I am a 39 year-old husband and father to one son. Professionally, I work as a corporate training development manager for a large telecommunications company. I also teach biblical and ministerial studies at a small local bible college. Personally, I enjoy blogging (http://bibledude.net) and studying the Word of God.

Over the last year or so, I have become increasingly aware and concerned about social injustices, and have been seeking ways that I can have a greater impact on the world around me. In my mind, extreme poverty is one of the worst because it is the root cause of so many other problems that exist. My faith simply teaches me that this is not okay, and that as a Christian I have a responsibility to do something about it.

This trip to Kenya and Uganda is one that on the surface involves getting microloans to people and providing them training to help them be successful with the 'little push' that the microloans give them.

However, more important than that, we are going on a mission of hope. Most people who live in extreme poverty live in shame and lack any kind of hope in their lives. Often the people who we visit are blessed simply because we travel half-way around the world because we thought that they were important to us (and to God).

For more information aboout this trip, check out the feature post about it on my blog (with a cool video and everything!)...

http://bibledude.net/africa

Financial support for this trip will help to cover airfare, ground transportation, lodging, and teaching materials that will be used in our lessons.

Any excess funds will be donated to Five Talents International to help create new microloans for people living in extreme poverty.

Prayer support is also encouraged. Please pray for the people in Thika, Kenya and in Kasese, Uganda that they would be open to what God has for them through this training. Please pray for the team that we not only teach with the authority of God, but also that we be moved by the miracles that we hope to see God doing in people's lives.