My husband, Jim and I have been very blessed to have been able to live and travel around the world. It has not only broadened our horizons it has given us a more global outlook on life. It is hard not to see all the needs around you, when you are out of your natural element. While in the U.S. Air Force on our first assignment in Bitburg, Germany I met a wonderful woman and friend, Lori Kendall. She and several friends started a magazine called, “The Circle,” which was designed to help women connect with one another. It has been a source of encouragement and a way to share some amazing stories about what women around the globe are doing to make this world a better place.
We lived in Kyiv, Ukraine from 2005-2008 where we became involved with Olive Branch International, helping with English camp, women’s conferences and later joining the Board. We have gone back once or twice a year until three years ago when COVID shut things down and now the war in Ukraine has prevented us from returning. However, I am extremely blessed to be part of an ongoing Zoom meeting with about 25-30 women monthly who meet to share what the women in different regions of Ukraine are doing to help one another and their fellow citizens. It has been so encouraging to me to see their selflessness and determination not to let this war stop them. I was able to share some specific stories in “The Circle” magazine. It was humbling to be able to honor these women. Olive Branch Ukraine is making a large impact on the lives of those we reach and serve in Ukraine.
More recently, after 30 years in the Air Force and thinking we had settled down to retire we were called by Samaritan’s Purse to move to Eldoret, Kenya where my husband is a pilot flying humanitarian aid into South Sudan. He is sometimes moving people around for surgeries or bringing building supplies into remote areas for some of the many projects they are doing. He is often gone about 8-10 days a month, so while he is away, I have found several activities and projects to keep me busy. I have started a Community Bible Study group with women, joined the East Africa Women’s League which does projects for girls in the local area, and I have been asked to join the board of the Safina Initiative. One of our biggest projects with the Safina Initiative is the building of a Women’s Hospital in a rural area about an hour and a half away. This project is very important for the area as many women and babies have died during childbirth in that region due to the lack of health care.
I am really looking forward to seeing the opportunities God has for OBI in Kenya. Several members from OBI recently had engagements with government agencies, educational ministries, military personnel, and spouses. What I love best about being on the board of Olive Branch International is that it is a great catalyst for many other rewarding endeavors, which all lead to meeting and joining forces with some fabulous people from around the world!
Blessings,
Kelly Molloy
OBI Board Member