Wow. As I write this I am 45 days away from departing on my very first mission trip. Ever. Not to an inner city, not to South America, not to a destination that is just a short plane ride away. But to Kenya. Kenya as in Africa. That will be over 20 hours in travel time. That I decided to apply to go on just a few days before all the paperwork was due in October. Just three months before the actual trip. Zero funding in place. Zero childcare figured out for our three daughters (plus two dogs) while my husband works full time as a teacher/coach in Carmel and our nearest family is in Arizona or Montana. But I just felt God tugging on my heart and decided I needed to say "Yes" and that if I would just trust God that He would work everything out. Of course, He has every detail figured out for me to join our team of 12 going to Kenya in January to work with the Remember Nhu home that Eagle Church sponsors and I couldn't be more excited/nervous!
I really don't know why now (other than feeling the tug on my heart and knowing that time will reveal), but I do know why Remember Nhu. I first heard of Remember Nhu almost 7 years ago when one of the first teams from Eagle went to Cambodia. A couple of friends went on that trip and I remember going to their post-trip summary up in the Loft here at Eagle. I remember just being in awe of the ministry, that something so horrific could be going on and there was something we could do to help prevent girls and boys from entering the sex trade! I remember thinking, I could never do that. I'm not "Christian" enough. I don't know the right words to say. I'm not good at praying out loud. So, on the back burner it went. But that was just one of the seeds that God planted. Carl and Laurie Ralston have visited over the years as well as Nhu herself a year or so ago. Then, two years ago our small group organized a "yard sale" to raise month for Remember Nhu-who at the time was looking for financial support to open several new homes for children. The sale was a lot of hard work and a big success! During that process, we all mentioned that it would be really cool for our small group to go on a mission trip with Remember Nhu. But two years later we had not yet moved forward in that thought. Each of those seeds planted lead to this fall and the decision to act upon what I was feeling in my heart.
Since making the decision/declaration that I am to go on this trip, we have had 3 team meetings. It is a great team made up of some mission trip newbies (myself included) and several veterans. Mary (our leader) is super excited that there are 4 men going on the trip-which is a huge blessing for these children to get to be in the space of Jesus loving men. To learn that they don't need to be afraid of all men.
As of November 23rd, I am up to date on my vaccinations, I have the prescription for my malaria prevention meds, a shopping/packing list (including insect repellent wipes, wet wipes, power converter, electrolyte powders, protein bars and more) and have learned that we should wear clothing that covers our shoulders, knees and is loose fitting. Do I have all of these things-not yet, but I hear Amazon is great (go to smile.amazon.com and choose Remember Nhu). We are also learning more about the culture, environment and needs of the children in the home we will be visiting.
I thought you might be interested to hear how YOU, here in Indiana, can be a part of this trip and help make it a success:
- There are several children in the home that still need sponsors! We get to celebrate Christmas with them when we arrive and we could hand deliver a Christmas Gift bag (from you) to your sponsor child if you choose to become a sponsor. More info here.
- They need clothes. There are both boys and girls ages 3-16 in this home. If you would like to donate new/gently used clothing-we are each able to check 2 bags (plus a carry-on and personal item) and we hope to fill them to the max with donations. Find out more here.
- Pray. Pray for our team. Pray for the home we will be visiting. Pray for our families who we are leaving home. Pray for the entire Remember Nhu Ministry. Pray for every child who is at risk of entering the sex trade.
Obviously we are excited about what we can pack in our suitcases to bring to the home. We are ALSO very excited that we will get to help build a tomato farm on the property. One of the goals they have is to be self-sustaining. Building a farm will allow them to grow tomatoes (and later other crops) to use themselves as well as to sell the produce they don't need at the market.
As I've been catching up on laundry and noticing the lack of needs my own children have (I mean, we didn't do laundry in close to two weeks and there were still clothes in their drawers) my heart has been aching for the children we will meet in Kenya. Do we have problems? Yes! But we also have a number of cozy blankets, plenty of shoes to choose from and lots of underwear and socks (although they may not match). It makes my heart swell for what WE can help provide these children in Kenya, in a Remember Nhu home. Somewhere they are safe, loved and learning about the love and hope in Jesus.
So, T-45 days. I know it will be life changing. Eye opening. I'm a wife and mother of three girls (7, 5 and 3). I will meet children in that age range. Why is it okay that there is a possibility of these precious children of entering the sex trade when mine are relatively safe and sound, asleep in their beds upstairs. It's not. That's why Remember Nhu was founded. That's why we are going. To help where we can. To create awareness. To be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Lacy Turnquist and her husband, Scott, and their 3 daughters have been a part of Eagle Church for over 7 years!