Extra! Extra! Read All About It!!

The announcement you’ve all been waiting for! 

It’s my BIRTHDAY!!  Oh wait, that is true, but that’s not the announcement you’ve been waiting for…. 

So here is the BIG NEWS!  On February 11^th, I’m heading out of the country again—this time exclusively to Africa!  Although not quite 11 months this time, I will be gone until mid-November.

I will be working with two organizations:

• HOPEthiopia/Hope Rwanda: Kigali, Rwanda  https://www.hopethiopia-rwanda.com/

I will first be helping with Hope Rwanda as part of Hearts of Hope.  Hearts of Hope helps with the women’s program graduation.  The women’s program focuses on young women coming out of the sex trade and provides them with training in tailoring and business.  I will get to help with the graduation details and see the women graduate who I met during my World Race.  I will also get to meet with the new women who are coming into the next class.  Glenda, the co founder, will then provide me projects to work on during the rest of my stay there.  Hope Rwanda also helps young men to get out of addictions and off the streets.  The men’s home takes in several men every year after a year in Rwanda’s government-run Iwawa Rehabilitation Centre.  Hope Rwanda helps them integrate back into society (such as helping them find jobs, learn how to be valuable community members, etc.). 

• Wildfire Ministries Kenya: Pokot, Kenya http://wildfireministrieskenya.org/

Once I’m done spending a few months in Rwanda, I’ll head over to Kenya.  I would like to be there around the beginning of July to help with some planning.  Wildfire Ministries Kenya is a ministry of YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Athi River.  This organization is helping the Pokot community, a tribe who is very set in their tradition and authority of males.  I will help teach them about God and his character.  I will help empower the women and children.  I received a message from Joram a few weeks ago asking if I would help pioneer a program centered towards the youth, specifically the young girls.  I will be housed with Joram and his family, and every other week I will head to the Pokot village with him.  Female Genital Mutilation is still a very real and active practice within this village and also marrying the daughters off at young ages (starting around the age of 9).  Education on that will be given along with encouragement to educate the girls.  I will also be helping plan a kid’s camp (with over 500 kids!!), speak at churches, and do prison ministry.    

• Although not totally a ministry, but yet still a ministry in a way, I will also visit a “child” that my aunt’s church has been sponsoring.  He is now in his 20’s and I’m very excited to meet him since I couldn’t make it happen during my world race.  He is very excited to see me as well!  What a true blessing it will be!

These are just brief glimpses of things I will be doing in 2020.  I’m expectant that God will move in miraculous ways, just like he did during the World Race.  So please continue to follow this blog (if I change platforms, I’ll be sure to inform you all) and continue praying for God to MOVE! 

Here are my fundraising deadlines:

$4,000 by February 12^th (The day I land in Rwanda!)

$8,000 by May 8^th (That just so happens to be my brother’s birthday!)

$12,000/Fully Funded by August 1^st   

Ways to donate:

Paypal: PayPal.Me/kfahnestock

Venmo: @Kelly-Fahnestock

Cash/Check: Message me and I’ll send you my address

I have a Hoss’s fundraiser (In Carlisle) on SUNDAY, January 12th!  Bring an email print out or cash cow card with you, enjoy some food, enjoy some fellowship, and help support my trip back to Africa!

Tax deductible option: write a check made payable to West Hill UMC. Memo: Kelly’s Mission trip (again, message me for an address of where to send the check–my church address does NOT receive mail)

What is your money going towards?  Airfare to and from Rwanda, bus or plane to Kenya, food, clean water, housing, VISAs, medical insurance, data/minute so I can update you all on how God is working, Hearts of Hope Ministry, and miscellaneous supplies for daily living.  I’m estimating $1,000 for living expenses for each month, with an extra $2,000 to cover transportation, VISAs, malaria medication.  If there is excess money it will be used towards handing out Bibles, supplies that may be needed for the programs, and any other ministry needs that seem to arise.  I will be sure to let you all know how the funds are being used and the impact it is making!! 

Your money will NOT be used towards: travel, housing, and other expenses when visiting friends I met in Africa or any fun “adventure” days I may take.    

Currently, I’ve raised $2,900 out of my $12,000 goal!  That’s 24% funded!!!!