We Are in Jinja!!!

Sorry for the delay in my post... We finally arrived around 7:00pm yesterday (Wednesday) at Arise Africa International Guest House, here in Jinja. Soon after, we had dinner and got settled into the house, and today, we had our first ministry day in the Lombogo Village about an hour outside of Jinja. Please visit our team blog's post from today (click here) to read all about it -- I was today's team blogger!


And, now...to catch you up on our awesome journey to get here... As you know, this was my first EVER international flight, and it was really a LOT better than I anticipated it would be. Our flight from Houston to Dubai was about 14 hours, followed by dinner in an authentic Lebanese restaurant and an overnight stay in Dubai, a 5 hour flight from Dubai to Entebbe, Uganda, and finally a 3 to 4 hour bus ride from Entebbe to Jinja. I was able to sleep just the right amount on the long flight and got some good rest at the hotel in Dubai as well. My adjustment to the new time zone went really well, and I haven't had any problems getting sleep! SUCH a blessing!!


Due to some technical challenges, I'll have to add more photos later...like maybe when I get back to the states...so bear with me...and feel free to check the Team Blog -- we're updating it daily with super awesome photos from teammates who have sweet cameras so it'll be a good way to stay informed on what we're doing!


Here is one I thought most of my Aggie friends would enjoy -- me and some of the children getting an all-important Gig 'Em in the picture!!!

Please remember to keep us in your prayers! We need all your love and support while we're here! God is doing BIG things for sure, and we'd love for you to stay a part of it!!!

Marking Things Off the To-Do List

Well, today was a great day of marking things off the to-do list! I got up early so I could drop off a donation from a sweet friend to my team leader. Then, I took the dog to get her nails trimmed so the pet sitters didn't have to worry about unruly nails! Then, I went to get my last round of pre-trip immunizations...

Hepatitis B (2nd of 3 in the series), Polio, Tetanus, and Meningitis



The nurse said you're never too old for kid band-aids. I would have to agree...but I think a "real" kid must have gotten all the Bugs Bunny band-aids because all 4 of mine were Daffy Duck. Better luck next time I guess!  :)


I will have to come back in another 4 months to finish out my Hep B series (and possibly my Hep A series)...but as of right now, I'm good to go for Uganda! Whoop for that!


I think tried to drop off a prescription at the pharmacy, only to realize they didn't open until 9:00am...so I headed to work and made it there by 8:45am. I call that a pretty productive morning! I worked all day (atypical for my usual flex day Friday where I get off earlier than normal), but I got a LOT accomplished. I then headed back to the pharmacy to drop off and pick-up prescriptions...and got one step closer to being ready to leave!

Anti-malaria meds...and an antibiotic (just in case). {for the life of me, I can't figure out why this photo is flipped...it's not like that in the folder on my computer...oh well, you get the point!  :) }

And...finally...the last to-do item for today... Take my Aggie Ring off for the last time until I get back to the states! I wanted to give myself a couple of days to get used to having a bare ring finger on my right hand because I am so used to wearing my Aggie Ring. I just knew that I would get tired...and then freak out because I'd lost my ring... I will definitely miss wearing it, but I am excited about the symbolism of not doing so -- laying down something important and setting it aside...for something WAY MORE important. I am excited to serve the people of Uganda. I am excited to experience and observe their customs and learn about who they are as a people and a nation. I know that I cannot fully do these things, being the privileged American that I am. I pray and know that God will open our team's eyes and hearts to see the people and the country the way He does, and I am so excited for what He has planned for us on this trip. I see leaving my Aggie Ring behind as the first of several challenges on this trip -- challenges that will grow me as a person and teach me so much about myself and others!


My little ring made of gold...

As always, I ask that you keep us in your daily prayers! We need your love and support and the diligence of your prayer life! Thank you to each of you for all that you have done and continue to do to support and love me and this entire team!

Count-down = 2.5 days!!! Stay tuned for what happens next...

Gig 'em and God bless!

When Work is Something You Enjoy...

...it's not really work, now is it? I am so blessed to work in an extremely challenging and fun environment, where everyday is different, wonderful students abound, and colleagues are as much fellow professionals as they are friends!


I think I have shared this before, but work was one I the things I was initially most concerned about when embarking upon this adventure. When you're the primary advisor for Fish Camp at Texas A&M University, July isn't the ideal time to leave the office for 2+ weeks. Add to that, a new co-advisor (on the job for just shy of 2 months, following an interim period of almost a full year...), and add to that, being not just out of the office, but out of the COUNTRY...and add to THAT, arriving back at work post-trip with less than a week to go before camp... I really didn't know how this would turn out...


