As many of you know, I was a part of this team at one point. Obviously, God had other plans. On September 30th, I received a phone call from our youth pastor, Dave Pacheco. One of the previous blog entries here describes a tragedy that happened in our church and community (Delaware, Ohio), and the decision to return home instead of going on to Africa.
Shortly after my return to Ohio, I received word that Project Hope & Charite was taking a team to the Central African Republic in November. At first, I wasn't in a place (emotionally, physically, mentally) to really consider it. However, just over a week later, this opportunity to visit the C.A.R. became clearly too good to pass up.
From November 10-20, 2009 (Lord willing!), I will join Project Hope & Charite on a team specifically designed to visit our partner churches and orphan schools in the Central African Republic.
In the meantime, our congregation's generosity had significantly exceeded our original goal of sponsoring one orphan school near Bangui. As people continue to share love and concern for the poorest of the poor in Africa, we embraced the chance to sponsor a second Hand in Hand school far north of Bangui, called Bossangoa Center 1. We still need to raise nearly $1,500 to have all the funds for two schools, and will have a special giving opportunity this Sunday.
It's a thrill to see God's people come together, pray, give, and prepare to serve people who are in desperate need.
It's a privilege to have God open another door and opportunity to "return" to Africa.
It's going to be exciting to see how God builds these friendships and ministry opportunities as people from two different continents join together to help the poor.
So... I'm starting this blog up again. If you'd like to pray and follow along, that would be awesome. Let the countdown to November 10th begin!
No comments:
Post a Comment