And it grew...

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes." -- Isaiah 54:2

I leave in a mere 2 1/2 weeks to begin this adventure in East Africa. (I'm a little excited, in case you were wondering!) I fly out on August 25th and will be arriving in Kigali, Rwanda on the evening of the 27th.

Up until about a week and a half ago I was simply traveling to Rwanda in response to a longing on my heart and to see what could come of it. I didn't have an agenda but had an airline ticket and reasoned that the rest would fall into place as it was supposed to, probably after I arrived in Rwanda. I have never wanted this to just be a vacation or 'just a trip.' I have felt from the very beginning that if it turned out to be that, I would be sorely dissapointed. I have been praying that plans would come together and that opportunites would arise for me to not only build on relationships I have already established in East Africa, but also invest in the people there in a big way. Well part of it fell into place sooner than I had expected. Through an amazing series of events that I can only call a miracle, I met the director of an organization called Aid Africa, which works within the city of Gulu, Uganda, providing assistance to the people who live there. Most have been displaced from their homes in one way or another, and are refugees. Through various projects the organization has impacted the area, and after looking at the website (aidafrica.net) and seeing the opportunity to help, I've decided to pursue volunteering with them. This may come as an interesting turn to some of you, but I have prayed about it and feel like this is where I am supposed to invest, at least for this time. 

So the change of plans are that I will be in Rwanda for about three weeks in order to visit friends there and build on the relationships I previously made. (Also, seek out if there are opportunities for me to work there). Then, somewhere around the 20th of September I will travel to Northern Uganda, and will be there for a month, after which I will most likely return to Rwanda. In that time I hope to not only assist with the projects that Aid Africa has going, but also volunteer in the charity hospital (Lacor) that they regularly transport ill babies to. (If any of you are familiar with Aprovecho stoves, Aid Africa's director orginally traveled to Uganda on one of the stove projects). I have a desire to help hurting people and though it may be overwhelming at first, am very excited to volunteer in the hospital or in a local clinic. I am not certain whether or not I will be doing x-rays, as Lacor's x-ray machine has cobwebs all over it, but I am hopeful that my training will be of some value there. 

Though this has stretched my heart and mind quite a bit, I am excited for all the opportunities that will come out of this, and the opportunity to be immersed in another culture. Some of you have asked if you could help (financially) while I am in Rwanda. Up until now I felt as though it would be irresponsible to ask for that assistance due to the lack of clear vision. Now, though, with this more specific 'mission', I would invite you to invest. If it has been pressed upon your heart and you would like to, please do. The expansion of the plans has not only brought more excitement, but also extra expenses (such as lodging, food, inner-country travel, etc) and I would also love to bless the community there, as opportunities arise. If donating to this cause is something you would like to do, please contact me and we can decide what the best way for you to do that will be. 

Thank you, once again, for taking the time to read this. I am so thankful for your prayers and look forward to sharing the stories, pictures and memories of this with you.