He lives in you

As you know, the Lion King is my all time favorite Broadway show and my favorite movie.  This goes back to 2000, the first time I ever went to Africa.  While we were in Africa (especially on our safari) everything was "So Lion King!"  On the way home, we had a layover in New York City, and there were signs and billboards everywhere for the Lion King on Broadway.  Then and there, I knew that I wanted to see that show!  I held on to that dream for 6 years, and finally saw it in 2006 in San Antonio.  Since then, I have seen it 4 more times in New York City, Seattle, and Portland.  It's the best show around, and I never get sick of it or its music.
I have a few Lion King songs on some mix CD's and this is one of the songs that keeps coming up.  Everytime I hear it, I get a mix of emotions and tears in my eyes.  It makes me excited to go back to Africa, and it also terrifies me with the "this is really happening" thoughts.  But the best part about this song is the reminder that God is with me.  "He lives in you, He lives in me" It's the reminder that I am not going alone!
Today I preached at church, and talked about the unexpected.  I have been trying to do my research for what I am getting myself in to, but I'm still unsure.  One thing I know, is that these kids need love, and that's about all I can do!  Today I was reminded that just love and a hug will be enough.
My church is so supportive, and so encouraging.  Today, numerous people reminded me that I don't have to know what's on the other side of the door, I just have to be willing to step through it, and God will do the rest.  So, I'm here.  I'm ready.  I'm at the door, ready to knock, and ready to see where God leads me.  I know that I am not alone!  I know that God is with me, I know that my church family and friends back home are praying for me and supporting me...home being all around the US, because I have a lot of people in Texas supporting me as well!  I feel completely blessed!
As a surprise one of my good friends made me a "comfort quilt" to take with me.  It is covered in messages and prayers (and pretty pink flamingos) to remind me that I am not alone.  I haven't read the messages yet, and probably wont until I'm on my way, but it's just another reminder that I am not alone.  She said to me "You are getting to do what many of us would love to be able to do, but we can't.  You're going for us, we're going with you, you're in our hearts!"  And it's true!  I am not alone!  I might be sitting on that plane alone, finding my way around airports alone, walking through customs alone, but I am not alone.  I am covered in prayer and blessings!
And most importantly: God lives in you, God lives in me.
I am being co-missioned on Sunday to go, but I already sense the many blessings and prayers around me!
Thank you all for being part of my journey, and for letting me live out my dreams of doing mission work because you are supporting me and making this journey happen!
Now for a few pictures of my blanket and the lyrics of this song, I hope it blesses you like it blesses me!

Kirstin: "God has called you in a way that some of us could only dream about.  You may be going alone, but with the love, support, and prayers of all of us."



"He Lives in You" Lyrics

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

Night and the spirit of life calling
Oh, oh, iyo, mamela

And the voice with the fear of a child answers
Iyo iyo, mamela

Wait, there's no mountain too great
Hear these words and have faith
Oh, oh, iyo
Have faith

Hela hey mamela, hela hey mamela
Hela hey mamela, hela hey mamela

He lives in you, he lives in me
He watches over everything we see
Into the waters, into the truth
In your reflection, he lives in you

Dream, and the voice in the wind whispers
Iyo mamela

Wait, there's no mountain too great
Hear these words and have faith, oh, oh, iyo

He lives in you, he lives in me
He watches over everything we see
Into the waters, into the truth
In your reflection, he lives in you

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

He lives in you, he lives in me
He watches over everything we see
Into the water, into the truth
In your reflection, he lives in you

He lives in you, oh yeah, he lives in me
He watches over everything we see
Into the water, into the truth
In your reflection, he lives, he lives, he lives, he lives in you
He lives, he lives, he lives in you
He watches over everything we see

Songwriters
Jay Rifkin;Mark Mancina;Lebo Morake

Read more: Diana Ross - He Lives In You Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

The freak out begins!

A month from right now, I will be starting my day in Uganda.  It won't be my first day, but it will be one of my first days there.
I'm starting to freak out.  What am I doing?!?!  As people keep asking me, "what will you be doing?" I used to have fun answering "I don't know" but now I'm starting to get nervous about this answer.  This is really happening!  I'm about to leave for 2 months in Uganda.  What was once a lifelong dream is now a reality.  Part of me says "2 months is short" the other part of me says "2 months is a lifetime."  I can't believe it's almost here.
This summer came and went.  This weekend is the Hood to Coast, which was supposed to be my "goodbye to Summer!"  I'm not ready to say goodbye yet!  My life is awesome!  My summer has been amazing, and has encouraged me in ways I would have never believed.  Why am I leaving when life is really good?  Why the shake up now?  Why not the shake up when things are down, and I need new life?  What is God doing?
I just don't know!
But, I do know that God has been preparing me for this trip for a long time.  God has paved the way, and I know that without a doubt.  So, why am I so nervous?
I find it so easy to trust God in every aspect of my life, but for some reason right now, I am having a hard time trusting God.  It's almost like things are too good in my life, and I have this fear that they are going to fall apart if I'm not here to enjoy these moments of bliss.  But that's not the case, and I know it!  Deep down, I know this!  I know that God has called me to this journey!  I know that God placed it on my heart to return to Africa someday, and that this day is coming soon!  I know that God put all of this together, and put me in the right place at the right time to meet Cindy and be able to work with Village of Hope.
I don't know why I'm freaking out tonight.  I don't know if it's because I realize that everything is coming so soon, if it's the ending of the summer, or what, but for some reason tonight everything is getting to me.
So, if you can, keep me in your prayers.
I know that it is going to be great!  I have plenty of time to prepare, and to wrap things up here.  God is going to take care of me while I am there, and is going to take care of things here while I am gone.  I just need to trust God.
God is good!  All the time!  All the time, God is good!

Reminders from my roommate tonight as I talked with her about this:
Things fell into place for me to go
My church is really supporting me
The money and support came in
My church is allowing me to leave for 2 months
I was able to raise money to go, people donated for garage sales, friends put together huge fundraisers, people from all different areas of my life sent in donations, and it just keeps coming!
The idea came to me while I was in church (Zumba nonetheless)

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...