I was pleased to find out that my supervisor and his superiors, my co-workers, and even my students were SO supportive of my desire and need to be on this trip! As we have been preparing for my departure for the last 3 or 4 months, they have all been a great network of support and encouragement, despite the busy time we now find ourselves in...


In fact, they sneakily worked together to create a small departure token for me -- a box of cards and notes for me to take with me. There are a total of 15 -- one for each day I am gone!! I am so excited to read them all and be surprised by who each one is from! Words cannot express my gratitude and excitement for this genuinely sweet way they have acknowledged their support for me and our entire team!

The awesome box and collection of cards that I will soon be able to read!!!

Please keep praying for our team! We definitely need each and every prayer before we go and while we're gone! 3 days and counting...

Playing Catching Up...Part 2

Well...I finally have time to sit down and write "part 2" of this "catching up" business I started over a month ago. Oops!! Guess time got away from me once again. Here are the major updates of what's been going on...

1.  If some recent verbal commitments for donations have come through, then I have raised my full $3,800!!! It is absolutely crazy and wonderful and humbling to see God take my $500 deposit and grow it to my trip cost in as little as 4 months! Thank you SO much to those who have contributed! I truly appreciate each of you SO much! That being said, I still would love some additional donations/support to cover some personal incidentals for the trip -- pet sitting costs, immunizations, medications, food for travel days on the front and back ends of the trip, snacks for times between meals while in Uganda, miscellaneous supplies for the trip, etc. etc. If you or someone you know would like to support me, I would love to have you do so. Feel free to visit (and share this website):  http://imani-africa.com/donate -- you just put my name in the comments/notes box. The site works with NON internet explorer browsers! If you don't like donating online, comment on my blog or message me, and we'll figure out another option!

2.  My passport came in!!! My first ever passport!!! Clearly, I'm pumped about this!
 

I'm officially approved!!!



Apparently, the world is mine!



A Picture Says a Thousand Words...but I'll sum it up with four:  I. AM. SO. PUMPED!!!



3.  I got my first round of immunizations -- 4 at once...and I go back for my last 4 (or maybe 5) this Friday!

Yellow Card, Immunizations, Alcohol Swabs, and Band-aids...all ready to go!

A close-up...Hepatitis A (1 of 2 in the series), Yellow Fever, Hepatitis B (1 of 3 in the series), and Typhoid...

 

With my Yellow Card that shows I've been vaccinated for Yellow Fever. I have to take this when we go!

Two in the right arm...

 

And...two in the left -- Yellow Fever is the one on the far back of the arm. It's a live virus and can't go into a muscle. Luckily, it's the only one that really stung!

4.  Our team has had a couple of supply packing meetings! They have been so fun! I love seeing how a group of people that don't know each other super well can work together and have so much fun doing it! Here are some photos from those fun nights!



What you can't see is this amazing multi-color (think pink, purple, and jade) metallic knife that Shawna is using to cut off these zip ties!

 

Lots of crates to sort through and pack with supplies!!

 

Kaitlyn and Tressie sorting supplies!



Kaitlyn and Tressie sorting more supplies...on a new night this time!



Rachel and Me!!  :)

 

Dawson...weighing our supply bags to be sure they're no more than 50 pounds each!



Rachel and Kaitlyn chowing down on Double Dave's for dinner!

 

Jackie and me in front of Rachel's awesome cross wall!


5.  We had a team hang-out night that ended up being a ladies' night. Rachel cooked us spaghetti that was SO delicious! It was great having time to hang out and get to know one another...and talk about all kinds of things that us ladies need to know for the trip -- clothing, hair care, make-up, etc.

Kaitlyn, Rachel, and Shawna

Rachel's delicious spaghetti!



6.  Generally speaking, things have been going really well for us! We've had a few hiccoughs along the way (mostly with baggage logisticis), and the Lord has helped us get through each one! We are so excited about serving the Lord, the Segners, and Healing Faith (the Segners ministry)! I know God is going to do big things for the people of Uganda, and I am thrilled that He has chosen us to help! Stay tuned for more updates soon to come!

Count-down is officially 4 days...and the minutes are ticking by quickly...  :)  Please keep me and our whole team in your prayers over the next couple days, and then while we're gone too! We need every prayer we can get!

The Heart and Faith and Love of a Child...or Two in this Case...

