God's call

I always laugh that God is constantly assuring me that I belong in youth ministry.  Somehow, I always ended up surrounded by teenagers.  One time, on a mission trip to Guyana, we were told to sit apart from the other Americans during the church service.  So, I sat in an empty row, kind of mid-back in the church.  As people started filling in, can you guess who I was surrounded by?  The youth group!  Yep, somehow I ended up in the youth row.
Another example was during my garage sale to raise money for this trip to Africa, it was a slow morning, and these two junior high boys came out of nowhere, sat down, and talked with me for a half an hour.  I still don't know who they are or where they came from, because they said they were visiting family and were from out of town.
This is how it goes!
So, as I signed up for this journey to take a sabbatical and do mission work in Africa, all I could think about was...I can't wait to hold the babies!  I get 2 months of playing and loving on little kids!  As of right now, my nephews are constantly being smothered by Auntie, because I can just sit there and love on them!  In the US, we have a thing called "Stranger Danger!"  Even if they are not strangers, its weird for an adult to run up and snuggle children that are not related to them.  In other countries, parents will just hand you their babies, and you can love on any child.  It's AWESOME!  So, that's what I was expecting for this trip to Africa.
As a part of our Vacation Bible School next week, the children are going to be writing letters to the children of Village of Hope.  Today, I was sent the list so that we could pair up the children, write letters by name, and hopefully match ages.  Much to my surprise, the majority of the village is ages 13-17!  I got a good laugh about this!  I'm leaving youth ministry for youth ministry!  God's got it figured out!
There will be other kids there, but the youngest is 7 and there are only a few between 7-12.  So, I guess I'm more equipped than I realized!  God's got a plan, and we both got a laugh!
Who knows what I will be learning while I'm there?  Who knows what's in store for me?  Whatever it is, God is using me and equipping me to go!

Thank you supporters, encouragers, and believers!

Thank you to everyone who has supported me, encouraged me, and believed in me on this journey!  I have a BIG announcement to make!  As of today, I have raised all of the funds needed for my mission trip!  Let me re-phrase that...
My mission trip is paid for!!!!!  THANK YOU to all who have made this possible!  I was just about in tears today as I realized that I have met my goal!  And I met it so much quicker than expected!  My garage is full right now with donations for my garage sale this weekend!  The money raised this weekend will put me over the top, and be donated to the Village of Hope.
I just can't believe it!
Thank you to all of you!  Thank you for your prayers, and for joining me on this journey!
Only 140 days left until I leave!
That's 4 months, 2 weeks, 4 days, 16 hours, and 6 minutes until I take off on this adventure!
I'm now at the point where I am getting scared, but really excited!  I met with a woman a few weeks ago who lives in a different part of Uganda and runs an orphanage there.  She told me stories, stories that mostly got me excited.  Then some stories that put fear in my heart (stories of snakes and GIANT spiders!).
But I know that God will protect me!  I just keep praying that I am living in His will, and following what He wants for me.  It's a scary thing, and I don't know what's ahead, but He has gotten me this far, so I will keep going!  I can't wait to see what the future holds!

Seven Months from today!

Seven months from today, I will be on a plane and on my way to Uganda!  I just learned that the founder of the Village of Hope will be flying in when I do!  What a relief!  Not only will it be nice to arrive with someone, but with someone I know...and like!!!  I'm excited to spend time with her and to learn from her!
I'm starting to realize how much there is to do before I go!  And not just for me, but for the youth group to prepare for my absence.  The great thing is, I know it will all work out!  God is in control!  I will just keep working, and not worrying!
And now, to seriously find out about shots.  I think that's the 6 month mark.  Ugh.

Preliminary Packing

239 days, 13 hours, 23 minutes until I head off on my adventure.
I know it seems a little early to think about packing, but I realized that I need to start a collections area, so that I don't forget those little important things...you know, like a passport, Bible, shot records, dramamine, etc.
I wouldn't be thinking about this yet, but last week I went to our church's mission co-mission meeting.  Many people there have been to Africa before.  One woman recently returned, and was sharing her stories.  As she told her stories, she spoke about the roads, the wildlife, and the incredible people.  I was very excited, but then reality hit.  I was reminded about the roads in Africa...and the "pot-holes" which are more like craters.  Last time I was in Africa was in 2000.  As I listened to Sonya talk, I realized that I'm not 21 anymore, and that I easily get car sick, seasick, basically any kind of sick.  I was also reminded about when I tried to buy dramamine last time I was overseas, and that was a first world country.  So, I decided that I should start collecting dramamine now, because I know I'm going to need it!  So, I have created a space in my house for Africa collections.
I will be taking two suitcases with me.  One for Village of Hope, and one for me.  As the time gets closer, I will let you know what I'm collecting for VOH, in case anyone wants to donate.  As for now, if you have any dramamine laying around that you're not going to use, I'm starting a collection!
I'm trying to think of those other random little things, so that I can start collecting now.  I know it's weird, but I'm already having nightmares about forgetting things.  Ideas of what I need to take?  Let me know!
It seems so far away, yet January is already almost over...time flies!
This trip is seeming so unreal.  I know I already have my plane ticket, but all I have been thinking lately is, "is this trip REALLY going to happen?"  only God knows!

