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

The first...of many firsts...

As I mentioned in my first blog post, I will be encountering a lot of “firsts” related to this mission trip...so here is my re-cap of the first…of my firsts…

1.  Going on this mission trip will be my first time out of the United States…and out of North America, if we’re being really honest. You might be thinking, “Wow! She doesn’t get out much!” I would argue that I do…just here in the United States. I have definitely wanted to leave the country – you should see my vacation “wish list” (Australia, England, Germany, Italy, Greece, and the Caribbean…just to name a few!) I just haven’t had an opportunity to leave the country. Either time or money or some combination of the two has prevented me from doing so – that and a lack of having friends who also have the right combination of time and money at the same time that I do!

2.  I applied for a passport for the first time! This might be implied from the previous “first,” but I always thought I would have my passport long before now. Even if I wasn’t able to use it, I assumed I would have it…just in case… So, over Spring Break, I got my passport photos taken at Walgreens – it’s much cheaper to have them do it than having it done at an application accepting location (if you’re in the market to apply for one). Luckily, my friend Carrie had also been planning on turning in her passport application as well, so she and I went out for our application turn-in adventure on Friday afternoon. Come to find out, the passport office in the Post Office in Bryan closes at 1:30pm, and they are extremely strict on their time. Not to mention, they must have been having a rough/long day because they weren’t overly friendly to me and Carrie. Nonetheless, we were on a “ability to travel internationally” high and headed out to the City of Bryan Courthouse to turn our application in there. The ladies who helped us were nice, and although not NEAR as talkative as me and Carrie, they served us in a very welcoming manner. Overall, I’d suggest going to the Courthouse to turn in your application – quick and efficient service, and there are multiple desks (vs. only one at the Post Office).

3.  I mailed support letters for the first time. Again, this may be a no-brainer, since I’ve never gone on a mission trip before. However, I’ve never even been part of a domestic cause/project/activity that required outside support. It was fun and challenging to try to fit into one page what the trip would entail, my excitement for being given the opportunity to go, and all the many ways our team needs support while we prepare and while we’re gone. Overall, it was a great experience to pour my heart out, and I am happy to report that words of encouragement, prayers, and donations have already started coming in! I am unbelievably blessed, and I know that God has his hand on our team and this trip. If you are interested in learning more about supporting our team through prayer or various types of donations, feel free to message, email, or call me!

Get excited for more posts and more “firsts” to come – including shopping for mission trip appropriate attire, getting shots, getting meds, flying internationally, and so much more!

I jumped on the blog train...

And "why?" you might ask? Well, I will tell you... Opportunity knocked, and I felt compelled and led to say "yes". It all started at the end of last fall when my church Brazos Fellowship announced that one of our own BF families would be leaving in just over month to become full-timen missionaries in Uganda. That night, at our monthly First Wednesday service, they showed a slideshow explaining what the Segners (Kari and Jason and their four beautiful children) would be doing with their ministry Healing Faith Uganda in Africa. The Segners were at the service to talk to us so that we could support them and pray for their journey ahead. Instantly, I felt a tug in my heart and was reminded of a time between undergrad and grad school when I heard about Invisible Children and the work going on to combat the many social injustices in Africa. Since then, I have had a heart for those injustices, and as I watched the Segners' slideshow, a thought filled my head and heart, "our church should plan a mission trip, and if they do, I need to go".

Soon after that evening, and as the Segners' date of departure approached at the beginning of January, our church made a BIG announcement that a local non-profit -- Imani Tumaini Upendo, which was co-founded by some of the members of Brazos Fellowship -- would be putting together a mission trip to assist the Segners in their work. I was thrilled and a little surprised, and found myself asking God, "is this what you have planned for me?" As I prayed and thought about this wonderful opportunity to determine if it was, indeed, the direction God intended for me to go, all the spots for the trip filled. Even though I still had several questions and wasn't sure if this was where God wanted me, I was a bit disheartened that the door had been closed.

Over the next month or so, I began praying for God to help me to be sensitive to His leading. I prayed specifically that if He wanted me on this trip, I knew that He would open up spots that would allow me to serve Him and the people in Uganda by joining the team. As the weeks passed, it appeared to me that this was not where God wanted me. However, while I was in Colorado in mid-February for a work conference (I know...tough life, right?), I received an email from Rachel, the trip leader, letting me know that 2 spots had opened up. I told her I would continue praying about the opportunity and let her know if I would be joining as soon as I could.

When I returned from the work conference, I headed straight home to Nacogdoches to visit my family, as my step-dad had had a stroke the night before I left for Colorado. While working through the family situation at home, I spent quite a bit of time in prayer, asking God to make it clear to me if He wanted me to say "yes" to one of the spots that had opened on the trip. One of the things I was most worried about and had been praying about was my mom's reaction; I assumed she would be terrified of the thought of her daughter heading half-way around the world to a country she nor I had ever visited, to work with and for people we had never met. To my surprise, my mom was not only supportive but excited about the prospect of me serving in this way. To add even more certainty to my questioning head and heart, God provided a couple of other confirmations that joining the mission team was exactly where He wanted me. When I got back to College Station, I texted Rachel and told her that pending approval from work, I was "in". I knew that work was the last step in figuring out if this possibility could be a reality so I continued praying that, again, if I supposed to join the team, then work would approve my 2 weeks off in July -- one of the BUSIEST times of year for a Fish Camp advisor!! To my surprise and delight, my boss and his boss approved my request in just a couple of days...and just in time for our first mission team meeting!

I was and am still nervous, but more than anything, I am so excited for this amazing opportunity -- to help the Segners, to serve the people and children in Uganda, and to follow through on a new and unexpected direction in my life for 2012. Since this trip and working with the mission team will be a compilation of many "firsts" for me, I decided a blg would be great way to document my journey and personal growth (can you tell I'm a student affairs professional??).

Thanks for reading...and stay tuned for more, coming soon!! God bless!!