When thinking about starting this blog, I get slightly overwhelmed! I have so much to say and so many thoughts. But I guess since this is my first post, I'll have to start from the beginning.
This blog will follow my fundraising, concerns, prayers, and thoughts about my upcoming mission trips. My sweet boyfriend, Eric, and I have been presented with several opportunities to go on mission trips in the next year! The first is to New Orleans in October. The second is a trip with an organization called Visiting Orphans, and will travel to Uganda and Kenya in December of this year! The third trip will be to Zambia next May. I would imagine that in the meantime this blog will focus on my fundraising efforts for my trip to Uganda and Kenya in December! This trip is the most expensive and requires the most time and effort to fundraise, etc. I spent 5 hours yesterday compiling a list of 155 names and addresses to send out this letter to:
Dear friends and family,
This letter comes to you from an incredibly joyful place in my soul. I’m writing to ask you to come with me on a journey- a journey that I know will change my life and hopefully many, many more. But before I can explain what I need from you, I need to rewind a little bit so that you can understand where I’m coming from.
Five months ago, I was a student at the University of South Carolina, studying broadcast journalism. I say that with a slight sense of irony, because I wasn’t really studying. I was going through the motions and doing what it took to get by and barely pass my classes. I was partying like any other college kid, but I let that take priority over my schoolwork. I went into an incredibly rough tailspin of severe depression and anxiety. Once under the care of a psychiatrist, I was diagnosed with Major Depression and Generalized Anxiety. I was put on medication to “fix” these problems and sent on my way. In the meantime, my therapist recommended that I take a medical (read: mental health) leave of absence from USC. I did just that, and the decision to extend my leave of absence to the spring semester as well forced me to get a job. Oh no! You mean I have to support myself now? You mean my parents don’t have an endless amount of money to enable me to party and skate by for my whole life? Why, whatever am I going to do?!
Well, duh. I found a job. I began working in any capacity I could think of. I waitressed at a dumpy bar making $2.13 an hour and rarely receiving tips. I was starting to consider donating plasma several times a week just to make rent payments. Y’all, the real world was not fun for me at first! But then something amazing happened. A friend of mine who has served on the Relay for Life committee at USC with me for two years left his job at my current place of employment. Shandon Presbyterian Child Development Center. He knew I had been looking for a legitimate job and of course knew that I loved kids. He sent me to their office for an application and they hired me within a week! I now work with 24 amazing first grade students in the afternoons when they arrive at Shandon from school. I spend a lot of time substitute teaching the preschoolers and taking care of the babies and infants. I absolutely love my job. My first day there was one of the happiest of my life and it has only gotten better each day since then.
You’re probably thinking, “Why on earth do I need to hear Abby Kraft’s life story? Get to the point, lady!” I’m going, I’m going! The point is, my job at Shandon Presbyterian has made me happier than I ever thought I could be. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had been brought to that place for a reason. It caused me exorbitant amounts of joy. So much, in fact, that my non-believing, negative Nancy, dark and twisty self decided to start going to church. You won’t believe who I found there. Jesus. I had a feeling He might be the reason for all of the joy and healing in my life, but I didn’t want to admit it. And I surely didn’t have any idea just how much He was going to drastically change my life.
My incredibly tolerant and supportive boyfriend, Eric, was thrilled that I had come around to God. He has always been a Christian and I know that my agnosticism (read: atheism) caused him some hurt in the early days of our relationship. We have both grown in our faith through our journey becoming members at Shandon Presbyterian. We traveled with our church and a group of college students to Edisto Island, SC just a few weeks ago to do some mission work. We helped to rebuild an impoverished woman’s home, but as much as I’d like to think we helped her- I know she really helped me. She helped me to see that even when times are tough, you thank the Lord for what He’s given you. She taught me to be gracious, humble, appreciative, and most of all, loving. She taught me what it is to be a woman of faith, and just how rewarding it can be to help “the least of these”. (Matthew 25:40)
When we left Edisto, I wrote this on my facebook: “I leave knowing that my life is changed and I will go forth with a burning desire to help those in need, and I'm able to do so if I try hard enough. I will live my life and shout out; not holding back in anything I do. (Isaiah 58:1)” This amazing revelation has led me to where I am today: fundraising for a mission trip to Africa. This December, I plan to travel with an organization called Visiting Orphans to Uganda and Kenya to serve as a positive role model to hundreds of orphaned children in these poor countries. I am overwhelmed with joy when I think about this trip, and am so blessed to have been given the opportunity.
As it turns out, flights to Africa aren’t cheap. Who knew?! When I saw the price of the trip, I knew it was going to be a serious challenge. First grade teachers don’t make much money! This is where you come in! Donating to my trip is very simple! Just go to www.visitingorphans.com and click on the “Donate” tab. Under fund category, please select “Uganda & Kenya: Team 2 December trip” (team 2, don’t forget!). You’ll then be asked “Would you like to preference this donation toward the work of a specific team member or ministry?” Click yes and just type Abby Kraft in that little box! Donations can also be made by check or money order, made out to “Visiting Orphans” and sent to P.O. Box 668, Nolensville, TN 37135. Just indicate who the check is for in the memo box!
I ask that you please give as you are able, but would also like to point out that if each person I sent this letter to gave just $25 (the cost for a trip to the movies for two), I would reach my goal. As we are all blessed, I ask that you think of the 5 million orphans in just Uganda and Kenya, and how much positive change I may be able to do in just two weeks with some of them. Thank you so much for your time and consideration, I really appreciate any and all contributions you’re able to give!
Much love and God bless,
Abby Kraft
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
My hope is that several, if not all, of these people will feel called to donate to my trip in some capacity, whether it be prayerfully or financially. Eric and I (and a few good friends who are coming too!) were all officially accepted to attend the trip today! Since then, we have been filling out paperwork, paperwork, and MORE paperwork! It is a pain but a necessary precaution that I know will help us in the long run!
I'm so ecstatic to have this opportunity and can thank no one but my gracious and giving Lord for forgiving me for living a life in sin and taking me into his loving arms anyway. I would be nothing without Him.
Bless,
ALK
I'm so glad that you've started this blog. I look forward to following your journey.
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