Wednesday, January 13, 2016

First Week in Kenya!

This is a guest post from UTST traveler, Kaitlyn Slattery! I will be
sending out an update on what has been going on a as well when I have
more time and internet access :)

 I have been in Nairobi for 7 days now! It has been such an eye
opening experience. I am so thankful I have had this opportunity to
spend time with the people of Kenya. I am learning some Swahili, I am
learning about their culture, their ways of life, their food, their
businesses and dreams, and how they are overcoming impossible
situations every day with smiles, joy, and hope.

I have been most impacted by a lady named Alice. To me, Alice is the
definition of joy. She lost her husband 2 years ago from AIDS and has
2 little girls at home to care for.  She gets up every morning at 2am
to start making tea and biscuits to sell on the streets.  She takes
all of her baked goods and walks to her shop.  She works long hours
and then has two little mouths to feed. Visiting with her she was all
smiles, and a whole lot of laughter.  The loan program that UTST has
set up has allowed Alice to rent a space to sell her goods. It has
helped her so much she says. We have a lot to learn from Alice. Every
day she faces seemingly impossible challenges, but yet she says that
God will never leave her empty handed.

Although there is a lot of overwhelming poverty, I am inspired by so
many and inspired by their faith in God. Many are or were living on
less than a dollar a day, yet, they are full of thankfulness and
praises to God.  They are really teaching me that despite
circumstances, God doesn't change!  I am excited to continue to hear
stories of how the UTST loan program has changed lives, and to
continue to hear stories of hope.

Life here is very different than life in America.  For one, I would be
exhausted if I had to do all my laundry by hand for an entire family!
They work very hard here.  Most are up before 5AM and work late into
the evening, and also have children to feed and take care of.  I have
learned that school is a very stressful and EXPENSIVE thing for
people, which is why the loan program has also been such a help for
many. The businesses they own have been able to grow therefore
increasing their profit allowing them to send their children to
school.
I am trying to soak in all I can. I am keeping a journal so when I
have more time and better internet I can really share with you all
what life is like here.

My headaches have been at a minimum and I am so thankful! I am doing
well! Thank you everyone who has been praying for us.  I can feel
them.  I am truly leaning on God for peace, rest, and security, and I
know He will continue to provide that for us.

Love you all!

Monday, January 4, 2016

Leaving for Kenya tomorrow!

Tomorrow I get to hop on a series of airplanes and go spend time among a community of friends in Kenya  that has come to be a second home. I can't wait to eat at Moses' cafe, help Alice package her Maandazi, see Susan's latest jewelry, and everyone else. I'm really excited that some wonderful friends from the US will be joining in here and there - one global community.

While in Kenya, I'm going to be catching up with everybody, evaluating programs, and capturing new stories to share with you all.

While in Uganda, we will be laying the foundations for a new program aimed at orphan prevention - and I am beyond thrilled to take the first steps towards this wonderful goal.

Friends, I have to say it again. This is not possible without your help. If you haven't heard my funding goal yet, here it is - I have to raise $6000 to continue to be able to direct UTST this year. Will you help me? Here's my full letter:

Dear Friends and Community,

I hope you had a really wonderful Holiday season, and were able to take some time to rest and enjoy the company of family and friends!

As you probably know, I have the amazing privilege to get to serve as the Executive Director of Under the Same Tree - a nonprofit organization that works in Kenya and Uganda. Through partnerships with local churches there, we are able to provide economic empowerment to those living in poverty, and services that focus on orphan care and orphan prevention. I am so thankful that through your support, I was able to spend 2015 working full time on growing and developing Under the Same Tree. We were able to see so much progress as a result, with direct impact on the lives of 12 families in Kenya already. (For a full report on all that happened in 2015 through your support, see our annual report: http://pub.lucidpress.com/annualreport2015/).

Like I said, I am so blessed and thankful to be able to steward and grow this ministry, and I am praying to be able to continue to do so for many years to come. To do this, I need your help. I am responsible for fundraising to cover my salary, and we are entering 2016 with a need of raising $6000 to sustain my role in ministry. It's with the utmost humility that I have the responsibility of asking this as we enter this new year.


