Before William and Layla were born, Barry and I prayed
earnestly that the Lord would save them and give them a heart for the church
and the lost. We desired for them to be compassionate towards those who did not
know of the joy and hope that comes from being a child of God. God has been so
generous to the Keldie family, especially over the last 6 years since Barry
passed away. The Lord saved William in March of 2015 and continues to work in
Layla’s heart, causing her to ponder the gospel and ask beautiful questions. As
I continue to pray for Layla’s salvation and William’s growth in Christ, I have
also been praying that God would give us an opportunity to go overseas on a
mission trip. While we talk and read about the nations, there is something
incredibly powerful about seeing something in real life.
I want them to see the value of the lives of those around
the world. To understand that we may look and speak in different ways, but we
are all created in the image of God. That we are all valuable and beautiful. That we
are all born sinners, in need of forgiveness and reconciliation to God. That
regardless of circumstance, our hope is found in Jesus. And that God has given
us the beautiful opportunity to share the good news of the gospel with our
friends here in America and with those around the world.
I have recently been given the opportunity to lead a mission
trip team going to Kenya in March of 2016. Our main purpose will be to teach missionary
children while their parents attend an annual conference. These missionaries
have given their lives to take the gospel of Jesus to the people of Kenya. They
have left family, friends and the comfort of life in America to be the hands
and feet of Jesus to those who do not know Him. I am overwhelmed and blessed to
have the opportunity to love, encourage and teach their children. And this is a
trip that I can take William and Layla on! They will get to play with and learn
alongside of these missionary children. They will get to help teach younger
children. They will see first-hand what missions is all about. We will also hopefully
get to visit an orphanage in Kenya where we have sponsored and prayed for a
little girl for the last 5 years and visit an IDP camp to understand what it
looks like to have leave your home because of persecution and rebuild your life
with very little resources.
God is so generous to continue to give us opportunities to
do ministry and witness what He is doing around the world. I am praying that
this trip will draw our hearts to Him and give us a deep understanding and love
for others around the world. Honestly, I am hoping that this is the first of
many mission trips for William and Layla. That they would continually be
willing to leave the comforts and safety of home to take the gospel to the nations.
Will you pray for us as we prepare to go to Kenya? Will you
pray for our hearts to trust in God’s perfect plan and provision? Will you pray
for the many details of the trip that I am responsible for? Will you pray for
the curriculum that I will be writing – that the gospel would be clear and make
much of Jesus?
While we are using our vacation fund to help us with this
trip, we also need to raise additional support. We need to raise $2000 of $4000
by January 31st. If you would like to financial help us with this
trip, you can:
Mail a check with "Kenya VBS – Keldie" in the memo to:
The Village
Church
2101 Justin Road
Flower Mound, Texas 75028
-or-
You can contribute to our trip here.
Contributions to this trip are tax deductible.
If you would like to follow our adventure, I will be
updating this blog as we prepare and go.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19 & 20
"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" Romans 10:12-15
