I received a mission trip update. Guess what? The total funds needed for the trip decreased from $2,500 to $1,800 ...Look at God! \o/

And would you know, that today I looked at my donation report and it stated that I had $1850 worth of contributions! Wow! ...Look at God again! \o/

Not only has the amount of funds needed for the trip been secured, but God has surpassed it. Plus, more people have still been stating that they're interested in donating.

I had been so consumed with so many other issues going on in my personal life, that I honestly hadn't been paying much attention to fundraising. But it seems like when I stopped thinking about it so much, that's when the blessings truly poured in. This is something that I honestly may need to apply in other areas of my life.

Thank you, thank you, and more thank yous for teaching me patience!

Not too long ago, a friend texted me. She had a prayer request asking myself and a few other ladies to pray for a job interview that she had coming up. Due to my busy schedule, I didn't get a chance to respond to her text that evening, but I did make it a point to pray for her the moment I got her message. The very next day she sent a text stating that she was offered the job on the spot! I was so excited to hear the news that I replied right away and told her how happy I was for her and the new well-deserved blessing that God has given her. She responded by thanking me, and then said something that I wasn't expecting; she told me that it had been on her heart to donate to my mission trip.

Today I received an email about a new donation. I was absolutely floored when I read it. It indicated that I had received an $300 donation from her. I kept re-reading it because I thought I was mistaken. Surely, this single mom, who had been out of work for several months had not just donated $300 dollars. Maybe she meant to put $30, but accidentally pressed the "0" button twice?

I sent her an email thanking her over and over for her donation and telling her how surprised I was by the amount. She stated...

"Don't thank me thank God! He told me to give it to you! :) I was looking for a place to give a love offering and he whispered your name. Originally I wanted to participate in the missions trip after I finished school, but my paths got redirected! God showed me I could still be apart! So I'll be praying for you and with you!"

Her trust in God, me, and my mission meant more to me than the amount that she gave. I hadn't even spoken to her about giving initially. I had only prayed for her. Little did I know, that prayer and text message conversation would lead to a moment that would inspire me beyond words. My fundraising efforts have taught me more about faith, sacrifice, belief, and love than I could have ever imagined. And it's amazing to know that the best is only yet to come...

As you all may know, I am currently raising funds to volunteer and serve at an orphanage in South Africa. What you all may not know is that there are actually 3 orphanages: Baby Haven (infants), Adler Haven (1-3 yrs old), and Child Haven (6-12 years old). I requested to work at Baby Haven, which is currently only accepting 4 volunteers (about 25 of us are attending).

I received confirmation today that I'll indeed be working at Baby Haven and I am SO excited about it! I honestly have a heart for all children. My current full time job even consists of working with children between the ages of 2-5 yrs old. But for some reason, as of lately I have had a really soft spot in my heart of babies. I'm not sure if it's the hormones, the biological clock, or just my innate nurturing disposition, but I just get so excited when I am around infants. Hopefully I won't feel inclined to bring one back home with me from Baby Haven.

I honestly cannot wait to go to Johannesburg at this point. I am truly looking forward to the experience and I know that it is going to be life changing in so many ways. It's going to be such a joy keeping you updated about all of it!

Last week, we had a team meeting. At one point, people were asked to give some of their inspirational fundraising stories. One team member spoke of how someone offered to donate. They asked how much she would like and she facetiously said "ohh...I dunno, $1500". The person proceeded to write a check for $1500, and even offered to go ahead and cover the whole cost of the trip ($2500). She was shocked that they had actually taken her seriously, and that they wanted to give even more. She turned down their offer to give more than $1500 because she wanted to still experience putting in the work and effort to partner with others and seek more funds.

I...was...floored. I know the story was meant to inspire, but as I said there with the measly little $500 that I had raised thus far, I'd be lying if I said that part of me wasn't a little discouraged. It wasn't that the people that I knew didn't want to give, but they just didn't have the means to donate a large quantity. I couldn't think of one person that I knew of that would be willing and/or able to donate $1500 on the spot. Not one person.

The room sat in silence for a little bit, and then I decided to contribute. I spoke of how I sent a donation letter to my mom in California. As she began to tell co-workers and family about it, more & more people began to inquire and ask her for a letter. She made copies and handed them out to people. Someone asked, "Kenya is a missionary?" My mom replied "of course she is. Kenya has been giving and doing for others as long as I can remember. She moved to DC on her own because she heard from God. She's still doing that today". Granted, this is the same woman, who sold Girl Scout cookies for me, and helped with countless school fundraisers selling chocolate and gift wrap. But here I was, a grown woman, and she was still supporting me ...and still urging others to.

