Missions Trip to Tobago
God has
been incredibly amazing to me over the past few years, and I'd like to take a
moment to tell you a little bit about it.
I grew up in a normal Christian home
and enjoyed going to Sunday school as well as almost anything that had to do
with Jesus. When I was in Junior High, I tried more and more to fit in with the
"cool" kids at school. Instead of trying to lead my friends to God, I was straying
away from Him. I started living for myself, which ultimately meant living less
for God, or not for Him at all. By the time I entered High School, I really
wanted nothing to do with Him. My sophomore summer, I started going to parties
and doing anything and everything, if it meant having a good time. My senior
year, I moved out to North Carolina to try to straighten up my life. Living in
North Carolina only led to more substance abuse and left me feeling more lonely
and empty than before.
After I graduated from High School, I moved back to Iowa
where I worked multiple dead-end jobs and didn't really have a clue where my
life was headed. Four years ago, I started working at a Pilot truck stop, where
I met an amazing girl named Cayla, who worked there while she was taking
classes at Muscatine Community College. We became very good friends and
eventually started dating. I felt like I finally had a reason to stop living
the way I was and get my life back on track. As I was recovering from these
addictions, I started praying and building a relationship with God again. Although
I still struggled with my issues for a while, I believe God used Cayla to help
me overcome them. In October, of last year, I started attending a church in
North Liberty called LIFEchurch. This is where I fell in love with Jesus again.
Through LIFEchurch I was given the opportunity to become a part of a campus
ministry group, which they support, at the University of Iowa, called Chi
Alpha. Through Chi Alpha, I have met many amazing people and have been given
several opportunities to further my relationship with God. For example, I was
able to attend a Fall Retreat that impacted my life greatly. I look forward to
attending the Winter Retreat in January.
This spring, I will join Chi
Alpha on a missions trip to Tobago and I would like to have your support. The
trip in entirety will cost $1,800, and I'd like to ask you to consider giving
to help me finance the trip. During the trip my team will focus on door to door
evangelism and prayer for the people of Tobago. In addition to financial
support, I'd like to ask for your prayers. Although we will be aided by the
fact that Tobago is an English speaking country, it will be a challenging
environment nonetheless. With that being said, prayers for open hearts would be
much appreciated. If you would like to financially support me on my missions
trip, you can send a payment directly on this website or checks can be made out to "Chi Alpha University of Iowa" with "Joel
Ketelsen Missions" in the memo line for a tax deductible donation. Checks can be mailed to 220 Lafayette Street, Iowa City, IA 52240. Please feel
free to contact me if you have any questions or want to discuss anything else
about the trip. I want to thank you for considering supporting me.