“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”  I Thessalonians 5:24

Well, the school board has officially approved my leave-of-absence.  I guess I need to keep working on organizing all my binders at work to make them user-friendly for someone to take my place for a year!

I have been overwhelmed by the quick response by so many people to support my journey to Uganda.  I am already at 77.3% of my support, just one month after “announcing” my plans to go.  If that isn’t affirmation, then I don’t know what is!  (Please fill out my survey if you want to be on my lists for updates!)

I have known for a long time that God was leading me to do this, but for various reasons have been slow in obedience (yet, I’m confident that His timing is perfect).  I remember many years ago…well not that many years ago if I’m really honest…saying that I wouldn’t really want to ever pursue long-term missions partially because I would not want to have to raise support.  Now, honestly, at the time I didn’t sense God directing me to do it anyway.  But when it came time to decide to move forward with my plans to go to Uganda, I never thought twice about raising support or doubted that God would bring it in.

Recently I stumbled across I Thessalonians 5:24, a verse already underlined in my Bible.  I know that God has called me to Uganda for this next year.  Even though there are times when I doubt my abilities or wonder what in the world I’m getting myself into, I can’t deny the unmistakable convictions of the Holy Spirit.  This verse reminds me that it is not about me in any way, past my obedience.  God is the one who is faithful, and He will do it!  He will give me the security of a job that will be there when I return, when the thought of leaving is a bit frightening.  He will provide the prayer and financial supporters, when I don’t have the ability to go on my own.  He will bring encouraging words from my friends, both here and in Uganda, about being a good fit for the ABIDE program.  He has already done all those things.  So, certainly he will help me figure out what I need to pack and how I will get it there too!  Hahaha!  (But really, the planner I am can’t stop thinking about packing that I won’t do for another few months!)  He will provide the answers to all my concerns and prayers for the various aspects of this journey before I go, while I’m in Uganda, and after I return.  He will use me to impact the lives of the students, and He will use the students to help me grow and become more like Jesus.  He will do it.  And He will receive the glory.