Hey everybody...here's a copy of my support letter I've been sending out:
Dear Friends and Family,
I am writing to tell you of some exciting news and a big change coming up in my life! This summer I will have the opportunity to live for two months in the Turkana district of Kenya serving alongside the CMF International (Christian Missionary Fellowship) missionaries currently working there. I will be going as an intern with CMF’s REACH program, and we will be working through relational ministry and physical labor to love the people of Turkana, meet the needs of a poverty stricken region, and share the hope of Christ.
Each year 3.6 million people die from water-related diseases, 80% of which are children, and one of the biggest needs of the Turkana people is access to clean water. Pure water is critical for these people as it is needed for drinking, irrigation, hygiene, food preparation, and many other daily life functions. Our team in Turkana will be working to install clean water wells and irrigated farm plots in order to provide access to clean water for the communities in this region. These projects offer more than just clean water, they offer opportunities to develop relationships and demonstrate the grace of God and love of Christ.
I know that it is truly a blessing to have such an opportunity; for as much as it will be a time to be used by God, it will also be a time to be changed by God, to learn and to grow. This learning experience has already begun as I make preparations for this internship. I am learning to be made small, to know that I am only a piece of a much bigger body, that God’s plans are much larger than my own, and that the challenges which they bring must be met with a willing heart and faith that God will provide.
As fellow believers, we are all part of God’s provision for each other. I would like to ask you to partner with me in this ministry. My greatest need is for your support through prayer. Please consider being a part of a team that will commit to praying for the people of Turkana, the missionaries there, my teammate, and me throughout the preparation process and duration of this endeavor. I’m also asking that if you find yourself able, please consider financially supporting this work. The total of my outgoing expenses and field expenses for two months is $5,513, and I need to raise this amount by May 25. This will cover everything from immunizations and travel, to meals, lodging, and field projects. If you do decide to help support this effort financially, please make checks payable to CMF International. Any amount you feel led to give is fully tax deductible and would be most appreciated. I’ve enclosed a response card for your convenience.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if you would like more information. My phone number is (205) 401-4606 and my e-mail is burlesontodd@gmail.com. If you would like, I would be more than happy to meet with you in person to share more about this ministry in Kenya.
I am so thankful for your support, in whatever form it may be. We are all called to love and care for one another and this is a chance to do just that for the people of Turkana. Let us go and be the hands and feet of a loving Lord. I will keep you updated through letters and emails on what God is doing in Kenya this summer. Thank you again!
Peace of Christ,
Todd Burleson
