Youth Mission Trip

At the beginning of July, Pastor Corey and I took 9 youth from Koinonia to the Navajo Reservation on a mission trip through YouthWorks! I know its taken a while to blog on this experience because life has been (and still is) crazy! But I did want to just give some highlights! We went for an entire week and stayed at a mission at which we slept on air mattresses and shared 2 bathrooms for 40 girls(there were a few other church youth groups there too)! This was a humbling learning experience for most of our youth in its self. We split into crews and did two days at Kids Club- providing attention and structure to the children's lives. We played games, gave piggy back rides, did memory verses, sung songs about Christ, performed skits, made crafts, read books and in general, just loved on the children! We spent the other two days painting houses... this is important because paint helps seal the houses but it also allows the residents to have pride in the place in which they live and gives us an opening to be able to share with them the love and hope of Christ. We painted Grandma Rabbit's house (they call her this because she has all gray hair except on the sides, its bright white and looks like rabbit ears). It was great to get to know and serve her and her family. During the evenings we had time to learn about the Navajo culture by story tellers and dancers and also time for worship and reflection. During one of the "church group" times (time where you meet with just the people from your church) we talked about what Christ is saying to you, personally, today. It was an amazing night! The youth were challenged to change and to be bold and to step into their callings. They were challenged to TRUST God with everything- their past, present and future. They knew that they had to start or stop doing things in their daily life and in doing that, they might lose friends but they had to trust that God has a bigger and better plan for them even when it doesn't feel like it at the moment. They had to let go of some FEAR that had bound them. It was so amazing to see youth call out to God in such a fervent way and I pray that their fire, their passion does not die, but rather grows. I pray that they will always remember the mission trip and how it felt to serve and to really seek Christ! Thank you to all those who supported in prayers and money... the youth of Koinonia and the people of the Navajo Nation will be forever changed!

Invited...

I have begun this blog about ten times and erased it because no words can describe how humbled and loved and honored and special I feel when I think of what the Lord has done for me... where I have come from and where He is taking me(tears). I could go on forever about how great God is and how I have seen His power in my life- but thats not why I am writing today.... I am writing because I want to invite you to a very special occasion (well, its special to me). Recently, by the grace of God, I have graduated from Koinonia Church Minister Training Class. Now, each week my pastor is taking me under his wing and discipling me to be a more effective minister of the Gospel- allowing me to write sermons and minister to him. All this to say, on July 19th, I have been given the great honor and responsiblity to preach at my church for the first time. It will also be my last Sunday at Koinonia Church before I head off to St. Louis and then finally land in Kenya for the next two years. So here are the details:

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Kelly's first sermon at Koinonia

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Last Sunday at Koinonia

July 19th

10:45 service

Koinonia Church

1151 Mansfield Webb Road

Arlington, TX 76002

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Please keep me in your prayers. It is a great responsibility to preach- and I only want to say what God would have me to say. I pray that I am able to be diligent in my studies and prayers. I pray that everyone that comes whether they come to support me or to hear the word- leaves changed by the presence of God. Thank you and be blessed!

Shine

Have you ever had one of those nights where you know you are tired, you know you would really like to sleep, but God had something else in store? Thats been tonight. I have been waking up to pray for others, waking up to write down some sermon notes/ideas, and this last time I was woke up to pray for Kenya... and God placed this on my heart to share with yall.
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I had someone the other day ask me why I was going to Kenya when there are people right here who do not know Christ and who could use my help physically, spiritually and mentally and all I could say was because God has called me there (the only reason I believe I should go). I believe that God has called certain people to certain places because it is through those people that He will speak and show people mercy, grace, love, faithfulness... etc. Sometimes the fact that the people He sends look different, talk different, are different than the people He sends them to is on purpose because some people would not listen or recieve otherwise. Maybe God wants to break down some of those stereotypes and generalizations of who Americans are to Africans and who Africans are to Americans because in the body of Christ- we are all His children, we are all ONE in Christ, we are all the body of Christ- regardless of our skin tone, our background, our economic status, our nation. I know I am called to Kenya and although I also know that if I was disobedient or not willing, God could use someone else, I believe that it is such a responsibility, an honor, and a privlege to be His instrument, His vessel proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and shining His love through service to the people of Kenya.
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Matthew 5:16 reads, "let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." I do not take my calling lightly. Every word that comes out of my mouth, every action that I do or do not do is important... my pastor always says that as Christians, "we should invite people to look at our lives." One of Kirk Franklin's songs talks about how we might be the only Jesus that someone sees. We are not perfect, but even in our imperfections, God can and should get the glory. Often times as Christians and especially as ministers we might feel like our lives are under a microscope, that people examine every little thing we do and say... and I am thankful for that because it keeps us honest and accountable.
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People keep asking me, "Are you ready for Kenya?" And my response usually goes a little something like this, "Well, I am ready for tomorrow and tomorrow I will be ready for the next day and so on until it is the day that I am to go to Kenya- and then I believe God will have prepared me and I will be as ready as I will ever be!"
I have the plane ticket, visa, and passport. I have applied for housing and Kenya pupil pass. I have paid half of my first semester's tuition. I am slowly giving away many of my material possesions. I am raising money through earring sales and donations. But more importantly, right now, God is really preparing me spiritually. He has hooked me up with my first ever prayer partner, who I am grateful for! I just finished a 3 week fast and- whoa! God really spoke to me during that time and molded and shaped me! I praise God for my pastor who has taken me under his wings and is allowing me to write and give a sermon each week for him so that I can grow into a more effective minister of the Gospel. I am thankful for all the saints He has placed me around who are praying for me and loving on me. I humbled by the fact that God loves me and cares about me so much that each of you are in my life!
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Please just keep me in your prayers that I will do God's will above all else and in the face of any percecution, trail and discomfort. Pray that I may share both the Gospel and my life with those in Kenya and all over the world (1 Thess 2:8). I am praying for you- and if you need anything or have any specific prayer requests, please let me know- I am here for you because I love you- and I am not just saying that, I really do love each one of you who are reading this- because God loved me first, it is only right that I reflect that love to you! Be blessed!

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This pic was taken last summer in Kenya while on a house visit with some of the most vibrant and resilient children I have ever met!