JENNIFER’S JOURNEY: CARING FOR HIS TREASURES

There are people you meet in the course of your life that make a lasting impact. The way they walk, talk, and live is a reflection of their daily purpose. Such people are the ones we read about; the ones we look up to. Game changers. Difference makers. Those who live a life of legacy. I’m honored to personally know and work with Jennifer Lawrence (KCU 1989-1993), a living poster of grace, compassion, and kindness.

An alumni of KCU (KCC then), she has gone on to serve orphans and vulnerable children on the continents of Europe and Africa. I was able to get a few minutes out of her busy day to learn more about her life and ministry.

Tell me about the early years of your life.

I grew up in the hills of West Virginia in a small town called Paden City. I had an ideal childhood (although at the time I didn't think so). I had God-loving parents who loved me and my 3 siblings well. We lived in the country and had only 2 TV stations...one that played World Vision, which showed starving children in Ethiopia. That was my link to the outside world and I was appalled that there were hungry children. I had never been hungry a day in my life, and I remember grieving over the injustice, wondering what I could do to help children like these.

How did you get from West Virginia to a small private college in south-eastern KY?

Kentucky Christian College used to send singing groups to Paden City Christian Church. They would sing, interact with church members, and also talk about the school. My oldest sister ended up transferring to KCC after bad experiences at a secular college. Then, my brother and other sister all graduated from KCC. It became a family name. God led me there as well and I studied Social Work and Bible in order to be equipped to serve children in need around the world.

How did you hear about Romania?

In 1989, secret footage of the conditions of children in the orphanages of Communist Romania broke on the International News. I was 18 years old and I sat, with my mouth agape, at how the children were living. I could not believe there were so many orphans and abandoned children being treated worse than animals in our animal pounds in America. Shortly after, the Romanian dictator was executed on Christmas day and the country opened up to the outside world after 50+ years of lockdown.

What influenced the decision to move to Romania?

God dropped a love bomb in my heart the day I saw those suffering children on the screen (or grew the one He had placed there when I was a child). I could think of nothing else than getting to Romania to rescue and love orphans who had been thrown away. I went as far as telling my parents that I was not going to attend college, but that I was going to join the Peace Corps and move to Romania. Then, I got out the atlas to find out where exactly Romania was located. (We had never studied Eastern Europe in class).

Thankfully my parents disagreed, and I went to KCC to get prepared for an education and more life skills to go abroad.

How was Romania different from the United States?

Stepping into a former communist country only four years after communism fell was like stepping into a communist country. It was totally different in how people communicated (setting aside language differences), as well as the lack of trust, fear, and suspicion that were engrained into the local psyche due to years of oppression. On the flip side, the hospitality, the food, and the freedom to care for the children were great.

Why did you leave Romania?

After nine years of service, it was time for a break. I moved home, a bit burned out. I thought to myself, “That was great, but I am done with international mission work”. That was in February of 2002. In July of 2002, just five months later, I clearly heard the Lord tell me (as clearly as Romania was dropped into my heart) that someday I would go to Africa. Boy was I mad! I thought, “I just got home....how can you tell me you will send me again?!”

How did you come to know about Kenya?

After three years of living stateside, working, and healing, I heard ten minutes, on the local Christian station, of an interview with a lady who lived in the USA but had an orphanage in Kenya. A few months later in church, during praise and worship, I heard, “Africa...it’s time.” This time when I heard it, I felt great excitement. I knew I could stay stateside and help a few children or live abroad and help many orphans. I connected with the same lady from the interview and the rest is history.

Tell me how the idea of International Treasure House Ministries (ITHM) got started.

My goal from the age of 18 was to start a home where I could take in orphans and let them experience the love of a family. I was praying about how to start this as I was volunteering in a state-run orphanage. I opened Psalms 23 one day and verses 23-24 jumped off the page:

“By wisdom, your house is built, with understanding. It is established and with wisdom, its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”

At that time I knew the house would be called the Treasure House. From there this ministry was born and we incorporated officially as a 501©3 in 1997. The vision of ITHM is to show the love of God through rescuing and equipping orphans and destitute children.

How can more people get involved with the mission/ministry?

We invite people with a heart for orphans to get involved with ITHM. Stateside, we need people to be a voice for our children, helping spread awareness. This can be done by speaking in local churches, bible studies, clubs, etc. We need grant writers. On the ground, we need volunteers to work with our kids with reading, games, etc. We need prayer partners to help us rescue and equip children as each child that walks through our doors is a victim of trauma.

If you could tell anything to the 19-year-old you in college, what would you say?

Be patient, and follow God’s timing. I was so eager as a 19-year-old to get out there and get things done. I now understand that things take time. It's just like baking a cake, if you take it out too soon, it will fall flat. Time and patience are our friends.

What are some of your favorite memories at KCU?

Making lifelong friends, lake days, cliff jumping, professors who cared, a beautiful campus, and preparation for my field of work as a social worker.

What advice would you give to others in the same position or potentially seeking to be in the same ministry?

Pray, take your time, don’t quit, and use your determination to be a voice for the voiceless.

How has your life been blessed by KCU? Kenya? ITHM?

It’s a complete package. KCU allowed me the freedom to grow from a child to somewhat of an adult. Romania holds a special place in my heart because of the relationships I made. Kenya is home for now and ITHM is an avenue for me to defend the weak, speak up for the voiceless, parent the orphan, and share God’s love with so many people. I was single when I came to Kenya, I met my South African husband while I was doing what I love and gave birth to a boy (now 13). God added many more children to our tribe in unconventional ways and my platter is overflowing. I am grateful.

It takes crazy faith to heed the call of God and start a ministry. It takes even crazier faith to move your entire family to a different country, to be able to run the organization and to be more involved in its day-to-day activities. Because of Jennifer’s faith, children in Romania and Kenya now have brighter futures and the love of ITHM, surrounding them, wherever they go.

Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing your story.

Interviewed by: Caren Atieno

KCU Alumni (2014-2018)