73 New E-Mails

I have returned to my parents home, with many tales of God's incomprehensible grace to share. Thank you for being part of those stories. I hope to share them soon!

Independence Day

Pet peeve: People wishing each other a "happy fourth." You know, the British had a 4th of July, too...not every nation celebrates their independence.

I leave for the African continent in about 60 hours. To celebrate, I'm eating the most American food I can think of...hamburgers, hotdogs, corn on the cob, and chocolate ice cream. The next few days will (hopefully) be full of food I've never tasted before. I'd better eat my fill :-)

May you all have profound thoughts on the definition of "freedom" today.

Suummmmmmmertiiiiiiiiime...And The Posting Is Seldommmmmmm...

Today felt like the first "real" day of Summer. It was hot, humid, and I worked for a total of 12 hours at two jobs. Yes, I am a workaholic, and this is rarely more evident than during Summers.

Quickie update: I spent a week in a three-room apartment in NYC helping a friend reorganize her apartment and eating amazing food. Note: Don't cut through ancient plaster ceilings without knowing what's up there. There could be a live gas pipe :P When I got back, we had the last fencing practice of the year, and of our current head coach's career. Then I had my first week at my new job, which is an incredible blessing (despite appearances--isn't that how God usually works?). Then I spent three days in Akron doing sound tech work for a dance show. The show almost shocked me out of my seat...and definitely distracted me from my job :-P I hope my job didn't distract anyone from the show...

It's been a whirlwind month, and I love life like that. Unfortunately, something major in my life is changing, and I am having a hard time adjusting, and wondering if perhaps I should change in response to these new possible situations. I'm not free to discuss what it is, but I'm losing sleep over it. Encouragement has come from the oddest of places. A friend blogged about remodeling, my iPod (Max) randomly played this song, another song played in the restaurant where I work (the band seems promising). All of this in addition to good conversations with important people. God is showering grace on me constantly, pressed down and shaken together.

Speaking of grace, here's a Zambia update: I'm not 100% positive, but it looks as if (assuming I can get the deadline pushed back a few days) I'll have the Zambia trip completely paid for by next week?! Praise God in unutterable ways!

Zambia & Finances

Update on Zambia: It's expensive!

You're probably laughing at me, and rightly so :-) I am, at times, slightly amused that I accepted such a financial responsibility while being "unemployed." My two current jobs don't count as employment, because I work approximately 40 hours/month. I could at least quadruple that.

Anyway, I'd appreciate it if y'all could pray for me. $1250 is due to the church office by Friday, and I have (maybe) half of that amount. I know that God will provide, because he is the one leading me on this trip and he fulfills all his promises. However, I need faith to believe in his promises and trust that God is not just a thought, but a real, actual being who can sustain me financially. In addition, I have an interview on Thursday with a reputable company near my neighborhood who is hiring. This job is far from my ideal job, but does involve a paycheck and might just be God's provision. I would appreciate prayer for this, as well.

Thank you so much for your support! I'm applying for a visa next weekend, just got shots, and will buy insurance tomorrow. Things are rolling, and I'm excited! Random: I'm taking the typhoid vaccination as a series of pills, because that was cheaper than an injection. So I'm currently wearing an orange rubber bracelet that says "Remember Oral Typhoid Vaccine." The reactions have been rather amusing. Everyone thinks it's some moral cause, when in fact I'm just trying to remember every other day that I can't eat for a period of 3 hours, during which I gotta swallow a plastic pill.

Walking through Ndola

I've been reading the blog of Shawn, who left graduate school at Notre Dame to see what he could do to eradicate poverty. I find his Uncultured Project fascinating, because he's worked incredibly hard to sustain himself and his project. He hopes (and has succeeded) to inspire others to see what they can do to eradicate poverty. He recently blogged about walking through a slum. I was reminded of my trip to Zambia, and wondered how similar my experiences of working with people in Zambia will be.

Zambia Mission

My church recently set up a web page that goes into the Zambia Missions trip in more detail, and has some video footage to boot. Go check it out! Also, I hear my Paypal link isn't working...I'm sorry! It works for me. It should go straight to the log-in page for Paypal, so if you don't have a Paypal account, there are other ways to give. Thanks for your interest in this trip! It is encouraging me to wait and work patiently :-)

Zambia

I am writing to share some exciting news: I am going to Africa this summer! However, this trip will not be a vacation. My church, Providence Church, is partnering with Covenant Mercies to send a team of individuals to Ndola, Zambia on July 5-17. We will be building a school, distributing clothing, shoes, school supplies, and teaching community outreach classes.

This work is possible because Covenant Mercies has established relationships with a local pastor and his wife. They founded the Lighthouse Christian School, which serves underprivileged children in the area. We will be building a much-needed school building on property which is within walking distance of two large shanty villages where many of their students live. Covenant Mercies currently sponsors 141 children in Ndola. Sponsorship assists these children and their families with school tuition, clothing, food, shelter, and other essentials. The school that we will build is part of a long-term missions care for these children.

Why am I going on this trip? To share the mercy of God in tangible ways to the children and families of Ndola. God commands us to love and care for strangers, widows, and orphans. Though I am not able to extend long-term care for the people of Ndola, I am able to assist those who have been caring for them, and enable them to continue their service. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared already, so we should walk in them. God has been preparing this trip for me, and I am joyfully walking it through to completion so I may glorify him.

Would you pray for this team and me? Also, would you consider supporting me financially as I raise $3,000 for this trip? Any donation would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to make a contribution, you can either contact my church and let them know that you'd like to support me (it's tax-deductible!) or donate using PayPal (see button below).

I would love to keep you updated on the progress of this trip through e-mail, so feel free to contact me with your e-mail address, and I’ll include you in the updates. Thank you for your time and prayers!

Picture source