Family and Friends,
We are going to Uganda! Our mission: to be a witness to His great love. Here is how we got here...
Kaly's Story
I struggled through my first two years at Westmont, wondering if I should really be here and what God might have in store for me. After two rough years I had it in my mind to transfer. I thought I needed a bigger school with more people and the ability to share Jesus with those who didn't know him. What I didn't know was that God had something much better in store for me. After getting rejected from multiple leadership opportunities, off campus programs, and other schools, I wasn't sure what to do. I finally was asked to join the Emmaus Road core team, of which I knew absolutely nothing about. They saw me as a good fit for the team, and with no other options, I decided to join.
Joining the Emmaus Road Core team changed my life. If it wasn't for all the rejections, I would not have made it on the team and I would not have had the opportunity to go to Uganda. I never imagined traveling out of the country. For those of you that know me, I hate travel. I get sick on planes, I am uncomfortable being in between places, and transitions from one place to the next always hit me hard. But here I was, feeling God's calling for me to serve Him in Uganda. I know that this is where He has called me because when I made the decision, I felt overwhelming peace, something that doesn't come easily to me. I know that I am not going to be able to solve the country's problems, and I'm more certain I will be a burden than a help. But God has led me to Uganda; he has a plan, and I have dropped my own to follow Him.
Prayer requests:
-Health: I always seem to get sick when I travel which disables me from loving to my greatest capacity
-Self: I do not wish to make this trip about myself, how much the kids love me, what I get out of the trip. I wish to stay focused on His purpose alone and serving Him in all I do
-Transition: Like I said, transistions are extremely hard for me. The travel alone will be rough but with the culture shock and living with new people may add to my stress, so please pray that I recieve God's peace with this great transition.
Bri's StoryI've been at Westmont for a year now, and like most freshmen in college it was rough. I dealt with a lot of self confidence issues and dramatic changes with my personal life. Westmont is such a wonderful school and although I was struggling I knew I wanted to do something to make life worthwhile again. I specifically chose Westmont for it's missionary opportunities and when I learned that Emmaus Road was taking applications I felt like I needed to sign up. I was hesitant to fill in the application because I was afraid of spending the summer away from my family after such a hard year, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was supposed to do it. So the day before applications were due I filled out the application and turned it in. Everything was sort of a whirlwind from there, I got accepted, got my passport, went to meetings, and prayed....A LOT! However, I wouldn't even be able to have this amazing opportunity if it weren't for the gracious donations and prayers from my family and friends. I am so grateful and blessed to have so much support. I've always, always, ALWAYS wanted to go to Africa (specifically Uganda) on a missions trip and share God's love with the people there, and I guess God gave me that drive for a reason. I hope and pray that we can share and partake in a loving fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ there in a whole new and beautiful way. I'm not a pastor, or a nun, or a monk, or a wizard so I know I can't arrive and magically make everything better, but I hope can make one child smile, make sure at least one person knows that Jesus their Savior and God loves them unconditionally, and show them that love in some small way.
Prayer Requests:
-Health: I've had health issues with my immune system in the past year and obviously I'm not going to a five star resort for a month, so please pray for me that my body will sustain itself and adapt naturally to my new environment.
-Home-sickness: I get home-sick pretty easily, so please pray that I can overcome those sad feelings and that I am able to enjoy this experience and the people who are sharing their love and friendship with me.
I struggled through my first two years at Westmont, wondering if I should really be here and what God might have in store for me. After two rough years I had it in my mind to transfer. I thought I needed a bigger school with more people and the ability to share Jesus with those who didn't know him. What I didn't know was that God had something much better in store for me. After getting rejected from multiple leadership opportunities, off campus programs, and other schools, I wasn't sure what to do. I finally was asked to join the Emmaus Road core team, of which I knew absolutely nothing about. They saw me as a good fit for the team, and with no other options, I decided to join.
Joining the Emmaus Road Core team changed my life. If it wasn't for all the rejections, I would not have made it on the team and I would not have had the opportunity to go to Uganda. I never imagined traveling out of the country. For those of you that know me, I hate travel. I get sick on planes, I am uncomfortable being in between places, and transitions from one place to the next always hit me hard. But here I was, feeling God's calling for me to serve Him in Uganda. I know that this is where He has called me because when I made the decision, I felt overwhelming peace, something that doesn't come easily to me. I know that I am not going to be able to solve the country's problems, and I'm more certain I will be a burden than a help. But God has led me to Uganda; he has a plan, and I have dropped my own to follow Him.
Prayer requests:
-Health: I always seem to get sick when I travel which disables me from loving to my greatest capacity
-Self: I do not wish to make this trip about myself, how much the kids love me, what I get out of the trip. I wish to stay focused on His purpose alone and serving Him in all I do
-Transition: Like I said, transistions are extremely hard for me. The travel alone will be rough but with the culture shock and living with new people may add to my stress, so please pray that I recieve God's peace with this great transition.