To put it in perspective, I am asking for:

1 person to give $1000 (Or $83 per month)
2 people to give $500 (Or $42 per month)
3 people to give $300 (Or $25 per month)
5 People to give $200 (Or $17 per month)
10 people to give $100 (Or $9 per month)
20 people to give $50 (Or $5 per month)

Would you consider making a donation that equates numerically to sharing a Taco Bell taco with me each day, or a Starbucks Latte per week? If you are already an ongoing monthly supporter, would you consider making a one-time donation to help reach this goal?

Please follow this link to make a one-time or recurring donation: https://underthesametree.cloverdonations.com/staff-support/
The simple fact that you are receiving this message symbolizes that I trust you to be a partner with me in this ministry. I am so thankful for so many wonderful friendships, and that God has called us together for His purposes in this world. Thank you so much for all you do to work together as the body of Christ. 

I am leaving to spend time among our programs in Kenya and Uganda on January 5th! If you are unable to partner financially, please also consider partnering with me the following ways:

Prayer: Pray for the strengthening of the local church in the areas where we work, for the effectiveness of our programs, and for minimal stress and anxiety as I prepare for this year.

Connections: When I return in the Spring, I will need help getting connected with new avenues (churches, community groups, etc), where I can share videos and stories about this ministry. Help connect us with people you know!

Volunteer: We have thriving US-based volunteer teams who work in the areas of event planning, donor relations, and creative marketing. Consider volunteering!

Thank you so much again for making all of this possible,

Katie


 Meanwhile, it is midnight on Monday night. We leave at 8 AM Tuesday morning. David just decided to start his packing process. Well David, you have eight hours.






Sunday, January 3, 2016

You can be a ministry partner!

Every year, I am responsible for raising the funds that allows me to continue to serve in what has now become my job - as the director of a growing non-profit organization, and a steward of a ministry that has become so precious to me. I dearly want this to continue to be a long-term possibility, and therefore have the responsibility of reaching out to my friends and community each year for help. Here is my message to you, sent forth with prayers and trust:


Dear Friends and Community,

I hope you had a really wonderful Holiday season, and were able to take some time to rest and enjoy the company of family and friends!

As you probably know, I have the amazing privilege to get to serve as the Executive Director of Under the Same Tree - a nonprofit organization that works in Kenya and Uganda. Through partnerships with local churches there, we are able to provide economic empowerment to those living in poverty, and services that focus on orphan care and orphan prevention. I am so thankful that through your support, I was able to spend 2015 working full time on growing and developing Under the Same Tree. We were able to see so much progress as a result, with direct impact on the lives of 12 families in Kenya already. (For a full report on all that happened in 2015 through your support, see our annual report: http://pub.lucidpress.com/annualreport2015/).

Like I said, I am so blessed and thankful to be able to steward and grow this ministry, and I am praying to be able to continue to do so for many years to come. To do this, I need your help. I am responsible for fundraising to cover my salary, and we are entering 2016 with a need of raising $6000 to sustain my role in ministry. It's with the utmost humility that I have the responsibility of asking this as we enter this new year.


To put it in perspective, I am asking for:

1 person to give $1000 (Or $83 per month)
2 people to give $500 (Or $42 per month)
3 people to give $300 (Or $25 per month)
5 People to give $200 (Or $17 per month)
10 people to give $100 (Or $9 per month)
20 people to give $50 (Or $5 per month)

Would you consider making a donation that equates numerically to sharing a Taco Bell taco with me each day, or a Starbucks Latte per week? If you are already an ongoing monthly supporter, would you consider making a one-time donation to help reach this goal?

Please follow this link to make a one-time or recurring donation: https://underthesametree.cloverdonations.com/staff-support/
The simple fact that you are receiving this message symbolizes that I trust you to be a partner with me in this ministry. I am so thankful for so many wonderful friendships, and that God has called us together for His purposes in this world. Thank you so much for all you do to work together as the body of Christ. 

I am leaving to spend time among our programs in Kenya and Uganda on January 5th! If you are unable to partner financially, please also consider partnering with me the following ways:

Prayer: Pray for the strengthening of the local church in the areas where we work, for the effectiveness of our programs, and for minimal stress and anxiety as I prepare for this year.

Connections: When I return in the Spring, I will need help getting connected with new avenues (churches, community groups, etc), where I can share videos and stories about this ministry. Help connect us with people you know!

Volunteer: We have thriving US-based volunteer teams who work in the areas of event planning, donor relations, and creative marketing. Consider volunteering!

Thank you so much again for making all of this possible,

Katie