My most recent update...

I have an email group that I send updates to every month, mostly to have some prayer support behind what I'm up to as I believe deeply in that need! I thought I would share this with everyone as the year begins to give you all in blog-land an understanding of what's next for me.

My role with Come, Let's Dance is as a volunteer, so I do request financial support if anyone feels inclined. Please understand that I know there are many other people and organizations worth supporting right now in the world, especially in Haiti, and I highly encourage you to look into those opportunities! I believe in supporting one another to create a better world, and right now I'm one of those heading out in hopes of doing that - and I need your support, there's no way around that. I do look forward to another season when I can be on the giving end as well financially, but until then, thanks for your thoughts, your time and your support.

Happy New Year!!!

2010 seemed a long way off about 20 years ago…and here we are. Have you looked back to a decade ago, 2000, and reminisced about the journey you’ve been on since then? I find such comfort in looking back over the years, noticing the ebb and flow of joys and sorrows. I realize that I now have called Denver ‘home’ for 8 years, am blessed by an amazing community of friends and family around the world, have traveled near and far, and feel more deeply at peace and at rest in my own skin than ever in my life. To find myself here, now, gives me great hope in the coming years as well.

Looking ahead, I have much to be thankful for and look forward to! At the top of my list is my fiancé, Mark Cloherty! Yes, I’m engaged – we’re hoping to have the wedding in Denver at the end of July/beginning of August. I met Mark this past June through Medair while I was in Uganda. He is working with Medair in DR Congo right now. Mark is from Manchester, UK, where we hope to land for a while after the wedding, waiting to see where God might lead us next. It’s been an exciting journey already experiencing God’s grace and hand in bringing us together over the past few months. We feel tremendously blessed and happy, excited for our future together!

In February, I’m headed back to Uganda to work a few more months with Come, Let’s Dance. As I said in previous updates, I feel the relationships and projects I’ve invested in have much more potential, I don’t think its time to say goodbye just yet! My project from the fall of writing and compiling manuals has only just begun as we are trying to begin an internship program in fall of 2010. Thread of Life continues to be looking for a permanent location and there is the ever-present need of a sustainable market within Uganda. I believe the empowerment of these women is a huge need that I desire to keep supporting. I’ll also be helping to host volunteer groups as they come and go, experiencing Uganda and learning what CLD is all about.

My financial support for September through December was above and beyond what I had hoped for! Thank you all for your prayers and contributions. When I left Uganda, $1200 of my surplus support was made available to be used on our projects in January, when donations are often low. What a huge praise!!!

Would you pray with me over these needs?
~ I’ve recently been diagnosed with Mono. :( Though I’ve already dealt with the majority of the symptoms, I’m very tired most days and need to spend this time in Denver resting and hopefully getting healthy! Pray for healing and that I would truly rest this weary body.
~ Mark and I are planning our wedding from afar and apart from one another. Please pray for the communication we have available to sustain us and that even from afar we will continue to be prepared for our coming marriage.
~ Mark is working in a fairly insecure area in DR Congo. Currently there have been a few attacks by the rebel group, the LRA, which continues to wreak havoc and displace many people in that area. Pray for safety and protection over Mark, the Medair team, and especially those most vulnerable: the Congolese who are suffering from trauma and fear in their own land. If you’d like to learn more about Mark’s work there and the situation, you can visit his blog: www.markcloherty.blogspot.com
~ Over the next month I need to begin raising $3500 in financial support for my next 4 months in Uganda. Please pray with me for this provision during tough economic times. I am looking for contributions of $25 per month, such as an auto-giving commitment, from February through May, as well as one-time donations. If you feel you would like to commit to this or know someone who may be interested, please see the specific information below.

Thanks for your continued support!

Look forward to hearing from you,
Jennie

Three easy ways to financially support Jennie’s service with Come, Let’s Dance:

• For tax-deductible donations, please make checks payable to “Come, Let’s Dance”, with Jennie Otte in the memo and send to: (email jennie for the specific address, thanks!)
• For auto-withdrawal, email jennie for the form and instructions.
• For NON-tax-deductible contributions through paypal, click on the “Donate” button on the right of this screen.