Thursday, January 31, 2013

February Brings Many Blessings

Its February 1st! Where did January go? We are more than half way through our outreach now. It has been so amazing, and I'm expecting the next few weeks to be even better! I have't been blogging as much as I hoped to. I will have to catch up when we get back to the states.

This next week is going to be a very special week! Today on our way to Masaka we are stopping by the Kirabo Seeds Children's Home to meet Tonya LaToree, her kids Jack and Kira, and the children at her home. (Kira was one of the babies from Loving Hearts Babies Home last time I was in Uganda that has since been adopted). Then we will continue to Masaka to work at Okoa Refuge Children's Home until Tuesday. Then we go back to Kirabo Seeds to spend a few days with the kids there. On Thursday I will be meeting my sponsor child Stella at her school in Kampala! I never thought I would actually get to meet her! So many amazing things happening all in one week! I am so excited! Thank you God for these blessings!











Saturday, January 12, 2013

The Miracle of God's Provision

The last couple days in Wisconsin were a blur. We were all running around trying to pack and go shopping for last minute supplies for our outreaches. Also, we were trying to spend as much time as possible with everyone that was going to a different outreach location. And last but not least, several of us had to raise a lot of money before we knew we could even go. So those days were very stressful and bittersweet.

On top of those feelings God was doing amazing things in my heart. I was messaging friends and posting online how much I still needed and just waiting for God to provide. It looked impossible to me, I still needed to raise about $1,600 when I came back from Christmas Break. The days following break people were donating, but it didn't seem to be fast enough. Naturally I was stressed out because we were packing and I still needed quite a bit of supplies, and i had to have a lot more money. I was starting to wonder if I was even supposed to go at this time. But God kept reminding me, "No, I told you that you are to go to Uganda for outreach, just trust me". So the day before, which was a Saturday, I posted again about how much I needed and several people gave one after the other, small amounts mostly. I kept updating throughout the day and people kept giving! We also had an offering and some of my classmates and leaders gave towards my outreach. About $1,000 came in on that day! The day before we left for Uganda!! I had heard stories of how that had happened to students in the past, but I didn't think it would happen to me. I thought surly the money would come in before that so I wouldn't be stressing or second guessing weather or not I was supposed to go. But God had a different plan. Haha, isn't that just like Him? He wanted to teach me more about how to trust in Him completely, not relying on anything or anyone else but Him. So, I am thankful for His timing! It is always the best! Next time I am not trusting God in any situation I will remember this!

I can't thank you all enough for donating towards my outreach!! You guys are awesome! And I literally would not be here without your support! Thank you so much! Because of you I am serving children at risk in Uganda. This country is absolutely beautiful and the people are too! Even though it isn't always easy to give up the comforts we as Americans are spoiled with, it is so worth it! I could not see myself anywhere else except "the pearl of Africa". God is teaching me so much while I am living the simple African lifestyle and serving the incredible people here.

I will be updating my blog as much as possible (there is Internet here at the Jinja YWAM Base, and we will be back here several times). I am not sure where else we will have Internet, but I am also planning on writing my monthly newsletter and sending it out when I get the chance. So if you are not yet signed up for them you can do so on here.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers as well. Our team is doing very well, no one is sick at the time, and we are all enjoying our time here!











Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Uganda!! Our plane got in at about 10pm, we played some games and took naps. What a great start to the new year! We are now waiting for the second half of our team to get in. Then in the morning we all head to Kampala to work with the kids at Loving 1 by 1! I can't wait! Here are some pictures from our trip!








Monday, January 7, 2013

Loving One By One

We stayed at New Creation Family Home in Kampala last week. This home has 18 kids who range from about 6 to 15 years old. They welcomed us as soon as we arrived and made us a part of their family right away. They are precious and the staff (mamas) are amazing! You can really tell they are a family and they really love each other like brothers and sisters. It was so precious how they all called us aunties and included us in everything they did. It's great to know they are being taken care of and will have a hopeful future. Each one of these children have sponsors and this is how they survive. The sponsors are the ones who provide for them financially. They are always needing more sponsors so if you are interested let me know.







Sunday, January 6, 2013

Oh Uganda

How beautiful you are!

We are now at the YWAM Hopeland Base in Jinja and we have our own guest house and wifi at the office! Tomorrow we start the kids camp. There will be over 100 kids that we will be teaching bible stories to!











Thursday, January 3, 2013

Uganda is Amazing!


We arrived safely in Uganda on New Years Day! It is so great to be back in Uganda! I have forgotten how beautiful and amazing this country is! This week we are staying in a children's home in Kampala. It is so great to get to know the kids (there are 18 here) and go out into the city and villages. We will be back and forth between Kampala and Jinja (and some other cities) for the next two months. I am in love! Of course!

I will not have much time on the internet, so please check the www.ywammadison.org/blog for updates from our outreach teams.