Decision- April 11, 2014

December 30^th 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!