Team Members: Jessi & Kaija

 Welcome back to our Udada team blog! Today we want to introduce our two college students that will be traveling with us: Jessie and Kaija!

 Introducing: Jessi

Q: So, where are you from?

A: Aledo, Texas

Q: What is your profession?

A: I am currently a Psychology student at Dallas Baptist University

Q: What are you most excited about/looking forward to in regards to our trip?

A: I am most excited to see the unique ways in which the Lord is exalted during our time in Kenya. I just want to experience more of Him.

Q: What is your favorite scripture verse?

A: My favorite verse is Philippians 1:20-21 “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now, as always, Christ will be exalted through our bodies, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Q: Anything else you would like to share?

A:  (Janice speaking) We are so excited to have Jessie on our team!  She and Kaija round up our team and bring with them the fresh energy of their youth! 

 Introducing: Kaija

Q: So, where are you from?

A: Waco, Texas

Q: What is your profession?

A: I'm studying Psychology at DBU with a concentration in Child Life in the hopes to eventually do play therapy as well.

Q: What are you most excited about/looking forward to in regards to our trip?

A: I'm most excited to spend time and do art projects with the children in the slum schools. 

Q: What is your favorite scripture verse?

A: Philippians 4:4-8: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Q: Anything else you would like to share?

A:  Going on a mission trip to Africa has been on my heart for years now, and I am overjoyed to finally be able to go. I've never been overseas before but I'm excited to be able to serve others by offering the same love Christ has shown me."

The time for our departure is quickly approaching!  I can't believe it is just three short weeks until we board our first plane that starts our journey to Kenya!  Wild!  Thank you for your continued prayers and support--we could not go without you and we covet your prayers during these remaining three weeks as we prepare to leave and, of course, while we are are abroad.  

Prayer Requests

• Grace for us all as we tie up loose ends and make final preparations.
• Peace for us all as we leave family (many of us are leaving spouses and children behind)
• For our team to keep health as many of us are winding down a school year. 
• That God would continue to prepare our hearts and minds for the work He has prepared for us. 
• Grace for our fearless leaders, Melanie, as she leads our team in all things!                                      

Mungu awabriki!

(God bless you!)    

Team Members: Holly & Melanie

 Welcome back to our Udada team blog! Today we want to introduce Holly and our amazing team leader, Melanie.  God has truly created a wonderful team!

 Introducing: Holly

Q: So, where are you from?

A: Texas (Livingston, TX for the past 19 years)

Q: What is your profession?

A: Retired Dental Hygienist (practiced for 30 years)

Q: What are you most excited about/looking forward to in regards to our trip?

A: Teaching the women and children proper dental health but also seeing and experiencing their beautiful country.

Q: What is your favorite scripture verse?

A: Psalm 25: 4-5  Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow.  Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you.

Q: Anything else you would like to share?

A:  I am Christian Burkhardt’s stepmom and Gigi to her precious babies!

 Introducing: Melanie

Q: So, where are you from?

A: Georgia

Q: What is your profession?

A: Retired from working at Baylor University

Q: What are you most excited about/looking forward to in regards to our trip?

A: I have traveled to Kenya for the last 15 years while working at Baylor University.  The country and its people melted my heart.  God called me at the same time to go back. I am called to empower women through faith-based leadership and to love marginalized women in Kenya.

Q: What is your favorite scripture verse?

A: Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose."

Q: Anything else you would like to share?

A:  From Janice: Melanie is a vibrant woman of God that never meets a stranger!  Her vivacious personality and beautiful smile welcomes all she encounters into friendship with her! :)  We are blessed to have her lead our team!

Thank you for partnering with us in so many ways!  Please continue to pray for each of us as we prepare for our visit to Kenya.  Here are a few current prayer requests:

• That all funds necessary would be raised and submitted in time.                                                    
• That all the necessary logistics would be made with ease on our end and in Kenya.                        
• That God would continue to prepare our hearts and minds for the work He has appointed for
• Grace for our Marvelous team leader, Melanie, as she leads our team in all of the above!        

Mungu awabriki!

(God bless you!)    
                                                                                                                         

Team Members: Charlene & Jennifer

 Hello there, and welcome back to our Udada team blog! Today we want to introduce Charlene and Jennifer.  Enjoy reading a bit about these two wonderful women of God!

 Introducing: Charlene

Q: So, where are you from?

A: I am from Rochester, NY, yet have lived in the Dominican Republic, Vermont, California, Idaho, and now Texas.

Q: What is your profession?

A: I have been a teacher for 28 years, in various positions.  Currently, I am a special education teacher for K-4th grade students.

Q: What are you most excited about/looking forward to in regards to our trip?

A: I am most excited to share the good news about how God is able to help us to heal after traumatic experiences.

Q: What is your favorite scripture verse?

A: My current verse is: John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world, you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world”

~said….Jesus!

Q: Anything else you would like to share?

A:  This is not from Charlene but I (Janice) just want to say that Charlene is one of the coolest people I know!  She has experienced so many adventures with God! 

 Introducing: Jennifer

Q: So, where are you from?

A: Currently live in Mesa, AZ; born and raised in California.

Q: What is your profession?

A: I am semi-retired; in the midst of selling my transcription services business that I owned and operated since 2007. 

Q: What are you most excited about/looking forward to in regards to our trip?

A: Everything! I am excited to meet our team in person; see the landscape and meet the people of Kenya and experience their culture, visit places I have never been. Most of all I am looking forward to seeing God move in not only our individual team lives, but the women of Amani's lives who we will be privileged to serve. 

Q: What is your favorite scripture verse?

A: Wow, so many to choose from, literally!  One of my favorite verses is a good reminder to help keep focused on what matters:  Colossians 3:2: "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth." Another that is a good companion to that is Romans 12:2 (AMP): "Do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].  What really was an impartation of that verse to me is knowing that God's will for me is... always perfect, just as He is perfect.  So when I ask God what His will is for me in a particular area, I don't have to be afraid that what He tells me or shows me is going to be just "okay," but that it is going to be according to His Perfect Plan for my life.  I can rest knowing that however outlandish it may seem to the world, it is perfect for me and I can move forward with His will all the time because it cannot be wrong. It doesn't mean it will always feel good to me or not be painful, but we are not called to be comfortable, we are called to be conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. His life and death were anything but comfortable. 

Q: Anything else you would like to share?

A:  I was in the Army Reserve for 30 years and was able to travel to several other countries and much of our United States. That was a time of service too, but this will be an exciting new adventure in a different type of service. I pray I will be moldable, teachable, and used by God in helping to spread the message of the Gospel, while also just being "Jesus with skin," to others. God has blessed me with a very full life with many varied experiences. I know that He works all things together for our good and His glory which I am thankful for, because that includes our poor decisions and disobedient times. He truly is an AWESOME god.

Thank you for partnering with us in so many ways!  Please pray for each of us as we continue to prepare for our visit to Kenya.  Here are a few current prayer requests:

• That all funds necessary would be raised and submitted in time.                                                    
• That all the necessary logistics would be made with ease on our end and in Kenya.                        
• That God would continue to prepare our hearts and minds for the work He has appointed for
• Grace for our Marvelous team leader, Melanie, as she leads our team in all of the above!        

Mungu awabriki!

(God bless you!)