Dinner for Kenya

On Saturday night, May 30, 2009, Julie and Ed Dunn hosted a fundraiser dinner for my Kenya trip. They went above and beyond to create an amazing night! Every detail was covered from the Kenyan meal and coffee to the flag decorations and colored balloons that matched. I am so thankful for how they love me like one of their own. Big shout out to Mom and Dad for helping prepare for the event and embracing my international endeavor. I greatly appreciate the support of my friends, family and even new friends I met that night. Everyone brought items for me to take to the kids: toothbrushes, school supplies, shoes, socks, etc. We filled up a huge suitcase. And thanks to all, I raised an incredible amount toward my trip!

Toward the end of the night, I had the opportunity to speak to the group. I am an introvert who is really good at faking extrovertedness :) So I stood up explained how the opportunity to go to Africa came about and outlined my tenative plans and volunteer work (see blog #1). The most authentic part of the evening came when I opened it up for Q&A. Sidenote: I'm a bit of a people-pleaser by nature however, I consider myself an out-of-the-box Christian (which hasn't always been the case) and sometimes that can rub other Christians the wrong way. Needless to say I'm learning to get over it very quickly! So the new and improved who-gives-a-rip-what-other-people-think-about-me Mandy took the opportunity to be transparent: My trip isn't about evangelism. I'm not going to start a new church or convert the jungle tribes to Christianity. Through my relationships and connections, whether I'm helping in a classroom, doing crafts with the kids, holding abandoned babies, or planting trees, I am bringing God's love and hope. I was asked why I want to go to Africa and what I hope to get out of it. Good question...kinda deep to be answered on the spot. But luckily I had been thinking about it this week. This may seems strange, but I trace my love of the poor and oppressed to my dog, Rylee. She honestly changed my life. I sound like a crazy dog lady, I know. But for real...my compassion for animals was birthed from witnessing Rylee being treated unfairly (that's putting it nicely). Then I started volunteering at the humane society and loving on other dogs who's well-being had been compromised. From protecting animals against cruelty, my passion has grown to all who have been treated unjustly by this world: the poor, the victims of domestic violence, the abused and neglected, the enslaved. My heart breaks for the African people who are stuck in the cycle of poverty living on $1 a day, for women and children who have to prostitute themselves to put food on the table, and for kids who run away from home because they are being severly beaten only to be abused on the streets. At this point I'm not really sure what I can do about it or how I can help...except by meeting some of the people face to face and loving on them. I have a lot of questions and random deep thoughts that I will write more about in future postings.

More than the money donated, I felt emotionally supported which is super valuable to me. And it wasn't like, "Oh, that's good for you" or "That's nice you're helping the poor African children." But I sensed they were saying "Since we can't go, we're sending you to represent us." I really appreciated that.

I have a feeling this won't be my last trip to Africa.

Click here to see more pictures of the Dinner.

http://fromcalitokenya.blogspot.com/