Royal Hope Academy: A project of My Father's House

This is where I'm going!!! Just look at the way these children worship! How beautiful! May cannot come ANY faster!!!!! I want to go NOW!

Dignity Designs' Paper Beads: A project of My Father's House

The women in action making the paper bead necklaces. Simply A-mazing! I hope I get to see them in action in May! Maybe they will let me help!

Necklaces

Flying Solo

When I first started making plans to go to Africa I was planning on going with Visiting Orphans, an organization that takes people all over the world to visit orphans. When they are in Uganda they usually spend a day or two at My Father's House so I figured this would be a great opportunity for me to meet Ruth and visit other children in need. I just didn't have a peace about going on this group trip, though. I was worried that I wouldn't get to see Ruth if we were only there for a day or two out of 10+ days. What if she didn't go to school that day or something, ya know.

About a month ago I was talking with a sweet lady at church that has gone to Africa with Visiting Orphans and she is in the process of planning a trip with a small group of people independently. I had never thought about going independently. She even offered to help me plan for my expenses, etc. if I wanted to go that route and I barely know her! I contacted Rebecca about this and she said it was definitely an option. WOW! I immediately felt like this was God's plan all along but I was just now catching on. He brought this sweet lady and her husband into my life to walk with me through the process, too! (Thank you, Jesus!) But I still had my hesitations. How could God use little ole me to do any good? Wouldn't it make more sense to take a group of 10 -20 people? Don't you need to go through a 501(c)3 mission organization to go on a "mission" trip?

Well, God put all those fears to rest when I read a story on Rebecca's blog about a friend of hers who came to visit her over Christmas. Here's a excerpt from her blog. I encourage you to click on the link to read the whole story, though.

Let me break it down though. He put it on Katie’s heart to come to Africa for Christmas. Because she was here, we scheduled an outreach. Originally we were to go to the children’s hospital here and visit those who are sick, pray for their healing, and give them all a beanie baby as a gift. I’ve done this before and the joy they receive from that gift was PRICELESS…BUT our beanie babies got delayed. They were coming from the states with a woman named Jayne. Jayne’s flight was delayed 24 hours. Then her bags were missing for several days…the bags full of the beanies for the children’s hospital. So we made a new plan, though it was probably God’s original. We decided to take Christmas to the slums. We had about 20 or so beanies, some small toy cars and gifts, and we decided to stop and get Bibles to take too. God’s Spirit led us DIRECTLY to this home of 23 kids and Jaja. It was like…a Christmas gift to me for God to give us these “treasures hidden in darkness”. I was in awe as we stepped into the dark room while it was raining to discover all these children with their little legs hanging over their bunk beds. Amazing. We prayed, worshipped, and found a baby in need of being rescued, a little lost sheep, little boy who God just loved and led us in His mercy and compassion to. If Katie hadn’t been obedient to God’s call to come (which I believe usually comes in the form of simple DESIRE to go), then we probably never would have found him. God uses people to rescue. God uses people to heal. God uses His BODY to be His hands and His feet and to raise the dead.

 As if this story didn't confirm that He can use one person to make a huge impact David preached that Sunday about the sufficiency of Christ and confirmed in my heart that God is the ONLY team member I need.

Spoiled Sponsor

When I first sponsored a child over a year ago with World Vision I had envisioned going to meet her one day. A few months into the sponsorship, though, I get a letter saying that her family moved and she is no longer in the sponsorship program. Bummer! So my first sponsorship wasn't the best. 

When God brought Ruth into my life I was so excited that I would be able to get updates on her through Rebecca on Facebook and email. I also thought the chances of my meeting her were much higher than if I had sponsored a child through a larger organization. Then the other night we were emailing back and forth and she said that Ruth will most likely be staying at the house while I'm there. Seriously??? Like I will get to spend quality time with this little girl that stole my heart not just a quick encounter!?!?!? 

The sad reality, though, is that the reason she will most likely be staying at the house is because school will be out when I'm there and if Ruth isn't in school she pretty much isn't getting fed. I think Rebecca takes her in during this time to make sure she is getting taken care of. (Great to know my sponsorship funds are being put to great use, huh!) I am so excited about this amazing opportunity!

For more information on sponsorships visit http://www.myfathershouseintl.org/index_files/Page349.htm

Rebecca's Faith List

This was taken from a note on Rebecca's Facebook page. The ones that say "check mark" have already been covered. Please prayerfully consider helping her meet these needs.....


This is our wish list.  We believe God to fulfill the desires of our heart and to do the impossible!!! 

