Welcome to my blog :-)
I haven't done one of these before but have decided it'll be a good way to keep folks updated about my life-changing decision... My news is: I'm planning to go to Africa for a few months during the summer of 2010 to work with kids/orphans!!!!!!!! :-D
I can't even explain how excited I am about this!!
Here are my favorite questions and some of the answers:
Why?- Well, I've always loved working with kids and have a huge heart for orphans. I've thought many times of going to Africa to work with orphans but it never really made sense. I've never been to Africa and I've never even been on a mission trip that includes packing up and leaving town! God placed this on my heart and after talking with folks, namely a great mentor, I decided that this is the time! NOW!
When?- I do not have the specific dates yet... I'm going as an Individual Volunteer with UMVIM (http://www.umvim.org/newsite/umvim/web-content/Pages/international/internationaliv.html) so the specific dates will be planned with them. However, the plan is summer 2010... hopefully late May/early June until late August/early September. (Yes, I totally plan to come back! I want to share my stories and experiences with everyone!!)
Where?- Again, planning for Africa... Haiti was also a thought after the natural disaster but it will take a while for the situation there to get under control and be assessed, so Africa is best for now. I'm looking at two orphanages and waiting to hear back about which would be best for me this summer.
How?- This will be the interesting part... I do plan to go to New Orleans in March for my training and have registered for that. The major "how" I'm stuck with right now is how to pay for this trip... for the training I only need to raise enough money to fly to New Orleans so that shouldn't be too hard... The big trip though will probably cost about $8000 (VERY rough estimate right now) and right now I'm totally trusting God that it will all work out. I hope to sublease my place this summer so I can move right back in when I return... My cat and car will stay with my parents in NC... I have no idea about making car and grad. school loan payments, but again, just trusting that God will show me the way :-)
I guess I don't have all the answers right now... just excited to share!! Yes, I'll watch out for myself! I might be with other UMVIM missionaries from the US or I might not. I might stay in a hotel, a home or who-knows-where... Right now, I'm thankful to those who are supporting me!!
Please support me with your prayers and thoughts :-) I hope to stay in touch via this blog and email when I get to Africa, but since I don't know where I'm going, I don't know if I'll have any means of communication available to me... but those answers will come with time.
Love to all!
Rachel
My lovely family
1 comment:
Dear Rachel, It looks like I'm your first comment! I am so proud of you. You have always had a heart that is better than you are. You love God and it show in your life. I love you and while excited about this possibility for you, my Mother's heart is concerned...will she be safe, will there be someone to watch over her, will she...so many questions. But, I am also trusting God. Trusting that he will help you pick the right, safe place. I'm trusting God with one of the most important things to me on the face of the earth. I will be praying everyday! As always, LHP!!!
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