If You Can't Go, Support!

As you may know, I had the privilege of traveling to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in December of 2011. This was a life changing trip, where I was able to fully realize my passion for missions, especially in the region of Ethiopia. Before traveling to Ethiopia, I was just a girl with an interest in foreign missions. I had no idea how God would speak to me and place a burden in my heart for this special place. While in Addis Ababa, I had the opportunity to meet men, women and children who were starving not only for food and water, but were also starving for the love of Christ. I fully realized how blessed I was to be born in a country where all my mental, physical and spiritual needs were met. The people of Ethiopia have taken over my heart and mind and through them, God has caused a change in me, one I am scared of but one I am happy has taken place.

This upcoming December, I have been given the opportunity to return to Addis Ababa with Hopewell Baptist Church. We will leave the day after Christmas and return on January 6^th. During this trip we will be working with churches in Addis Ababa to support the programs they have in place. We will also be running Vacation Bible Schools in the city as well as in the remote country side of Ethiopia. My team will also be returning to some of the places we have been supporting and praying for over the past three years such as Children’s Heaven, a home for children orphaned by AIDS and Onesimus House, a safe haven for street kids.  I am overly excited to be returning to the place where I know God is calling me to work, live and further his Kingdom after I graduate from nursing school.  

God calls His followers to be a part of missions and to further His kingdom. However, He does not call everyone to get on a plane and travel to a foreign land. Supporting missions means that you get to be a part of the change that God affects.  Travel and lodging in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is not cheap but is well worth the lives that will be changed for Christ. The total cost of this trip will be $2,000.  I am calling upon my brothers and sisters in Christ to help support me in God’s missions to Ethiopia. Please consider making a sacrifice in support of myself to accomplish God’s beautiful plan for Ethiopia.  Any donation will greatly be appreciated and tax deductible. Also please keep our team in your prayers and to feel connected to God’s mission in Ethiopia please follow my blog at notleftas.blogspot.com.

Your sister in Christ

Kelsey Whitley

“I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.” John 14:18

(All checks can be made out to Hopewell Baptist Church with “Kelsey Whitley-Ethiopia” in the memo line and please have all donations submitted by November 15 and if you would like to donate please email me at whitley.kelsey@gmail.com)

A Few Firsts

Today was my first day of school for the semester. I woke up this morning with an anxious feeling comparative to the first day of kindergarten. The strange thing was that this was not the first time I am attending this school. I am in nursing school and have been for what seems like years. So today was not my real first day of college but it made me think of all the "firsts" I have had over the past 23 years.

Today made me think about small "firsts" like when I tried sushi or my first real job. I also recalled a few "firsts" that really changed my life, like falling in love and when I first went to college.  I thought back to the first time I went to Ethiopia. I was filled with anxiety and so much excitement. My life was changed for the better. The thing about all the for mentioned "firsts" are that they can be repeated. I could go to college and eat sushi again and luckily I am going to Ethiopia again but there is a first that I will never repeat.

The Bible tells us, in Matthew 6, that once we have a relationship with Jesus Christ that nothing can snatch us from His hand. I can remember the first time I met Jesus, the first time He saved me from my sins and when our relationship began. Even though my walk with Jesus is not perfect and it is something I am pursuing daily there is no need to have that "first" again. I can not be re-saved. I can, however, continue to fall more and more in love with Jesus but there will never be that "first" again.

What It Means

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."  John 14:18

I have a few life verses. These are verses that have spoken to my soul, verses that have changed the way I live. John 14:18 did not  become one of my life verses until January of 2012, the week after I came back from Ethiopia. I had read this verse before but after returning from Ethiopia it took on a new meaning. I came in contact with children who were orphans of AIDS and other circumstances. They were given no chance and their society had cast them into the streets. However, even in these heart breaking circumstances the children had found hope. They believed that  Jesus Christ would some day come for them. Even when they had no earthly father, they could look to their Heavenly Father.

This verse takes on a new meaning to me every day. John 14:18 gives me hope that even when I feel orphaned in this world, Jesus Christ will come for me. I will never be without His love. I will never be alone. I also believe that God is using me to speak this verse into others lives. He is allowing the Holy Spirit and His love to shine through me. John 14:18 is a reminder that God is using me to love on others here in the U.S and in Ethiopia, so that they can also be reminded that Jesus will come to them. They will not be left as orphans.

Welcome to "Not Left As Orphans"

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to my blog :)  The purpose of this blog is so that those who choose to read what I have to write can be filled in on my preparation for God's mission trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. On this blog you will find my trials and triumphs as I prepare for this trip which is a little more than 5 months out (December 26th 2013).

To be honest I will probably not be a very good blogger. I probably will not have spell-binding stories to share. I will probably not update everyday and therefore I will probably not have many readers. But I can promise that I will share with you what God is doing in my life. I will share how excited I am to be returning to Ethiopia. I will share how nervous I am about returning to Ethiopia as well.

This blog will be full of my love for the hearts in Ethiopia and full of God's love for His people.

I hope you enjoy!

Kelsey