Kenya the Sequel

So it's been 4 months since I've returned from my adventures in Europe, and things haven't changed much from month to month. Still unemployed, still at home, growing ever lazier and more listless. Friends ask what I've been doing, and I have literally nothing to say.

But in one month, I'll finally have something awesome to tell people again. I'm going back to Kenya! I'm extremely excited about this trip. I'll be going to a town called Kijabe to help with some hospital design and master planning with Engineering Ministries International (EMI). I'll leave on May 27th and be returning on or around June 10th.

There are several reasons I'm going on this trip. One is for the architecture work. I can't find any work in the field here, but on this trip I'll be able to get some valuable practice in. Secondly, it's an exciting opportunity to travel and experience new cultures again. Thirdly, going back to Kenya to deepen my African experience is something I've wanted to do since I returned in early 2008.

Fourth reason, this mission is along the lines of what I'd like to do with my career. I want to use my architectural talents in the developing world. I've been given a lot of good things in my life, and from those who have much, much will be required. Whether it's in designing hospitals or communities, helping with disaster recovery efforts or just helping find volunteers, a large part of my heart is definitely drawn and inspired to working with developing nations, cities, cultures, families and individuals.

And one of the biggest and most challenging reasons for making this trip is to push myself in my faith. EMI is a christian organization, and I'll be surrounded on this trip with brothers and sisters in Christ. I've never been the best at being open about my own faith, I'm usually overly careful about sharing my views with others, especially when I know they don't believe as I do. But this mission is unabashedly open about being missional as well as serving. It's a chance for me to let my Jesus flag fly and rest in firmness of my convictions that God is, and that my faith is nothing to hide.

On the logistics side I'm sure many of you had the thought: Patrick is unemployed, is EMI then paying for him to go? The answer is no, I'm paying my own way. This will cost around $3,000 with the majority of that being air fare to Nairobi and back. Fortunately I have a little $$$ saved up, so I can afford to drop that, and living at my parents house for the last for months has allowed me to save a lot up as well. But if you think you would like to help me pay my way, feel free to call me or e-mail me and we'll talk about it.

Regardless, I'd appreciate your prayers for group cohesion, journey mercies, a successful design, an understanding client, and above all, for Christ to work in us and through us all.

For more information on the project specifically, click here.