So here's the deal, this summer I am going to Abengourou, Ivory Coast. Below is a part of the support letter I sent out kind of giving the basic info on the trip:
Many of you know the call to adventure and missions
that has long been on my heart. You know my dream and desire to follow the
Lord. It is one thing to dream and talk about answering that call and another
to actually doing it. I decided to stop dreaming and talking and start doing. This
summer, I serve as a REACH intern with Christian Mission Fellowship (CMF)
International in Ivory Coast, a country in West Africa.
At the end of May, I
will be joining other interns from around the country for a Pre-Departure
Orientation to serve overseas. My team of 4 will then journey to the Muslim
community of Abengourou, Ivory Coast for eight weeks, where we will serve
alongside CMF missionaries and Ivorian nationals. We will minister and show
Jesus to them through Community Health Evangelism (CHE). CHE is a program that
seeks to transform the lives of individuals physically, emotionally, and
spiritually. We will specifically work in a local HIV/AIDS and maternity clinic,
where I hope to use some of the nursing skills I’ve been learning at Milligan
College. We will also be educating and training church leaders in the area
before closing out our internship in Indianapolis for a time of debrief before
returning home. I’m excited to see how the Lord will work in and through me
this summer. So, without much ado, I'm asking that you do a couple things:
1) I ask that you pray. Pray for the people of the Ivory Coast, pray for the people I will come in contact with, pray for the ministy I will be working with, pray for the other interns I'll be travelling and working with, pray for the Gable's that I will be staying with, pray for me and my heart, and also please pray about whether you'll be able to financially support me in this mission.
2) Support me financially. While I firmly believe God is leading me to serve in the Ivory Coast that does not mean it's easy or that it's free. I'm in the midst of raising nearly $6000 to cover the expenses. This is an overwhelming number but we serve a great God and I have faith that he will provide (maybe though you?!) every penny of it. Seriously, don't think that maybe your gift is too small and won't make a difference, because it will. This is something I can't do alone.
3) Follow this blog! I will do my best to update you on where I'm at through my preparations and while abroad. I'll try to give you specific things to pray about regularly and maybe post an occasional picture or two ;)
Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure!
Courtney
ps here's a link to where you can go to support me financially! All you have to do is open the link, look to the right of your screen where it says "support your intern" click there, find my name (Courtney Blair, Ivory Coast) and click "give." Thanks again!
http://www.cmfi.org/REACH
