This thing called life...

First and foremost:
My best friend, Mary Power, is ENGAGED!!!  Congratulations Mary and Clint!

Second: Jessi, my kid sis, is leaving for West Africa on Oct. 13th with the Peace Corps! Here's her new blog address if any of you are interested it's not private, so anyone can access it: peacesofburkinafaso.blogspot.com

Third: I am working with a small NGO called Ivorian Hope as an intern, and if you would like to check out the awesome work they do, here's their website: http://www.ivorianhope.org/

Fourth: Check out the cool work my dad recently did with the National Guard in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:  http://readme.readmedia.com/Chaplains-Find-Common-Ground-in-Africa/1724240

And lastly before an update on my not-so-exciting-as-of-late life:  some of you got an email from me to this effect, but possibly some did not, so here's a fundraising plea for Avi's Education Fund:

I met Avinash Sundas when I volunteered at Family Village Farm in South India when I was just 19 years old. What can I say, it's 7 years later and I've met many more friends on my travels, but Avinash "Avi" stands out. He is special. He grew up in the orphanage. He has no support in his life, other than the God he so deeply believes in, and he continues to accomplish amazing things. Avi has put himself through university, an advanced degree, and is now continuing his studies as a graduate student in the medical field (more specifically in the field of urology).


I hope you know me well enough to know that I don't like doing this (asking for money). I wouldn't do it if I knew another way. That being said, if there is anyone deserving of me setting aside my pride, or you opening up your wallet... it's Avi.
He is currently working to support himself, and is on scholarship at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, South India, but he simply cannot cover the cost of books and other university fees without help. Avi has been a great steward of the money that I raised (thank you!) and sent last year, he even sent me breakdowns of how he spent each dollar! He regretted having to ask yet again, his American friend for financial support, but he knows God will provide if he reaches out for help... we could all learn something from Avi's faith. I know I can - being back in school myself and dealing with the high costs of higher education, I can sympathize with the best of them for his situation. Except, there's a HUGE difference... I have family, I have a fallback, I have support - I'm talking about YOU!
SO, let's be Avi's support!
If you're able and willing to donate financially to Avi's Education Fund, please write and/or send a check to:
Kate Krumrei
3712 Harrison St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20015


With a deadline of October 15th. I have a separate account set up for these donations and promise that 100% of your donations will go directly to Avi. I will be covering the wire transfer charges etc. for the bank, so no worries there.
Now please don't feel obligated. And, as we are all feeling economic times are hard right now and I definitely understand those of you who feel you can't commit to one more thing, please just remember Avi in your thoughts and/or prayers. He will feel our presence even if we can't guarantee his year at the university.
Thank you!


Now... life.  It's such an interesting, sometimes wonderful, sometimes sucky, and always blessedly complicated thing...
I had a job, didn't have a job, and maybe still have a job (the same position) all within the past 36 hours.  Don't even ask, I'll let you know when I know how it works out! :)
School is good, three papers down and about five hundred more pages this week.  Whew!  BUT, I'm in the right program.  I'm loving what I'm learning, I'm participating well in the class discussions, and I like my fellow students (well, most of them that is) :)  I'm more convinced than ever that God knows what He's doing and I'm trusting that He brought me here, He knows how it's all gonna work out, and He is always here to pick me up (even at 3 in the morning).

Thanks for all the notes of encouragement!  Please comment or write me and let me know how y'all are doing! :)
Love ya, KK