Making a difference in Rwanda

I recently got back from a short term mission trip organized by Ten Talents International and All God's Children International where our main goal was to celebrate Christmas with different kids from different orphanages in Rwanda.
I can never fully explain what my heart felt to see kids and their families happy every time they are told that some one cares for them.

This trip, that happens every December, is as a big deal to me as it is to people back in Africa that we serve. I was once living in an orphanage and I know how it feels to go all year long without hearing the words "I LOVE YOU". I know how it feels to not receive a Christmas present from anybody. It is a tough life out there and getting to go back and help, melts my heart.

Two years ago I had a conversation with my mom about these trips that come once a year and I presented this idea of going back a different time of the year and see if I can do more than just translating and shopping for the Christmas presents. My mom told me to pray about it and see what God wants me to do about it since it might collide with school.

A lot has happened since then Including my school plans I went from being a biology major to a social work and psychology major. Like my mother's advice I prayed and prayed, and waited to hear from God. 

Today I really feel like God wants me to do this: God wants me to go back, and now that I am a social work major I will even be more helpful than usual.  With God's help I am planning on going to Rwanda this summer for a 2 1/2 month mission trip. I will be working with the Ten Talents Rwanda sponsorship program that includes visiting kids in their homes or at school, teaching English and tutoring primary and high school kids in different subjects. In addition to that I will be volunteering in a hospital, working with the patients helping them to cope with whatever is going on in their lives.

This trip will also benefit me as a student in both my major and minor. It will add to my social work class portfolio in order to get my BS (Bachelor in Science) rather than BA (Bachelor in Arts).

Please consider helping me Reach my Goal and send me to Africa.
The total amount I need to raise is $4500. There is different ways to help: ie, you can pray for peace as I plan this whole trip, you can give financially- anything counts $1, $5, $10, $50, or $100 whatever you can. You can also sponsor one of the following:
Plane tickets: $2000
Rent: $600
Food: $1200
Transportation: $600
In order to raise this amount I will need to raise $46 a day.

To make a donation you can give online www.tentalentsint.org (on the Give Today page you can select Mission Trip Project from the drop down menu, once Paypal opens there is an option for Special Instructions, click "Add" and type "Kelly" or any message you want), or you can mail checks to the office of Ten Talents.

Thank you for your consideration in funding my trip!