The Time Is NOW!!!

WOW! I can't believe that we are leaving today.  It seems like it was just yesterday that we were fundraising, getting shots and trying to find ugly appropriate attire to carry with us.   Of course I still had things to do before I left - download the music for the childrens ministry, go to Target to get a new I pod cord (since I lost mind in the last few weeks) and most importantly - color my hair :).  The roots and gray were out of control and I wouldn't want to scare the people in Uganda. So far my nerves are good but that was not the case this last week.  Between work and trying to make sure I had everything, my stomach was turning like I was riding a roller coaster.  Well, I guess I should get back to packing since I only have 4 hours before I have to be at the airport.

Preparation

Well, it's almost time!!  It's hard to believe that in 23 days I will travel to 4 different countries on 3 different continents all in a 24 hour period. I am almost done with all the preparation for the trip.  I still have a few things to purchase, one community project to complete and a little packing to do.  I have to admit that I am ready to start packing. I have already brought out the carry-on luggage and put a few things in it just to see how much space I am gong to need for all my stuff. :)  I have finally finished all my shots - all 9 of them! And let me tell you, that was not a fun experience!  I had a bad reaction to one round and still 6 weeks later, I still have knots in my arms.  Thankfully, I will not have to have some of them ever again or at least for a very long time.  Along with all the shots, I have purchased all my medications.  Some are necessities, like the Malarone for Malaria, and some are for the "just in case" incidents.  

 

We had our first official meeting as a group.  There are 24 of us going and this is the biggest group they have ever taken.  We received several handouts and Mark went over all the rules, the cultural differences and answered any questions.  Last week they were able to book our flights and we now have an official itinerary.  We will be gone 3 days longer than we expected. We leave Saturday July 16th and fly to London where we will have a 2 hour layover.  Then it's own to Kenya for a brief stop before we fly into Entebbe Uganda!!  We arrive at late in the evening on the 17th.  That is one long trip but I know it will all be worth it.

It's Official!!!

Yep....it's official - there is no turning back now. :)  Last night I dropped off my deposit for the trip. Actually, it was more than the deposit since I did not like keeping all that money in the house. It has been amazing to see how God has provided the money necessary for myself, as well as, my friends. We each still have a little left to raise but we will make it!  Our next fundraiser is a car wash on June 4th. 

 

Yard Sale Fundraiser

On Saturday, we had a yard sale to continue raising funds for our trip. As part of this journey, I have done many things that have taken me out of my comfort zone and did things that I said I would never do again, like having a yard sale. The reward was worth all the hard work. We made $440 and all got a little too much sun!! Here are a few pictures from our fun filled day in the sun.

Arise Africa Weekend Video

Here is the video from Arise Africa weekend at Journey. It was a blessing to hear Godfrey speak. I am looking forward to working with him and his team in July.


Arise Africa from Journey Church on Vimeo.

Family, Fun and Fundraising

Saturday we had our hot dog fundraiser at Green Road Park.  

We have an awesome small group who helped out.  

Our family and friends chipped in to get all the supplies that we needed so that we had no overhead. 

The event was a great success. We made $400!  

Thank you to all the friends and family who came out to support us. 

Unbelievable Blessings

Today is Easter and today we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.  At Journey, we also celebrated the generosity of God's people. Last week we set a goal to raise $50,000 to give to Arise Africa to complete the second phase of the orphanage.  Today we learned that we raised $135,134.00 - over $85,000 MORE than we asked for.  The Journey family is absolutely AMAZING! The $50,000 will go immediately to Arise Africa. The remaining balance will be sent once Godfrey determines what the next projects will be. We will have to wait to hear what is next in God's plans.

Picture borrowed from Josh Via's Tweet :)

Arise Africa Weekend

This past weekend at Journey was Arise Africa weekend.  We were honored to have Godfrey and Joy Wanamitsa were to make it from Uganda.  Godfrey is the director of Arise Africa International and we will be working with him and his team in July. Godfrey is a humble,God loving man and it was a joy to listen to him talk about all that they are doing in Uganda.  This weekend we were trying to raise $50,000 for the second phase of the orphanage at Bukaleba that will house 240 orphans.  I am anxious to see how much we were able to raise for Godfrey. The total will be announced at the Easter service.  Can't wait to see what God will provide for his ministry.

Godfrey 3 from Journey Church on Vimeo.

We learned a Ugandan Worship song.  It was amazing to see our worship band along with Godfrey and Joy. Here is a video of Smooth and Rick Via singing it with the kids at the orphanage. The words are:

Yesu Ni Wangu Wauzima Wamilele

Wauzima Wamilele

Jesus is mine forever

Rick Via singing with the orphans. #Uganda2011 from Journey Church on Vimeo.

Cookout Time!!

Come and join us for a hot dog cookout and bake sale! There will lots of yummy things to eat and plenty of places for the kids to play.

 

Click here for more details

Fundraising Time

We have a long ways to go to meet our goal of $3000 each to get to Uganda but we know that God will provide for us.  Individually, we have written letters to our close friends and family asking for donation to help with the cost.  A good friend Gail, hosted a Lia Sophia jewelry show and donated her profits to my trip cost. As a group we are doing a few combined fundraisers. We are selling AutoBell Car wash tickets,  hosting a hot dog fundraisers and a having a yard sell.  Wish us luck in raising the funds!

My Group

This is the four of us from my Small Group that are going to Uganda! They have become part of my family and I love them dearly. I can only imagine that we will grow closer during this trip.

Matt, Stacy, Carla and Amy

A Smile That Warms Your Heart

This is the child I sponsor at Bukalaba - Joel Nabongo.  He is so adorable and I am ex tactic to get to meet him, hold him and hug him.  I may just try to tuck him in my  pocket and bring him home. :)

In March, Mark with Journey was in Uganda doing pastor training and got to see Joel and give him a package of goodies that I put together for him.  I hope he loved all the gifts and shared with his friends.

The Begining of My Journey

Back in November, I started considering going on a mission trip but wasn't sure where I wanted to go.  The trip to Honduras seemed to be the safer and more logical option. I remember saying in the past that a mission trip would be interesting but I would never go somewhere like Africa. I would want to go somewhere closer to home where the culture shock would not be so great and the cost wouldn't be unreasonable.  The more I thought about it and the more I heard about the orphanage we built in Uganda, the more intrigued I became.  Once I started sponsoring a child there, it became more personal but I still wasn't sure that is where I wanted to go.  I inquired about the 2011 mission trips and cost and when I heard that Uganda was $2500, I had almost ruled that trip out. This is where God stepped in and I began to see that it should not matter the cost or the miles that I had to travel this was about what I was willing to do for HIM.  Was I willing to do what was comfortable for me or step out of that comfort zone.  The more I thought about it, the more I couldn't get Uganda out of my mind but the cost was still scaring me. I prayed that God give me a sign that this is what I should do and give me direction in the first step that I needed to take to save money.  It's never easy to say no to friends when you are a people pleaseer but saying no to God was not an option.  You can read bout this life changing moment in my original post The Answer.