Day 1 On the Ground in Kenya

So the team has arrived in Kenya.... we are about to have breakfast and then head to the airport to fly to Kisumu where we will be hosted by Unite 4 Africa, a ministry of community transformation serving over a dozen countries on the continent.  P82 is excited about the potential partnership with our friend Samson Okongo, Founder and President of U4A, and his brother David Okongo who is the East Africa Director.  This partnership allows P82 to focus our passion and resources for helping orphans and vulnerable children within the greater context of community wide transformation.
Today we will visit the community where the Okongo brothers grew up as they share where the U4A vision began.  We will also see firsthand the impact of their efforts related to the rising orphan population and visit the property where they desire to build a medical clinic, school and children's home that would serve the greater Katito area.  Praying for boldness and God continues to reveal His plans to us.  Stay tuned...

P82 Team Member Jody Ray

One of my favorite things is introducing people to Kenya for the first time, especially if they have never been to Africa. Jody Ray, associate pastor at MBUMC, is not new to the mission field but this will be his first time on the continent. Jody has spent a significant amount of time over the last several years on the mission field in Brazil and those experiences impacted him greatly. Its because of his own transformational experience that, as a pastor, he is deeply passionate about providing opportunities to serve others that will also lead people to a more intimate and personal relationship with Jesus. Jody had these thoughts to share as he prepares to leave for Kenya this week...
"I’m always amazed by the people I meet and places God takes me in ministry. If someone would have told me I’d be traveling to Kenya with Project 82 a few months ago I would have said it’s impossible. But as I write these words I’m only a few short days away from boarding the plane. I’m excited to have the opportunity to serve the people of Kenya and I look forward to the people and the places I will encounter on the journey. To God be the glory!"

P82 Team Member Libby Coppedge

You met Ferrell yesterday.... now meet his wife Libby.  Libby serves as a Director on the P82 Board.  She attended Florida State University and University of Central Florida, where she earned a BS degree in Education. She is a homemaker, a former teacher and the mother of four. She has been active in education committees and international missions at Mt Bethel United Methodist Church, in Marietta, GA.

Libby has also played an instrumental role and dedicated many hours to the launching of Project 82.  Having been blessed with four children and the ability to raise them in a secure home with a husband by her side, she is especially passionate about loving the fatherless.  When asked "Why Project 82?", she had this to share....

"It's been less than 3 years since my first trip to Kenya.  On this date in 2007, I would never have imagined that I would travel to Africa, much less the impact that hastily planned, last minute trip would have on my life.  The people of Kenya endure much hardship, yet many are filled with a joy not often seen in our culture.  It didn't take long to figure out that a big difference is our self-reliance and their reliance on God.  God has called us to be his hands and feet, providing for the "least of these".  At Project 82 we have all been touched by the plight of the many orphans in Kenya.  I'm so grateful that God is allowing us to participate in His provision and I can't wait to see the smiles and feel the tender hugs of the children we will meet."

Meet the P82 Team

I will not be traveling solo this trip.  Several P82 board members along with friends and Kenya advocates from our first strategic partner church will join me.  This team is yet another affirmation of God's sovereignty and great plans for Project 82.  Only HE could have orchestrated the perfect team to send...
Meet Ferrell Coppedge... Ferrell is the P82 Chairman of the Board and has dedicated a tremendous amount of time to launching this ministry.  He spent 35 years in the banking and leveraged finance industry, and is presently Western Region President for Regions Business Capital.  His professional responsibilities require significant time, travel and commitment and yet he manages to pursue his passion for Kenya with equal dedication.  His passion is also quite contagious as he has been the catalyst for many to take their first mission trip to Kenya.  The following comments from Ferrell may help you understand why...
"God has used Kenya to enrich and transform my life and my family's since my initial trip in 2007. Libby and I have since developed many treasured friendships and none are more precious than those with the children. On my first trip, our group prayed a prayer that God would break our hearts with the things that break His.  He faithfully answered my prayers and has done much, much more by reingniting the faith and passion of a 60 year old through becoming a part of Project 82's  ministry of love, compassion, hope and mercy for the  orphans of Kenya."    

More reflections from other team members to come!

The Journey Ahead

Its been a while since I blogged... actually my last entry was from Kenya in December.  I have to confess that I have lacked the inspiration to write and have struggled at times through this Project 82 journey that is now almost 7 months in the making.  The truth is that I had no idea how incredibly difficult it would be to go from  point A) an act of obedience in response to the deep burden that God placed in my heart for orphans in Kenya,  to point B) actually launching a ministry to defend and love these beautiful and precious children.  There have been days of great discouragement along the way that led me to question if Project 82 was really God's will and would ever come to be.... would I ever actually have the opportunity to love these children and be a part of God's plan for their future?

Today as I think about our team preparing to return to Kenya,  I can see so clearly that God's plans were (and are) so much greater than anything that we could have imagined.  I can see His absolute sovereignty and feel comforted knowing that He will continue to reveal His plans to us and He will make EVERY provision necessary to accomplish His purposes.  We are excited at P82!  We leave in 9 days.  Stay tuned...