Swahili Lesson #!

Ready to learn some Swahili! Hooray!

Father- Baba

Welcome- Karibu

Brother- Kaka

Sister- Dada

Child- Mtoto

Love- Penda

Lord- Bwana

God- Mungu

Jesus- Yesu

We love you- Kama wewe

I'm going to try and incorporate these words in my daily life because 1) it's fun, and 2) maybe that way some words will sink in and be helpful on my trip!

The next words I want to learn in Swahili are "Does this have nuts in it ?" and "I'm sorry, I'm allergic" :)

love

You Are With Me Still

So, for any of you who has experienced support raising and going on missions trips, you know it can be very daunting. Not only because the sum of money needed to raise is often a lot, but because I believe Satan really uses this time to bring about a lot of insecurities. When I've support raised in the past and sometimes even this time, I experience a lack of faith, doubts, fearfulness, I often want to give up, and other types of mixed emotions. Because it is challenging and even once the funds are raised, it's not much easier. Before I left for Hampton Beach, like a few nights before, I was lying in bed at night in such turmoil. Not only internal but also physical pain. I felt so alone, I felt like I was stupid for going on the trip where I'd be one of two people from California, and I felt like I was going to fail. Thankfully God got me through those moments so that I could go on that life-changing trip. So with all that said, I learned a song last week at church that is encouraging especially during those hard times, support raising or not. So I hope you enjoy! It's called You Are With Me Still:

When all is dark, and hope is gone

And silence has become my song

When doubt has closed me in, You are with me still

When strength is overcome my fear

Your presence feels no longer near

When sorrow's night descends, You are with me still

You are with me still, and Your love will endure

You are with me still, and Your promise is sure

You are with me still, and Your mercy remains

You are with me still, You give strength as I wait

Though favors touch seems long ago

My calloused heart and weary soul

Will turn in trust to You

You are with me still

Support Letter

Dear family and friends,

You may or may not what I’ve been up to these past couple of years, so if you have the time I’d like to catch you up to speed. Right now, I am in my senior year at Cal State Fullerton where I am majoring in Comparative Religion and minoring in Public Relations. I am both really excited and really nervous to graduate, which my expected graduation date is winter of 2010. These three and half years of college have been some of the greatest years of my life but I feel God has used me and molded me to the point where I’m ready to step into the “grown-up” world and see what new adventures life can hold.

As some of you may know, I joined an organization on campus back in my freshman year called Campus Crusade for Christ or CRU for short. Joining CRU has definitely affected my college experience in tremendous ways from being on the leadership team to simple making some of my best friends. God has used CRU to constantly stretch me in ways I could never imagine and has shown me how to be bold and sold out for Jesus. This was especially shown when I spent the summer of 2008 on a stateside mission’s trip to Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. That summer changed the way I view people and the way I trust God and has definitely shaped my life for the better.

One thing that many of you may not know is that I am also really involved in my church, Newport Mesa. I have been attending NMC for a little over two and a half years and I really feel like the people of this church are another family to me. God is doing some crazy things through the people of this church. At NMC I am on leadership with our college group, I sing in the choir, I work the Welcome Center, and every now and then I help out with Jr. High and children’s ministry. I am so blessed to have Newport Mesa as a home church.

While being a part of Newport Mesa Church, I have this great opportunity to go on another mission’s trip. A team of about 17 of us will be heading to Tanzania, Africa in May. We will be there for about two weeks. Our work there will mostly include working with children. We will be working in orphanages and schools and villages, and just sharing God’s love with them and helping provide them with whatever they need. This trip will be different than most, especially in contrast to the one I went on to New Hampshire, because we will be specifically working with kids from babies to 18-year-olds.

As you can see, it will take a lot of prayer and financial resources to be able to make this trip possible and I would need a group of ministry partners, like you, to help me. First and most importantly, I ask that you pray for me and my team as we embark on this trip to Tanzania. Last time I went on a mission’s trip I thought that was a huge step of faith, but going to Africa, well it seems to be an even greater step of faith and your prayers are greatly needed and appreciated. I ask for prayer that lives will be changed, whether it is the members of my team or the children in Tanzania, and prayer for safe travels, and that all the finances come together. Prayer is a powerful tool and does make a difference!

Secondly, I ask that you prayerfully consider supporting me financially. The cost of the trip is $3500 per person. It is a lot of money, but with your help, we can make this happen and reach out to the people of Tanzania. I ask that you please take the time to pray and see what amount the Lord would have you give. And remember, any amount helps! All donations are tax deductible and checks can be made to Newport Mesa Church, memo-Tanzania Trip (make sure my name is NOWHERE on the check in order for it to be tax deductible). You can also give online at www.newportmesa.org. Mail all donations to Newport Mesa Church 2599 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92627 ($1700 due by Feb.1, 100% due April 1^st).

Thank you all for your constant support, love, and prayers. I cannot do this without you! If you’d like to follow me as I embark on this journey, I will be constantly updating a blog at www.mytanzanianexperience.blogspot.com.

Walking by Faith,

Jessica Rowley

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised"