Friday, January 3, 2014

New Year, New Adventures!

Happy New Year everyone!

2013 was an amazing year filled with challenges, amazing people and incredible experiences. When I think back over the year I am amazed and grateful for all of the ways I have experienced God's love in different parts of the world. 

As 2014 starts I have some exciting news- I am moving to Rome, Italy! I will be continuing mission work with the Episcopal Church at the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center (JNRC) at St. Paul's Within the Walls Episcopal Church in Rome. The JNRC is a day center that serves political refugees. Currently we serve 200-250 political refugees daily. We provide supplies, training, emotional support and assistance with paperwork and documentation. The center only has one paid part time staff member, other than that the center runs completely on donations and volunteers. Refugees in Italy are not allowed to work and there are few places where they can get housing which are usually only open over night. The JNRC meets an essential need in the city for these refugees as it provides a place for them to go during the day. Italy receives a disproportionate number of political refugees because of the location. The crisis is constant. More and more people seeking asylum are crossing into Italy all of the time. The JNRC exists to serve and love the political refugees. Their situations are all different, but all equally as trying. It is important that we do what we can to change their situations. 

I will be serving as the Volunteer Coordinator for the center for 3 months, February-April. Different groups of volunteers come in throughout the year to help in the center. I will organize and coordinate the various individuals and groups wishing to serve in the center. As the volunteer coordinator I will help build the capacity of the center by implementing much needed systems so the center can run more efficiently and effectively. 

In order to make this work possible, I am asking you to support me prayerfully and financially. Living in Italy for 3 months will cost approximately $3,600 ($1,200 per month), which will cover my housing, food, and transportation costs. I am asking you to commit to any monthly amount that you feel comfortable with for February, March, and April, or for a one-time donation. If I could get 12 people to commit to $100 a month for 3 months only I would be covered! For a tax-deductible donation you can make checks payable to:

St. Paul’s Within the Wall Episcopal Church
Memo--JNRC: Volunteer Coordinator Jenny Korwan


And send them to:

Jenny Korwan
510 Pine Springs Trail
Marietta, GA 30067


Please send me an email or give me a call if you would like to send support or if you have any questions. I would love to talk to you more about this opportunity.

Email: jkorwan@gmail.com
Phone: 404-514-3443


Thank you all for continuing to love and support me and the work the church is doing world wide!