Good afternoon ya'll! Sorry for the lack of posts, I just haven't had a whole lot to report until now!
So as of this week, it's now pretty much official! My parents bought the plane ticket and I leave Chicago at 8:30 pm on Monday, March 24, and I will be returning on September 2!
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has prayed, contributed, and anything else you may have helped me with (like getting me food so I can save more money). This couldn't have happened without everyone's help, and I am so excited and ready to serve in Mbarara, Uganda. As of today, we have raised nearly $5,000 which includes the $1600 for the plane ticket. My goal is still to get to $6000 so that JAM can be more blessed and able to provide more with the ministry. But a sincere thank you is needed for everyone who has helped!
And I wanted to also say a special thanks to mom and dad. Without your help, more than any, this wouldn't have come together. You've put your time and money into helping me get to Uganda, and I can't say thank you enough. It's a blessing to have you as my parents. Thank you for all the medical expenses, vaccinations, support, money, and everything else I can't possibly list because there is too much to name. Thanks!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Donations needed
There are other ways to help JAM, as well. Here are some items that you can donate and I could bring:
NIV Study Bibles
Towels, linens, etc.
I am also looking for a relatively new video camera so that I can shoot video while I am there. I would like to make a movie about my experience to share with people, and also a video to give to JAM so that they can show what they do with their ministry. If possible, I am also looking for a Mac laptop computer so that I can edit video while I am there. BOTH ITEMS CAN BE RETURNED WHEN I GET BACK and do not have to be permanent donations!
NIV Study Bibles
Towels, linens, etc.
I am also looking for a relatively new video camera so that I can shoot video while I am there. I would like to make a movie about my experience to share with people, and also a video to give to JAM so that they can show what they do with their ministry. If possible, I am also looking for a Mac laptop computer so that I can edit video while I am there. BOTH ITEMS CAN BE RETURNED WHEN I GET BACK and do not have to be permanent donations!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Update on Contributions #3
Hello all! I hope you are checking in semi-regularly. I will try and keep you updated as much as possible, but as you can imagine, not a whole-lot changes until I actually leave!
However, I wanted to give you the most recent update on contributions and share a CRAZY story...
I prayed just a week and a half ago about leaving for Uganda. I was very unsure about going and was questioning God and what I was supposed to do. This was mostly because of the money situation. I had raised only $1500, and my goal was (and still is!) somewhere closer to $6,000.
I talked to Matt Kehn (the pastor in JAM who is helping me get there) and he said $1500 was enough for me to stay for the 5 months I was planning. The only problem was that the money ONLY paid for my expenses...it didn't help the ministry at all and I still had the problem of a $1700 plane ticket. So you see the problem...
So I prayed. I was unsure about what was going to happen, but the one thing I knew was that I needed help with funding. I've been working quite hard here in Fort Collins so I am expecting some big checks to help pay my way (I am just finishing a 96 hour 2-week pay period). But I wanted to be able to help JAM more.
Well, in the last 5 days I can honestly say that the prayer was answered. I'm not going to name names without permission, but family, friends and even random strangers have accounted for over $1200 in just 5 days. My dad has also told me about other family and friends that are sending contributions and I have been completely overwhelmed by it all. I got to share this information with friends and just tell God how thankful I am!
Sometimes I have felt like God doesn't answer prayers. Sometimes I don't give him the due credit he deserves. We could all just write this off as coincidence or say I got lucky. But all I know is that I asked sincerely and all of the sudden within a week, the contributions DOUBLED...
Thank you to everyone who has helped and I hope you can find encouragment in knowing that God cares about the big things and the small things in your life. You just have to talk to him and ask. He calls us his children and says He will provide for us. I know that I need to be quicker to trust rather than doubt and I should not be so quick to question His love...Thank you God.
However, I wanted to give you the most recent update on contributions and share a CRAZY story...
I prayed just a week and a half ago about leaving for Uganda. I was very unsure about going and was questioning God and what I was supposed to do. This was mostly because of the money situation. I had raised only $1500, and my goal was (and still is!) somewhere closer to $6,000.
I talked to Matt Kehn (the pastor in JAM who is helping me get there) and he said $1500 was enough for me to stay for the 5 months I was planning. The only problem was that the money ONLY paid for my expenses...it didn't help the ministry at all and I still had the problem of a $1700 plane ticket. So you see the problem...
So I prayed. I was unsure about what was going to happen, but the one thing I knew was that I needed help with funding. I've been working quite hard here in Fort Collins so I am expecting some big checks to help pay my way (I am just finishing a 96 hour 2-week pay period). But I wanted to be able to help JAM more.
Well, in the last 5 days I can honestly say that the prayer was answered. I'm not going to name names without permission, but family, friends and even random strangers have accounted for over $1200 in just 5 days. My dad has also told me about other family and friends that are sending contributions and I have been completely overwhelmed by it all. I got to share this information with friends and just tell God how thankful I am!
Sometimes I have felt like God doesn't answer prayers. Sometimes I don't give him the due credit he deserves. We could all just write this off as coincidence or say I got lucky. But all I know is that I asked sincerely and all of the sudden within a week, the contributions DOUBLED...