As I promised in my last post, I have been extremely blessed during this season of fundraising. I truly believe God is using it to show me that while my independence is awesome, I need to learn that I can't (and don't) do it on my own. He is there with me every step of the way, and so many family and friends are there with me too!

One of the most touching stories I've experienced thus far includes two young girls who I have known and loved for several years now. They are the daughters of two of my colleagues -- Jason and Jennifer Boyle. After giving one of my support request letters to Jen and Jason, they shared the letter with Ella and Claire (their daughters) who were both excited to help out!

Several weeks later, Claire and Ella ran a neighborhood lemonade stand to raise money for me and my trip! They ended up raising $32.00 in just one day of lemonade sales, and they donated it all to my trip fund! Shortly thereafter, they came up to work to present me with the envelope of money. It nearly brought tears to my eyes. I remember being their age, getting birthday money, and being so excited about the books, toys, etc. that I could buy with the money. I also remember being excited about saving some of my money. To know that those thoughts were probably going through their heads...and that they chose to help send me to Uganda instead of saving or spending their lemonade stand money means the world to me -- literally, the world!!

Here's a quick picture of my 2 youngest supporters who have hearts of heroes. I took this the day they presented me with their donation!

So, although words can hardly express my full gratitude... THANK YOU, Ella and Claire. You have helped me more than you'll know, which will know help many people who I know the Lord will touch with, by, and through this trip!

As an update, I still have a little more than $1,000 to raise...and exactly 1 month left to do it! Yes, we leave 1 month from today!!! If you would like to support me, please visit the Imani Tumaini Upendo website and donate (put my name in the comments box so they know to track the donation to my fundraising totals), or email/call/message me for my address to send a check or cash donation that I will turn in for you. {Please note: the donation website works best in internet browsers OTHER THAN internet explorer}

I know that God has BIG plans for our team and for me on this trip! I also truly believe He has big plans for YOU -- as you pray for us, send donations, and share our story with others! I hope Ella and Claire's story serves as inspiration to you -- that even the smallest amount of support is helpful! ANY donation means so much to me because of where the money goes...and because of what it signifies -- giving and obedient hearts! Thank you in advance for the love you are sharing with me and our whole team!

Playing Catch Up...Part 1

So...I know what you're thinking, "You still have a blog??" I don't blame you. It's been almost a month more than a month since my last post. Clearly, I'm not taking full advantage of this "first-time blogger" opportunity! In fact, I started this post at the "almost a month" mark (as you probably noticed), only NOT to finish it until now. If May were January, this would be my confession for a new resolution...to do my best to stay on top of things. But, first...let's play catch up! Bear with me...this is a long post...but well worth it, I think!

We could all use a little motivation to improve ourselves, right?  :)

In my last post, I shared more about our fundraising situation for the mission trip -- and our team's need to raise a little more than $3,000 total so we could purchase our plane tickets. Well, guess what?? We did it! In that final 24 hour push, some of you and several other supporters committed to helping send us to Africa, and we were able to purchase our tickets! Our God is definitely a BIG God! Stay tuned for a super special story about 2 people who touched my heart by making a donation to help our team reach our plane fare fundraising goal!

I am super excited to share that our tickets will be taking us to Uganda, by way of Dubai. We will be having dinner and an overnight stay in the city before embarking on the last leg of our trip. I think it will be so enlightening for us to go from the richest city in the world to one of the poorest places on earth in less than 24 hours time.

Here are a few photos of Dubai (assuming Google produced accurate images)...

Even with the success of that 24 hour airfare push, we still have quite a way to go on the fundraising journey, and we need constant prayer as we continue preparations for the trip! I still need around $2,000-$2,500 to cover all of my expenses and would be so blessed by any and all support -- prayers and monetary donations -- that you could provide. If you're interested, you can donate through the Imani Tumaini Upendo website (through a non-Internet Explorer web browser) by clicking here (and putting my name in the comment/note box), or call/message me, and I'll get the information to you! Donations through Imani are tax deductible.

You're probably also wondering about this 5k we hosted shortly after the airfare deadline. Well, it was also a success! We had more than 100 people sign-up for the race, and we were able to Run for Change -- and raise funds for all of the Imani trips heading to Africa this summer! Here's a few photos for you:

Part of our team! Forgive our looks...it was still early at this point!

  



Jenny and Jess holding one of the fabulous mile marker signs!





The kids getting started on their 1 mile fun run! I love their excitement and enthusiasm!

