I made it!

I made it!  It was an exciting adventure filled with thunderstorms, flight delays, wrong information on my ticket, trusting my gut and following a couple of girls through the airport to a flight that was held for us, and making it to Uganda!  I met a really nice woman on the plane who is here visiting her daughter who started a home.  I mentioned how nervous I was about not being picked up at the airport, and she calmed my fears, gave me her card, and made sure my ride was there.  She was a gift from God!

Sure enough, Rose was at the airport to meet me, and Pat (my new friend) saw her first!  Made sure we connected and then left.  I almost cried when I saw Rose, because that was what I was most nervous about.

She and our driver, Charles, took me to a hotel along Lake Victoria where I spent my first night.  I didn't sleep much, but it was nice to lay down and not be moving!

They were late picking me up in the morning, which gave me time to contact my family and face time with my parents.  It was really nice, and calmed my nerves once they knew I was okay!

I think Charles picked me up around noon, and we went to pick up Rose, and then headed out around 1.  We got to Village of Hope (VOH) around 6.  It is a beautiful place!  Much nicer than I expected! 

I have my own hut, which I will share with people when teams come in, but for now I get to set up camp.  The hut is a lot like a yurt, if that helps.

Janelle and Donna greeted me when I came in.  Janelle then gave me a tour of the children's homes, and introduced me to the house moms and staff.  There are two little boys who have already stolen my heart!  They are sons of the house moms, but I don't know who they belong to.  One is Ronnie, and he's about 2 years old and ADORABLE, the other is Stephen, and he likes to give high fives!

We ate dinner in the dark, and then I went right to bed, because I was exhausted from jet lag and traveling all day.

This morning, I got up and hung out in the dining area while I finished some letters that I brought with me (thank you Jennifer and HPC!)  While I was there, I was able to introduce myself to a bunch of the teachers.  I had met some of them last night, but it was nice to meet them in the daylight and learn names with faces!

After a while, Donna asked if I wanted to walk around and visit the children and see the land.  So we took a nice walk, and I met lots of kids and staff members.  At one point, I had 7 little children (kids of the staff) following me trying to hold my hands.  I won them over, but I think it will take some time to win over the older kids...or so I thought.

After the walk, Donna gave me the wifi info so that I could contact home.  So, I came in my hut to try to get it to work.  A couple of boys who love electronics saw me, and wanted to see what I was doing.  I couldn't get the internet to work, so I gave up and showed them a game on my ipad.  The three of us started playing this game, like Sorry, and suddenly I had about 20 boys surrounding me and leaning on me to play the game and count.  I think that might be my "in" with this group!  It was really awesome!

Today they are encouraging me just to relax and hang out with people, so that is what I am going to do.  But I wanted to send a quick update while I had the chance.  

A few things...

1.  Remember the spider I told you about, that someone had shown me a picture of?  They said that they have never seen something like that here.  WHEW!

2.  Janelle has lived here for over 4 years and only seen one snake, and it was little.  It was a cobra, but it was little.

3.  Last night I enjoyed watching the lightning bugs as I watched the lightning in the background!  Cool to experience both at the same time!

4.  The food is good!

I hear laughing outside, so I want to go see the children!  Thanks for your prayers!  I am here, safe, healthy, and happy!!!  And the electronic lover is already back.

View of Lake Victoria from my hotel

My bed

My hut

The dining area

14 hours left

I'm sitting in my parents house, wrapping up a few things.  I was doing really well until I said goodbye to my dad, then he teared up, so I teared up, and I haven't stopped yet!

I can't believe the day is tomorrow!  In 14 hours I will be boarding my flight!

There is still so much to do!  Yes, I am packed, but I need to even out my luggage weight!  Thanks to the many generous people at church, home, and elsewhere, I am taking over 60lbs of supplies for the village with me!  How exciting!

I am also taking 200 letters, one to each child at the Village of hope!  Personal, hand written (or thought out) letters!  It's incredible!

I have a lot to do, so I don't want to spend my time on the computer, but I did want to ask for a few prayer requests:

1.  I have a rash on my hand.  I'm hoping that it is stress related, since it got worse today, but I pray that it goes away so that I don't have to worry about infection, or the pain of hand sanitizer in little cuts.

2.  My goodbyes.  It's going to be tough!  I would love some prayers!

3.  Prayers for the peace and knowledge that God provides, in ALL things, God provides.

4.  Pray for travel anxieties.  That my flights go well, I make it to the airport on time, and someone from the village is there to pick me up, but also that I see them and connect quickly.

5.  General anxieties for my family.  As I don't really have a lot of information to give them, I am now realizing how stressful that is on them as well.

The list could go on and on, but I think it all comes down to prayers for peace and for healing.

Thanks everyone!

trial 2

I am trying to figure out how to post to my blog, and add pictures using my ipad.  Please excuse this very unexciting post.  Here's hoping I can get it to work so that you can see my experiences as you read them!

This is my sweet puppy!  I'm going to miss her!

Comissioning

I am feeling much better today!  I made it through yesterday, which was one of those days that I was most nervous about.
Yesterday I was comissioned by my church to go on this mission trip.  It was a beautiful moment where people in the church surrounded me, laid hands on me, and prayed for me.  I was extremely nervous, because I have been doing really good about staying strong and not crying, but I knew that it would happen.  There's something about being prayed for that is a beautiful, vulnerable moment.  I didn't cry nearly as much as I was afraid I would, but I still cried plenty!  Now that that's out of the way, I feel a little refreshed today!  I think I was holding all of those emotions in for too long!
Another "Praise God" moment came last night when I needed to buy my Medevac insurance.  My bank account has been dwindling because I have been stocking up on all of the things I may or may not need while I am gone, I was about $100 short of being able to afford the insurance (which is a MUST have) when a check came in the mail!  Then another check!  Then some cash!  Needless to say, the insurance has been covered!  Praise the Lord!!!  Clearly God wants me on this journey, and that's the big reminder I need to keep telling myself!
So, I am now cleared, the youth group is in great hands, the goodbyes are going well, because really they are just "see ya later's" since 2 months really isn't all that long!
I'm feeling good and ready to go!
I do have a couple of prayer requests:
1.  for my health!  I'm feeling good right now, and want to continue to do so!  I have a beach retreat this weekend, and tend to get sick at the beach, so please pray that I don't get sick, that I can stay healthy, and have plenty of time to get the things done that I need to get done!
2.  For my return trip.  I'm cutting it close with my flight and a retreat.  I really, really, REALLY want to be on this retreat, and I am suddenly nervous about the timeline.  Please pray that I have no travel issues, that I am home in time for the retreat, and that I feel good on it, and can enjoy the time with my students!  Please also pray for my health on the way home, as that is when I tend to get sick!
3.  Also pray for my safety and nerves as I prepare to go, and while I am there.  I know great things are about to happen!  I am super excited to see what God has in store!
Thank you!
Here is a picture of the comissioning.  One of my favorite pictures ever!  Thank you, Jeanie!
I am so blessed!

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!