Bwana Asifiwe! ("Praise the Lord!" in Swahili)
Lindsey and I have been saying this over and over again for the things God has been doing in our lives this year. We had our first child, Ethan, in June and it has been a blast! As staff with Christian Student Fellowship, we’ve been praising God for how He continues to raise up more students to follow Him at UIS and Lincoln Land. Finally, as a current board member of Jump for Joel, I’ve been so blessed to be able to witness up close the ways God continues to provide for his children who are in need.
This year I have the opportunity to serve my family, and these excellent organizations in a really tangible, exciting way. This summer, I’ll be leading a group of students from Christian Student Fellowship to Kenya where we will be teaming up with Jump for Joel to love and serve the children of Gathiga Hope Children’s Home and Kibiria Slum. While in Gathiga we will continue to strengthen our relationships with the children and workers and will do a building project to meet some of the children’s practical needs. In Kibiria slum, we will be serving meals to the children who otherwise would go without food (some, up to 2 days at a time!). With the rest of our time, we’ll do some traveling, encourage members of the local church, and visit old friends.
As I said, this trip has implications in many areas for me. As a husband and father, my hope is that our family will always be about the work of loving and following Jesus. This trip is a way that I get to model that vision and share my experiences with them in a time when we all can’t go together. As a campus minister, I cannot understate the implications of this trip for our students. God has a way of shaping students in incredible ways while on mission trips. The CSF community is drawn closer together in love and purpose, and we as a staff have to say “bwana asifiwe!” For Jump for Joel, the stories of the children will always be its lifeblood. Whenever more people are introduced to the Kenyan children, more become invested in the ministry. Finally, this trip is a way that I get to encounter and serve God in a unique way. The last two trips I’ve taken to Kenya have been literally life changing for me. Hopefully, you get the picture as to why I’m so excited about this trip!
I believe strongly God is directing me to lead this trip. I’ve got to be honest though – I can’t make it there on my own. I need you. Before anything else, would you be willing to pray for this trip and for me? Your prayers are vital to the effectiveness of this trip. Please pray for the orphanage in Gathiga, the children in
Kibiria slum, our team, and for God to be glorified through our me on this trip. The trip cost is $3300, the majority of which is due by March 1 so that we can buy our plane tickets at the most affordable price.
This cost also includes our food, living, and vaccination expenses.
Though it is never comfortable for me to ask for financial support, I recognize that not everyone has been blessed with the flexibility to leave the country for two weeks. I also know that God has given other great gifts to you that He can use. Because of this, would you consider financially supporting my trip as well? It would be a privilege to have you as an equal partner in this ministry.
Thank you so much for taking the time to hear about what God is currently doing in my life. If you are interested in supporting my trip financially please make checks payable to “Jump for Joel” with my name in the memo line. Please contact me at the email listed below and I'll provide you with the address to send it to. Also, if you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact me at the contact information listed below.
Thanks so much!
-David
david@uiscsf.org
