Missionary Bio:
Kari was brought up in a Christian home. At the age of twelve, after a series of messages by her pastor on Heaven and Hell, she realized she wasn't headed for Heaven. Her parents sat down with her in her bedroom one night and went through the Scriptures on salvation, and she accepted the Lord at that time.
During her personal devotional time when she was still in high school, she began to have a desire to work with troubled girls. She worked at a camp during the summers while she was a student at Cedarville, and during these years the decision she had made in high school began to penetrate her heart and confirm her desire to work with young people.
She has been in Elkhart with Lifeline since September, 1997. Running the girl's program is her main focus. She has a Leadership Team of volunteers that work with her in the Clubs under her guidance and leadership. They meet weekly with club members for large and small group lessons and activities, which also include an evening meal. They have many activities for the kids to participate in, such as going to Christian concerts, summer activities such as beach trips, and taking kids to Sunshine Camp. Their desire is to eventually see the kids saved and ‘lose them' as they join and become involved in a local church.
Kari and a co-worker also lead a Club R.I.O.T. in an elementary school for students referred by teachers and school social workers for students in second and third grades.
She tries to get them to come to church on Sunday, but consistency is a big problem with these girls. They are full of hurt and don't trust anyone, and it takes a lot of time to build a relationship with them. Follow-up with those who make decisions is very frustrating as they have no history of commitment.
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