The Next Step

Hope Grafted In, the non-profit I helped establish last year, has grown faster and larger than we could have imagined. God took an idea we first had in January 2012, and transformed it into the blessing of sending emergency relief grants to 5 separate ministries, sponsoring almost 60 children and adults, and directing over $40,000 to fulfill needs by the end of the year. I stand in awe that the Lord has chosen us to impact lives around the world. We are just three ordinary, broken women who have been redeemed by a great Love. By His grace and mercy, we are doing what we can to reflect that love to a hurting world. It feels as if I have stumbled upon the most amazing adventure, while at the same time I am fully aware that in His great plan there is no ‘stumbling upon’ at all. He has clearly directed our steps.

The HGI board believes that God has placed me in the unique position to become a full time staff member of HGI and spend my days completely pouring into this work.

Some of my taks will include:

• Communications and accountability with our partner ministries
• Fundraising and grant writing
• Sustainable project development
• Trip coordinating

The board has reviewed our current financial situation and has come to the conclusion that it is best, at this time, for me to raise funds directly for this purpose.

They have also reviewed my personal budget needs and determined what they believe to be an honorable annual salary. This number requires sacrifice on my part, but it will cover my needs. As Christ-followers we know that nothing we have is really ours. This situation makes that truth ever clear to me. I want to be a good steward of every penny that is donated, because none of it belongs to me.

These funds are the tool that will allow me to dedicate my time to this cause. I am looking for $1900 per month.

There are few things I dislike more than having to ask others for help. I like to accomplish things myself: work hard, sacrifice, struggle if I have to, but not rely on others. However, God is certainly refining humility in my life these days. The truth I have come to realize is that I do need you. We all need each other really. He designed us that way. I see His hand before me paving this path to walk down. So I am taking a step of faith and walking out on the ledge here. I trust that He will put another stone out each day for me to stand upon, providing exactly what is needed, one day at a time. I would be honored if you would partner with me in this next chapter of my adventure. With your resources and mine, we can make a difference in His world.

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.  Psalm 37:4-6

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This and That

Seeing as it has been forever since I have written anything, I thought I'd jot a few thoughts down.  Time has been an interesting thing. I have been home for 6 weeks and it has just flown by.  Time moves SO much faster here than in Africa.  And six weeks isn't even a terribly long time but it feels like forever since I have been in Uganda, and Kenya I can hardly even remember now.  It feels like an entire lifetime ago. 

We did Christmas and the New Years and that was nice.  A little rare Oklahoma snow sandwiched between our 50 and 60 degree weather at least made it feel like the holidays, for a moment.  I needed the convincing seeing as I had spent the last 6 months in 70 and 80 degree weather! 

I had the privilege of spending some resbit time in Florida with my mentor.  What a treat to be served and loved.  There was laughing and crying and Jesus.  It is one of my favorite places to be.  Always hard to go home from there. 

Then it was time for the sister to leave on her adventure.  What a weird feeling to know that she is going to be experiencing some of the same things that I just lived.  An entirely different adventure for her, but some similar feelings, struggles, emotions, refining process.  I had a little bit of a hard time with that one.  Felt like I should be going with her to walk her through stuff or protect her.  But it's not my story, it's hers and she will have to wade her way through it with Christ alone. 

I had to get serious and start attending to my duties with HGI, so I took a couple weeks and went to my partner's house in Indiana.  We caught up on a bunch of stuff personally and with work. We also played quite a bit with new addition Emmanuel!  We went over our next few months and what they will hold and dreamed about visions for the future.  I am left completely speechless when I look back at this story He is writing through our lives together.  When I met her 15mos ago I never could have dreamed the friendship we would have and the honor it is to be doing this thing together.  Our board finally got to spend some time all together too!  That place feels like a second home and I can't wait to get back.

 

 And then in between all of that we lost two family members within 4 days of each other.  Both older and ready to get on to paradise, but still it hurts a little.  It is a weird feeling when you loose your last living grandparent.  A whole generation of your family suddenly no longer here.  Funerals are always a good reminder though. I want to be living my life on purpose everyday for that which He has called me to.  Someday whether next week or 60 years from now, someone will read an obituary about me.  I want it to be filled with God things.  So that people will know that I have LIVED for Him not just existed for me, every single day not just for a couple years when I was thirty something.

 

In other news....there is no other news.  As far as "What are your plans now?", "When do you go back?", "What are you going to do for a living?", "Any updates on adoption?" you can refer to this post and you will have the answer to all of these.