Woah. That's where i'm headed. I'm going with an organization based out of New Zealand called Global Volunteer Network which places people in a range of volunteer opportunities all over the world. I will be working with a Kenyan organization, Volunteer Internship Community Development - Africa (VICDA), for 6 weeks starting October 1. The goal of this organization is to offer underprivileged children a future. The hope is to provide the children with the basic necessities of life - love, food, clothing and shelter - and also provide them with an education. During my stay, I will be caring for orphans who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS, street children and abused children at one of four orphanages in Nairobi. The other volunteers and I will take on the role of a sibling to the children, a relationship we often take for granted, but these children are without. We will assist with the daily running of the orphanage; cleaning, bathing children, cooking, helping with homework, possibly teaching some school lessons, and just spending time with the children.

So, how did this all come about, you ask? Well, let me tell you. It started back in the summer of '04. I remember talking with Chelsey, while we were still in Estonia, about working at an orphanage in Africa. Then about a month later, I was hanging out in Red Deer at an Every New Day show, when God told me I was going to Africa. No, there was no booming voice.. no elaborate visions.. no email from the big Guy. Just a feeling in my heart so strong that there's no other way to explain it. So, right away i assumed to know His plans and thought I was heading to Tanzania.. that fell through and instead I ended up in Estonia again (no complaints here!). But I knew God would hold true to His promise that I would serve in Africa. So I waited patiently and prayed diligently. Finally it was my time. And God lead me to this program.

The need for love in Africa is so huge. There's no way to ignore our suffering neighbors. 36.2% of the population live on less than $1 a day. 33% suffer from malnutrition. Less than 50% have access to hospitals or doctors. Children account for half of all civilian casualties in wars in Africa. Between 12 and 14 million children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Nearly 2 million children under 14 years old are HIV positive. Every day 6000 people die of AIDS. One in six children in Africa die before the age of 5.

"He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord" Proverbs 19:17
"I know that the Lord maintains the cause of the afflicted, and executes justice for the needy." Psalm 140:12
"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker." Proverbs 14:31
"Open your hand to the poor and needy in your land." Deuteronomy 15:11

God has clear plans for what we are supposed to do. We need to take action. Get involved in the fight against poverty. Understand that the personal choices you make have an effect on humanity as a whole. Evaluate your lifestyle, make some changes! Resist consumerism, lower energy consumption, walk or ride your bike, get in the know about what corporations are further oppressing the poor and don't buy their products. For a really great read on the issue, check out 'Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger'. Be prepare to be disgusted, convicted, blown away, but mostly be prepared to make some major changes.

Anyways, I digress... all I'm trying to say is that we are called to be his body, his hands, his feet. We are called to love. We are called to help the 'least of these'. And so I will. I'm gonna hop on a plane and travel 30 hours to a desperate land and pour out my love. I don't know what to expect, but I know that God will be with me, guiding me, leading me, showing me where he needs me.

I'm not much of a writer, but i'll be rambling on this site about my journey over the next few months. I'd appreciate you checking back on how things are coming along. But mostly I would REEEEEALLY appreciate your prayers. Seriously. They are crucial. I have so much to prepare... it's scary.