Introducing...Rajeswari and Sumayiya

Last winter I felt the urge to sponsor a child.  It kept coming up and I kept putting it off.  I was at Acquire the Fire in Muncie and I just knew that I needed to do it!  I went to the Compassion booth and that's where I found Rajeswari.

She is a twelve year old girl in India - and she lives really close to where I went on my mission trip in 2005.  I have loved getting mail from her and it is such an honor to pray for her.  I got an updated picture of her last week...and I'm so excited to see how she is changing:)

The promting for sponsoring a child came back this winter.  I wasn't sure if it was God leading me to sponsoring another child or if it was just a thought running through my mind.  Compassion had a booth at ATF again, but I decided I couldn't afford another sponsored child.  I couldn't get it out of my mind that I should sponsor another child.  I found myself browsing the Compassion website looking at children, but for some reason, I never took the step of sponsoring one of them. 

Then in March I was at the Revolve Tour and there was a presentation by World Vision about sponsoring a child and I knew that I had to do it.  I went to the table and that's when I found Sumayiya! 

She is a beautiful 9 year old girl in Uganda!  She has unsatisfactory health and I'm pretty sure she's an orphan since she lives with her grandmother and sister.  I can't wait to start writing to her and to get my first letter from her.  I know that God wanted me to sponsor Sumayiya and that's why I put it off:)  I had talked wtih World Vision and there was a chance I could meet her while in Uganda, but since my trip is cancelled, that won't be happening now!

Someday I would love to meet both Rajeswari and Sumayiya...

Change of Plans...

So I have been planning to go to Uganda on a mission trip since October when I was placed there as a Team Leader.  I've wanted to go to Uganda for about 7 years now and have had a few opportunities that just haven't worked out.  I have had such a great time preparing and praying for Uganda over the past months.  Then Friday happened.  On Friday the people of Uganda rioted by burning tires and trees in the streets among other things.  The police and military came in for crowd control and using tear gas and guns and some people were killed.  Therefore, it was deemed unsafe to take a team of 25-30 high school students.  I'm disappointed that I won't be going to Uganda, but also thankful to be a part of a ministry that is always looking out for the safety of the missionaries!

So where will I be going?  Monday I was told there were no longer any Team Leader spots open and I would be going to the Philippines as a Country Assistant.  (Country Assistant in the Philippines does all the cooking and is basically an assistant to the leaders--doing whatever needs done!)  That was a major curve ball since I've been preparing to lead a team to Africa since October!  All that changed yesterday!  I got the call and I'm now leading the same students that were going to Uganda, to SOUTH AFRICA!  I'm pretty excited about it.  I went to South Africa in 2007, so it will be good to go back.  I have never gone on a trip to the same location, but I'm excited about going back and I am bringing the experience from my last trip--and all my warm clothes as it will be winter in South Africa!

Off to South Carolina!

I'm heading to South Carolina to visit some family for the long weekend!  I've been talking to my aunt and uncle for the past few months and we were keeping my visit a secret from my cousins...but they are smart kids and 2 of the 3 have guessed that I'm coming.  Oh well--it may not be a surprise, but it sure will be a fun time!  I love these guys:)

Last spring they visited me in Indy...at the top of the Monument with my cousins.

My wonderful aunt and uncle!



Saturday Evening with the Chin

The Chin people are a Christian people group in Myanmar and are being persecuted for their faith.  They are fleeing Myanmar and are sent to various communities around the world.  I am lucky enough to live close to a growing Chin community!  My church has been partnering with a Chin church and there are various opportunities to serve: clothing drive, household goods drive and partnering with a family to help them get used to life in the US.  When these families arrive in Indy, they have the clothes on their back and whatever belongings they could get out with.  They don't speak English, have a job, a home or know about the US culture. 

I've had a desire to get involved some way, but didn't know what that was...until a few months ago when our young adult group decided we wanted to partner with the Chin young adult group from our partner church.  We had a meeting with their leadership group and decided to meet once a month.

Our  first meeting with the Chin group was Saturday night and it was so awesome!  It wasn't exactly as we expected, there were many more teenagers than 18-30 year olds like we asked them to bring, but it was fun.  We learned some Chin dances and then taught them some classic American dances like the electric slide and the macarena...haha.  We played games and got to know one another.  I'm pretty excited for future events and more fellowship time with them!

Grandpa George

Today would have been my Grandpa's 75th birthday...I miss him so much!

 He was such a stud...

and he loved his cars...

This is the last picture I have with him...taken last February, three short weeks before he went to meet Jesus. I sure do miss him...

God is Good!

My Uganda trip is PAID IN FULL!  I just love how God provides--all $3,300 is in my account:)  This summer will be my 9th Global Expeditions mission trip and each year I'm reminded of how God provides!  I estimated the amount I've fundraised over the years...God has provided $24,626!!!  There were some years that the money came in very early and other years it came in the DAY BEFORE I left!  However, every year, by the time I got on the plane to head to training, I have had everything I needed.  It is nice to not have to worry about raising funds right now, but work on preparing myself spiritually to lead my team. 

I'm so anxious to learn who my co-leader is!  I want to start talking, planning and praying with him for our team!  Pray that I get a co-leader soon and that many more students will sign up and that their funds will come in.  I just want to go to Uganda!  Only 81 days:)

Gifts for MAs

I love making things.  A little over a year ago, I purchased a sewing machine and I had great aspirations to make lots of things with it.  However, I get busy and that is one thing that gets pushed aside.  This weekend, I had some free time and was able to sew. 

I'm making little drawstring bags for each of my MAs (Missionary Advisors) for my Uganda trip.  MAs are what make the team work well.  They are over a small group of same gender missionaries and their job is to encourage, challenge and hold their groups accountable on the mission field.  I was able to serve three times as a MA and one time my Team Leader gave us little gifts of inexpensive, practical items that were a major blessing while overseas.  Since I've been a Team Leader, I've done something small for each of my MAs to make sure they know how much they are appreciated.  This year, they are getting these bags filled with small goodies to make the trip easier. 

I'm so pleased at how they turned out!  I only have one completely finished, but the rest will be done in no time...I do still have 85 days until I leave, so I think I'm ok!