Since June 2009 I have:
– Spent a significant amount of time living out of a
backpack, somewhere around 17 months
– Been to at least 17 different countries
– Slept in over 100 different beds
– Been on over 30 flights
– Done ministry side by side easily at least 70 different
people
– Taken over 5,000 photos
– Intensely cried 52 times (or maybe more)
– Gotten 2 tattoos
– Probably accrued about 50 stamps in my passport- enough to have to get pages added to it (since I had filled it up).
Those are just a few of the statistics. But, as “cool” as those
things may be, and as much as I love all those things, that is not why I go.
I go because of the message God has put on my heart- to
share that our highest calling in life to be His child, His son, His daughter. It is not what you do, where you were born, who you marry, who your parents are, that define you. It is Christ. It is being God’s child. I go to share how securing my identity
in Christ has made me come alive.
I go because I see people being changed. More then changed, transformed. I go because God says “Go to the nations.” I go because I have seen the need for Christ in this broken world. I have seen people in need of truth and love. So I go to bring truth and to love, deeply, lavishly, recklessly love.
(Girl in Kiberia, a slum outside of Nairobi, Kenya)
This summer I am leading another Real Life trip, not because
I want to get out of the country (although believe me, that is a big bonus!)
but for the college students I will get to spend 2 months with. To see them understand what it means to
be loved by a gracious Father for the first time. To see them lay aside their comforts and desires in order to
bless another. To see them fast
multiple times a week so we can use our money to buy food for those who have
none. To be a part of their
journey, even for just 2 months.
This is one of the only things I have ever in my life felt “born to
do.” I can’t even fully explain why I know I am supposed to go…..I just know I am.
(The Daughters of Team Kenya)
In order to go this summer I need to raise $3,000. I currently have about $350, which means I need $2,650 in the next 5 weeks. Honestly, support raising has been frustrating this time around. The money has not been coming in as fast or as consistently as I would like. But, because of everything I wrote above, I have to FAITH that God is going to come through. Please prayerfully consider supporting me on this journey, whether in a one-time or monthly donation. You can click on the Support Me link on the left or you if you would like to mail a check, please make it out to Adventures in Missions and send it to: Adventures in Missions, PO BOX 534470, Atlanta, GA 30353-4470. Please write Hannah Olsen in the memo line. I really need your help on this. Be praying for financial favor in my life and please consider donating, even $5.00. Even $1.00. Honestly, ANY amount helps.
I am still patiently awaiting on the exact location I will be spending my summer. And its been a hard wait for sure! As soon as I know I will be posting a blog! But, honestly, I find myself in this place where I don’t care where I am going. Because the country isn’t really why I am doing this anyways. Although, if God wants me back in Africa I am 100% on board! I don’t care how many more passport stamps I get or how many countries I get to visit. Those really are secondary things. The world needs TRUTH and the world needs LOVE. And that is why I am going.
(Boy at the IDP camp)
