My first mission trip = I'm on my way!!

Last May, we all piled up on the couch looking at the number of children that could be sponsored through Africa New Life. Bella & Brookly preferred a girl. And (if you know my boy, Will) - Will preferred a baby, boy or girl, it didn’t matter. Just a baby. J As we looked at all the sweet faces, we kept going back to one. His name is Augustine. We knew that he is the one God wanted us to sponsor. Augustine is 7, the same age as Will, loves soccer and wants to be president one day!

Just recently, we have sponsored a second child, a girl. Her face glows with the love of Jesus. She is JOY! Her name is Mariza. She is in 4^th grade and loves soccer, too.

After almost a year of writing and receiving letters and photos, and helping to provide some food & clothing to Augustine and his family, Craig and I have developed an intense desire to meet him (and now Mariza) as well as serve Africa New Life’s (ANLM) growing ministry in Rwanda. Craig just recently had the honor of meeting the founder of ANLM, Charles Mugisha Buregeya. You can read more about him here. http://www.africanewlife.org/aboutus/the-founder/ He has an amazing story.

I believe God has put this desire in our hearts. Increasingly, I have come to understand that God is breaking my heart for my precious brothers and sisters in Africa who live in extreme poverty and, oftentimes, oppression. Our connection with Augustine and Mariza has brought it so close to home, and there is much more I need to discover about the call God has placed on my life to love and serve them.

Over the past year, Craig has been blessed to serve on two mission trips to Guatemala and Haiti. I have seen firsthand how mission trips have impacted his view of the world, its resources and his love for people groups worldwide who need Jesus. While I have not been able to go, I knew in my heart that God would lead me at the perfect time. It’s incredibly exciting to watch it happen! The time is now! And the icing on the cake: I will get to share this experience with an amazing group of people from K&N Management (where Craig works,) including my loving husband & our oldest daughter, Brookly (11).

In answer to this call on my life, I’m heading to Rwanda with an Africa New Life team this July 2013. We will be serving the women and children of Rwanda and sharing the hope of Jesus. We will also have the opportunity to visit an orphanage and love on the precious children there.  Our team will see the progress ANLM is making on their street-children’s ministry, dream center and schools in three different Rwandan cities. I’d love for you to visit their website http://www.africanewlife.org/ to see all they are doing. Last but certainly not least, I’ll get to meet Augustine and Mariza and their families! Yay!

Part of my faith journey is asking you to participate with me. Please partner with me to pray for the team during our months of preparation, for our health and safety as we go, and that the work of our hands in Africa will be multiplied to His glory. There is also a significant amount to be raised in order for me to pursue this calling. If you feel led to help by contributing to the cost ($4,000), I would be so grateful. Contributions are tax-deductible as ANLM is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The following information has details about giving online or by mail – both are good options. Please do not think I am asking you to contribute to a vacation trip. We are traveling for the sole reason of glorifying God and furthering His kingdom. The accommodations, long travel, and lack of comfort items will certainly be a challenge to endure but, God willing, we will be safe. Africa New Life does a fantastic job keeping their missionaries out of harm's way.

Whether you are praying for me, helping with financial support, or partnering in both ways, I humbly and thankfully look forward to representing your heart in Rwanda this July.

Romans 10:13-15

Love you all,

Melanie

Melanie Haley – K & N Mission Team

Thank you very much for your consideration in financially supporting this mission trip. I value your investment in our team as well as your prayers during our time in Rwanda. Below are some ways you can contribute financially.

1. Instructions for giving online:

-Go to our website, www.africanewlife.org, and click on the ‘Donate’ button.

-Donate the desired amount to the 'General & Where Needed Most' fund.

-You will then receive an email receipt for your donation.

**VERY IMPORTANT** You MUST reply to the email receipt (which should reply to dave@africanewlife.org or donna@africanewlife.org), stating what individual the donation is for (e.g., ‘This donation is for Melanie Haley’s mission trip.’). At that time it will be allocated to the proper trip.

-If you are unsure, or just want to double check, let me know that you have donated & I can verify.

2. If you would like to financially support my mission by sending in a check made out to Africa New Life Ministries. (Do not write my name anywhere on the check). Please mail it to my home address and I will forward it on through our team leader. The team leader will ensure that it is credited to my trip.