Angies Update

Dear Friends...

Here's a brief update of what's been going on with my trip to Africa :

First of all, I have raised almost half of my support. "Thank-you" to everyone who has helped me. I still have quite a bit left to raise, and am trusting that the Lord will provide before I leave on August 10th. I purchased my plane tickets - this is going to be a long trip!  Florida to New York to Dubai to Entebbe - aaaahhhh! I get bored and "antsy" on a simple 3-hour flight...this one's gonna be a toughy for me. Luckily I will have a few "projects" to work on: trying to remember the "rope trick" for street evangelism, coming up with crafts and games for the orphanages and children's meetings, mastering the quickest and easiest way to make a small cross out of nails and colored wire for necklaces...hopefully this will take me a while!

A lot of you have also indicated that you will be praying for me...can I ask that you pray super hard? I do not think I realized how tough this trip would be for me. Here are a few specific requests:

1) Gone from work (income) for several weeks but still need to pay the bills...Lord to provide REMAINDER OF SUPPORT

2) I have DIFFICULTY SLEEPING, some nights I don't sleep at all...it comes and goes. Unfortunately, it's back! I haven't slept in days and I am absolutely exhausted. I am afraid that coupled with the heat, and the emotions involved with ministering - I am gonna be pretty worn out.

3) I got my shots and vaccinations the other day. There were a TON of them...I only have TWO arms!? Anyway...seeing that nurse come in with a bucket full of needles was kinda overwhelming. I made it...I'm a big girl! But, I would still like to request prayer for a HEALTHY, "third-world country" disease-free trip!

4) Apparently, we will be staying between the Sudan and the Congo . There is still active Gorilla-warfare. (My sister said..."man, I don't even LIKE monkeys!") You will get that at a later date!? Anyway - our SAFETY is a bit of a concern while we are there...being white, a female, blonde...did I mention WHITE? I may "stick out" a bit. I am sure everything will be fine, it's just been on my mind a little.

5) This one is a biggie...at least for me - and I did not even realize it was an issue, until in church the other night. Our pastor was preaching about the body of Christ and how we are to be there for each other, and how Satan is out there ready to POUNCE on us as soon as we fall. He used an example of a Pulitzer-prize Photographer and his winning photo (below). To be honest with you...I can't even tell you how it related to the sermon! (I was too busy crying!) All I know is that it is of a small African child who collapsed on his way to get some water - there is a vulture sitting just a few feet away...just waiting for him to die. This photo was taken in the Sudan . I cannot get this picture out of my head and I cry every time I think about it. I am not too sure how STRONG I am, nor how tough it will be for me to be with the kids in the refugee camps and orphanages...knowing that although I will try and make a difference - I cannot help ALL of them or bring them all home with me. Ok, I am crying again!!! Please PRAY FOR STRENGTH. 

Thanks again to those who have helped me out with support. I will keep you updated on the rest of the planning / packing stages and try and send you pictures and stuff of the trip when I return.

Angie