Update on Monica's Family

When I was in Africa in July, I met a lady named Monica.  She holds a special place in my heart for several reasons.  First of all, because it was the very first house I was welcomed into in Africa.  Second, because her story struck straight to my core and broke my heart.  She is HIV positive, and she’s raising her six children alone. 

All of Monica’s children have been sponsored through Jacaranda Kids except for Anthony, who goes to school outside of the slums and was already sponsored when I met her.  That means every single one of those sweet children is in school and getting an education.  It’s so amazing that in just a short amount of time, all God has been able to do. 

Brenda met Anthony  who was home from school when she went to visit.  She said that his wheelchair is too small for him and it’s causing sores under his arms and on his hips.  She said that he looked so sad and disheartened.  Please pray for Anthony. 

You can read about my visit with Monica here. 

Adoption Fundraiser

I have two very amazing friends from college who are adopting two children from the Congo. I have watched them step out in faith over and over since their calling to expand their family through adoption a year and a half ago.

They are having an adoption fundraiser next weekend. They are hoping that this will be their last fundraising event – They have a chance to raise $5000 with a matching grant and if they reach this goal, their adoption will be fully funded!

But here’s the amazing part. Most of the vendors have extended their offer of not only participating in the open house next weekend, but they are setting up online orders as well. Most of the online parties are already active, or will be shortly.

This is a great way to get an early start on Christmas gifts!
Check out more details on their blog here:
http://borderspatrol.blogspot.com/2011/11/matching-grant-opportunity.html

The vendors that will have their online shops open are listed below.
Thirty One Gifts:
http://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/catalog.aspx?eventId=E1210017&from=DIRECTLINK

Initials, Inc.
http://www.myinitials-inc.com/shop/eventhome.aspx?eventId=E27291&from=MYEVENTS

Usborne Books
http://www.myubam.com/ecommerce/hostess.asp?sid=P3244&gid=129015835&HID=HOS207709

Mary Kay Cosmetics (Specify "ADOPTION" somewhere in checkout)
http://www.marykay.com/hflannery/default.aspx

Orangepolkadots Creations
http://www.etsy.com/shop/amymthomas

First Steps

I hate asking for money.  I really do.  But I can't do this alone.  I need your help!

Please take a few minutes and check out the page and consider donating. Any amount at all is appreciated!

There are also other ways to donate if you aren't an online donations kind of person.  Just ask me how!  :)

http://www.gofundme.com/9qn4o

Little Reminders

When I went to Kenya in June, I knew that it wasn't going to be my only trip. There was a tugging in my heart to go back.  Even while I was still there.  I've been back for over four months and not one day has gone by that I haven't thought about Africa.  About the people I met.  About the way those children clung to my hands.  The unexplained joy amidst the pain when you looked into their eyes.  Africa changed me.  And from the moment I stepped back on US ground, I knew I'd be going back. I didn't know when.  I didn't know how.  But I knew that God willing, it would most definitely happen.

A couple weeks ago, I officially signed up to go back in April.

Today, in the midst of an incredibly stressful day, I received our first official email.  The email listed details about the trip, most importantly, deadlines for our fundraising efforts.  I already knew the total for the trip, but to see the numbers written out like that almost sent me into a panic attack.

Dec 15 - $800
Jan 15 -  $800
Feb 15 - $600
Mar 15 - $600

Total - $2600

Wow.  Immediately, I thought "There's no way I can get $800 in 44 days."

Then another horrible thought came, "And there's no way I can get $800 more 30 days later, over the holidays."

What horrible timing.

I went to youth a couple hours later stressed out about not having time, not having resources, not being able to pay for my entire trip myself, asking people for money...

Then the band started to play this song.

And it broke me.

You see, this was pretty much our theme song from our trip to Kenya in June.

I felt like it was God's way of saying, "Don't worry.  I love you.  It's all going to be okay."

So I'm going to try not to worry because I know that I'm not in control.