Yes, you read that correctly, I MADE IT!!
I finally arrived yesterday (Wednesday) about 8am and am quickly settling into what life is like here. My friend Ivan was gracious enough to come pick me up at the airport, get me settled into a hotel room and then take me for some coffee, do a little shopping and then dinner later. It’s great to see him again and feels like it was just last week that I was here with my whole team from Westminster.
Security is EXTREMELY high right now which has been a bit more challenging (or shall I say annoying) at times, but I think it’s good that they’re actually protecting those that are here as much as they can. Many of you heard about the bombings that happened in Kampala a few weeks back while so many were watching the World Cup, which started all the extra security, but then they also just finished the African Summit here in Kampala as well, with leader & dictators from all over Africa coming together to discuss how to help the woman & children of Africa. I saw several large, nice (a relative term here) cars with flags on them and police escorts screaming down the street, which to say the least was interesting.
It is almost 4am here & I just happened to wake up and look at my computer and saw that I had an internet connection, so I jumped on as quick as possible to send a quick update and check my emails and things. I’ll go back to sleep in a bit & then I’ll have some breakfast here at the hotel & then Ivan is picking me up & we will head up to Gulu about 10am. Since I am now on “African time”…this could mean we leave anywhere between 10am (HIGHLY unlikely) and 1pm…ahh, it’s so calm here…everything moves much slower (other than cars on the road)! :)
My hotel is very nice with a gorgeous view overlooking the hilltop! We came home from dinner last night to find a bunny hopping around in the yard. Apparently it lives here. It’s the same type as my rabbit at home, just black, so it makes me feel at home here with that extra touch.
I want to thank you all again for your prayers & support! I am thrilled to be back “home” and look forward to seeing all of the children at Home of Love orphanage in a few short hours!! I still can’t believe that this is real!
I’ll do my best to update as I’m able. Please be praying for a safe drive to Gulu (about 3 ½ hours) and then for health and safety for me while I’m in Gulu and of course, that of the children that live there. Pray that the Lord will use me for what He has brought me to do here & that it will be abundantly clear what my roll will be here on this trip & as I look towards the future!
Blessings to all of you from Kampala, Uganda!!
Love, Sarah Jean
To Mikaelyn: I love you sweetie & pray for you every time I think about you…which is a lot!! Everybody sends their love to you & they can’t wait until you can come to Uganda and meet them all too! Be a good girl for your Grandma & Papa & pray for me every day!! Love you Bugaboo!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Don't Praise Me
As I am sitting here at the airport, awaiting my flight to London & then on to Entebbe, Uganda, I am thinking about all the wonderful people that have supported my efforts in getting back to the children at Home of Love Orphanage in Gulu, Uganda. It is overwhelming to think of all of the love & support I have received from people from all walks of my life! People that have known me for just a few months, to people that have known my family my entire life.
Over the past few weeks, over & over I have had people tell me how brave I am, what an incredible thing I am doing, how wonderful I am to give of myself to help others etc. etc... Now, let me start by saying, of course I am GRATEFUL for all of the nice comments, they really do mean a lot to me.
But, here is where I struggle...
This was not a choice for me. I do not deserve any praise for what I am doing. I have been called to help and all I am doing is answering that call.
Everybody has a different calling. Sometimes it's to another country, while other times, it is to the person down the street who needs you. It is up to each of us to listen to our hearts to figure out what our "calling" is individually. It is our responsibility to ANSWER that call. I knew from the moment I started learning about Uganda, that it was no accident that it touched my heart.
I have been blessed and honored to have been able to travel there once and now, I return. Why? Because it is the right thing to do. Because I can open up the eyes & hearts of those around me and educate them on what is going on in another part of the world. Not because I want to receive adoration or praises, but simply because it is my duty!!
Thank you does not begin to express all that I am feeling right now, and yet, this is all I have to give. Again, I am humbled by the support I have received and wish there was some way to show all of my gratitude.
For now, though, I leave you with this verse, my favorite!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him & He will direct your paths! Proverbs 3:5-6
Please keep me in your thoughts & prayers for safe travel, health and that this one tiny person (me) can make some sort of impact on those that I am fighting for!!
Thank you again, I am truly honored to have all of you as a part of my journey!!
Love, Sarah Jean
PS...please also pray for my parents as they are caring for Mikaelyn. And pray for Mikaelyn as she is away from both Mama & Daddy for almost a month. She is happy and healthy, and I am thankful that she is with my parents who love her (almost) as much as I do!!!
Over the past few weeks, over & over I have had people tell me how brave I am, what an incredible thing I am doing, how wonderful I am to give of myself to help others etc. etc... Now, let me start by saying, of course I am GRATEFUL for all of the nice comments, they really do mean a lot to me.
But, here is where I struggle...
This was not a choice for me. I do not deserve any praise for what I am doing. I have been called to help and all I am doing is answering that call.
Everybody has a different calling. Sometimes it's to another country, while other times, it is to the person down the street who needs you. It is up to each of us to listen to our hearts to figure out what our "calling" is individually. It is our responsibility to ANSWER that call. I knew from the moment I started learning about Uganda, that it was no accident that it touched my heart.