1.School Bus.  Many of our children walk for miles to get to our school and some walk on busy streets.   It is dangerous for them and we have had accidents because of this.  We want a school bus that will allow us to get our children back and forth from school in safety and with ease.---$17k
2. 4WD SUV to transport our family of 16...yes we can squeeze in.---$5k WE DESPERATELY NEED THIS!!!
3.  I've taken a small car off the list.  We have a lot of kids and people and visitors to move around so we really need a good sized 4WD SUV that can handle Africa's rough terrain.
4. A stove/oven unit...this one is on Rebecca's wish list and is non negotiable.  I must have it.  ;-)-CHECK MARK!  WOoHOO!  
5. A refrigerator-this will allow us to save leftovers and keep our food longer to save money.  $350
6. Dry Erase boards and markers...this would be like magical to our teachers.
7. new clothes for our 12 kids at home. check but we can always use more!  :)
8.African american Dolls for our girls, bikes for the 2 boys.
9. Laptop for our Ugandan director.-Checkmark.
10. New laptop for our American director...ahem.
11. Digital Video Camera-Checkmark.
12. a nice digital camera ...like the ones with all the effects and stuff that makes the pictures look like they're from a magazine.  ;-)-Checkmark.
13. A person who will edit video into beautiful creative effective works of art!  ;-)
14. A distribution for online product orders person.-HURRAY CHECK MARK!!!!!
15. An audio recording person to come to UG and record the amazing sounds of Africa.
16. A dining table and chairs for our home in Uganda.-$400
17. A couch and 2 chairs set for our home in Uganda. -$225
18. LAND that we own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
19. A small medical clinic with a full time employed nurse.
20.  Children's Books!!!-CHECKMARK!
 21.  I'd really love to have an iphone even if its used is fine to allow for more communications while I'm in UG. -CHECKMARK!
22. Beanie Babies or small light weight cars or dolls for our 200 children for the Christmas party.  IS anyone as excited for Christmas this year as I am?- CHECKMARK.
23.  Children's Vitamins
24. A glorious kickin website.
25. Our children's choir--- tour to the USA!!!
26. School Supplies.
27. Medical Supplies.
28. More Child Sponsors.
29. A Christian American partner school
30. A stateside and UK office/homebase.
31. More beds. $175 per bed.
32. Another house in Uganda.
33. Cargo ship.
34.  A permanent school structure and church structure.
35.  A permanent structure library and computer lab.


More will be added as the wishes and faith grows.  Just felt like writing out a list.

How I Discovered Rebecca's Ministry

Over the past year I've been following various blogs of people that adopted or are in the process of adopting. I've gained so much insight from them opening their hearts and lives in their blogs and am seeing firsthand how stressful, yet rewarding the adoption process it. It truly is a journey of trusting God! One blog I stumbled upon was www.mycrazyadoption.com. I literally found her blog from doing a search on blogspot for adoptions. Kari truly has a heart for adoption and assisting others with their adoptions, as well. It's a good blog to follow. 

Kari blogged about a mission trip she took to Uganda and shared about Rebecca's ministry and included a link to Rebecca's blog. I read Rebecca's blog start to finish and that is how I found out about Ruth. I contacted her about sponsoring Ruth and we have developed a "cyber" friendship after that. I am so honored that she is allowing me to come see the word God is doing through her ministry. I know this experience will be priceless. 

Praise the Lord for using the "blog world" to connect our lives!!!

I'm Going to Africa!!!!!

In September 2010 I read a story about three little African princesses that were tragically raped and infected with HIV. Ruth, the youngest, was 4 years old and her twin sisters, Faith and Mercy, were 7. They lived with their mother and older sister, Joyce their mother was not able to feed them so she sent the three youngest to a village to get food (this is common in their area). They were all raped on the way to the other village. When I read this tragic story I was completely heartbroken. Who could do something like that to such young girls?

At the end of the story posted on Rebecca Sorensen’s blog she added that these girls needed sponsors for schooling (where they receive two meals a day) and medical needs. The date of this post was July and it was already September. I thought for sure she had the sponsors she needed but I contacted her anyway. Ruth, the youngest, still needed a sponsor so I immediately signed up. She was the one that tugged my heart the most so I was thrilled that God allowed me to be her sponsor!

I’ve been praying for Ruth and her sisters and have sent clothes, toys, school supplies, etc to her and receive updates on the girls through Rebecca. With tears in my eyes I am excited to share with you that God has healed their bodies and all three precious girls have tested negative for HIV!!! What a miracle! This is proof that with God anything is possible! 

I’ve prayed for an opportunity to go to Uganda to visit Ruth and my prayers are being answered! I asked Rebecca Sorensen, who runs My Father’s House and Royal Hope Academy (Ruth’s school) if I could come work with her for a week and she said yes!

I was a little hesitant about going on a “mission trip” on my own. I wasn’t sure how effective that would be but God reassured me (through another girl’s experience over the holidays) that He will use me if I am willing to go be His hands and feet. Right after the Great Commission in Matthew 28 Jesus says, “I am with you always to the end of the age.” I don’t need to take a team of people with me, I’m taking God! So, in obedience to His calling, I am in the process of planning a two week “independent” mission trip for May (actual dates pending due to flight prices). I will spend one week with Rebecca and one week with another orphan ministry in Uganda (still in the planning process for week two). 

I anticipate my personal expenses will be approximately $2,500 for this trip. If the Lord leads you to assist financially for this trip, I welcome your support. I will also be collecting clothes, school supplies, children’s vitamins and medicines, and first aid medicine for the trip, as well. Every single penny above my travel expenses will go directly to support My Father’s House.

If you would like information on my fundraising status, trip plans and updates while in Uganda please let me know and I will add you to my “Africa” email list. 

Please pray for Ruth, her sisters, and her mother. Pray that God will keep these girls healthy and safe. Please pray for all the other children I will visit and that God will use me for His glory while I am there. I can not wait to see how God will use me to touch the lives of these precious orphan children. Please pray for me as I travel alone to Africa.