June 11, 2011
There is a mound on my floor of things that will soon be in my suitcase. I am trying not to make the pile so big --- but a big part of my pile is the goody bags and gifts to our sponsor girls that the folks at SHC helped COME UNITY pack at their 5th Sunday event. Its amazing that a tiny bar of soap, a few pens, shampoo, toothbrushes can light up their eyes. I think the tiny flashlight keychain will be quite the hit. I look forward to seeing this team experience Africa for the first time. That’s what really did me in, the first trip. Its like nothing you’ve ever seen before, and though I have tried to prepare them in small and big ways---- you can never really be prepared.
Jess and I will spend week one in rural Ethiopia. We will join our Pastor and a small team and travel to some pretty rural areas, near Jimma. Pastor JR has a soft spot for people involved in church leadership in rural communities. These people are stepping up to fill the need when they see one. They have no training, no funds, no support. They are simply doing a job because its what needs to be done. I think our team will be able to give them a lot of tools and encouragement to press on. If COME UNITY can be involved in future partnerships and projects then we are open to that. We love the fact that JR and his friend Larry have been in communication with these folks for years, and are building relationships out of trust.
Weeks two and three will be in Kenya. We will have the opportunity to visit lots of projects – Kibera, Ilbissil, Pekot. More. Our team will be bombarded with Kenyan culture in the best of ways… see COME UNITY’s boreholes, sponsor girls, and cattle! We look forward to greeting old friends and making new friends. We will even spend a day or so on a game drive at Nakuru National Park! Home of many flamingoes! We will talk about COME UNITY’s goals and COME UNITY’s future. How we can continue making a difference. This team will pave the way for many other teams just like it. Wanna join us in Africa?... It’ll rock your world.
Posted by kristin.
May 31, 2011
In not so many weeks we’re heading back to Africa! We are in pursuit of COME UNITY’s next partners—some of the most difficult work we do. We have quite a checklist of things we are looking for--- getting to know and coming to trust people you’ve known for such a short time is a challenging work, and comes with a lot of discernment and prayer. However, that is part of what our trip is about. Myself, and fellow board member Jessica Petrolati will be in Ethiopia for one week doing j... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
May 14, 2011
How do I sum up the 6ks in a few sentences? 4/30 we were in Indiana. Jess Petrolati, who coordinates our 6k races, came with me on the 11 hour drive—home. The perfect place for the hometown crowd. The team in IN was so well prepared and could have put on an amazing event without us. But we loved being part of the day, and I had many great conversation with people from a city ready to invest in CU. Near 150 racers came out to IPFW, ran, walked, pushed strollers around the twisty co... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
April 25, 2011
Clean water, school aid among goals for Saturday 6K at IPFW
Stefanie Scarlett | The Journal Gazette
A villager in Kenya collects water from a well provided through the group Come Unity.
When Kristin Scott walked miles with women to gather water in Africa, she was shocked by what they found.
The river water typically would be dirty or cloudy with silt, she says. But they filled their water jugs anyway, because it was the only option.
“We take for granted that we turn on our tap a... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
April 11, 2011
If i were to ask you, what does pure faultless religion look like, what would you say?
I went to Kenya in 2007. I met Edna. She was four and came to school every day crying. She pee’d her pants. She never said much. One day when the teachers I was working with wanted to take me on some home visits, I agreed. Edna had not been in school that day. Soon we approached her tiny home. Her father was there. He apologized that Edna wasn’t in school today. It was because she didn’t hav... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
March 27, 2011
this was a big week for COME UNITY! i want to share my excitement with you. i'm often here behind the keys of the computer organizing fundraisers, communicating with Africans, putting teams and meeting and documents together to make this thing go. not to say that it can lose its luster, but sitting behind the keyboard doesn't exaclty compare to the thrill of speaking in front of the crowd about what i'm passionate about or walking the dirty roads of Nairobi dreaming about our next project... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
March 5, 2011
Working overseas comes with many challenges. For one, the internet in some of the remote places we visit isn't always available. So communication can sometimes be very drawn out. Often, I am reminded that I live in an incredibly fast-paced get it done culture--- where its often my way or the highway. Well, not 'my way'... but, well... you know what I mean! This work tests my patience and communication and processes and relationships all happen to a different process than what we deal wi... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
February 21, 2011
Since this year we're adding a 6k race in Indiana, we have a whole new team of folks, there in the mid-west on board with making sure our Indiana 6k is a success. I love the way our teams come to be. Generous people step forward wanting to be part of what COME UNITY is all about. They get fired up and bring their gifts and abilities to the table. They bring new ideas, fresh excitement and a zeal to see COME UNITY succeed. Our Indiana team is composed of an eclectice group of folks, each ... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
February 10, 2011
So, COME UNITY's got some really generous friends. Captain Phil is up there with the best of them. Check out this great offer, impress your Valentine, support COME UNITY and go sailing? Yes, please!
Stay one night on The Pintita of Baltimore, as a ‘boat and breakfast,’ which includes a 2 hour sail, overnight accommodations for you and your sweetheart, and pancakes in the morning made by the Captain himself! And for every reservation booked before Valentine’s Day, Cap’n will donate $... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
January 23, 2011
It’s official. COME UNITY took a few baby steps forward on establishing as a 501(c)3 organization. And, right off the bat they were asking for our Board of Directors and their estimated hours devoted to COME UNITY per week. COME UNITY has a Board of five members, a team that has been committed to who we are and what we’re all about for years now. They are different and talented, they bring beautiful and unique things to the table, they are passionate about seeing two communities change... Continue reading...
Posted by kristin.
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