When and Where and How

So the current plan is that the Vineyard's Nigeria team will board a plane on November 10th and return November 21st. While in Jos we will continue our partnership with Self Sustaining Enterprises and help the villages drill safe drinking water. We may also serve at a pastor's convention there.

I've already paid my deposit, so the current financial goal for me to reach is $2,600.
August 13th: $1,700 is due for airfare
September 17th: $800 for partner fees
October 1st: $100 due for the remaining balance

If this is something that you feel would be worthy of donating some coin to, there's a couple of different ways.
1) You can donate directly to me (ie: hey Jen, here's $5)
Note: this way cannot be considered tax-deductible

2) You can send a tax-deductible check made payable to:
Vineyard Community Church
11340 Century Circle Cincinnati, OH 45246
Attn: Missions Coordinator

There's some things I've been told to tell you about this second one: write 'Short Term Missions- Jos, Nigeria' in the memo line. For tax reasons - DO NOT write my name on the check. However, you can attach a letter or something to the check so they know who it's for.

If you're excited about the trip, but not necessarily wanting (or able) to contribute towards the funds, it's cool. We can totally still be friends. Just pray that I'll be able to raise the funds in time and for some more fellas to come on board. I'll periodically update with more prayer requests from time to time.

Thanks for reading, for praying and for your life savings. HA! Just kidding about that last one. Sorta.

H2O Nigeria - First Well from Still Rendering on Vimeo.

The Backstory Of Why VCC Is Going to Jos

If something isn't done soon, the death toll from unsafe water will exceed that of the AIDS pandemic within the next 15 years. During the Luke 4 Challenge, God inspired VCC to partner with people in and around central Nigeria to provide sources of clean, sustainable water. As a result, we have established H2O: Nigeria, a drilling company that will operate equipment to install bore holes (wells) 10 months out of the year (2 months are the really rainy season). Clean water and sanitation practices bring simple but effective remedies to some of the physical problems in Nigeria - our prayer is that those we serve will see Jesus in action and be open to addressing some of their spiritual needs as well.

The above was taken from the Vineyard Cincinnati's website. I would say more, but quite frankly, the videos are more powerful than my words.

Nigeria H2O Update 2010 from Still Rendering on Vimeo.

The Backstory of Why I'm Going to Jos

I've been on a few mission trips in my life. Mostly in college when I had the opportunity to visit inner city Cleveland, inner city D.C. and Poland. Considering I graduated close 10 years ago, it's safe to say, it's been a while since I've been anywhere on a "mission".

So it was surprising to me when during a weekend celebration at my local church, I felt like God told me to go with the team to Jos, Nigeria. I very quickly squashed that idea and told God that if he really wanted me to go then he would have to have Kande Wilson, Director of Outward Focused Ministries at the Vineyard, tell me that I was supposed to. Ha, I had thrown out my fleece. And then about 5 minutes after the celebration ended, Kande walked up to me and told me I should go to Nigeria. Isn't Jesus just HILARIOUS?

This was was truly shocking to me, considering Africa is one of those continents that I very clearly told Jesus I wasn't interested in ever visiting. But I guess that when you purely tell your Creator, "Here am I, send me wherever", He'll take you up on that offer. Even if you're young and dumb and 18 at the time : )

H2O Nigeria Update - Director, Kande Wilson from Still Rendering on Vimeo.