Whether someone gives $5 or $500, that is one extra human being that believes in me. That is one extra human being that believes in this mission and the difference it will make for babies, children, men, and women in South Africa. That belief, is worth more than $1500.

Believing

I think this part right here might the hardest. It's the part of the journey in which if you're not careful, doubt can creep in. I'm dead center in the middle of the fundraising, but definitely haven't raised much ...barely even a dent. A $300 dent to be exact.

My mission leader looked over my donation letter http://kenyadmorris.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-will-soon-have-opportunity-to-make_4753.htmlHe gave it a great review, which of course gave me a sense of relief ...temporarily. It was only seconds later that he challenged me to raise $500 by the end of the week. I said "umm...sure". The truth was, I wasn't so sure if I could do it.

But then I was reminded of my own words, "I have no idea how I will fund it, but I believe in my heart that I am called to go. I will answer the call. I will continue to believe. It is my hope that you will believe with me."

What good is a belief that is partially believed? I know that I must stand in it completely, or not at all. But more than that, I must not forget that I am not alone. This trip is bigger than me. This trip is bigger than money.

I can do this. I WILL do this. I must remind myself of that daily.

What can you do in 10 days? Change the world! I will soon have the opportunity to make a major impact in someone's life. I am delighted to be presented with the opportunity, but it will take the assistance family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers to make it happen. I will not be able to do this without the support of giving hearts, willing spirits, and generous souls. Continue reading to find out how you can partner with me to make a change that will be everlasting. 

Baby Haven is an orphanage in Johannesburg, South Africa that cares for the needs of abandoned and orphaned infants by providing a home, a loving environment, and the material and emotional needs of those it serves. Many of these children are currently coping with being HIV positive, physical disabilities, and emotional trauma. You can visit BabyHaven on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sssa0qvxgaE/ and their website www.babyhaven.org for more details about the work that they do.  I will also be assisting with an organization called Urban Visions, which focuses on mentoring, financially assisting, and, placing homeless people into skills training programs and eventually into decent stable homes and jobs. Here's a link to their website Urban Vision -- His People Johannesburg for more information and this link for photos Urban Vision -- Google Picasaweb Pictures. This opportunity means more to me than mere words can express. 

I will be traveling to South Africa for ten days, from March 27 to April 6 as part of a team that will support the needs of Baby Haven. The total cost of the trip is $2500 (includes transportation, lodging, food, and a small donation to the orphanage). I’m asking those who are willing to give to sponsor me for $500, $200, $100, or $50. But most importantly, I ask that you please give from your heart to help impact the lives of these children.  Every little bit helps and all funds will directly assist us in accomplishing our mission in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Please make checks payable to Ten Days and list Johannesburg, South Africa and my name, Kenya Morris in the “memo” section. Your tax-deductible donation can be sent to Ten Days/Every Nation Ministries, P.O. Box 1787, Brentwood, TN 37024. If you so desire, you can also give electronically by clicking on this link https://admin.everynation.org/giving-tendays/?missionary=100308025. If you find it within your means to give, please do so by February 15th. It will be most helpful to me in planning for the trip. If you desire to give, but cannot meet this deadline, all other gifts should be submitted by March 20th, 2012

Most importantly, please keep me in your positive thoughts, prayers, and/or meditations. Regardless of what your spiritual beliefs may be, just know that any partnership that you make with me, be it financially or via emotional and mental support, it'll be immensely appreciated by both myself as well as the children I will be serving.   I am embarking on this opportunity with nothing more than faith, and the desire love & serve. I have no idea how I will fund it, but I believe in my heart that I am called to go. I will answer the call. I will continue to believe. It is my hope that you will believe with me.


If you have any questions, please do not hesitate contact me at kenyadmorris@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for you support & generosity.

Sincerely,

Kenya D. Morris 

Flying High

I did it. It's official. I purchased my plane ticket today. Up until this point, this trip was just something that might happen...that could happen...simply a possibility. But with my bank account about $1,000 lighter than it was yesterday, things just got VERY real lol.

I received notification about the plane ticket because there was a special taking place that I could only have if I purchased immediately. I was hesitant, but something in me said to go forward. I had the money for it (barely), so not paying for it was just a matter of me worrying about "what if" i'd need those funds for something else later. But to let "what ifs" sway me, would be to embrace doubt. And to embrace doubt, is to block out faith. And if I don't have faith ...then what good am I to the children I will be attempting to help? 

That ticket was bigger than a purchase. It was an act of bravery. It was a belief. A belief that I can go to South Africa and make a difference in the lives of orphaned children. A belief that even though i'm struggling financially, God will provide the money, the resources, and the support for me to do it. It was a belief that anything is possible. I can do this. I WILL do this ...I just have to keep believing.