The Plan He Had for me

So often, when we believe we are answering the call of God, we continue to have doubts, even as we obey...and sometimes we never find out what His true purpose was for us. My trip to Rwanda was NOT like that. All along, I have believed that He wanted me to go to Rwanda - I had no idea why, or how, but He made it happen, and now I know why. We visited many many orphans during our time in the Butare district of Rwanda, seeing them at all stages of involvement with the Ministry - from just beginning, where they were not even food secure, had no housing, and were barely surviving - to graduates after 3 years in the program, who were hard at work and employing others in the coffee and cassava plantations! But there was ONE day, ONE child, whose story touched my heart in a way I never imagined, and I know that she is the reason I was there. Bernadette is 19 years old and has 2 younger sisters. She was born with a birth defect that was so unusual that the villagers considered her cursed, an evil spirit, and she was shunned, her uncle took her out to the jungle to kill her - but family members stopped him. When ZOE found her, they were able to get her the medical care she needed - after trying at 3 different hospitals to find someone who knew how to treat her. I am not sure at what age she lost her parents, but she is now the head of household and cares for her younger sisters. The incredible thing about Bernadette is that, when she started to tell us of her birth defect, our leader/interpreter asked everyone to please stop filming. Bernadette's medical problem was one that, while surprisingly not uncommon, is not one that receives attention or is talked about, because it involves her intestinal tract and her reproductive organs. I have a very very good understanding of Bernadette's problem, because my daughter, Beth, was born with the same defect. When I told Epiphanie (our leader) that, she was shocked, and when she told Bernadette, she was stunned. There were many tears and hugs - Bernadette now knows that she is NOT alone in this, and I pray that that in itself offers some healing for her heart. I KNOW that God sent me to Bernadette so that she could see that God loves her and that, with God, I love her, and Beth loves her - we are her Mzungu family now, and hope to be able to stay in touch with her through Epiphanie. I was able to leave her a cross necklace, and asked Epiphanie to tell her that she is also my daughter now. I am writing this with tears in my eyes and awe in my heart that God could reach so far and work so hard to put this child in touch with someone who knows what she has been through...Our God is an AWESOME God! I have included a picture of me with Bernadette - God Bless you all, and please continue to keep all of the ZOE workers and children in your prayers.

It's Countdown Time!

Well, it's Saturday morning, and we leave for Rwanda on Wednesday - so time is really coming close. God has, as promised, provided EVERYTHING needed for this journey, and I am spending a lot of time in prayer, both for the mission and for all of you who have been servants of God in making your contributions. The outpouring of love has been incredible and I will carry it with me across the world! I am going to try to enclose some photos of the packing preparations...May not get back here before I leave...but I PROMISE, there will be plenty to see when I get back! May God bless each and every one of you, and keep YOU safe while I am away.

Halleluia!

Again, I have to say thank you thank you thank you to all of you wonderful folks who have helped me not only attain, but to exceed my financial goals! There is even money left to buy some moisture wicking, sun blocking, insect repellant clothing, and some spending money! You are all wonderful, and I thank God so much for making this possible - you have been his vessel with your support of $$, prayers and good thoughts!

Terry

Thank you!

How can I begin to tell you how much it means to me that within ten days of sending out 95 letters to friends and family, you wonderful people have blessed this mission with almost $900?!?! This is just amazing to me, and so humbling. I know that God wants me to go on this trip, and I know that He will make it possible, but to see the love pouring in, in the form of checks, and more prayers than I can possibly know about, is just incredible. I have just discovered that there is a section on U-Tube about ZOEministry, so that is another place you can go to learn about this mission that has become so dear to my heart. You will probably get tired of hearing this - but I will never tire of saying it, and I'm sure I will say it many, many more times. THANK YOU!

Oops!

Okay, sorry folks, but I have heard from a few of you, and apparently my letter was not clear enough on one point. If you send a check to Flagler Beach United Methodist Church with "ZOE ministry" in the memo line, it WILL be designated for my mission trip. I am the only person going from my church, so it will not go to anyone else. Currently in the works as far as other fund-raising efforts are the initiation of conversation with Wal-Mart about having a bake sale in the front of the store, and I have contacted the UMW (United Methodist Women) presidents of the two other local Methodist churches. The UMW is very devoted to providing aid especially to women and children, and my own UMW has already been of great help! I know that God is going to make this happen - thanks to all of you for being a part of it!

Terry

Progress report #1

Well, folks, I sent out 94 snail mail letters today, and probably most of you are here because you received that letter! Thank you for checking out my blog! I really feel like I am beginning the journey, now that those letters are out, I have an appointment with my doctor for the required physical next week, and an appointment with the health department to start on my shots - Oh, Goodie! I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about this mission - thank you so much for being a part of it! If anybody has any brilliant ideas for fund raisers that my church can help me with, please let me know!

Learning to post

Okay, folks, this is the first post that I am actually doing myself - my marvelous web maven, JB, has just given me my first lesson, and I know that God is using her as part of this mission too. I couldn't do it without you, JB!

The First Step

Greetings, Blogosphere! This is all new to me, blogging and the mission trip, so bear with me while I get it together.

This is such an exciting time, preparing to go to Rwanda to do God’s work! When my pastor sent me the very first E-mail about Zoe Ministry, it grabbed my heart and has not let go! I have already been incredibly blessed by an outpouring of support from friends and church family, and by way of this blog, I hope to keep everyone “in the loop” with how things are progressing, and then with what I hope will be a plethora of pictures and stories from my time in Rwanda.

In making my list of people to send my initial letter, I have been amazed to see how many special people there are in my life! I am truly blessed, having been surrounded by God’s love through all of you for so many years.

The trip is 5 months away, and things are starting to get serious – have an appointment to see the doctor for my physical (FUN!) and have to call the health department today to see how and where I go to start getting shots (even more FUN!). Going to the library (?) today to apply for my passport – and I can’t believe I will actually have stamps in it fairly quickly!

So, stay tuned, and keep praying!

Terry