...worry...

As excited as I am to take off on this AMAZING adventure to Uganda, the past few days I have fallen back under one of my bad traits of worrying about every little thing. Although I had one big relief, receiving my passport in the mail, I still have found every other little thing to bring up. The biggest one being traveling by myself. I have been out of the country several times but I was always traveling with others start to finish. I had other to rely on when we were in places that were foreign to us. For this trip I will be flying by myself from LAX to Heathrow to embark on a 6 hour layover before I hopefully find someone I recognize on my flight from Heathrow to Entebbe. The thought of being by myself for that long, in a place I have never been and where I won't be able to call anyone when I'm all by myself, even though I'm 20 years old and should be able to handle it, scares me a little. Deep down I know I'll be fine but I really have to get that into my head. I've also been worrying about some of the smaller things like not getting enough support raised and not having enough supplies to take with me to donate and forgetting something importing while packing even though I still have a month for it all. I need to really just be calm and know that the Lord has control over this trip and I have been called by him to do it, so even if it may not be on the timeline I would like, He is going to help me pull everything together.

I just continue daily to remind myself 'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be make known to God.' Philipians4:6-7


peace.love.joy

the Maasai

Tonight at Prayer for the Nations at my church we were so lucky to be able to hear from Pastor James and Solomon, both of the Maasai Tribe in Tanzania and Kenya. It was so amazing to hear their stories of how the Lord has done such great things for them and other Maasai people. They have such free spirits and love the Lord with all their heart. We also got to hear from one of their missionary partners. From all that was said, the thing that I felt most important to take away while preparing for my Uganda mission, was that only Africans can change Africa. The work that we are doing should not be overlooked and is doing great things but what is most important for us is to help to empower those people that want to make changes in the Nation and to support them. As missionaries and volunteers we are not going to be able to go in and just change the Nation but through prayer and preparation we can help set up Africans to make HUGE changes in Africa. I look forward to all the wonderful things Uganda has to bring me in 40 day!

peace.love.joy

Heavy on my Heart

Today Uganda has really been on my mind. Although the Lord has already put me on mission, my Uganda mission will begin in 62 days when I land in Entebee. I am so ready to just be there but I know I have so much more preparing to do before I leave. My mind is prepared for all that is to come while serving but my heart is still being worked on by the Lord. I want to be able to devote myself 100% to the people I meet for the whole month, no matter what bumps in the road I may come across. It is going to be challenging but I know that if I am just able to focus myself and turn to God in times of struggle then I will without a doubt be able to get though anything. This is such an amazing experience that I am so lucky to be a part of and I am ready to be all in.

I was blessed to be given an awesome book called Operation World. It is a prayer guide to every nation. It has been super awesome in helping me focus on preparing for Uganda and just to learn a little bit more about the nation. There are about 10 Challenges for Prayer for Uganda and I have picked two that I am trying to be very diligent in praying about leading up to and during mission and am ready to have them fill my heart. I am praying for the church, for unity and for training leaders, and I am praying for foreign workers, for training for them and the needs (social, economic, educational) to make for many ministry opportunities.

I am so over joyed with all this trip has brought thus far and can't wait to see what else is in store for me!

Tonight when I began reading, my bible feel open right to this Psalm and I found it to be fitting towards how I am currently feeling!
'Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy.' Psalm 100.

peace.love.joy

Love Hard

Here is a little preview about CLD. (It is also featured on their website) I'm working to get the longer video up but until then this will do!

peace.love.joy.

Donations and Support

Just like any volunteer trip we are always in need of support. If you are interested in supporting me or the Come, Lets Dance program there are several ways you can help! 

1. The biggest and easiest support is just keeping our group on your heart and mind while we are traveling and praying for all that we are doing and for our safety.

2. Donations!! There are so many things that the people of Uganda are in need of. Most of what I will be taking with me will be donations for the local people. We are looking for things such as:    

• Used Laptop Computers
• School Supplies: Black shoes, paper, notebooks, folders, binders, pens/pencils, ect.
• Medical Supplies: Vitamins, Cough Meds, Cotton/Gauze, ointments, painkillers, fever reducers, gloves, medical tape, ect.
• TOL Sew & Craft Shop Supplies: Elmers Glue, quality scissors
• Toiletries: Bar soaps, deodorants, sanitary pads, toothpaste/brush, Vaseline
• Office Supplies: Paper, tape, envelopes, Duct tape, calculators
• Tools for Projects: Scrub Brushes, different size screws, hammers, etc.
• Any Disinfectant, RAID spray, Clorox Wipes
• Hefty Candles
• Old Silverware
• Table Clothes - plastic or cloth

3. Financial support is also always greatly appreciated no matter the amount. Come, Let's Dance has a Growth and Sustainability or G.A.S. program and is used to further the current projects that are supported though our program. Any donations would help in my efforts to supporting the program. 

(All donations are tax deductible as for Come, Lets Dance is a registered Non-Profit Organization)

If you are interested in supporting in any way please let me know as for it would be greatly appreciate!


peace.love.joy

Shot, Shot, Plane Ticket

     Got my immunizations taken care of today. I had most of my shots taken care of already from our Peru trip a few years ago and college requirements but I still had to get two (Hep A and Yellow Fever). It was less than what I originally though I would have to get so if you look at it that way it was a good day. I usually don't mind getting shots and am fine afterwards but today was a little harder for some reason. Almost passed out  when I was about to leave but the Dr. was able to get me back to lay down for a little and I was all better.  Before I go I will also have to take pills for Typhoid and then while I am there will have to be on Malaria pills. 
    I also purchased my plane ticket this week. So no backing out now! Not that that was even a thought in my mind. It's just more exciting knowing though that it really is official!! Our location that we will be in in Uganda is Nansana. Only 75 more days until I depart and I am only getting more and more antsy to depart. This is going to be such an amazing experience that I am so lucky to take part on!
    

peace.love.joy

Plane Tickets!

I am starting to work towards purchasing my plane tickets for this summer! Probably the scariest part for me because it means that I will actually be going! First off, the dates of my travel have been confirmed. I will depart from L.A. on Monday July 4, 2011 and will return back to L.A. on Thursday August 4, 2011. Exactly one month. It is going to be a long few days of travel getting to and from Uganda. It looks like we will leave L.A. on a 10 hour flight to Heathrow, London. We have a 6 hour layover before we depart on our 8.5 hour flight to Entebbe.  We arrive Entebbe on Wednesday July 6, 2001 their time. The return home looks about the same but with the time changes going to opposite way the trip only looks a little shorter in length. I better start looking for a good long book or two to take with me to help keep me entertained! I'm no so much nervous for the length of the flight or even being in the air but more so how I am going to feel after traveling for that long! We arrive to Africa early in the morning so hopefully we will be able to have that day to get settled a little before getting into everything! 




peace.love.joy