On My Way to Africa
 “What the LORD has planned will stand forever. His thoughts never change (Psalm 33:11)."
On October 28, Lord willing, I will be on my way to Nairobi, Kenya, to participate in the LittWorld Conference (www.littworld.org) and spend a few extra days there with my friend, Wambura. This will be my first trip to Africa, but in my heart I think I’ve been “on my way” to Africa ever since I was in college. At an Urbana Conference I signed up to serve with a mission organization in Africa. It turned out the only position open for a person of my limited skills was as a laundry supervisor in Nairobi. Not exactly what I’d hoped for. But I applied and began telling my friends fanciful tales of how I’d trek down to the river with one of those tall baskets on my head and pound the clothes with a rock and my bare hands. Then a letter arrived. The mission organization turned down my application. I felt so rejected. I mean, when you’re 22 years old and long to serve God but find out you can’t even go wash clothes for Him in Africa, well, . . . what could I possibly do for Him?
Twenty years later, after I ended up writing a bunch of books, I was teaching at an International Writers’ conference in England when I met Wambura. She said she’d actually read some of my Christy Miller books when she was in high school and now she was a writer. I asked where she was from. “Nairobi,” she said. “It’s in Kenya.” I told her I knew exactly where Nairobi was and that when I was her age I thought God’s will for my life was to go there as a Laundry Supervisor. Wambura laughed and said, “You did not need to come to Africa to wash our clothes. You sent your stories, and God used them to wash our hearts.”
Wambura’s golden words to me twelve years ago launched a sweet friendship, and now, at long last, I'm going to Africa! The first week of November I will be teaching at the LittWorld Conference. Wambura will be at the conference, and we plan to do a video blog of our daily doings. Check in at www.littworld.org to see what antics the two of us Sisterchicks manage to come up with. After the conference Wambura says she has plans to show me her Kenya. She recently read Coming Attractions and says she has some ideas of where Katie and Eli could go to see giraffes and where Katie could visit a tea plantation-–just in case I write any more stories about them. Wambura is also going to take me to meet her mother, and then she has one other very important thing for me to do. In an effort to help fulfill God’s will for my life, Wambura is going to let me wash her laundry! And yes, I’ll take a picture and post it in my next newsletter!
This brand new book, A Novel Idea: Best Advice on Writing Inspirational Fiction, will provide scholarships for Littworld. Everyone involved with the writing and publication of this book agreed that all the proceeds from the sales of A Novel Idea would go to LittWorld to help those who can't afford the conference travel expenses. This will help bring more publishers from around the world to the conference! May the Lord bless this project in extraordinary ways.
Shop News
Fabulous Fall Promotions
Hold on to your sombreros! We have a festive offer for you and the readers in your book club available at the Robin Jones Gunn Online Shop.
 Autumn Book Club Special - $45 (Reg. $85)
- 6 Autographed copies of Sisterchicks in Sombreros!
- 6 Sisterchicks press-on tattoos
- BONUS! I'll be calling the first 10 book clubs that order the Book Club Fiesta package when they meet to discuss the book! We picked up this great idea from these clever Sisterchicks in South Dakota. They had a grand fiesta of a time earlier this year when they gathered to discuss the third Sisterchicks novel, Sisterchicks in Sombreros!. I called them as they were nibbling homemade Mexican food and enjoyed a quick chat, answering questions and laughing with these charming women. To keep the good times going for other book clubs, we've come up with this special package. Limited quantities are available, so order now!
Check out www.psalm516.blogspot.com for a recent interview I did on book clubs.
Courageous Sisterchick Placard - $3 during the month of October with the purchase of another item.
 In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Courageous Sisterchicks placards are being offered for $3 (50% off), with any purchase in the shop during the month of October.
This paraphrase of Psalm 23 that appears in Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes! has brought hope and encouragement to many woman who are fighting physical challenges such as cancer. Perfect for framing, this 5"x7" card is only available here and normally sells for $6. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this card goes to breast cancer research.
New Sisterchicks Keychain: "Adopt" one today!
 Are these the cutest Sisterchick-y keychains, or what? They just arrived in Robin Jones Gunn Online Shop this week and are winging their way out the warehouse door. They would all like to find a home. They'd be happy to be given as gifts too! I love the thought of all of us Sisterchicks going through our days with the same, sassy keychain on our key rings. Sisterchicks forever!
The silver, metal keychain is 1 3/8" tall.
Please pray for me as I travel to Africa for the November 1 conference. I can’t wait to get that laundry basket on my head at long last and sashay down to the river or to Wambura’s washing machine. Whichever is closest.
In the palm of His hand,
Robin
www.robingunn.com
www.sisterchicks.com
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