it is hard to believe that in just five short months, i will be making my way to africa.

for those of you viewing this, i assume you are doing so because you received the letter i sent out asking for your partnership, and for that, i thank you from the bottom of my heart.

i would love to be able to say that taking a trip like this has been something i have always wanted to do, but if we're going to be totally honest here, that's not really the case. i have heard stories of mission trips from friends, considered doing something similar, gave it serious thought for about a week or so, and moved on. this program, however, really pulled at my heart strings.

i stumbled upon IVHQ by doing what everyone my age does on a daily basis: facebook stalking. i noticed that an older friend of mine had posted pictures from a trip to tanzania. shortly after contacting her and getting more information, i was hooked. after visiting the website and looking over the different trip opportunities, there was no doubt in my mind anymore. this was something i had to do. torn between ghana and kenya, i had a big decision to make. after much more research, prayers for guidance and many pacing laps around my kitchen counter, i had my answer: kenya.

with my decision concrete, i went back to the program website and applied. within the next week i was put in contact with the kenyan program leaders, and a few other volunteers who had previously been to kenya. after hearing some of their stories and looking at previous trip pictures, i was more excited about going to kenya than i have ever been for anything in my entire life.

i don't know many things about the journey i am about to embark on, but i do know this: i have already fallen in love with kenya and all of its people.