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 4th 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.
D'Anna
Don lifting D'Anna so she can get the tinsel on the top of the tree!
Will
Bella
Me decorating our family tree
Brookly & Morgan - Best friends
The Klein Family Tree
The Haley Family Tree - 360 Austin, TX
Some beautiful old ~ shutters? gates? Not sure, but I loved them!
You'll never guess what this was made from... OK remember those ceiling tiles in school. You know, this kind you could push up... Well, that's it! They were painting names in the middle and making cute little name plaques with these. Awesome idea!
