December
30th 2013 “My New Year decree”
As
I sit here on the balcony of the midview hotel in Kenya, Africa I want to write
down goals and hopes I have for the coming year of 2014. Seems weird to even
write 2014 I cannot believe it is here already. This means I am halfway through
with my trip to Africa. I hope and pray that I have fulfilled all that God
wanted me to in this year, but I am looking forward to what He has for me in
this next season of life. I have learned so much about myself this year; that
it’s not always my responsibility and that I don’t have to worry about the
small things in life. Sometimes silence speaks much louder. (Ex. 14:14) God has
always been the ultimate provider and I am so grateful for this experience.
Knowing that my only job is to glorify Him in everything has given me such a
great peace of mind. I want to be challenged with waiting on His timing in this
next year. In the new year of 2014 I want to try new things and do them
wholeheartedly. I want to show patience. I want to love unconditionally. And I
want to serve.
Now to the part you have all
been waiting for…what am I going to do next?
I
have decided that I am going to continue serving the Lord on the other side of
the world in Uganda, Africa with
Empower A Child for two years. This is something that I have been praying
about, and I have asked others to pray about and I feel like God has given me
many unique opportunities and choices to serve him in any part of the world
that I would choose. Gods timing is perfect and I don’t think He could have
placed this choice in my life without a purpose. While I was in Africa I was
able to be there at the same time that the founder of the organization and I
was inspired that if he, a sponsored child from Uganda, could make a difference
that is this big from a vision he had, that he wanted to give back to the
community. HOW COULD I GO HOME AND DO NOTHING? He joked with me about staying
and just not returning home in which I quickly went to Prayer and asked my
parents be seriously praying with me. After thinking more clearly about it I
came to the conclusion that my sister Megan was going to go to prom and would be
graduating as well as various family events that I COULD NOT miss out on! As I
got ready to leave I found myself getting more and more connected with the
people rather than beginning to pull away. I found more ways to be a part of
the village and reach out and find help for the kiddos who don’t have a voice. I found a place where I could help and make a
difference in the world. When I returned to America I told my parents that I
was going to check in with them on a day-to-day basis to talk about where God
might be calling me to go next. I was torn because I have always wanted to further
my education and be able to help in new and exciting ways, but at the same time
I want to take advantage of this incredible opportunity and realize this may be
the only time in my life that I can take an extended amount of time to devote
completely to overseas ministries. With that being said I have found a way to
do both. I am so excited to say that I will be able to work under an unpaid
internship with EAC. I will be working as a liaison between staff and
volunteers as well as acting as an advocate for sponsorship and the power of 50
women empowerment program. I would be working on things in the sponsorship
office some days filing, making phone calls, or just typing up reports. I would
love to help expand Sunday school and make a difference in the individual lives
of the children of Zirobwe. I will also be doing online schooling to further my education. I will be bringing books
with me and in the evenings I will be working on homework and taking a full
load of credits per semester. This is where you come in. In order to be able to
support myself, pay for school, and have all of the materials I need I am
looking for monthly support of $1200. I am praying for 24 ministry partners to
commit to 24 months @ $50/month. This
money will be used for sending packages, paying tuition, buying materials for
Sunday school, medical needs, transportation, sending children to school, etc…
I would love to get together with you individually if you have any other questions.
Thank you for your continued support and prayer in this time! 
