Follow Compassion International to Kenya

I've spoken here before about Imani, the young lady our family sponsors in Kenya through Compassion International.  We love Imani.  We think and talk about her and pray for her frequently.  We wonder what she might be up to and how her family is doing.  

As a matter of fact, our love for Imani, her family, and her country has affected other choices we've made.  When we decided to make a $25 microloan through Kiva.org, we chose an individual who lives in Kenya.  We're thinking that if his life is better, there's a chance that Imani's will be, too.

This week the Compassion Bloggers group is in Kenya and I am watching them closely.  As far as I know they will not be visiting the center Imani attends.  But, through this trip, I believe more children will be sponsored.  That will make their lives better.  Which makes their family's lives better.  Which could make life better for their entire village.  Which could just potentially improve the life of the entire nation.

Please consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International.  And follow along with me this week as the bloggers travel through Kenya.

Twitter stream of Compassion Bloggers - Kenya

20X40

Thanks to Heather, I have been encouraged to think about what I would like to accomplish before I become the wise old age of 40. My friend Heather is much more ambitious than I am and she has come up with 40 things she would like to do before her 40th birthday. I was having a terrible time coming up with 40 things so I decided that since my 40th birthday is less than one year and two months from now, I'm going with a 20X40 list. I figure I'll see what I can get done in the next year or so, then I'll make my 50 By 50 list and I'll have ten years to get that stuff done! It's good to have a plan. You can make a list, too. Please let me know if you do. So without further ado, here is my list of 20 things to accomplish before I turn 40.

1. Get a tatoo. updated 10/26/11
2. Make a microloan through Kiva.org. updated 6/7/2010
3. Visit our Compassion International daughter Imani in Kenya.
4. Be debt free (except for the house).
5. Make money online (enough to pay for 3 days of childcare per week).
6. Take a vacation with just Jon for at least four days.
7. Finish a quilt. I finished a small quilt for Sarah, and am working on several more 3/16/13.
8. Make a microloan through ModestNeeds.org.
9. Visit Kalavai Colony in India.
10. Take a girlfriend vacation.
11. Visit a new state (some day go to all 50).
12. Find a vendor for my handmade rugs.
13. Start and/or join a bookclub. updated 3/29/2010
14. Attend an art/craft conference.
15. Attend a writing conference.
16. Attend a business conference. updated 4/29/2010
17. Volunteer for a Compassion International local event. updated 2/11/2011
18. Hold a Gather Arts event. updated 7/27/2010
19. Finish the bathroom remodel. Jon finished the remodel December 2011.
20. Take a class.

Happy Birthday Imani

Imani lives with her family in Mwatundo, which is 30km NW of Mombasa in Kenya. Houses in her community have dirt floors, mud walls and thatch roofs. The primary diet consists of maize, beans, bread, cassava and rice. Thankfully, Imani and her family are relatively healthy, but many people in her community deal with malaria, typhoid fever and respiratory infections. Sometimes her father is able to work as a day laborer and will earn the equivalent of $20 per month.

By sponsoring Imani through Compassion International, we give her the opportunity to have access to nutritional services, medical care, education, spiritual training. Her family is also given opportunities for skills training.

Imani is turning 14 this week. I am so thankful that we are able to do something to help her have a better life. Today, our family will celebrate her birthday with cake and ice cream, just like we do for everyone else. Tomorrow, we will be serving at Second Saturday in honor of Imani. Trust me, we don't do this all the time because really, I am not a morning person. But tomorrow, to honor Imani's life, to show her we love her, we are going to serve people closer to home and send her pictures of our adventure.

I'm so excited to celebrate Imani. I hope somehow, she can know how very much we care for her, and how much knowing her and about her, makes our life better.

Happy Birthday Imani! We love you!