Thursday, May 30, 2013

Praising.

It's been one week since my last post about having $1600 towards my Uganda trip. Just seven days ago I really didn't know where the last $900 was going to come from. I heard the call to go to Uganda over a year ago. Obviously it wasn't audible, and i can't pinpoint the moment that I knew that God would take me there one day...but it was clear, obvious, and loud. Since the moment we decided to go this summer, I knew that I wouldn't be able to pay for this plane ticket, and God gave me complete peace about this. Until seven days ago, I haven't been a bit worried about any of it. I've been telling people for months that I'm going to Uganda at the beginning of July, but I didn't have a plane ticket, and I didn't have the money for a plane ticket, and I didn't have the money to eat anything while I was there. Most of them looked at me like I had lost my mind. I enjoyed the looks on their faces and laughed. :) Last thursday, during my first little spell of panic and doubt, I plead with the Lord to tell me what I needed to do. I didn't want to be waiting lazily (is that a word?) like I expected all of the money to just be laid in my lap...but all He gave me was more peace. that sweet sweet calming peace that I am convinced only comes from my Lord.

To say that this week has been overwhelming is an understatement. I received the $900 this week. I now have $2500 and we will purchase the plane tickets TOMORROW! :) The Lord is so faithful to carry out His will. If I had the permission to brag about every single person who made it possible for me to purchase this plane ticket, I would....because I'm so thankful that the Spirit lives inside of them and they followed the prompting to support this mission. but i don't have that permission and the only one who truly deserves the boasting is the Lord. The vaccinations that I will need to have before I go have also been covered; my visa will be purchased at the airport, and I plan to borrow a mosquito net from a friend. Everything is settled.

Now all that continues is the preparation of my heart, mind, and soul. The weight of what I am going to do hits me more everyday as the times draws nearer. I cannot wait to meet these precious women. I cannot wait to see what the Lord is going to put in front of me; as I have said before, we are going with NO schedule. This makes me feel the need to be prepared all the more for what I may be asked to do. Most importantly, I am trying to bathe myself in the gospel daily so that I am able to clearly present this good news to people that I have not heard truth, who have been fed lies, or who have not put their hope  in the Lord. I pray that God would use me for His glory alone and that I will know what the future may hold with my relationship with this city.

Thank you so so so very much to those of you who are praying for the Gospel to speed ahead.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Waiting :)

I feel pretty humbled to type out that I have $1600 towards my Uganda plane ticket! The money came in FAST and I am so encouraged by the people who have given financially. Even more people have told me that they are praying that the GOSPEL will speed ahead and that is even sweeter!! I was able to send out around 70 prayer cards to people that I know will be faithful to pray for our time in Uganda! I'm praying still, even in this first time of a tiny bit of anxiety, that God will go before us and prepare hearts now. 
I didn't know how God was going to supply this money, but I knew He would...and He has! The income has now slowed down though, and I am still short. I am so thankful that I am only short $500-1000 instead of $2500! I wish that I could have paid for this trip myself some days. I have to constantly remind myself that I am not asking people for money from a greedy heart. I'm asking for partnership for the glory of God. I've lost count of how many people have given financially, but all of those people are going with me. They aren't going physically, but they are sending, and I pray that one day I will do the same when I am unable to go. I look forward to having a job so that I am able to experience the joy from this kind of obedience. 
My church family has been nothing short of amazing as they have encouraged me so much with questions about the trip and encouragement through prayer. I'm so thankful for them and their support. I'm praying now about how to get the last bit of money to buy the plane ticket and have this part of the adventure behind me. I've tried to think of ways to earn the money, but with the NCLEX coming up next month (did i really just say next month?!?), much of my time will be spent studying for that. I'm praying about borrowing the money, and if so, who am i going to borrow it from? Today has just been full of thoughts. I know the Lord's Will will be done and there is no reason to stress. I'm thankful that I haven't up to this point, and I pray that the Lord continues to break down the control freak inside of me. It's been beautiful to be held by Him. I'm praying that my reliance on Him is strengthened even more by this experience. 
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about Mac. Thinking about what I am going to say to her, how she is going to respond to us, if we will be friends, if she will be able to understand me, and how much i hope don't talk too fast. I pray that she understands and responds to the gospel. I can't wait to talk to her about Jesus and who she thinks He was. I hope she understands. I hope she trusts, believes, worships, and hopes! I can't wait to meet her. 
I've dreamed of meeting Innocent and Dorothy for a year now! I can't wait to see how God is going to use me in this ministry! I'm so thankful that I have been exposed to it and have the honor of praying for these people. I can't wait to give Dorothy a big ole hug! I sure hope she is into those kind of things :)

I'm humbled and so very expectant. 

Thank you so much to those out there that read this, and thank you for praying for me!