Why Uganda? And other details...

Following the leading of Christ is the passion of my life, I get very excited to share what He has revealed to me and the steps that He has led me to take. Because of this excitement, I tend to give long explanations with tons of details, so when I wrote out my support letter for Uganda earlier this week, I found myself looking at 2 pages worth of single spaced, 6 point font details. I was advised that this is way to long for a support letter. :) So, because I love everyone to know how great our God is in how he leads hearts and opens doors, I decided to cut all the details out of my letter and put them here! For everyone who has received my letter or will soon, the following is a bit of background to what God has been doing and how he lead me to Serving His Children. Believe it or not, this is the condensed version!

In three short months, I will be heading down to the heart of Africa to teach the gospel to children and the community in the city of Masese, Uganda!
I am so excited to be sharing with you the newest adventure that the LORD has set before me! Many of you have been faithful prayer warriors and by faith have financially supported me in the past as the LORD has led me through steps in ministry that have led me into a deeper intimacy with himself and a deeper passion for serving him with the talents that He has equipped me with. You may recall that a little over a year ago I was apart of a team that went to Salter’s Hill, Jamaica to serve at Robin’s Nest Children’s home. As I walked away from those two weeks (and some sweet baby boys that held my heart strings with a death grip), and headed home to the states, a burden fell upon my soul that I can barely express. The LORD let me know right then that children’s ministry was to be a permanent occupation for my life, and that very soon He would be calling me again to step out in faith and serve His children for His glory. There is indescribable joy that comes with sharing the hope of the gospel with little children and watching them soak in the very news that they were created to delight in!

Little did I know that this renewed understanding of my passion would bring me all the way down to the Equator! As I prayerfully searched for the location and timing that the Father was calling me to, I steered clear of any thoughts of Africa. It is far too terrifying and far too devastated for someone small, weak and silly like me. Thankfully, we have a Councilor who does not let us think that WE are the source of strength, or that the ability to impact lives comes from ourselves; He quickly reminded me that of course I was not big, strong, or smart enough! His strength is made perfect in our weakness, and He has equipped me with everything that I need to simply obey. Through a series of divine encounters and events, the LORD continued to spark inside me a deep concern for the people of AID’s stricken, and war torn Uganda. My heart was full of fear thinking of the possibility of being sent to Uganda, but one night as I discussed my reservations with a friend, the Holy Spirit struck me with such authority and power that I was positive of His guiding and direction. As I described all the reasons I had for not going to Uganda, I found words coming out of my mouth that confirmed that the LORD was calling me to walk in His strength rather than my own: “I will not allow fear to get in the way of following what the LORD has called me to do!” I hadn't been thinking those words, but God let me know in a unique way that He expected obedience. When the Father speaks that clearly, it is foolish to second guess it. Peace overtook me at that moment and I was able to worship God in the certainty that He would guide me into His will for His glory.

Since that evening, the LORD has opened every door and sent into motion all the events that have brought me to the ministry Serving His Children. Through the connection of a sweet woman Rachel Fix, I was able to get correspondence with a woman named Renee Bach, the founder of this ministry. I felt that the LORD was calling me to a ministry where I could use my specific talents to teach. Without knowing what specific tasks the LORD would provide for me, I asked general questions about her ministry and their needs. After a few e-mails back and forth, it became clear that the position I had been praying for, Renee had been praying that the LORD would provide someone to head up. Her vision was to add on to her ministry by creating a bible school for the community and individuals who took part in the other ministries of Serving His Children.

The plan now is that I will travel out to Masese beginning on August 11th of this year, bringing with me supplies and a curriculum to teach at the bible camp. My primary job will be teaching and coordinating events for the bible school. I will also be volunteering for the other ministries of Serving His Children as they have need. Of course, I am taking this step in faith, as I do not have the funds necessary to make this trip. I will be spending 4 months there and will need funding for my entire stay there. Transportation, rent for a space in the Serving His Children facility, and food for myself are my primary needs. I am also praying that the LORD will provide funding for the ministry itself; for curriculum supplies, shipping of extra supplies, and other needs.