Thank you to everyone who has helped and I hope you can find encouragment in knowing that God cares about the big things and the small things in your life. You just have to talk to him and ask. He calls us his children and says He will provide for us. I know that I need to be quicker to trust rather than doubt and I should not be so quick to question His love...Thank you God.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Happiness...
I went to The Fray concert on Saturday, and Isaac Slade, the lead singer, sang a new song called "happiness" which I haven't stopped listening to. If you have sound, it should be playing on your computer right now! I love the lyrics...
Happiness by Isaac Slade/The Fray
Happiness is just outside my window
Would it crash blowing 80-miles an hour?
Or is happiness a little more like knocking
On your door, and you just let it in?
Happiness feels a lot like sorrow
Let it be, you can’t make it come or go
But you are gone- not for good but for now
Gone for now feels a lot like gone for good
Happiness is a firecracker sitting on my headboard
Happiness was never mine to hold
Careful child, light the fuse and get away
‘Cause happiness throws a shower of sparks
Happiness damn near destroys you
Breaks your faith to pieces on the floor
So you tell yourself, that’s probably enough for now
Happiness has a violent roar
Happiness is like the old man told me
Look for it, but you’ll never find it all
But let it go, live your life and leave it
Then one day, wake up and she’ll be home
Home, home, home
Just wanted to share that with ya'll :)
Happiness by Isaac Slade/The Fray
Happiness is just outside my window
Would it crash blowing 80-miles an hour?
Or is happiness a little more like knocking
On your door, and you just let it in?
Happiness feels a lot like sorrow
Let it be, you can’t make it come or go
But you are gone- not for good but for now
Gone for now feels a lot like gone for good
Happiness is a firecracker sitting on my headboard
Happiness was never mine to hold
Careful child, light the fuse and get away
‘Cause happiness throws a shower of sparks
Happiness damn near destroys you
Breaks your faith to pieces on the floor
So you tell yourself, that’s probably enough for now
Happiness has a violent roar
Happiness is like the old man told me
Look for it, but you’ll never find it all
But let it go, live your life and leave it
Then one day, wake up and she’ll be home
Home, home, home
Just wanted to share that with ya'll :)
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
1 Corinthians 15
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
I read this verse a few days ago and shared it with a few people. I loved it right away and thought of Uganda because of the "Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord." I am getting more and more excited to go and the everyone has been so generous with their donations.
I will be buying my plane ticket very shortly. I am still waiting on making some more money, and I am currently working 40 hours a week at the Parks Department in Fort Collins. I guess that's it for now. Not a whole lot has changed, but I'll try and keep you all updated as much as possible.
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
I read this verse a few days ago and shared it with a few people. I loved it right away and thought of Uganda because of the "Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord." I am getting more and more excited to go and the everyone has been so generous with their donations.
I will be buying my plane ticket very shortly. I am still waiting on making some more money, and I am currently working 40 hours a week at the Parks Department in Fort Collins. I guess that's it for now. Not a whole lot has changed, but I'll try and keep you all updated as much as possible.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Update on Contributions #2
Good day everyone! It's actually a beautiful day today in Chicago - about 40 or so, which for Chicago in January is GREAT weather. That said, I have a verse for you that I read today.
1 Thess. 5: 8-11 which says:
But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
On to business! I wanted to give you all an update on contributions. I am currently at roughly $900 total today!!! I am so excited and thankful for everyone that has contributed. I just wanted to personally say thank you to the following people...
Matt and Laura Glenn, Eric and Jackie Wedell, Papa and Nana, Piersons, Bob Banks, John and Claudia Glenn, Monica Gouty, Gary and Peggy Coutre, Kim, The Palatine Wedells :), and
Katie Pausch! I'm overwhelmed by you guys. I can't say thank you enough.
That's it for today...countdown is at about 2 months til I leave....be praying and giving thanks for everything that God has provided! Thanks everyone...
1 Thess. 5: 8-11 which says:
But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
On to business! I wanted to give you all an update on contributions. I am currently at roughly $900 total today!!! I am so excited and thankful for everyone that has contributed. I just wanted to personally say thank you to the following people...
Matt and Laura Glenn, Eric and Jackie Wedell, Papa and Nana, Piersons, Bob Banks, John and Claudia Glenn, Monica Gouty, Gary and Peggy Coutre, Kim, The Palatine Wedells :), and
Katie Pausch! I'm overwhelmed by you guys. I can't say thank you enough.
That's it for today...countdown is at about 2 months til I leave....be praying and giving thanks for everything that God has provided! Thanks everyone...
Update on Contributions #1
Good day everyone! It's actually a beautiful day today in Chicago - about 40 or so, which for Chicago in January is GREAT weather. That said, I have a verse for you that I read today.
1 Thess. 5: 8-11 which says:
But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
On to business! I wanted to give you all an update on contributions. I am currently at roughly $900 total today!!! I am so excited and thankful for everyone that has contributed
1 Thess. 5: 8-11 which says:
But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
On to business! I wanted to give you all an update on contributions. I am currently at roughly $900 total today!!! I am so excited and thankful for everyone that has contributed
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