My Mission Trip to Kenya

March 1, 2014March 2, 2014 ~ Em ~ Leave a comment

Some of you may already know that I have been selected to go on a short term mission trip to Kenya this summer. Ever since I graduated from college in 2010, my heart’s been yearning to go out and do God’s work. This opportunity arose last year when I attended a young adult small group at the Dream Center, which is a part of Seacoast Church in Charleston, SC. There was a panel of young adults sharing about their experiences and service all of over the world. While listening to each of them speak, I could feel my heart wanting to burst out of my chest. I just knew that God was leading me to do more with my life and this trip to Africa was my first step. So that night, I decided to sign up for my first mission trip.

The mission is the first two weeks in July and is affiliated with the Bread of Life Mission (BOL), a non-profit group that focuses on reaching the unreached by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, enhancing discipleship in communities and showing compassion by serving people in need. BOL is currently serving four different people groups/areas in Africa: the Maasai, Pokot, Turkana, and Toposa. I will be serving in Turkana with about ten other people, spreading God’s love by continuing to build the community and ministering to its people.

God has opened this door for me and I plan to experience every aspect of the journey. But before I can walk through that door, I will need to prepare myself spiritually, physically, relationally and financially. The total amount of money that I need to raise is $3,500. This pays for travel, food and accommodations. Any amount would make a huge impact to my trip and would be such a blessing. If you feel lead to donate to my trip, please click here and then click on “support.” You can donate as a guest and select my name, Emily Steele, for the team member that you would like to support.

If you are unable to donate at this time, I completely understand. In that case, I just ask for your prayers as I step out on faith to reach heights I never knew existed. I am so excited to see God’s work and to experience His presence unlike ever before. I know that He is good and He will provide for you and for me and for the beautiful people that I will meet in Kenya. I can’t wait to share the experience with you through testimony, pictures and videos when I get back. I love you all so much and I am so grateful to have support and love from all of you in whatever form that may be.

In closing I want to share a word that God lead me to recently while praying about my trip, Psalm 34:

“I will extol the Lord at all times, his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord, let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called and the lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. Lions may grow weak and hungry but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desire to see many good days, keep you tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil to blot out their name from the earth. The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.”

Thank you for your time to read this and thank you in advance for any donation or prayer that you send my way. Thank you also for being a blessing to me as friends and family in Christ!

To learn more about Bread of Life Missions, please click here.

Vision

January 29, 2014 ~ Em ~ Leave a comment

Curious to Your plans

I will forge ahead nearsighted

Arm lengths will touch each trespasser

Protecting the gifts You instilled

The zigzagged path bears interruption

Causing lapses of certainty

Yet my thirst has no end

Unclear to its intensity

I crave Your purpose to emerge

Solidify this fervent longing

And create farsighted perspective

For I am a daughter of Your light

And Your image is to be fruitful

I was unblinded by Your grace

And to this I will bring sight

Walk to End Alzheimer’s

September 21, 2013 ~ Em ~ 3 Comments

Today was Charleston’s 2013 Walk to End Alzheimer’s at The Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina. My family and I have participated in the walk for the past three years in honor of my Nini, Betty Tallarico. My Nini is 90 years old and although she has had Alzheimer’s and dementia for about ten years, she still is the sweetest, most God-fearing lady I know. Of course we have to constantly remind her of things she doesn’t remember and she barely recognizes me but just thinking of her brings a smile to my face. Currently she lives in Texas and we don’t get to see her that often but when we do, we cherish every second. A lot has happened over the past few years with our family and her care, so it is almost a blessing that she doesn’t retain or remember much. But the bigger blessing is that she is still here. She is so sweet yet very hard headed. Her faith is deep and she loves with every inch of her being. When you tell her you love her, she replies, “I love you more,” which only makes you love her more. I included some of the pictures below of the walk today with my family along with a picture of my sweet grandmother embroidering. Check them out and check out http://www.alz.org to learn more about the fight against Alzheimer’s.