soon!

I can't believe that we leave tomorrow for Uganda. I am so excited to see what God has in store for us and for the ministries we're going to be working with. I have to be honest: a part of me feels incredibly spiritually immature to be going on this trip. But when God calls, you go - even while asking millions of questions along the way. And, like Isaiah, I am willing for God to use me for His great purposes - despite feeling somewhat unprepared.

I think back to where I was five years ago, when God first laid Uganda on my heart. I have come so far since then - in so many ways. I have no idea of why now is the time for me to go on this mission, but I trust that it is all part of a greater story that I will someday understand.

And then I think back to all that has happened this past year, and I see that I have been incredibly self-absorbed. I've even been cynical and bitter about certain areas of my life; these feelings are the scars of wounds that have yet to fade. I pray that God would take a chisel to the stone walls around my heart so that I can let His love in freely to pour it out into other people.

All I know right now is that good things are happening, friends. I can't wait until these things are revealed fully so that I can tell you all about it.

While we're in Uganda, please pray for health and protection for me and my team. Pray that God will prepare our hearts and the hearts of those we'll be working with. Pray for miracles to happen, and pray that we might have the eyes to see and the ears to hear how God is working in the city of Jinja. And also, pray that Claire will have so much fun with her friends while I'm gone that she won't have time to miss me!

I might be able to get online once or twice to write a quick update, and if I can, I certainly will. I'll be journaling throughout the trip, so even if I can't say too much while I'm there, I will for sure fill you in on everything when I get back. And, because I'm going as a photojournalist, I'll also have thousands of pictures to share with you all. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers!