You might remember the dreams BJ and I had of traveling and serving in Africa in Fall 2015. We had dreams of remission, of a full recovery, and a huge trip to serve in Tanzania to celebrate. So when BJ died, I thought that dream of traveling and serving in Africa was over.

I feel grateful and privileged to have that dream re-surface with the help of Hear the Cry.  I plan on traveling with a team to Harare, Zimbabwe for three weeks to serve and work with orphans at Hands of Hope. Hear the Cry is committed to developing deep relationships with the orphans and workers at Hands of Hope. In fact, my very own sister, Mikayla McLeod, traveled on the first trip to Zimbabwe with Hear the Cry back in 2009. We skyped with the local Zimbabwe leaders at our latest team meeting and they still remembered my sister, who hasn't been back since! They remembered her and her nickname "Keelah" and it made me realize I will not just be visiting and serving, I will be joining a family. 

I see this trip as an opportunity to serve and build relationships that last a lifetime. And I hope this won't be my last trip to Zimbabwe, but instead, like many of my teammates traveling in August, come back to Hands of Hope year after year to serve and continue to build community and relationships.

I hope you consider partnering with me to make this trip happen.

Even if you are unable to financially contribute at this time--  

Would you log in via Facebook and leave a prayer or a message of encouragement or a favorite memory of BJ? I would love to collect all the encouragement surrounding this trip in one place. Any time I feel discouraged or down I can come to my fundraising page and see all your love— love poured out in the form of generous words of love and friendship and generous financial contribution.

Also— please know you all have already done such a good job of loving and supporting me on my journey! It feels wrong to ask for more of you— more money, more kind words, more love... And yet I know you will, and I know I need it. Thank you, friends.

About Hear The Cry's work in Zimbabwe:

Hear the Cry has partnered with Hands of Hope for the last 10 years and will be sending a team in August to minister to orphans. Zimbabwe has the most orphans per capita in the world with 1.8 million of the 14 million population orphaned. This trip will consist of continuing to build on the relationships  established with the 60 kids it sponsors along with connecting with other children, pastors, and projects in the community surrounding Harare, the nation’s capital. The team will minister through taking the kids on retreats, providing skills training camps, and hosting VBS. Nearly 100% of the work and time on this trip is compassionate care work with orphans.