Bri's StoryI've been at Westmont for a year now, and like most freshmen in college it was rough. I dealt with a lot of self confidence issues and dramatic changes with my personal life. Westmont is such a wonderful school and although I was struggling I knew I wanted to do something to make life worthwhile again. I specifically chose Westmont for it's missionary opportunities and when I learned that Emmaus Road was taking applications I felt like I needed to sign up. I was hesitant to fill in the application because I was afraid of spending the summer away from my family after such a hard year, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was supposed to do it. So the day before applications were due I filled out the application and turned it in. Everything was sort of a whirlwind from there, I got accepted, got my passport, went to meetings, and prayed....A LOT! However, I wouldn't even be able to have this amazing opportunity if it weren't for the gracious donations and prayers from my family and friends. I am so grateful and blessed to have so much support. I've always, always, ALWAYS wanted to go to Africa (specifically Uganda) on a missions trip and share God's love with the people there, and I guess God gave me that drive for a reason. I hope and pray that we can share and partake in a loving fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ there in a whole new and beautiful way. I'm not a pastor, or a nun, or a monk, or a wizard so I know I can't arrive and magically make everything better, but I hope can make one child smile, make sure at least one person knows that Jesus their Savior and God loves them unconditionally, and show them that love in some small way.
Prayer Requests:
-Health: I've had health issues with my immune system in the past year and obviously I'm not going to a five star resort for a month, so please pray for me that my body will sustain itself and adapt naturally to my new environment.
-Home-sickness: I get home-sick pretty easily, so please pray that I can overcome those sad feelings and that I am able to enjoy this experience and the people who are sharing their love and friendship with me.
Sonora's Story:
Westmont has been one of the most amazing things that has happened in my life so far. I've learned so much about myself, who I am, who I want to be, and what it means to be of this world and also a woman of faith and God. Not coming from a background where this was a taught balance, learning my way through finding what it means to have my own faith while being a student and living a life full of experience has been a trip, to say the least. Because it took me about three years to really understand that my faith encompasses all of it. Everything. There isn't faith along with everything else; it's faith over everything else, embodying everything else. Learning these things and being surrounded by the most amazing, gracious, and God-loving people I have ever met in these last three years had led me to where I am today. Last fall, I went to Europe for the semester and had amazing, life-changing experiences with such a wonderful group of people. I learned fellowship and dependence with that group and will forever be grateful for what a blessing that was in my life. Coming back to Westmont the next semester after that was a difficult transition. I saw so much through my travels, especially when in Israel and Palestine. I saw people who lived with such ambitious and bold faith...no one take offense, but it put the faith we are all familiar with to shame. I felt so challenged when I was abroad; challenged mentally, emotionally, and physically. I learned dependence on God - for, I think, the first time ever - and grasped an understanding for living on faith. Being back at Westmont, being in a comfortable place where I was allowed to be content...it felt so awkward after being away for so long. I had such a restlessness on my heart and I remember being a chapel one morning when lovely Miss Kaly presented a video for Emmaus Road, showing so many amazing clips of things people saw and experienced in places like Uganda, Nepal, Japan, Bolivia, Guatemala, and so many others. And sitting up in the bleachers, watching this video, I felt a pull and an excitement in me that I'd say was pretty Spirit-inspired. Before then, I had never even thought about taking off again on another adventure. But after going to the first meeting of the semester, I think I realized that the decision was already made. I had to go to Uganda.
So here I am! Two days away from embarking on what is surely to be one of the most amazing experiences ever with such a great group of beautiful people. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us. How he is going to break our hearts and reshape us. How we are going to learn how these beautiful people of Uganda love and worship and live on complete and absolute faith. I'm so ready for this crazy adventure! I know without a doubt I am where I need to be and that my life will be changed forever from what is to come, and I welcome it with arms wide open. I'm ready to be a witness and a disciple. But I know that I will be doing far more learning that teaching.
Pray for my group and I, that we continue seeking peace from above in times of stress or discouragement. Pray that we keep our minds on what is important through all this and that we learn to serve as we are needed. Pray that we represent the kingdom with as much grace, kindness and love that we can muster. And please pray for our safety as we travel.
Kati's Story:
I'm here and alive, succeeding and failing in this crazy fallen world. Being at Westmont has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. Getting there wasn't easy, and trying to stay there is harder... But God is good, and He will lead me wherever He wants! My heart has always been for the nations and serving the Lord in any way I can. During this first year at Westmont I hadn't planned on leaving for any big trip this summer, but after hearing about Emmaus Road and the incredible opportunities before me, how could I not?? I was willing to go and serve anywhere, but after thinking more about it and my involvement with starting a campus chapter of IJM (International Justice Mission), Uganda called out to me. I can honestly say I've been ready and excited since day 1. I have surrendered it all!!! Day by day until Jesus comes, my friends.
Please pray that the words and messages that the Lord wants us to give are given. That our hearts and the hearts of the people we will be with would continue to be prepared. For us to be courageous and bold. For us to be open to anything and everything the Lord has in store for us, it's His plan not ours. Pray against any spiritual warfare and evil. And for traveling mercies. Thank you so much!
Please pray that the words and messages that the Lord wants us to give are given. That our hearts and the hearts of the people we will be with would continue to be prepared. For us to be courageous and bold. For us to be open to anything and everything the Lord has in store for us, it's His plan not ours. Pray against any spiritual warfare and evil. And for traveling mercies. Thank you so much!
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