The 5k -- we're all trying to get warm while listening to announcments! It was a wonderfully chilly 40-50 degree morning! My favorite running weather!

  

And...we're off!!!

  

I am so blessed to have Tressie on this trip! We have been friends since our undergrad days at TAMU, and now, we'll be sharing an international mission trip experience! We are beoynd excited!

And, finally... Our big May fundraiser -- the rummage sale! Again, God provided in BIG ways for us through literally TONS of donations from our friends and family and even our friend's family (at least, in my case)...and also through a successful sale and many happy customers! We raised a little more than $3,000 -- to be split between the 3 teams Imani is sending this summer. What a huge blessing! Here's a few photos to give you an idea of everything we had to offer and celebrate that day!

My sweet friend Sarah is moving soon and donated her favorite chair and her elliptical! I sold the elliptical the day before the rummage sale on Craigslist for $150. I was so surprised and completely blessed to have the support of such a generous friend!

When Sarah mentioned my trip to her grandparents (who totally have the travel bug), they were so excited for me that they also donated items for the sale! In addition, my parents, Jake and Christen, and Ms. Patricia were also so sweet to make donations. My living room was so FULL! I couldn't even sit down!! This experience definitely showed me how blessed I am by the people God has placed in my life! I am lucky to serve such an awesome God!

The evening before the sale many of us (and so many wonderful volunteers from our church) helped us sort all the donations! The front foyer of the church was packed. Stuff covered the floors -- wall to wall -- with small walking paths from here to there! It was amazing! The next morning -- at 4:30AM, to be exact -- we (and our trusty volunteers) got everything out to the parking lot to await our customers. It was surreal to see how much stuff was out there!

This is before it got crazy...and stuff exploded all over the entire foyer!

The church's front steps were completely covered with all kinds of shoes, electronics, and small applicances!!

Isn't this impressive?!?! God is definitely good!!!

Jacque made these adorable Africa shaped cookies -- with a red candy baked into the location of Uganda. The kids of some of the couples on our trips sold the cookies at their lemonade stand! So precious! We were able to pass out left-overs at church the next day and share information about the Segners' ministry -- Healing Faith -- with anyone who wanted a cookie or two or three!

Overall, God has definitely blessed our team -- and all the Imani teams -- over the last couple months! If that is any indication of the journey we still have ahead, which I'm sure it is, then I am so excited! If you would like to support us in our efforts, please visit the Imani website (through a non-Internet Explorer web browser) to donate -- just put my name in the comment/note box if you would like for the donation to go toward my fundraising goals.

Fundraising...and 5k's...and Garage Sales...Oh my!!!

Hello Family & Friends!

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying a wonderful weekend! I wanted to take a minute to update you on the preparations of our Brazos Fellowship team’s mission trip to Uganda this summer (July 9^th – 23^rd) with Imani Tumaini Upendo.

First, for those who have already donated and/or have been praying for our team, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! Your support means so much to our entire team!

Second, our team has a lot coming up in the next few days and weeks, and we could use more prayers and support! Keep reading for our upcoming milestones:

• We were blessed to get a wonderful rate for our plane fare, and in order to keep that price, we need to have $2,076 turned in by tomorrow – Monday, April 16^th. I am currently $726 short of that first fundraising goal. I ask that if you have been planning on making a donation, you do so today or tomorrow (if possible) through the Imani Tumaini Upendo website -- http://imani-africa.com/donate (make sure you put my name in the notes section to ensure the donation goes to my fundraising account).
• Quick side note, donating with an ACH donation will likely incur a smaller fee than paying with a credit card ($0.25 for ACH vs a percentage of the total donation for credit cards). Please remember – there is no “small donation” – every bit counts, even $10, $15, or $25 dollars goes a LONG way!!

• We have a 5k and 1 mile fun run that benefits our trip, coming up this Saturday, April 21^st, and we could use your support through participation, volunteering, and spreading the word. For more information, visit http://runforchange5k.com or http://www.active.com/running/college-station-tx/run-for-change-5k-2012!

 

• Our team garage sale will be Saturday, May 5^th in the church parking lot (226 Southwest Parkway; College Station, TX), and we will be collecting donations for that opportunity to fundraise. If you have anything you’d like to donate to the garage sale, please email me, and I’ll work with you on the details for pick-up/drop-off of items!

You are very important to me and this mission trip! If you would like more information about our trip or how you can help, please contact me via phone or email!

God bless,

Abby

Team Blog:  http://missionuganda2012.blogspot.com