Just Showed Up For My Life

Blog post by Stephanie J., Team Uganda 2011

My Journey to Uganda all started with an email….

I am writing to inquire about volunteer opportunities available within your ministries.  I am especially interested in working with Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC’s).  I have vast experience in working with young children (0 to 13yrs).  It is my hope and desire to one day work and live in sub-Saharan Africa so that I can care for and show His love to the OVC’s that so desperately need to know they are loved and not forgotten.  I would love the chance to volunteer/intern with your organization in order to gain experience and a deeper understanding of how to assist the needs of OVC’s and their communities both spiritually and physically.

I am 29 years old and currently work for a Insurance Servicing Company as a Hazard/Flood Insurance Specialist.  While this is a great carrier and has great growth potential, it does not enable me to use the gifts that God has given me. My heart no longer desires my carrier path for myself.  Instead I have recklessly abandoned myself for God and His purpose/path for me, so that He can use me as His servant.  God has awakened my heart and called me to His Great Commission to further His Kingdom.  That being said, for the past year my heart continuously breaks for and desires to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the OVC’s living in Africa.

I Will Follow You

Blog post by Trista H., Team Uganda 2011

I Will Follow

“Where You go, I’ll go.

Where You stay, I’ll stay.

When You move, I’ll move.

I will follow…”  by Chris Tomlin

This song sums up perfectly the reason I am going on this Journey.  God has really laid it on my heart through prayer, church, friends, and family that this is what He wants me to do.

From the time I was young, I have loved working with and interacting with kids.  I had a very clear goal in mind to become a teacher.  I served in the children’s program at church throughout middle and high school; I worked at daycare centers and summer camps.  Eventually I achieved my goal of becoming a teacher.  After a couple of years teaching, I wanted something more.  While I love the kids and families I currently work with, I had a desire to really reach out and connect with hurting children who need someone to love them.  It was around this time that I heard of the organization World Orphans….