Qui, Quoi, et Où (Who, What, and Where)

Qui/Quoi (Who/What): JourneyCorps

Journey Corps is a one-to two-year, cross-cultural service ministry designed for young people to use their gifts and passions as they live in community, learn missions, and labor together.

JourneyCorps Outcomes:
Lovers of Jesus • Life long learners • Servant Leaders

Discover your Calling and next steps
Fall in Love with Ivoirians • Gain Hands-on Experience

Où (Where): Côte d’Ivoire (aka Ivory Coast)

Fast Facts
-Located in Western Africa; it’s a little bigger than New Mexico. .
-French Colony until 1960 and French is the official language.
-Civil War in 2002, currently there is a unity government
-Literacy rate: 48.7% total (60.8% men and 38.6% women)
-Life Expectancy: male-55.27 years, female- 57.13 years
-Religion: Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, indigenous 11.9% (from the CIA WorldFactbook)

How did I end up with JourneyCorps?

At the beginning of my senior year, I was praying about what life after college would bring, I knew that I didn't want to go straight into grad school. I basically said to God 'it would be really cool if I could end up in a country in Africa, that also spoke french, where I could serve.' And then eventually, JourneyCorps showed up. Seems like a perfect fit for me. Lots of ways to serve, in Cote d'Ivoire, and aimed to help the journeyer learn where God is leading. In my last post I explain in more detail WHY I've decided to go.

"Pourqoui?"- ma reponse

So, I've realized that while it may be very obvious to me why I want to go to Côte d'Ivoire for a year (possibly two), some of you might be wondering: "Why in the world does she want to go???" So here are the main reasons:

- Most obviously and perhaps the 'easy' answer is because I love Jesus and loving others tangibly is something He's called all of us to do (check out 1 John 3:18). By His grace, I want to live out His love in Côte d'Ivoire.

- After 4 years of undergrad I still don't know what exactly I want to do with my life (whatever that means). I'm hoping to get away from classroom-style learning and instead learn by doing/serving. And maybe God will continue leading me so I can figure out what I'll be doing for the next few years.

- Honestly, one very practical reason is to improve my French. It may not be the 'pure' French experience I might've gotten spending a summer in Paris, but speaking with Ivorians should still solidify my speaking abilities.

- I have so much material wealth: shelter, health, clothes, good food, transportation, education, opportunities... Out of this abundance I want to give to and serve those who have been given materially less than me.

- I thrive on experiencing and learning from other cultures. God made so many beautiful peoples and gorgeous creation to see and enjoy!! While I might be able to help Ivoirians in many material ways, I know that they will most likely teach me more than I could ever hope to give to them.

- My semester in South Africa helped me realize something about myself: I am drawn to reconciliation. Reconciliation, whether it's between individuals or whole societies, is a small picture of what God's done for us. Jesus has rescued us from the violence and oppression of sin and reconciled us to Himself and so we can also be reconciled to each other (2 Corinthians 5:16-21). South Africa was/is undergoing a long reconciliation after apartheid, which I both learned about and experienced while there. Côte d'Ivoire also has a past of conflict, with a civil war in 2002. I am looking forward to being a part of another culture that's attempting to reconcile.

- I know that God has a lot to teach me while there. These last four years at Arcadia have been mind-blowing!! Can't wait to see what else He's got up His sleeve!!

Le dèbut!!!!

Hard to believe that just under 2 months ago I graduated from Arcadia University and now I’m preparing for at least a year of ministry in West Africa.

For those of you who don’t know, I’m planning on doing mission work for at least one year (maybe two) in Côte D’Ivoire with a ministry called JourneyCorps (part of the organization WorldVenture). JourneyCorps is for 20-32 year olds, to live in community together and come alongside the local church and missionaries in Côte D’Ivoire to help meet the many needs of Ivorians. There will be many different ways for me to get involved, at the moment I’m most excited about opportunities in Women’s Ministry and Justice and Compassion Ministry. To check out more about JourneyCorps go here: http://myjourneycorps.com/

Obviously, I’ll need a lot of support during all of this. When I’m there, I’ll be updating this blog and I hope you’ll check it out to keep in touch and also pray for me and the people I meet. For now, while I’m preparing to go, I still need prayers and if you feel led, some financial support. So, far I’ve raised a little over 27% of the $21,500 I need by August 1st (if I want to leave with the September group of journey-ers).

To give go to https://worldventure.com/Give/Make-A-Commitment.html to make a monthly commitment or to https://worldventure.com/Give/Give-Now.html to make a one time donation. In either case, pick ‘Lacy, CJ’ in the missionary drop down menu.

Thanks so much and keep the look out for more, this is just a brief explanation!!!