HELLO FROM AFRICA!

After a long 24 hours of travel...we made it - safe and sound!!!  Thank you, Lord!!!

Well, all I can say is that nothing could have prepared me for what I have experienced in the last few days.  It is a struggle to find the right words to describe or capture it all - I don't think it is possible.

The sights were overwhelming on the drive from the airport in Entebee to where we are staying in Kampala.  The level of poverty was really difficult to see - so many people who have SO little.  Such sad faces...so much need for the very basics of life... I wanted to take pictures to remember what I was seeing, but I ended up not taking very many because I was so taken back.  It seemed surreal.  It is one thing to hear about places like this - it is completely different to see it firsthand.  A portion of our team (not me) were escorted into town last night to exchange money.  The stories that they shared about what they saw were so hard to hear...

We went to a place in Kampala today where children who commit crimes, etc... are held while they await their sentencing.  There were over 150 kids - mostly boys and a few girls.  We spent time introducing ourselves, singing with them, sharing the Gospel message, making salvation bracelets, and just hanging out.  We were also able to share juice and a few cookies with each of them.  The kids loved getting their pictures taken, getting hugs, and just talking with us about our lives and theirs...God made us all with the desire to feel special and loved, and these beautiful children are no different.  I'm sure they don't realize that they gave us more blessings than we gave to them today.

Tomorrow we are headed to a facility where children (mostly boys) from places like we visited today go after they receive their sentences.  Pray that God's light will shine through the whole team and that they will experience the love of Christ.

My heart is aching terribly, but full at the same time.  Spending time with the children today was bittersweet.  Trusting that God is in control and His ways are better than mine...

I will try to post again soon. (The Internet is REALLY spotty and so we'll see!)  Thanks for your prayers!

(Check Facebook for pictures...hopefully - if I can get it to work!)

In His love and AMAZING grace,
Stephanie

Time To Go!!!

I can't believe how quickly this day has come!  At this time tomorrow, I will be flying over the Atlantic Ocean on a life-changing journey!

I wanted to share a brief (tentative :) ) overview of where I will be for the next two weeks:

• June 26 - 27 - Fly from Dayton, toWashington D.C., to Ethiopia, to Uganda
• June 28 - July 2 - Kampala & Jinja, Uganda - Minister to children - mainly boys - in three children's jails (SixtyFeet), My Father's House Orphanage, Pillars of Hope, Amani Baby Cottage, the Karamajong tribe, Amazima, and Return Ministries
• July 3 - Fly to Ethiopia and then to Nairobi, Kenya
• July 4 - 8 - Kenya - Minister to children at Hope Community Center Orphanage, Fiwagoh Orphanage (in Nakuru), and Grace of God Children's Home (in Eldoret)
• July 9 - 10 - Fly from Kenya, to Ethiopia, to Rome, to Washington D. C., to Dayton!

I should be able to post on my blog a few times while I am there...hopefully with pictures! 

What an incredible three months of preparation and anticipation this has been... 

From the first twinges of the Holy Spirit putting a burden on my heart for the children of Africa...
...to the clear opportunity that God put right in front of me to go this summer with my dear friend, Diana...
...to the way that He laid it on the hearts of my precious family and friends to provide the needed finances in a really big way...
...to the way that He sovereignly placed our missions team together...
...to the peace that He has given to me and to my family...

...this experience has drawn me closer to my Awesome Heavenly Father than I have ever been.  My understanding of His love has grown immensely, and I can't wait to show that love to the people of Africa!

In my weakness...in His strength (2 Corinthians 12:9),

Stephanie

I Need to Keep My Day Job!

Well, it is quite obvious that I should not take up blogging for a living since I haven't managed to post since May 8!  I have had good intentions, but life gets so busy!  ANYWAY...

So much has happened since my last post...God is providing, orchestrating, and moving in ways that continue to amaze me! 

First...My wonderful heavenly Father has laid it on the hearts of so many people to give, and the cost of my trip has been covered!  The offerings have been so abundant that I have even been able to redirect some of the giving to help another team member who is struggling to reach the goal.  Praise God!  He is so good!

Also...I have been encouraged by our teams' weekly conference calls and am enjoying seeing how God put us all together intentionally.  What a blessing it has been to hear how He is drawing His children together and giving this group of women (yes...all women!  Girl power! :) ) from so many states a fire and passion for showing His love and sharing His gospel with the beautiful children of Africa. 

One more thing...Diana, Liz, and I promoted a "Flip Flops for Orphan Friends Day" on May 25 for the 5th and 6th graders at the school where we work/attend, and God led the students there to bring in 121 pairs of flip flops for us to take to Africa for the children!!!  Here are a few pictures from the day...

The students are not usually allowed to wear flip flops to school, but they were allowed on that day if they brought a pair to share!

5th Graders!

6th Graders!

Flyers went home with the kids to promote the day.

121 Pair of Shoes for 121 of God's Beautiful African Children!!!

I can't believe that we will leave in just 3 1/2 weeks!  So much to think about and do to prepare...please pray that our entire team stays focused on the Lord and His Word - spending sweet time with Him each day.  I also ask for your prayers as I prepare for all of the events that will be happening for my family while I am gone...a trip to Michigan, youth camp for Brody and Aubrey, Boy Scout camp for Kevin and Brayden, Brayden's birthday, etc... 

Amazed by His love and grace,

Steph

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him for their sake died and was raised."  2 Corinthians 5:14-15