April 10, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
As my college career winds to an end, I find myself watching many of my friends working through the tough process of choosing a career. There is uncertainty, stress and seemingly endless job interviews. I feel blessed to not only have a great opportunity placed in front of me, but also the strong sense of God’s calling in my life to spend the next few years in the Dominican Republic. I feel this role I will undertake with Kids Alive is a great match to my God-given gifts and passions.
When I first went to the Dominican Republic with my Dad in the summer of 2004, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew that my sister, Kate, had been there and had a great experience, but I didn’t know what the country had in store for me. I knew from just the two weeks that I spent there that I loved the people, the country, and the missions organization that we were working with, Kids Alive. It was after this trip that I first felt the tug on my heart towards full-time missions. This tug was reinforced throughout my college experience through mission trips to Romania, Senegal, and South Africa, as well another trip to the Dominican Republic and also watching both of my younger siblings have incredible trips to the DR as well.
Kids Alive International is a Christian faith mission dedicated to rescuing orphans and vulnerable children–meeting their spiritual, physical, educational, and emotional needs–raising them to be contributing members of their society and witnesses to their family and community. The goal of The ARK Constanza is to take in children who have been orphaned, abandoned, or abused and train them to become productive members of their society and active disciples of Jesus Christ. The program is centered on the relationship between the individual child and his or her (Dominican) house mother/house parents. All of the school-age children attend school in the morning, and spend time working on educational activities in the afternoon and summers. The Christian staff, both Dominicans and missionaries, work to meet the emotional, physical, educational, and spiritual needs of each child. A high priority is placed on helping each child develop a personal faith in Jesus Christ.
In addition to being involved with the orphanage, another aspect of my assignment with Kids Alive will be an on-site coordinator and host Missions Teams as they come for weekly mission trip. I will have responsibilities to arrange all the needs for the visiting team, host them on outings, and communicate to them the vision of Kids Alive. I have been very impressed with how effectively Kids Alive uses these trips both for the advancement of the Kids Alive programs and facilities as well as providing an excellent glimpse of international missions to the individuals who come to serve. That was truly my experience.
After spending the first 22 years of my life in Wheaton, the next few years promise to be a big transition. Limited access to electricity, cold showers, adjusting to a different culture and language, and living in a country where football means soccer will all be challenges. My hope and prayer is that this will be a time where God can take a hold of my life, mature me in Him and use me to have a strong impact on the lives of many young kids. This is what really drives me and inspires me to partner with Kids Alive in the Dominican Republic.
It is these challenges, as well as unforeseen challenges, that lead me to ask for your prayers. I truly believe this is the most important thing I can ask because I know it will be your prayers that sustain me over my time in the DR. I feel so fortunate to have been surrounded through family, community and sports with people who know me, care about me and will lift me in prayer as I undertake this daunting task.
Another crucial element that I need to ask for your help in, is the area of financial support before I can leave for the mission field. I am currently seeking a two year assignment in the Dominican Republic. My first year’s expenses will be higher as they will include three weeks in Colorado at Missionary Training Institute to better prepare me to go to the missions field as well as language study in Guatemala to revive my Spanish and attain fluency as I will be interacting with local Dominicans in many ways.
It is with a humble heart that I make these requests. Your possible support of this calling in my life is not taken lightly. I will need to raise $1,200 per month for the time in the Dominican as well as an additional $9,000 in start up costs. I am trusting God to provide and know that He will do it in His timing.
If you decide to become a financial partner with me please make sure to send your tax-deductible donation along with the reply card to the following address: Kids Alive International, 2507 Cumberland Drive, PO Box 2117, Valparaiso, IN 46384-2117.
I am excited to see what God has in store for me as I continue to take steps on the path He is setting in front of me. I can’t wait to get down and become a part of the ministry and the lives of the children that God has placed in the care of Kids Alive.
In Christ,
Kyle Bradley
Kids Alive International 2507 Cumberland Drive Valparaiso, IN 46383 www.kidsalive.org
