I have just graduated from Mississippi State this spring with a double major in Public Relations and Journalism. It’s hard to believe that this phase of my life is over, but I am excited about what the Lord has next in store for me.
The Lord has provided me with an opportunity to serve in Thika, Kenya with Africa Inland Mission. I will be working for BethanyKids, a non-profit organization whose goal is to bring healing and hope to children with disabilities. Joytown Primary School is a school for the physically handicapped and founded by Bethany Kids and the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army still owns the land that the school sits on and is the official recognized sponsor of the school. I will be living there for six months and hope to leave at the beginning of September this year.
I have been praying and talking with Dr. Richard Bransford for almost a year now about this opportunity. Dr. Bransford started Joytown and has served the Lord for many years in Kenya. In case you are not familiar with this ministry, I have included an article that appeared in World Magazine last December about Dr. Bransford and the ministry there.
I will have several ministry opportunities and responsibilities while living at Joytown. My first job will be to write about individual students at the school along with taking photographs for the purpose of reporting to donors and highlighting need areas. These stories will be posted on the BethanyKids website. I will also develop a book group to help students in a reading program. The program will build relationships and offer encouragement. I will also organize "tea parties" where children can learn to socialize and improve their manners, which is great occupational therapy.
I am asking for your prayers this summer and during the six months I will spend in Kenya. Please pray for my safety and that the Lord will increase my patience, compassion, and strength while serving Him. Please pray for my parents and grandparents too! I have felt the Lord leading me to Africa since I was fourteen years old and I am very excited He has opened this door. I know I will be stretched and challenged in more ways that I can imagine, but I also know I cannot ignore my heart’s desire to serve the Lord at Joytown.
I am working different jobs in Jackson, MS this summer to reach my financial goal of $7,500-- the amount AIM says I will need from departure to my arrival back home after six months. I will be living at home while I work to earn this money, which is due to AIM by August 7, 2011 before I leave for the field on September 7, 2011. If you have any job recommendations to help me reach this goal or know of any person or group that might be interested in supporting me financially whom I could tell my story to, please contact me at graymarchetti@gmail.com. Also, please send me your email if you would like to receive newsletters with updates on my trip.
Thank you so much for praying, loving, and encouraging me throughout this process. I am excited to be a small part of the wonderful things the Lord is doing in Thika, Kenya!
In Him,
Gray Marchetti
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but the Lord is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
