Boy, am I bad at blogs. But considering this is still the easiest way to provide updates to you all, I thought I’d write a little something and share my heart and my plans.
TL, DR: I want to stay in Kenya, but due to some COVID-related financial setbacks, I need a little additional support to do so. Here’s how you can give:
Tax-deductible giving – Go to www.brooklyn.apostles.nyc/give , click on the “Give Online” button, and select “Brooklyn Missionary Support – Janell Simmons” in the drop-down menu under “Giving Type.”
OR, give through Moonclerk (not tax-deductible)
To hear a little more about how I came to this decision, keep reading…
Wow, what a year 2020 has been, for all of us. Dealing with this global pandemic in a foreign country brought its own unique challenges, but I know this season has been hard on everyone. In many ways, I was already prepared for the loneliness and isolation that the coronavirus brought about to many of you. Zoom & Facetime were already my primary modes of communicating with the people I love the most, and considering I live in the middle of nowhere, social distancing was not really an issue.
I will say that the COVID-19 pandemic put a hold on so many things for me that I was not expecting. 2020 was the year I was going to finalize and implement our new “vision trip” protocols for volunteer groups. I had plans to go and meet with executives at local businesses all over town to raise support for Shelter. I had a whole summer trip planned to the states to raise more support and share about Shelter at churches all over the country.
Obviously, none of those things came to be. Instead, the past 7 months have been spent close to home, working closely with the boys and staff as we figure out our “new normal” (how tired are we all of that phrase??). And that’s okay. I’m grateful for my health and safety and that of the boys and staff at Shelter. I’m grateful we’ve been able to continue the incredible work of reuniting families, albeit with a few more restrictions from the government. I’m excited that I’ve been able to launch an introductory computer course for the boys, and that we added a full-time counselor this month to work with the boys and their families as they prepare for reintegration.
As this year, my second in Kenya, comes to a close, I feel like there is so much more to be done. I would like to stay and continue my work at the shelter, and hopefully pick back up some of the projects that had to be dropped in 2020. I’ve only been able to sustain my life and work here thanks to the support I’ve received from friends and family in the states. I’ll be honest, many of my supporters have been affected by the coronavirus and have discontinued their giving or let me know that they will have to do so moving forward. So in order to stay in Kenya, I will need additional donors. If you are already supporting me and would like to continue to do so, please let me know. If you are able and feel led to begin supporting me, either with a one-time or monthly gift, please see the links above for how to do so.
If I can get 20 additional donors to commit to just $25 each month, I will be able to cover the gap left by those who have had to discontinue. I pray you would consider supporting me in this way if you are not already.
Thank you for all of the love and care you have shown me in my time here.
These are just a few of the 20+ boys we have reunited with their families this year. It’s such a blessing that we’ve been able to continue our work despite the pandemic.
Good News!
It’s hard to believe I have not set foot on US soil since July 2019. I had plans to visit earlier this year, but COVID travel restrictions dashed those hopes. However, I am thrilled to say that I just booked a trip home and I’ll be in the US (looks like just Texas for health and safety reasons) for about 3 weeks in November/December.
If you are in Texas, I’d love to see you (with precautions!) and share more about my life and work in Kenya.
I’m so excited for time with family and friends, and I’m hoping to bring a few things back from the states!
I’ve set up a personal Amazon wish list and one for Shelter with a few items that would be helpful to have back in Kenya. If you are interested in purchasing any of the items, the links are below. Please ensure anything you buy will arrive before Thursday, December 3rd.
Let Go, My Soul 
I will continue my donation to you! Many blessings to you as you follow God’s will.
Much love, Pat Allen
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Thank you so much! I appreciate your support. Blessings, Janell
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