Going on a Trip...

Well, here goes…I’m entering the blog world. I’ve been avoiding it for a while, but I've got a new adventure on the horizon that I want to share about, so... I decided to give it a whirl.

First up, here’s an update on what’s going on in my life these days. I’m still living in Portland Oregon, where this last June, I made a bit of a career move. I joined the staff of my church Imago Dei Community, as the Ministry Assistant for Children & Families. Imago Dei Community has been a huge part of my journey and my community since I first attended, in October of 2000. The children & families area is where I’ve most often found myself using my gifts and passions to serve as a volunteer. It’s actually been a bit of a dream actualized to continue the ministry as a staff member and also a deacon of Imago Dei Community. I live in Northeast Portland with some good friends from my church and their 4yr. old son, who has decided I need to live with his family forever (love that boy) ☺ The last couple years have been such a great season of transformation and redemption in my life and I am excited to share with you all an adventure God is taking me on…

This February, I’ll be going on a short-term missions trip (14days) with my church, Imago Dei Community (www.imagodeicommunity.com) and Medical Teams International (www.medicalteams.org) to Cambodia. We will be spending our time primarily in Andong, a slum community just outside Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, where 9,000 people were recently forcibly relocated and are seeking to rebuild their lives. Our church has partnered with Cambodian pastors and leaders this year in initiatives involving clean water, emergency roofing and preventative health education. We will be joining our Cambodian brothers and sisters there to facilitate a medical clinic, to do some health & sanitation education amongst the community and to further foster relationship between their community and ours on the other side of the world. Basically, to be a part of Christ’s redemptive work through the church, together.

My specific role on this trip will be primarily in working with the children and families. Helping with the health education, assisting families and children when they are getting medical care, spending time listening to, praying for, and connecting with the families. I expect that this trip will be transformational, I already have been challenged and am learning so much in preparation for it. I am finding it is drawing me closer to Christ and to relying on Him as I find more and more I have little to offer and much to learn.

I am very excited about this trip and I’d love it if you would pray for me in this. I will be posting prayer requests here along the way to keep you all updated.

Also, if you’re interested in supporting my trip financially, that would be much appreciated. I will need to raise a total of $3000 for the trip. Your gift is tax deductible, and you will receive a statement from Imago Dei Community at year-end for your records.

You can give online using our churches secure online giving link at: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=2fa9cd
Please be sure to put: “Cambodia Trip 2010- Jen Taylor” in the “comments” box.

Or

Checks can be sent: made payable to Imago Dei Community with “Cambodia Trip-2010-Jen Taylor” written in the memo line.
Checks can be mailed to:
Attn: Terry Showman
Imago Dei Community
2830 NE Flanders
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 231-5096

I would love to answer any questions you may have or share more about the trip with you. Please feel free to contact me at Jen@imagodeicommunity.com

I will be continuing to blog here as I prepare for and go on my trip so you can keep up with my experience, so stay tuned!:)

Love to you all,
Jen:)