Rhonda's Ramblings

Being involved in missions so much, I have written my share of support letters asking for financial and prayer support. But it doesn’t get easier. I still feel uncomfortable doing it. And for my Africa trip, I had decided not to send one, since I used frequent flier miles for my flight. But since, the root canal incident, I decided to send a letter. I don’t know why they make me so uncomfortable. That’s how missionaries earn their salaries…through support. But I’m not a full-time missionary, so I feel like people will be thinking that I’m just asking for money to go on a vacation or something. But God has always been faithful in providing, sometimes as a result of a support letter. This is the horrible plea for money I sent out today.

I never know how to start these letters. I feel like you are just reading it, dreading the point at the end where I tell you that I need financial support. So to save the suspense, and get the dread out of the way, I will tell you now that the plea for funds is coming. But first….

Exciting news! No, I’m not getting married. I am going to Kenya, which is exciting to me. After two years of living with my grandpa, (which I’m so thankful I have been able to do), he has moved into an assisted living home, and I am wondering what is next I do have a bit of vision for the immediate future.

I am going with an organization called HEART (Health Education for Africa Resource Team), and with my friend, Vanessa Reed, who some of you know. www.africaheart.com

I will be involved in different aspects of the outreach in which HEART participates. One of the main objectives on this trip is for the organization to continue to build and maintain relationships with people of influence in Kenya. . HEART has recently acquired a facility that needs to be equipped and arranged to accommodate the many teams that will be coming in the next few months. Many other projects are also in the works. Health and AIDS education seminars are one of HEART’s main focuses. They are also working on a project to ship crates of medical supplies that have been donated. Vanessa is doing research for a book on FGM (Female Genital Mutilation).

There is lots going on with HEART, and I’m not sure exactly what I will be doing. I kind of jumped into this blindly. But, isn’t that how most mission trips are? Even when you think you know what you will be doing, you end up being surprised?

So, I would like to ask for your prayers that God would use me in whichever way he sees fit. I leave in two weeks, and I have had some large unexpected dental expenses come up, which I thought would keep from going to Kenya. But I have decided to take a step of faith, trusting that God has a plan and will provide. So, I also could use prayer for finances.

I really do appreciate your prayers and hope this letter finds you all well. I’d love to hear from you.

If you would like to help support me financially, there are a couple of options. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, checks can be made out to HEART with my name not written anywhere on the check. If you don’t need it to be tax-deductible, they can be made out to Rhonda Hutchinson. If you would like to pay by PayPal, let me know, and we can arrange that.

They can be sent to:
Rhonda Hutchinson
PO Box 1362
Colfax, CA 95713

Oh, and I will be in Europe from June 1st to June 16th, and would love to see some of you guys.