Inspiration to Uganda...& the World

When you hear the word "Uganda", it evokes many different responses from people. Most are negative - war, famine, corrupt, poverty, unsafe, death....all of which are true. Thinking of Uganda only brings one thing to my mind though --- Katie Davis.

Katie is a 21 year old, resident of Uganda, lover of Christ, mother to 14 girls, orphan advocate, and a true example of what being the hands and feet of Jesus looks like. If you have never heard of her or her ministry, Amazima Ministries, you MUST read about it!! I've been reading her blog for a while and always feel inspired with every new post. It's amazing how the Lord is using her, even though most of the world would disregard her because she's so young.

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in purity." -- 1 Timothy 4:12

One of her most powerful entries was the story of her call to Uganda (she was only 18), the intense struggles she faced while doing so, and how her obedience to God has drastically altered her own plans....and made her life so much richer than she ever dreamed. Read the entry here.

Here is a short look at her ministry and life in Uganda. Watch and be inspired!

Support Letters....CHECK!

FINALLY! They are mailed. It's been a long time in process, and I'm so glad to share with everyone all the crazy things that have been happening in my world over the last few months. I also made my blog public so I guess I now have to really keep it up-to-date....a little intimidating, but I'm ready for the challenge! Here is the photo card I sent in the letters:

As of today, it is T-minus 7 1/2 weeks until my plane leaves American soil!! The time is definitely flying by - just like everyone told me it would.

This week has especially given me a dose of reality since my amazing friend, Rachael, has officially moved and is now "settled" in Addis Ababa. She left Texas on July 5 with a church group from Austin to do mission work in Zeway, Ethiopia for about 10 days. Everyone in her group returned home to the US on Wednesday (7/14), while Rachael stayed behind to begin her 2 year commitment in ET. She will be running the Cherokee Guesthouse in Addis, helping volunteers from around the world get involved with various humanitarian efforts throughout Central Ethiopia. I am so blessed to be able to have met her only a few short months ago and for us to have become such fast friends - a friendship that will only continue to grow while we are in Ethiopia together....SO excited!! One more reminder that the Lord knows what He's doing...:)

"are you going to paint your skin brown before you move to Africa?"

...oh, the adorable, RANDOM questions of a 5 year old! I was fixing Scarlett Paige some lunch and chatting with her when, out of the blue, she turned around and asked me this. And she was totally serious!! Still laughing hysterically...:)

This week has been awesome....my first week officially unemployed, being able to focus on only the important things before the move, and spending time with my family. These last several weeks are so precious, and I am cherishing the sweet and funny conversations, questions, etc - especially from the kids about life in Ethiopia.

Isabella (8 yrs old): "What are you going to eat over there?"

Me: "Well lots of the same things as here - chicken, beans, bread, pasta, spinach..."

Isabella: (pause) "But i thought they were starving in Africa because they didn't have food? Where are they hiding all the stuff you just said?"

LAST day as a recruiter...BRING IT ON

Today, I take the plunge OFF the corporate ladder into the valley of the unemployed....and I am thrilled! I mean, I've had a fairly good experience and learned a lot in the last 1.5 years, but there's no job satisfaction like the kind when you work with "the least of these". I'm sure there will days in Ethiopia where I will wish for a desk job again - during the kids' temper tantrums, when I have to learn how to ride mass transportation, or when I have food poisoning from vegetables that haven't been bleached properly. BRING IT ALL ON!!

It still doesn't seem real though. It doesn't really feel like my last day or that I'll never be back in this office. I guess it just hasn't fully hit me yet...probably will have to wait until Monday when I realize I don't have to go into work. The rejoicing will probably begin about that time. :)

Thanks ABC...it's been great, but on to bigger and better things!!

Happy July 4th Weekend!!