the comment your son made caused such a reaction in me...I'm still crying while typing this.

Thanks for this touching post. And, yes, I will pray for you.

ohAmanda said...

I have tears in my eyes and heart thinking about such an amazing adventure. SO HAPPY for you!

(I was hoping you were going to Burkina Faso so you could visit MY little girl & boy!)

a

Ami said...

I will most certainly pray! And while I'm praying, I'll have to ask the Lord to forgive me for being oh so jealous of you!

Anonymous said...

I will be praying for you!

I have a Compassion girl in Meru, Kenya that I started sponsoring when she was 5 - she's now 18!!

You will LOVE Africa! We are now living on the continent but still far from Kenya. Can't wait to follow your journey on your blog!

Heather said...

If I could explain to you how much reading this has touched my heart you would be crying like I am. I will pray everday for you on this adventure.

Anonymous said...

Praise God!!!!!!


Erika

kanishk said...

I can't wait to read about your travels!

Work from home India

Renee Holley said...

We will be praying for you on your trip. It will change your life to actually see and experience the life that your sponsored child leads. We sponsor 2 children, one of which I chose after meeting him when Robin and I went to The Dominican Republic with Mission of Mercy. (I didn't realize you and your sister were twins)
Renee

Missy said...

That is wonderful! My heart is in Kenya too. My sister is a missionary there and I got to go for a visit in 2007. Your heart will break, cry, rejoice, and be warmed all at the same time!

Can I just take a second to tell you something I think you will like.
My daughter (7) and I started a little baking business called Mom & Me Baking. Kenya has been in a terrible drought and my sister was sending us pictures of kids literally eating off of raw dead cow bones and drinking out of the same river that dead cows where laying in.
Its obvious that you can't look at pictures like that and do nothing and my daughter wanted a way to send money to the "Africa kids" as she calls them.
So we started our business. And we started a ministry with our business called "Kookies for Kenya". We give 25% of our profits straight to my sister that they are in turn able to use for a food bank for their community. In our first quarter ( Oct-Dec) we were able to send $200 which goes a loooong way in Kenya I can assure you.

So I commend you heart for "compassion" and pray for your trip. It will change your life. It sounds hokey to say that, but it will.

Oh, if you want to check out our little cookie website, here is the link.
http://www.momandmebaking.com/

Vicky said...

Exciting and scary all at the same time! I can't way to see what you blog along the way.