I have News - Here's my Feb Newsletter:

As you know, I’ve been in the States for some months mainly for the purpose of doing additional support raising. However, during this time after much prayer, and godly counseling, I believe the Lord has redirected me to a different ministry. When I return to Kenya, I will be working with Daystar University in Nairobi as their U.S. Communications Coordinator. I am very excited about this new calling. This position is a much better fit for my skills, experience, and personality while keeping my primary heart’s desire: to minister God’s grace and love to the people of Kenya.

Although leaving Care of Creation is sad in many ways, I am pleased to say that being with Daystar in this position will enable me to promote the work of Care of Creation in much broader sense. Care of Creation is very supportive of the change and for that I am grateful and blessed.

Daystar is Kenya’s leading Christian Liberal Arts University with 3,500 students. They offer a variety of undergrad, and graduate degrees mainly in communications and community development. The goal of Daystar is to equip godly leaders for the future and advance God’s kingdom in Africa and the world. My tasks will include such activities as gathering data for U.S. funded projects, creating current scholarship student profiles, and helping international guests to connect well with staff and students.

Through a recent series of events that only He could orchestrate, God has made it so clear that He is leading me to this new ministry. Your continued support through prayer and financial giving is greatly appreciated. Care of Creation will forward all contributions that have been made on my behalf to Daystar through March 30th. Enclosed you’ll find information on how to redirect your regular giving and more information on Daystar University itself. You may also find more information at their website: www.daystarus.org.

In looking at the immediate future, I will return to Kenya for two weeks in March to bring closure to my previous position and household. I need God’s continued grace and wisdom during the coming transition. I will also meet the Vice Chancellor of Daystar and some staff in Nairobi and begin a search for appropriate housing. Upon returning to the Twin Cities I will immediately begin working at the Daystar U.S. office. After a time of orientation here, I will move back to Nairobi permanently in mid June.

Dividing Professional and Personal

Dear Readers,

Just wanted to let you know that I have created a new 'personal' email address that I would love my friends and family to use. This is my way of trying to polish up my efforts to be a more effective professional. (I still get email at both if you forget.)

You can now contact me at: korbel.jc@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you.

Background, Foreground

I think it's interesting that the background in the photo of Mom from 1948, below looks a lot like the foreground in the photo of Mt Rainier. I am fairly certain Mom was in the Rockies, though.

Out of Seattle

I just spent a week in Seattle area. I went to visit my sister, Lee, who is in the hospital there and about 3 hours from her home in Port Angeles, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula. Her situation is improving, however it’s very complicated. We’re hopeful she can return home this weekend. In fact, I left Minneapolis in a big rush on Sunday, February 8 to be with her in her home and since she was still in the hospital when I arrived we hoped I would be driving her home. Neither worked out. But she has a network of friends in PA who will look after what she needs for when she arrives home.

From her hospital lounge I could see Mt Rainier. Not every day was clear but it was visible a good chunk of the week. I lived in a suburb of Seattle for two years while in college. I often visited my sister in PA and I always counted it a privilege when the mountains were visible. On more than one occasion I was on the ferry from the Seattle side to the Peninsula side when it was clear enough to see both Mt Rainier to the south and Mt Baker to the north.

God’s work in creation is absolutely amazing. His majesty is displayed so incredibly in things like mountains. I see his handiwork so clearly there.

Thank you for your continuing prayers for my sister’s health. The improvements I saw the week I was there were a result of your prayers and also God’s hand on her. Bless you.

Same Outfit

I thought this outfit looked very much like what she was wearing in the drawing below. This photo isn't marked but I am fairly certain that it's from this trip.

In the drawing she portrayed both snow and flowers. She mentioned in one of the letters that is was almost as if you could pick flowers and play in the snow together. Thus the reason she can be wearing shorts in the snow.

Looks like the fun of someone who is 22.

Creative Postcard

Mom sent a 'quicky' drawing of herself in Wyoming on her trip.

Decorative Envelopes from the Artist

I think that very short person is supposed to be Mom. It looks like her head.

Tourists in Yellowstone National Park

They stopped for a few days in Yellowstone, here is the map Mom mailed to Dad.

Map detail: She mentioned several stops, one at Thumb.

Finally, Some Decent Stationery

The Next Letter

Mom still was without stationery the next day even though they were staying at a hotel inside Yellowstone National Park. This letter was written on an envelope and tucked into another envelope to mail.

Notice the very clear postmark.