Kacie’s Uganda + Kenya Trip 2023 :-)

Hello friends, family, and family of friends! If you’re receiving this letter, please know you’ve had a meaningful impact in my life. I’d love for you to consider being a part of another meaningful and impactful facet of my life. 

One year ago, I was in my third month of my social work job. While it aligned with my studies from college, I still felt a nudge to pursue a passion that I never really took a serious chance on: videography. I sent a message to The Hope Venture and asked if they had any video needs that I could fill (not expecting much). I had been involved in several fundraisers with HV throughout college. I knew it was a place that really resonated with my values of what it means to be human and have fun generosity. Maybe they’d teach me a few basics of storytelling and some editing tricks…

Fast forward a little bit and I’m suddenly working on crazy video projects - for example: holding a giant rig over my boss, seated on a flamingo floatie in a kiddie pool in the middle of his backyard. And two months into my video internship, I had the (very last minute) opportunity to do videography overseas in Kenya. All because I took the risk of quitting my social work job to pursue the passion I felt like God was calling me to. And as of 2023, I moved from intern to official videographer at The Hope Venture. 

One month ago, I had the opportunity to travel with HV to four different countries in Africa in ten days. Crazy. Alongside me was our fearless director Cynci, project manager James, and photographer Avery. The goal of the trip was to check on the projects, explore new possibilities, and spend quality time building relationships with our partners. My role was to film an Adventure Series to send exclusive content to our donors back home and show them the impact they’re having overseas (video included below). 

Some highlights of the trip for me were hearing students’ dreams for their lives after getting a school sponsorship, visiting with the friends I had made last summer in Kenya, and getting to capture the hidden corners of the world to showcase all the life-changing work our partners are doing. With the fast pace of the trip, I sometimes found it difficult to reconcile how we witnessed such pain and suffering in one area but then we’d move onto people singing and dancing for joy in the next. But I think it was a reminder to me that while there is pain in the world, we don’t serve a God who is unaware. We put our faith in a God who is in complete control of it all. He is the reason we can have hope in the first place. I’m so grateful to work for a place that puts this hope into action and spreads dignity across the globe each day. 

This summer, I have the opportunity to go back to Uganda to film content for our big fundraising event in the fall, The Night for Hope. I’ll be traveling with my boss Josh and coworker Phil. We will highlight someone’s specific story of hope in their life and hear more from our partner about the needs of this project.

After filming in Uganda, I’ll hop over to Kenya to film at the camp we host there for students in our high school sponsorship project. The camps will consist of bible lessons, small group discussions, games, and worship. The overall purpose of camp is to provide a space where the students can take a step back from life's hardships, and learn more about Jesus and His unending, unconditional love! Last year at camp, I got to meet the student I sponsor, Sarafina. We both cried tears of joy and I was so grateful to get to hug her in person. 

Thank you all so much for being a part of my life and for taking the time to read this letter! I am beyond excited to see how God will use this team and I to impact the lives of the community, students, and partners in Uganda and Kenya! I would ask that you would take time to pray and ask God how you could support me in this journey. 

As always, we are in major need of prayer. Alongside prayers, I am needing to raise $3,000 for the trip total. Thank you again to those who gave to my trip last year! Any amount helps me out, so please prayerfully consider joining me on this adventure by praying for our team or giving to my trip!

BE A PART OF THE MISSION:

How to give securely online: 

1) Donations can be made directly through this link https://thehopeventure.kindful.com/kenya-camp/kacie-heidbrink

2) Or send checks to: 

The Hope Venture 

315 S 9th St #200 

Lincoln NE 68508 

Memo: Kenya - Kacie Heidbrink 

PLEASE DO NOT MAKE CHECKS OUT TO ME 

All gifts are tax deductible! Thank you all!

Please reach out with any questions! I would love to provide you with more information about the trip! Text/call me at 402-806-9477 or email kacieheidbrink@gmail.com :)