Tanzania Medical Mission - NNU

Hello friends and family,

I wanted to write you all to ask for help for an upcoming mission trip I hope to attend. It has been on my mind to update you all so the letter is in two parts. Part one gives a quick glimpse of what life looks like for me right now. Part two gives a quick explanation of the trip I hope to attend and what I need. Alright, here we go, enjoy:)

Part one: the part about life...

I’m a junior this year at Northwest Nazarene University in good ‘ol Nampa, Idaho. Yes, we have lots of farms and yes we have lots of potatoes, but mostly we “enjoy” the pungent smell of the nearby sugar beet factory.

I am in my second year of the nursing program, a degree I honestly am still exploring and hope to find some creative niche or specialty that excites me and brings me joy. I decided to pursue nursing because it allows me to understand the science of how the body works while also allowing opportunities to work with all kinds of people, in all kinds of places. I miss living overseas and sometimes forget I don’t get to go back “home" during breaks. Life goes so fast. I miss traveling, I miss my friends, I miss the adventure and beauty of maneuvering through the sometimes awkward and uncomfortable moments of living in different cultures.

Don’t get me wrong, life here is different, but good. I love my friends and have been so thankful for friends who encourage me in my faith, enjoy life, and laugh at the little things. I was a residential assistant for the Sophomore dorm last year, and again this year for the Junior dorms. I work at the school library, and make enough to be able to go get ice-cream every now and then, a much needed priority. I took a ceramics class this last semester to be intentional about giving myself an outlet to escape from the "science world” I sometimes feel trapped in. I have been participating in flag football, volleyball, and basketball intramurals and just joined NNU’s new women’s club soccer team. I miss playing sports…a lot. It took a long time for me to be okay not participating in sports competitively. I missed, and still do miss having a team, working toward a goal, and having an outlet to be able to let things go and just play a game. It took many late nights of tears and prayers, grieving through the loss of something that filled me with so much joy. Sports never defined me, it was instead a joy and a privilege I knew I would never be ready to let go of. That said, I continue to be eager in participating in intramurals and exploring other ways to be able to run around and get tired:).

My faith is growing and God’s been so gentle with me this year as he’s showing me his presence and his truth in all the little things that fill my day. I spend a lot of time studying, sometimes it feels like too much, but I like to do what I do well. I’ve always been that way, some days it is a blessing, other days the long hours feel discouraging and useless. I’ve challenged myself to approach my homework and classes as a form of worship trying to glorify God in what most days feels like chaos.

In all honesty, pursuing nursing is still something I pray about and wish I felt more clear direction for. I continue to pray and trust that God will get me where he needs me. He won’t let me miss out on his plan. That said, I try to intentional about trusting God where I’m at and that he will use my love for sports, my desire to travel, and my hopes to do what I do well for his glory. This leads to the moment I’m sure you've been eagerly awaiting...part two.

Part two: the part I ask for some help...

This year the NNU nursing department is leading a trip to Tanzania Africa at the beginning of May for two weeks. We will be taking medical supplies and resources to the clinics in Tanzania and helping out with hands-on skills we’ve been using and learning the last two years. The opportunity has caught my eye and has been on my mind and heart for the last few months. I have been discouraged, or perhaps a better said, I have been overwhelmed and worried about the financial part of the trip. I decided it was worth me taking the time to ask for help and pursue this opportunity that has presented itself to me. So I want to take the chance and go for it.

I would like to ask for your support in prayer, and with finances. Whatever is realistic and possible for you is appreciated. The trip cost is projected to be about $3,500. Any amount of prayer or money is welcomed. I will send an update with pictures and a follow up to keep you in the loop about the trip. I wanted to both share with you and give the opportunity for those who may be able to support me in this way. I am thankful for your prayers and investment in my life thus far and in the future.

Thank you for your care in my life and shaping who I am and where life is taking me,

Your favorite Miller (I’m sure),

Kallee Miller