A Call to Serve

Hello to all my fabulous friends and family! You may get tired of hearing this, but THANK YOU, for your prayers and financial support. I will keep this page updated over the coming months and through my trip to Zambia, so that you can keep up to date on my prayer requests, my thoughts, concerns, excitement, etc. Please check back whenever and leave me a note if you wish!

As a first post, I wanted to give you all a little more insight into my personal decision to serve in Zambia. I received some feedback that the original letter many of you received didn't sound like me, and pretty much came as a giant surprise. So, my apologies! I'm new to this Mission thing, and asking for help is something that I've always struggled with, and I think I felt so compelled to share all of the information with you about the trip that my personality and personal conviction for the camp were lost. Anyway, I definitely want you all to know that this is something I have put a lot of thought and prayer into over the past several months. Four women from my Bible Study served at Camp LIFE last year, and their testimony of their experience moved me and I felt drawn to participate. I grew up babysitting, and was a camp counselor at the YMCA of the Rockies in college, and I just basically love working with children...this seemed the perfect opportunity for me to serve. But I was hesitant too...I don't often feel equipped enough to even discuss my faith with my friends, let alone travel to Africa to work with children who may not even speak English. I spent a lot of time in prayer, and there were many times when something would happen that made me kind of look up and say "I know, i know, you want me to go to Zambia...but really??!!?" I started this process before knowing much about Zambia or the people, all I really knew about was the Camp experience of the women in my Bible study. So I spent time researching Zambia, reading up on FLMI and Camp LIFE, and talking with the women who attended last year, as well as some more of my friends that were signing up each day to go this year. I finally came to the point that the conviction to go couldn't be pressed out by any of my dwindling concerns, because the only ones left were pretty selfish...I'd be using up time that I had planned to relax before going to b-school, it would probably cost me a lot of my own money, I don't know if I'll be able to make a difference...I just finally answered God's call and so I'm going. I'm excited but I'm also nervous, so I'm just spending a lot of time in prayer that God will equip me as neccessary, and I would appreciate your prayers for the same!

I feel that God has laid this on my heart and I am so excited to have the opportunity to serve Him internationally during my break before going to get my MBA. Along those lines, I really appreciate all of you who have decided to support me financially on this Mission...The $4000 is a financial burden that I am prepared to tackle as much as God requires of me, but since I'll be heading to Zambia after beginning my educational leave, I won't have an income (for 2 years!) So...anything you can do or have already done is very very appreciated! (By me, and the orphans who will benefit from your donations) Right now I am signed up officially for 1 week, but am on the wait-list to serve a 2nd week.

Please feel free to email me or leave me a message here if you have any questions about the trip, FLMI, or Camp LIFE. Next weekend I have my first orientation meeting and will probably have lots of things on my mind after it, so check back here for an update! Thank you again to all of you for your support and prayers.