The countdown begins

Today is the day!  The official countdown begins!  I now have tickets to fly to Entebbe, Uganda!
My flight leaves at 11:05am on Wednesday September 18, 2013!
I am beyond excited!!!
It's really happening!
Only 256 days, 20 hours, 33 minutes, and 54 seconds...53...52...51...

"Do you know how much people love you?"

This was the question I was asked as my friends counted the money from tonight's fundraiser.  Yes, I know that I am loved.  Yes, I know that I am supported in this endeavor.  But OH MY!!!  I was still not expecting this!  I knew it was going to be something amazing, because of how my friends were reacting as they counted...$1,233.51

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?!  I can't!  It's still sinking in!

First of all, I was overwhelmingly blessed by this group of friends who were there as I was stressing about how I was going to come up with the money to go on this mission.  I shared with them one night, about how I didn't have enough money, and wasn't going to be able to raise the money for the trip as well as pay bills while I am gone.  But, even as I said these words, I knew that if God wanted me to go through with this calling to Africa, that He would pave the road, and make it happen.  And boy did He!!!  My session approved this to be a paid mission leave (like a sabbatical, but not a sabbatical), and my friends were already in the process of planning what would be a family fun night!  We had no idea that it would turn out like this!

Starting from the beginning, we knew we would have a good time, and make some money to go towards the trip.  I have super awesome, organized, crafty, good cooking friends who made this night happen!  I also have a super awesome supportive family, who was able to get a hold of Santa and his helper "Jingles" the elf, and have them drop in!

It was a fun night!  Movies, crafts, incredible things that people were selling, all to go towards this trip.  One friend has been selling her knitting and Christmas decorations, another selling crafts, and numerous people brought desserts.  All to go to this mission.

As they counted the money, I couldn't believe what I was hearing!  $1,233.51

That puts me over my half way mark!  I also found a few people to help in a variety of ways for the youth program while I am gone.  I still have 10 months to fundraise, and to find the rest of my volunteers!  God is providing!  God is going to continue to provide!

Even as I write this, I look at that number, and I realize that it is the same number that was given to me this week as a quote of what my airline ticket will cost.  WOW!!!

So, there you go!  "Do you know how much people love you?"  I am still learning!  But all I can say is thank you!  I am truly blessed!  I am loved, and I am so grateful to be the person that gets to go on this journey!  I'm not going alone, I have a very large group of supporters who are going with me in their hearts and in my heart.  And I couldn't do this without all of them, all of you!

And with joy in my heart, I say thank you!

Here are a few of my favorite moments of the night:  (I tried to fuzz out kids faces, since I did not get approval from families to post their pictures on this website, so sorry if the pictures look weird)

Santa reading "The night before Christmas"

The deposit

Santa and his elves support this mission!

I am so excited, and blessed beyond belief, that some friends in the church have put together a fundraiser for me!
This Friday, December 7, we are having a "Family Fun Night" at Hillsboro Presbyterian Church!  The time will be 5-9, and there will be movies, pizza, popcorn, babysitting, help with addressing your Christmas cards, gift wrapping, homemade marshmallows, and so much more!  It's going to be a fun night, and donation based!  Come, make a donation to my Africa fund, and enjoy a night of the holiday season!  Santa will be there from 6-7 to take pictures with kids and/or families!  Also, Jingles the elf will be making an appearance!  I'm super excited about this event, because even if it wasn't for my trip, it would still be a lot of fun!  EVERYONE is invited, so tell your friends!  Also, the pizza is quite possibly the world's best pizza!  It is homemade by Todd and Suzanne, and quite delicious!!!

Come for the whole night, or just a portion of it!

Hillsboro Presbyterian Church
172 NE 32nd Ave
Hillsboro, OR 97124

On another note, I started working on travel plans this week!  I now have an official fundraising goal, which is $5000.  I am already a fifth of the way there, having raised over $1000.  I will be figuring out a way to post here where I am with fundraising.  In the meantime, I am making a "fundraising thermometer" for my office door, so that people can see where I am.  Thank you all for your support!