Two more days and I will be an official college graduate! Its strange to think about but awfully exciting. On Monday I head to Costa Rica with the university. After having attended AU for four years its odd to think that this will be both my first and last Tri-S trip. I am excited when I take the time to think about it. These past few weeks have slipped by so very quickly. As I look to the summer I realize that my time here in Anderson is limited. I will miss the friends I have made here greatly and the opportunities I have had but I look forward to what God has in store for this next part of the journey.
In four weeks my lease is up and I am somewhat unsure where I will be, starting in June. I have several options and pray for wisdom and guidance in making a good decision. Changes are characteristic of this week but change brings growth and adventure both of which can work to serve God. My prayer for the summer is that I may be of service to those I come in contact with, that as our lives interact we may positively impact one another creating space for God to be glorified.
Preparations for Ethiopia are going well. I have been able to squeeze things in between classes and homework. Things should move forward, more quickly when I return from Ethiopia.
God Bless

Here is my official letter, but chances are you've already read it :).

Friends and Family,

In August of this year I will travel to Nazret/Adama Ethiopia were I will spend the next eleven months. I will travel as a representative of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). MCC is a relief organization that is part of the Mennonite and Brethren Church. MCC is committed to bringing peace, justice, and dignity to the oppressed through sharing experiences, resources, and faith in Christ. I will be a part of MCC’s eleven month Service and Learning Together (SALT) program for young adults. SALT sends out young adults to work and live in the culture they are ministering among. As a participant in SALT one of the largely defining characteristics is a commitment to nonviolent peacemaking.

I will be working with an organization called Remember the Poorest Community (RPC). RPC is an organization started and maintained by members of the local Evangelical Church in Ethiopia. RPC is committed to helping street children and orphans in Nazaret. RPC runs and operates a school for poor children as well as running different projects to provide for orphans and street children. RPC also works with the men and women who are caring for the orphans.

My specific role will be that of project officer and my task will be to assist the projects’ manager in reporting, communicating (in English), and the overseeing of the day to day running of the projects. This will include writing the stories of those RPC serves for publication in reports, brochures, and newsletters, working on the website, project publicity and promotion, management of the volunteer program, and fundraising. I will also be encouraged to look for and brainstorm ways to financially support the projects without relying on fundraising, creation and distribution of the newsletter, working with visiting groups and other tasks as they arise. Of the 40 hours a week I work I will spend approximately 20 in the office, 14 working at the different projects, and six on site or in meetings.

My objective: to use my passion for and experience with women and children in poverty to creatively promote awareness and action. I desire to further the mission of MCC by being a nonviolent peacemaker. I hope to use my skills in reporting, communicating, and fundraising, to further the mission of MCC and RPC, and their work among the poor in Ethiopia. As a projects manager I will be expected to help establish creative ways to earn money without fundraising and be invited to brainstorm new projects to better the lives of the women and children. It is my hope that my time in Ethiopia will not only impact me but impact those I will live among.

As I prepare to leave I begin the steps of creating a support network. The support network will be a group of individuals who are dedicated to praying for me and connecting with me during my time in Ethiopia. I have created a blog, rememberethiopia.blogspot.com, where I will be posting updates, prayer requests, and hopefully creative writing that arises from Ethiopia.

I need financial support. I need to raise a total of $4,300 which will go directly to MCC and is tax deductible. This will cover my expenses for the year in Ethiopia. If you would like to and are able to give monetarily let me know and I will email you information.

Just as important, if you would like to receive email updates send me a comment with your email address and I will add you to my email list. As I mentioned above you can also check out my blog. I sincerely hope to add you to my email list.

I would appreciate your prayers and thoughts during this time. Words of encouragement and emails will be greatly appreciated. If you would like further information let me know. You are an important part of this process. Thank you for your support.

God Bless,

Krista Allen