In April of 2012 I will be going on another short term mission trip. This time the destination is Nairobi, Kenya. I’ll be travelling with a group of 14 people from Cross Point Community Church to support the work of missionaries and church planters Gary and Brenda Kean. The Keans started a church, Newsong Nairobi, and a sewing ministry, Jacaranda Creations, and have recently started a child sponsorship program. The Jacarada microenterprise helps single women and mothers in the slums of Nairobi earn a living by sewing products such as clothing, dolls, bags, etc and selling them outside of Africa. The Keans work daily to reflect God’s light into communities where hope is scarce because of extreme poverty and disease.
While in Nairobi we will be visiting several different slums to speak and pray with residents, teach VBS and play with children, host a gathering of the Jacaranda women, and lead worship services. Each time I go on one of these short term mission trips I ask myself if the time and resources expended on such a trip is the most effective way to help those in such overwhelming need. Do the little ways in which we serve the people we meet throughout the week really make a difference or could those resources be put to better use? I’ve always come to the conclusion that there is no way to measure the value of actually meeting someone face-to-face or picking up a child and demonstrating just by your presence that they are valued and loved. Each time I also pray that I return with a changed heart, improved perspective, and renewed passion to be an advocate for those left behind
If you would like to partner with me in this experience, you can do so in a couple ways. First and foremost, you can pray for our group in the months of preparation leading up to the trip and while we are in Nairobi from April 13-24. The second is you can choose to partner financially by making a donation to help defray the cost of the trip ($2600). I have been saving the money needed to pay for the trip each month, so there is no pressure to donate. I just offer it as a way to contribute for those who would go on such a trip if they could but cannot for various reasons. To make an online donation:
- Go to http://www.crosspoint.tv/give/
- Click “Make a One Time Donation”
- Select “Bellevue” from the Campus dropdown.
- Select “Other” from the Fund dropdown.
- Type “AARON OLSON -NAIROBI” in the additional box that appears below Please Specify.
- Enter your information, donation amount, and payment information and then click “Submit.”
- If you make a donation online, you can fill out this form and email it to either laurie@crosspoint.tv or myself olson.aro@gmail.com to be certain that your donation is tax deductible.
