The Unfamiliar

God has a plan for me. A purpose.

I'm not sure what that is yet, but I won't be distracted into not finding out.

This is new to me. Complete trust in God in whatever He could possibly think up for me. But I'm willing to take the chance because I know that whatever it is, it's for the best. Because His plans are for the best. He created us so He could love us.

I don't want to sound all “church-y” and now that I'm in Africa, I'm all spiritual and talk about God all the time. God's slowly been showing Himself to me and making Himself obvious in my life, so I want to talk about what He's done. Like Blair has said, it's not Africa that changes people, it's simply the venue in which He makes the change.

It's the people He surrounds you with and the trials He makes you face while you're here. It has nothing to do with the geographical location.

If I could express in words the way I’ve felt since being here, that would be amazing. But there's no way to describe what's happening on the inside. I can safely say I love it here and this place is slowly stealing little pieces of my heart.

One struggle I faced before going on this trip was that I never felt called to come to Africa. That was always someone else's trip. I would hear of people dreaming to travel here since age 8 or being told by God in a dream to come here, but my journey didn't start that way. It was a gradual process that started last summer when my life was shook upside down and seemed to fall apart. All that was familiar, I considered safe and comfortable. I wouldn't wander far out of that comfort. Since last summer, I felt compelled to take a risk.

The idea to travel with Hannah to Africa came at the exact time I felt I needed to do something unfamiliar. If I had grown up wanting to come here, I would have never made that choice because it would have been something expected. I craved the unexpected. The not so safe.

I’ve realized since being here that I was called the entire time. But as it always works out in God's timing, it wasn't made obvious until much later. That's why I know in my heart that something great is going to happen while I'm here. While Hannah, Rose, and I are here. I'm psyched beyond belief to find out what that is.

So in the meantime, I'm trying not to let myself feel homesick. There are bigger and better things happening here that the enemy wants me to miss by having my mind elsewhere. That's why I won't give him the satisfaction. I'm fully engrossed here, waiting for whatever change and growth God has for me here. 

I won't be the same person when I go back to the US, I know that for a fact. I’ve changed already in just one week, so seven weeks will bring even more! I'm ready to not be the same person who arrived here eight days ago. I'm ready to take a risk. I've never felt more alive.

I'm welcoming the change, the vulnerability, the relationships, the memories and traditions I'll bring back home.

Please keep praying :]

Love you all!
-Sarah-

Our First Update :)

~From Sarha~

Heeeeeey friends :]

First off, I'm no good at first impressions in a new place. I get so concerned trying to analyze the feelings I get so I can remember later that I forget the environment around me. So I'll try my best:

The pace here is soooooo much slower compared to what I'm used to at home. No one is in a hurry to get anywhere (except for that boda driver today :P ) and it makes for a way less stressful place. I have a feeling it is going to be interesting as time goes on because the difference in cultural priorities is slowly becoming obvious. In America, we are more focused on time limits and events than relationships. Here, it is more important to spend time with people than get somewhere within a designated time. I like that.
One of the highlights so far has been getting to know the guys in the Dove Voice Band. They are all so talented and amazing men of God; it's hard not to be encouraged. We went to see their concert last night at a restaurant called "The Keep", and it was a blast!! We ended up making a conga line near the end and eventually Hannah, Rose, and I got called up to dance by the guys in front of everyone.... Yeah, 'nuff said. :]
It's been so special spending this time with Hannah, Rose, Blair, and Robyn. Establishing relationships with them has been really cool, and it's crazy to be able to get to know them more here of all places.
Before this trip, I was really looking forward to the music that would be here and I couldn't explain it. Well, God is showing me that was no coincidence. I know He has a plan somehow and is going to work it all together in the best possible way. He is so evident in everything here - especially all the people and the relationships. It's shocking to me still that relationships are the priority and all the rest just follows. But it's amazing and I love that about this culture. No one feels unwelcome or unwanted. People are willing to go that extra step to know you just because they care about you and love you.
Sooooo that's the gist of what I can think of so far. I'm looking forward to the growth that's in store and the adventure that's in progress. :]

~From Hannha~
We've been here barely four days and already my heart is so full. Trying to put everything I've been feeling into words is a little difficult for me. I've been so so so excited to be back here in this beautiful country. To hug old friends and make new ones. To re-adjust to a slower life pace. Not always going, going, going. But just sitting with people.
Words given to me through people and from God are being confirmed. I'm here for relationships. I'm here to give. I'm here to serve. I don't know what any of this looks like, but God does and I believe He's already leading me in these areas. I want to stay open to all He has in store for me here. 
Finally getting to meet the Dove Voice Band guys has been amazing!! Paul and Pam met them not long after I left last year. They're love for the Lord is so evident. They're talented singers, dancers, and musicians, but they are so humble.... giving all the glory back to God. I've loved getting to know each and every one of them.
My 18th birthday was on the 7th... a good day :) but the real celebration was the next day, at The Keep for the concert. I'm not sure I've ever danced like that before, but it was amazing!!  The guys surprised me and sang happy birthday. And Auntie Pam had a cake made. I felt so blessed and spoiled.
Being with Sarah, Rose, Blair, and Robyn has been so sweet. I believe us being here, all together, is no coincidence. God has been drawing us close... knitting our hearts togezza. 
I've been here before, but I don't want to think I know everything... because I don't. And it's ok not to have all the answers. I know that my time will be richer if I choose to have a child's heart. Willing to learn... willing to be wrong... willing to not have all the answers. 
I'm excited to see all that God has in store!! 

His Provision

 ~By Hannah
Isn't it amazing how God provides? We have been blown away time and time again with His amazing provision for our trip. There have been so many God ideas for raising finances. We've been making and selling our cards. People in our community have hired us to work in their yards. People have slipped us checks. Paul Hunter (we will be staying with him and his wife Pam... you can read about their ministry in Uganda here) had the idea of having us babysit some children in our church by donation while he led a discussion group for The Hole in Our Gospel. And so many many more!!

We had reserved our tickets and were raising the rest of the money in a hurry to purchase them. The travel agent had told us that until we bought the tickets, the prices (which were already expensive) could go up any time without any warning and we would be stuck with the higher cost. We were praying and trying to trust the Father :) as we scrambled to get enough money. The day we bought the tickets, our agent called me (Hannah) and said, "I can't explain it, but the ticket prices have gone down!" It took all that was in me not to start screaming when she told me :) I did come yelling and dancing out of my room when I got off the phone though and spared her from being deafened. We can explain why the ticket prices had gone down!.... God.

Now, not only do we have our tickets purchased, but we're close to having all of our living expenses covered. WOW!! God is so faithful. 

A HUGE thank you to all of those who have blessed us with your love, prayers, and financial support. We couldn't do this without you. We love you all! 

And a HUGE-A-MONGUS thanks to you Father God for giving us this opportunity to embark on such an amazing adventure. We love You!

Preparation for Uganda........

Hello. Welcome to our blog! This is Smight, AKA Sarha and Hannha. We are getting ready to embark on an incredible adventure to Uganda, East Africa. We would love for  you to be a part of it, whether through prayer, moral or financial support. One of the ways we are raising money for the trip is hand-making greeting cards and selling them. We would like to share a few one-of-a-kind designs with you: