Exciting News!!

It’s been a while since I’ve updated. Since my last update, some exciting things have happened!

My mom and I went to REI the other Saturday during their anniversary sale and I got some of my gear including a 65-liter backpack, 2-person tent, sleeping pad, and day pack. I’m not totally set on some of the gear, but thankfully REI gives me a year if I decide I don’t want everything. As soon as I got home I set up my tent inside all by myself! It takes up a lot more room than I anticipated in my backpack. As I’ve started to gather my gear, I’ve been becoming a little more anxious. How in the world am I going to pack everything in this backpack for 11 months? I need a week’s worth of clothing, rain jacket, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, contacts and supplies, deodorant, sunscreen, bug spray, swimsuit, shoes (including shower shoes), towels, washcloth, and the list goes on. Granted, I know I will be able to pick some items up in other countries like shampoo, conditioner, etc. BUT STILL….it seems overwhelming and a daunting task. Not to mention I need to keep this under 50lbs because this will be my checked bag when I go from country to country. Prayers in this area would be appreciated.

Another exciting thing that has happened is I had my consultation with the travel clinic and have begun to get my needed vaccinations. On my first visit I received 4 shots and then had to take an oral vaccination (one pill every other day for a week). My five vaccinations included Meningitis, Hep A, Yellow Fever, Rabies (#1 of 3!), and oral Typhoid. All the shots were pretty painless and thankfully I had some friends praying that morning that all would go well. Since the initial visit, I’ve gone back for Rabies #2, and will go back June 7^th for Rabies #3. Although rabies is optional, with being outdoors so much and not knowing where I will be or how close to medical attention I will be, I opted to get the rabies vaccination. A huge thanks to St. Mary’s church who gave me $1,500 towards my vaccinations and West Hill who gave me $333 for vaccinations and gear (which is not cheap either!). I know that seems like a ton of money, but so far, my vaccinations have cost me almost $1,000 and my gear has been about half that. Praises to God though for these financial burdens being met by the Blue Mountain Charge, my wonderful church family. <3

FINALLY, the most exciting news! I’ve met my third financial goal set by Adventures in Missions for Fundraising (AHEAD OF SCHEDULE)! I needed to have $13,000 raised by February 28, 2019. My final financial deadline is April 30,2019. I must have all $18,200 raised. Currently, I’m sitting at $13,287 (73%). I’m almost ¾ funded! There are not enough words to describe how thankful I am for everyone who has partnered with me so far to advance God’s Kingdom. I’m overjoyed at this opportunity to serve God in a new and challenging way. Continued prayers needed for me, my team, and the countries we will visit.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14