Trust

As I get closer to leaving for Rwanda, I keep getting more excited and scared. I have never done something like this before; just across the border into Mexico or Canada is as far as I've gotten. Now, I'm planning to travel halfway around the world to be in a completely different place, and be challenged in ways that I'm sure I can't even comprehend now. 

As I am preparing, I am learning so much about putting my trust in God and knowing that He has a plan for all of this. I keep wanting to fix things and make them go my way, especially when it comes to finances for the trip. I am so uncomfortable with asking people to sponsor my trip, but I know that is what I need to do, and have done. There have been many days when I have second guessed myself and wondered what I was thinking, trying to get this all together. I try to think of new ways I can stretch my money, dig into savings, or whatever else so I can just be done and have the burden lifted. But, I feel like this is a time when I need to be patient and just use the trust that I claim to have in God. Not that I'm not willing to sacrifice and give of my own money to make this trip happen, but I know that I can't do it on my own. I have to admit that and ask for help. 

While learning more about this, I have also had the opportunity to examine how I spend my money and what I am doing to give back. In doing this, I have begun to take on more things that allow me to give back. This last Friday, I had the opportunity to go to the Africa New Life annual fundraising dinner at the Zoo. It was an amazing evening which allowed me to see even more into their vision and be even more sure that I am being called into this trip for the right reasons.

 The highlight of the evening for me was to have the chance to sponsor another child, whose name is Claude. When I first was looking at the sponsorship table, my thoughts were along the lines of I don't have the money for another one, I'm already trying to raise money for my trip, I shouldn't add something else to my plate. But, when I looked down and saw his face, I knew I had to make room in my budget for another sponsorship. I have come to realize how blessed I am, and how much I take it for granted. Sure, I may have to give up a couple nights out, or a pair of shoes, but by doing so, I can help a child get an education and be able to support himself and his family someday. I hope to be able to put some pictures up of my team and my sponsored kids soon. 

I'm going to Rwanda!

I can't believe that in a few short months, I'll be boarding a plane, headed for Rwanda, Africa. The thought is exciting and terrifying at the same time. Today, we had a planning meeting and I finally feel like some of our plans have started to really come together. 

This is the first mission trip I have been on where I had any control over what we would be doing. Before this, everything was planned and I was along to do what needed to be done. With this trip, the team members decide what to do and how we want to do it, with input from the Africa New Life Staff. At first I was a little scared; I just wanted to play with the kids and meet my sponsored child. Now, as things have progressed, I am excited to get to put our plan into action. 

I believe that God has put this team together for a reason. Their are three full time teachers in our group, which is giving us a wonderful opportunity to help the teachers in Rwanda. Many of them have little training and we will be able to give them some strategies and ideas for working in their classrooms. We are going to focus on God's love for children and how each child is valuable and needs to be loved and cared for. Through community building activities, classroom management strategies, and cooperative activities, we hope to give the teachers at the school a bag of tricks to draw from. 

It is going to be a busy few months as we prepare to depart for Africa. I am excited to get to know the team better and to get to Rwanda to see what God has in store for us there.