BLOG #5: Carwash Fundraiser

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for visiting my blog, and taking interest in reading about my upcoming Kenya trip! It really means a lot to me to know that you are taking time out of your busy schedules to read this and just care about what's going on in my life.

For those of you who have helped to support me financially, I am so humbled and amazed that you have helped me to raise $1044 so far!!! That is one-third of the way there, and it has only been a week! THANK YOU!!!

SO... I know my previous posts have been a bit scary... but... I guess I just want to be open and transparent with all of you about our trip, and fill you in on exactly what we're going through. What brings me comfort is knowing:

* 3 of our team members have been to Kenya twice already and they totally trust that we will be safe.
* our church has had a close relationship for the past 5 years with the Pastor in Kenya who will be primarily watching over us.
* we will have several Kenyans who will be going everywhere with us, so they will be able to communicate with us and be familiar with transportation
* the actual orphanage we will be staying at is a 40 minute bus ride from central Nairobi, where most of the danger might be
* after arriving, we will assess on a daily basis how safe it may be to travel to Mathare, and modify our plans if needed.

Hope that makes you feel better too. I had to clarify these things because my mom was panicking and picturing the 15 of us as lost Americans wandering around Nairobi and getting into trouble accidentally because we can't communicate. No, mom. The Kenyans we've been in contact with have our best interest at heart. =)

Switching gears... if you happen to be around San Jose on Saturday afternoon and need a car wash, we're having our first fundraiser at the Jiffy Lube on 2302 Almaden Road from 11am - 4pm! Stop by to get your car cleaned, or... even to just say hello to us! Here's our flyer:



Thanks for reading this! Hope to see you at the carwash (I haven't done a carwash fundraiser since high school... should be interesting...)!

grace