I have been blessed and honored to have been able to travel there once and now, I return. Why? Because it is the right thing to do. Because I can open up the eyes & hearts of those around me and educate them on what is going on in another part of the world. Not because I want to receive adoration or praises, but simply because it is my duty!!
Thank you does not begin to express all that I am feeling right now, and yet, this is all I have to give. Again, I am humbled by the support I have received and wish there was some way to show all of my gratitude.
For now, though, I leave you with this verse, my favorite!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him & He will direct your paths! Proverbs 3:5-6
Please keep me in your thoughts & prayers for safe travel, health and that this one tiny person (me) can make some sort of impact on those that I am fighting for!!
Thank you again, I am truly honored to have all of you as a part of my journey!!
Love, Sarah Jean
PS...please also pray for my parents as they are caring for Mikaelyn. And pray for Mikaelyn as she is away from both Mama & Daddy for almost a month. She is happy and healthy, and I am thankful that she is with my parents who love her (almost) as much as I do!!!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Less than 1 Week Until Uganda!
Hello Friends!
What an incredible journey this has been and yet, it has only just begun! I leave for Uganda in 5 days & I have to be honest in telling you, I am getting VERY anxious…but extremely excited!
Here’s a brief update of how things are going…
Mikaelyn is flying to Michigan (actually she’s flying into Chicago & then driving to Michigan) and being picked up by my parents this afternoon. This is a big change of plans, but she is very excited about flying by herself. I’m a nervous wreck today, but I know that she will be just fine and will THRIVE off of the extra attention she’ll receive by the flight attendants… she IS my child after all! :)
I have the next few days to get myself organized and finalize all of the supplies I need to bring over to the kids at Home of Love Orphanage. They have been told that I AM going to be there & from what I’ve heard, they’re very excited for my arrival. Just thinking about pulling up to the gate of the orphanage makes my heart race with excitement!
I have been blown away by the generosity of my friends and family in supporting this trip both financially and emotionally for me. I was able to purchase t-shirts for all of the kids at the orphanage and the money has already been wired to Gulu & they are printing the shirts right now. I’ll have the opportunity to pass out the shirts to all of the children while I’m there…what an honor!
Several people have asked if there is a still a financial need…Here is what I can say: there is ALWAYS a need!! I have been blessed to have raised support for my entire trip and for that I am overwhelmingly grateful. However, my original hope was to be able to purchase some sporting supplies in-country to bring to the kids in Gulu and I have not been able to raise enough funds for those items. If this is something that you may be interested in, there is still time to send money before I leave.
If you would like to send support for supplies, send a tax deductible check made payable to:
ACTION International Ministries
Mail it to me at:
Sarah Jean Groenink
PO BOX 313
Kirkland, WA 98083
My hope is that I will be able to send out periodic emails while I’m away, but I’m not sure how much internet connection I’ll have. I will however be updating my Facebook every so often from my Blackberry, so if you don’t have me on Facebook, you can add me: www.facebook.com/sjgroenink.
I want to thank you all again for your love, support & faith in me as I continue this journey to where my passion lies! I truly would not have been able to do this without you!!
Humbly,
Sarah Jean
(206) 432-1466
sjgroenink@att.net
What an incredible journey this has been and yet, it has only just begun! I leave for Uganda in 5 days & I have to be honest in telling you, I am getting VERY anxious…but extremely excited!
Here’s a brief update of how things are going…
Mikaelyn is flying to Michigan (actually she’s flying into Chicago & then driving to Michigan) and being picked up by my parents this afternoon. This is a big change of plans, but she is very excited about flying by herself. I’m a nervous wreck today, but I know that she will be just fine and will THRIVE off of the extra attention she’ll receive by the flight attendants… she IS my child after all! :)
I have the next few days to get myself organized and finalize all of the supplies I need to bring over to the kids at Home of Love Orphanage. They have been told that I AM going to be there & from what I’ve heard, they’re very excited for my arrival. Just thinking about pulling up to the gate of the orphanage makes my heart race with excitement!
I have been blown away by the generosity of my friends and family in supporting this trip both financially and emotionally for me. I was able to purchase t-shirts for all of the kids at the orphanage and the money has already been wired to Gulu & they are printing the shirts right now. I’ll have the opportunity to pass out the shirts to all of the children while I’m there…what an honor!
Several people have asked if there is a still a financial need…Here is what I can say: there is ALWAYS a need!! I have been blessed to have raised support for my entire trip and for that I am overwhelmingly grateful. However, my original hope was to be able to purchase some sporting supplies in-country to bring to the kids in Gulu and I have not been able to raise enough funds for those items. If this is something that you may be interested in, there is still time to send money before I leave.
If you would like to send support for supplies, send a tax deductible check made payable to:
ACTION International Ministries
Mail it to me at:
Sarah Jean Groenink
PO BOX 313
Kirkland, WA 98083
My hope is that I will be able to send out periodic emails while I’m away, but I’m not sure how much internet connection I’ll have. I will however be updating my Facebook every so often from my Blackberry, so if you don’t have me on Facebook, you can add me: www.facebook.com/sjgroenink.
I want to thank you all again for your love, support & faith in me as I continue this journey to where my passion lies! I truly would not have been able to do this without you!!
Humbly,
Sarah Jean
(206) 432-1466
sjgroenink@att.net
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