Dear Family and Friends

First off, I must apologize for the form of communication with which I have chosen to write this letter to you. Blogging would not be my particular choice in this type of correspondence, but considering the nature of its subject matter and the urgency of its request, it is the quickest way I know to get in touch with you. Thus, I am relying on the vast reaches of the Internet as opposed to the relatively reliable but rather slow United States Postal Service; I hope you will forgive me.

Now, for the news. An opportunity has arisen for me to go on a mission trip with my church, The People’s Church (Franklin, TN), this coming fall. But I must say, this is no ordinary mission trip – at least not for me. Well, no mission trip would be ordinary in my case, considering my history of closed doors in that area of ministry. I have always wanted to travel abroad (once dreamed of living in Australia and running a dolphin marine lab), but since the age of about fourteen, not long after coming to know Christ, I have had a very strong interest in missions abroad. In the last eight years, though, every possibility has become an impossibility when it comes to missions and traveling abroad, and I have always been okay with that, trusting that my time would someday come. Well, I think it is here now.

What seems so appropriate about this particular trip is not only the location of it, but also the nature of the ministry that is to be done while there. The plan is to go to Tanzania, a country on the eastern coast of Africa (famous for Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti), to the city of Dar es Salaam. Funny enough, I met a girl during my freshman year at Belmont who was from there and always spoke so beautifully of the country, especially its people, that I told , then, that if I ever went anywhere in Africa, it would be Tanzania. There in the city of Dar es Salaam, we will be primarily focused on working with the students at the university – building relationships, sharing the Gospel, and teaching. Yes, I know – this trip was made for me. (In case you’re not up to speed on what I’m doing with my life, these days, I graduated in May from Belmont University in Nashville, TN and am about to start work on my Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration with a specialization in College Student Personnel Services at Vanderbilt University, where I serve as a Graduate Assistant interacting with college students on a daily basis... and I love it.) I am in pursuit of this career path because I want to have an impact in the lives of college students; having the opportunity to do that in Africa, if only for a short time, seems almost unreal.

I could hardly believe it when I saw the note in the bulletin one Sunday almost two months ago. Almost immediately after getting home that day, I sent an email to our missions pastor about my interest in the trip. We have been communicating off and on over the past few weeks about details as they come along, and just today I got word of the specific travel dates, ministry plans, and trip costs. After being excited for awhile now, about the prospects of this trip, I was suddenly hit with the realization of what all of this means and how soon it is coming. The trip is planned for October 19-November 1, which would include about four days of travel and ten days actually there in Tanzania. The cost of the trip is approximately $2,200, which is fairly inexpensive for a trip to Africa, however, knowing that information, just now, gives me two months as of yesterday to raise the total amount.

And now, this is where you probably think I’m going to ask you for money. Well, if that’s what you feel led to do – I will not stop you from your giving, however, more than even your giving right now, I covet your prayers. I have only had two hurdles, ever, that have kept me in fear of the doors closing on this opportunity and I just got over the first one, and the next is God’s provision in monetary form. So I am asking you to pray that all would be as it should, and if this is God’s timing, the money will come in. The tentative payment schedule is $100 by the end of August, $500 by the middle of September, $1,000 by the first of October, and $600 by the middle of October, just days before our departure.

I hope that you would consider praying for me in this time of preparation, especially as the Lord works on my ability to step out on this limb that I have for so long wished to venture onto. Also, if you find it within your means and feel so led, I would appreciate any support you may wish to give in regards to finances, as even the smallest gift can have the greatest impact. Also, so you know, if you are interested in a tax write-off you can make a check payable to The People’s Church and write my name in the memo line. If you need my address, just let me know and I will get it to you.


Thank you for being someone I can turn to in times like these, and I thank you now, in advance, for all of your prayers and support. Blessings!

Grace and peace,
Kristine
kristine.e.lang@vanderbilt.edu

P.S. In case you were wondering, yes, Cliff and I will be in Africa at the same time. However, we will be merely countries away and never see each other. Oh, the irony of it all! :)