Who got her prayer answered 8 days later and was on the verge of being homeless? This sister.
Who got her cable and internet turned off, leaving her with only power and her Bible for a few months? This sister.
Who felt God calling her to work for Him but was mortified at the thought of following Him to the hard places? This sister.
Who decided in May to step out of her comfort zone and raise money for a mission trip? This sister.
Who got an iPhone for her birthday JUST so she can keep up with her fundraising? This sister.
Who gave up her apartment and king size bed for a sofa in her sister's basement? This sister.
Who completely freaked out when she checked Paypal to find her very first $20 donation from a FB-friend-she'd-never-met? This sister.
Who did God start to mold into His image, leaving her at the top of satan's hit list? This sister.
Who felt like she was going insane because of this new roller coaster of emotions that she was experiencing? This sister.
Who struggled and tried to hide it but ultimately decided to be transparent on this journey, sharing the good and the bad? This sister.
Who lied to God when she told Him that she would go ANYWHERE but was really only planning a trip to a location that was inexpensive to travel to? This sister.
Who begged God to send her anywhere but Africa? This sister.
Who kept hearing God whisper Uganda but tried to ignore Him? This sister.
Who was overwhelmed as it became clear that God wanted her in Uganda, so she told Him that if Uganda was His plan, to bring in the money so she would know? This sister.
Who found favor with God and was reassured she was walking in line with His will as the donations poured in? This sister.
Who read blog after blog after blog trying to prepare her heart for what she was about to see? This sister.
Who did the "happy dance" when God raised enough money for her to purchase her plane ticket? This sister.
Who forgot to transfer all the money from her Paypal account, leaving zilch in her bank account to purchase that ticket? This sister.
Who was humbled into an "ugly cry" when one of her friends she hadn't seen since high school stepped up to let her use her credit card to buy the ticket? This sister.
Who did satan start waging a war against after God approved her travel request? This sister.
Who told him he was sadly mistaken and decided to fight back? This sister.
Who was burdened by the fact that a village she would be spending time in did not have clean water to drink? This sister.
Who decided 3 weeks before her departure that God wanted her to raise $2500 for a well? This sister.
Who praised His name as the final dollars came in just days before she boarded the plane? This sister.
Who waited until the night before she left to start packing? This sister.
Who stepped foot on African soil and knew she would move there? This sister.
Who praised God in a church with no walls, a tin roof, dirt floor, chickens walking through the service, clouds of dust that would take your breath, and in the midst of it all, felt Him stronger than she ever had before? This sister.
Who arrived in the Bugabo Village and found that Maria was still alive but was being starved by her grandfather? This sister.
Who asked God if He would provide for her if she gave the last $1000 of her savings to build a home for Maria, her mother and their caretaker? This sister.
Who did God use to bring His love to a village without the means to get clean water, by supplying them with 12 water collection tanks? This sister.
Who found out there was room for 23 more children in the school there and asked God to find sponsors for them? This sister.
Who woke up to find that God had found those 23 sponsors within 24 hours? This sister.
Who spent a very humbling 3 weeks in a foreign land that was stealing her heart every moment of the day? This sister.
Who fell in love with the people of Uganda and cried every single time she realized her departure date was closing in? This sister.
Who sobbed all the way through security as she begged God to give her one reason to stay? This sister.
Who did God tell to come back to the US and make preparations to move there? This sister.
Who found the whole "re-entry process" to be one of THE most excruciatingly painful things she had to go through in her new relationship with Christ? This sister.
Who decided to follow Him regardless of how hard it was, because she wanted to live a life of radical obedience? This sister.
Who did God ask to raise money to build a new 2-classroom building so that even MORE children could go to school in the village? This sister.
Who has amazing friends that let God use them to spread the word about my "Buy a Brick, Build up Bugabo" campaign, leading to the school being fully funded in 3 weeks? This sister.
Who found out one month ago that the 120 children that are now in school will be losing their sponsorship funding after December? This sister.
Who didn't think twice about adding those 120 to the 100 that she already has to find sponsors for? This sister.
Who is on her knees asking that He bring those 220 sponsors before she leaves in 2 weeks so she won't be stressed with the logistics of getting their uniforms, shoes, and supplies all during the month of December? This sister.
Who is trusting Him that all 220 children will be starting school in January? This sister.
Who is humbly asking you to share this burden with her by sharing the needs of these children? This sister.
Who is praising God that you're still reading? This sister.
We have 164 children that still need sponsors. Please click here to read more :)
Who rocks? You, sister!!
ReplyDeleteI know God has this covered!
Love you and the village! Cant wait to see the pics of my sponsored child and the joy on the childrens faces with thier gifts!
ReplyDeleteWho is burning the spaghetti that she is supposed to be making for supper so that she can sit at the computer and read her sweet sister's blog? Yeah...um...That would be me.
ReplyDeletePraying with you. :)
I am in awe of what you are doing and hope you get all the sponsors you need.
ReplyDeleteYou are a constant inspiration and reminder what our lives are to be when we step in faith and allow ourselves to be transformed by God. You take the term "no excuse" to a whole new level that just makes me speechless when I see that it totally ... works! I am left truly with no words about your list, anything I say would be weak compared to the power of the Holy Spirit working through you. It is here for all of us - and YOU accepted it and YOU got it. Wordless. ADORE YOU!
ReplyDeleteI had a Bible study leader say not long ago..."befriend Jesus, and He isn't on Facebook".......well, I leaned over to a friend and told her He was on my page!! And, He's on yours,too, and in your heart to pass on to Uganda. I praise Him that you asked that I be your friend. Godspeed and His Peace that passeth all understanding <><
ReplyDeleteI just posted this on another post of yours, but I guess I should put it here so you can see it...
ReplyDeletejust wondering, why is it "cheaper" (for lack of a better word) to sponsor your kids? We are thinking about sponsoring from Compassion, and my husband said we can sign up to do it on Friday, but I really like the work you are doing and that they are getting an education. Im just wondering about the cost being so low. And also, is it one sponsor to a child?
thanks!
Jessie
Yes, Jessie. $100 is for tuition, uniform, shoes, supplies, one meal at school, and medical/dental (as needed) for an entire year. I am not sure why other programs are more expensive. I know that some of them have administrative fees. That's something you would have to ask them.
ReplyDeleteWhether you sponsor with me or Compassion, you won't regret it. It is an awesome experience. These children need and deserve to know that someone cares about them :)
thank you! so glad to have that info, it will make it easier for my hubby to say yes!
ReplyDeleteok, just signed up to sponsor 1!
ReplyDeleteChristie, I didn't know your story, but I'm so glad you shared this post! I love that you listen to God, and then obey! You go, girl!And it's awesome that you're my sister, sister!
ReplyDeleteHi Christie.. I just sponsered a child and I will be looking forward to seeing a pic down the line...My husband and I decided to do this for Christmas in place of a gift to eachother.. he will be sponsering his own child shortly... bless you and work you are doing...
ReplyDeleteWell.... THIS SISTER is ♥'in THAT SISTER!!! You are an amazing child of God and it's an honor to call you friend. Maybe someday I can give you a big hug in person and we can worship Him together....in Uganda!
ReplyDeleteCatching up on old blog posts. Lovin' the facebook updates. Keep 'em comin' sweet sister!