A New Year
Happy New Year to everyone!
As I begin this new year and new adventure I cannot help but reflect and remember how faithful God has been. I cannot believe that in less than a year I quit my job, started a non-profit and now I am about to move to Africa. I sometimes get overwhelmed or even slightly panicked thinking of how different life will be in a matter of days but in the same thought I take comfort that God has made this desire so clear and I know that since He created the entire world he can surely care for me.
It has been amazing to see God work in His timing. He is never early or late, He is always just on time. As many of you know I have collected about 700 lbs of donations that I will be taking with me. I looked into the cost of shipping the supplies and saw that it would be about $2,500, which is the same as about two and a half months of living expenses. I began worrying about how I would raise this extra cost, then right out of the blue I got a donation that knocked me off my feet. I was so shocked by the amount that I called the donor just to make sure it had not been a mistake. Not a mistake just God providing in abundance the extra money I would need. This is just one of the many stories of how God provides in big and small ways for me.
Another task hanging over my head was selling my car. When I first decided to move to Uganda I began praying about what to do with my car, should I keep it in case I come home sooner than I planned or should step out in faith and sell it. I prayed and decided to sell it and felt from the beginning that I should ask $5,000 for it. So last week I decided it was time to sell and I posted it on facebook. My email was overrun by people who were interested in it but all offering me under $5,000. I felt tempted to just sell it so it would be done but I felt the Lord reminding me that I was to get $5,000 and not a dollar less. Then I received an email from a sweet Christian lady who was looking for a second car for her family. She had family serving in missions and I knew that this was the person I was supposed to sell to. We took my car into the shop for a rundown and a few days later I received a call from the lady asking if I would take less, I struggled as I felt that God told me that I was to get $5,000 but also that this was the lady to sell to, so I boldly told her that I wanted to sell to her but that I could not take less. She prayed about it and decided to take it anyway. Again, God showed me that when I listen and obey to Him that all things work together for the good of those who are called according to His purpose. As I move to Uganda and begin settling in my prayer is that I continue to rely on God and remember His faithfulness.
While there are many details still to be worked out the excitement to see all my kids drives me forward. Two days ago, I had a dream that I arrived to RG and all the kids were playing soccer and they all stopped to greet me and I got to share the good news that I was staying for a year and cheering erupted from the kids. So often, people come and play with the kids for a week and then never return. I am so overjoyed that I get to continue building relationships both with the kids, the workers and that together we will work to bring others to the kingdom of God. I am counting the days until this dream is reality .
Thank you for all of your prayers and support as I begin this journey, I am so excited to write to you soon and tell you of my first month in Uganda.
Jessica
January Prayer Request
-The shipment makes it to Restoration Gateway without being stolen or unfairly taxed
-I am able to settle in to my new home quickly
-Beginning my time at the school, that I would be able to help where needed and learn from others as well
-I will begin to build a community of friends in Uganda