Update

Wow, what a crazy week it has been. Last weekend I was in the InnerCity Phoenix with the Youth Group. There were Jr. High students giving up the first part of their spring break to serve those less fortunate. So awesome to see. We painted and cleaned up the neighborhood. It was so cool to see how excited the students were to serve. This of course made me even more excited for my summer. I realized that all summer this is what I will be witnessing, students wanting to serve others. So amazing.

After we were back I was still anxiously waiting to get the phone call from LeaderTreks to find out where I would be this summer. Finally, Wednesday afternoon I received the call. I will be in Memphis Tennessee this summer :) While I was initially disappointed that it wasn't Costa Rica or the Dominican Republic, I quickly realized that the site in Memphis focuses on community and works with the inner city children. Almost the exact same thing I did over the weekend. I am so pumped for the summer.

Now for some prayer requests, my support raising is going very slowly, so please just pray that I will be fully funded and that it will speed up a little bit. Also, just keep the area I'll be working in in your prayers. Thanks for thinking of me!   

Support Letter

I have decided that just in case anyone felt left out from having a support letter mailed to them I would post it on here. If you want to send any money you can send it to LeaderTreks at LeaderTreks Intern Support C/O Emily Henry 25W560 Geneva Road Suite 30 Carol Stream, IL 6018. Any bit will help and prayer is also a big need. Thank you for taking the time to think and pray for me during this prep time! 

Dear Family and Friends,

It’s hard to believe that it is already 2011. I think back on the last year and I am awestruck at how much has changed in my life since the start of 2010. I switched schools and moved back home, got my first job and became an intern at my church in Student Ministries. Needless to say, my life has been busy lately, and I love it! However, one thing that was missing from 2010 was a summer mission trip. Thankfully, that will not be the case for 2011. I was accepted for a summer internship with an organization called LeaderTreks. This name may sound familiar to some because I have gone on two one-week summer trips with them in the past to the Dominican Republic. But enough about the past, it’s time to look at this upcoming summer.

A summer internship means I will be gone for an entire summer, June 4 to August 15. I have yet to be placed at a site, but there are many places--seven possible in the US, and four in Central America. Placement does not matter much though, because no matter where I am placed I know I will be helping train up students to be leaders, as well as making a difference in the community.  I will also be mentored by a full time LeaderTreks staff as I pour into these students.  It will be challenging for me as I in turn challenge and encourage students.  I am extremely excited for this summer and cannot wait to see what God teaches me during this internship. But the learning won’t start then, there are things to be learning now. For one I have to learn to rely on God to provide. These trips do cost money, so to participate in this internship I need to raise $2,000. This money will cover airfare to my summer site, housing, food, and other expenses that I will have during the summer. Beyond that, I am allowed to raise up to $3,000 towards college tuition for next year.  All donations are tax-deductible. Please fill out and mail the response card to LeaderTreks (address can be found on the card).

This is an extremely exciting opportunity and I want everyone to be able to be a part of this adventure. I will have a blog set up to keep everyone informed on how my support raising is going. I will also use the blog to share my prayer requests and what God is teaching me during this time of preparation. I want you to feel free to ask me any questions you may have about my trip or even if you just want to talk to learn more. My email address is emilyhenry54@gmail.com, and this is probably the best way to get a hold of me because my schedule is pretty hectic this semester.

Support Raising

Well, the most stressful part of my summer planning is now; sending out support letters. I think they will all be out in the mail tomorrow but now it is a waiting game. So many questions run through my head, like "how long until someone sends money?" or "what if I don't raise enough?" But in these times of questioning is when I learn to trust in God and that since He called me to intern this summer, He will provide for me. Also the Bible verse that comes to mind is Matthew 6:25-34. God cares for the grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, surely He cares for me enough to provide. What this time teaches me is not to worry. Worrying does nothing for me, except make me more anxious.

Some prayer requests that I have are to not worry (bet you didn't see that one coming). Be patient and trust in God's plan, not knowing my location yet this summer is still hard for me, but soon I should find out. Also, for me to have strength and wisdom to make it through the days. Everyday is packed full of things to do and often times it feels as if there is not enough time in the days.

Thank you to all who are praying for me. I know that it will be God's strength that gets me through everything.