"Now that I have seen, I am responsible. Faith without deeds is dead."

Clean Water Climb

Well here goes:

I’ve gotten pretty much every reaction I could possibly imagine when telling people my summer plans but as per usual I’ve ignored the majority of them and decided to go for it anyways … God knows what He’s doing in my life whether I understand it at the moment or not JThank goodness my parents have learned to (eventually) go along with it when I tell them I have yet another crazy plan and my friends are always supportive and encouraging.

I’m joining a team of people (including my sister) climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s called the Clean Water Climb (http://www.cleanwaterclimb.net) and we’re raising money to repair water wells and restore access to clean water for schools and villages in Malawi.

Before I explain why I really feel called to take part in this climb – YES I am still planning on travelling to Uganda with the Embrace Uganda team. I CAN’T WAIT to go back and see everyone there. The climb is taking place after that.

The climb is sponsored by Child Legacy International (http://childlegacy.org) – an organization that serves in several countries in Africa trying to break the cycle of poverty while sharing the Gospel. One of their projects is working to bring clean water to Malawians … Each of us climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro are trying to raise awareness and funds and educate people about the importance of clean water.

It sometimes seems hard to wrap our heads around the fact that there are people around the world suffering from the effects of contaminated water. It’s something we truly truly take for granted without even realizing it. I remember coming home after my 1^st trip to Uganda and the day to day things I personally take for granted really began to stick out and make me think about how blessed I am to live the life I do.

Think about everything you use water for in a day … washing your face, brushing your teeth, showering, water to fill the coffee maker in the morning, doing dishes, washing your hands, flushing the toilet, cooking, drinking, doing laundry, washing the car (aka dad washing my car J ), watering plants, etc, etc, I could keep going. Now imagine being required to walk miles and MILES back and forth carrying jerry cans (I can tell you from experience those suckers are HEAVY) to the closest water source … and chances are it might be contaminated.

FACT: The amount of water used to flush an average American toilet once, is more water than an average person in a developing country uses in an entire day.

One of the biggest reasons I want to take on climbing Kilimanjaro is to hopefully grab people’s attention and get them to stop for a second and understand the enormity of the need for clean water. My intention is to raise awareness, educate and bring people’s attention to something as simple as saving lives by ensuring access to clean water.

Access to clean water not only saves lives by preventing serious water borne illnesses contracted from using/drinking contaminated water, but providing schools and villages with these clean water wells also drastically improves children’s chances of getting an education. Faith Kunihira (director of Bringing Hope to the Family – in Uganda – at one of the orphanages I spent part of my summer) once told me and I’ll always remember it … an education is one of the most important things we can provide for children or orphans in developing countries. It isn’t uncommon for children (particularly girls) not to be allowed to go to school because they have to spend the day walking to and from the nearest water source to collect water for their family. Or they may go to school but are often too exhausted to focus because they’ve been up early before school carrying water.

FACT: 25,000 people die every day due to water borne illnesses.

FACT: There is an increase in school attendance when water is available only a 15 minute walk away rather than more than a half hour away.

In the past I’ve had people ask me WHY I go to Africa or why I’m raising money to “go on vacation” to Africa. To answer the first part of that … the only reason I can tell you is because I’ve felt called to serve in Africa. It’s as simple as that. If someone told me after visiting Uganda for only 2 weeks that I’d come home with a changed heart and forever feel connected there; I wouldn’t have believed it. But there is something that keeps calling me back … the only answer I have for that is God’s plan for my life. As far as going on vacation …think what you’d like. In a sense I guess it is kind of like visiting my extended family. I’ve never felt more welcome and comfortable in a place as I’ve been made to feel when I’m in Africa. I’ve been lucky enough to build some incredible friendships with people there and am really attached to the children I’ve come to know and love.

I am asking EVERYONE to share and educate people about the need for clean water in developing countries. I also ask that if you feel like donating to raise the funds needed to repair wells in Malawi that you would consider donating on mine and Laura’s (my sister) Clean Water Climb donation page.

Go to http://www​.cleanwate​rclimb.net​/meet-the-​climbers-2​013/and click on our names. Our goal is to raise $8000. It costs $1000 to repair 1 well which provides closer proximity to clean water for 500+ people. Wells are repaired and water is purified, villagers are also taught about health and hygiene related to collecting and using water and more importantly we get to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the surrounding villagers at each well repair site.

LOVE yall and hope you’ll continue supporting my wild wild endeavors hahaha. Please be praying for this team as we begin working to raise the money needed to repair these wells and pray that God guides each of us to use the gifts and blessings He has given us to serve Him and the lives of those we encounter both preparing for this trip and on this trip.

Becca

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday Was a Day I Won't Soon Forget

Earlier this year I was put in contact with a couple of adoptive mama’s who were adopting kids from Home Again orphanage where a piece of my heart is currently residing J  I’ve had a really neat opportunity to share stories about their new son’s and daughter’s and share all the pictures I’ve taken from my trips there the last couple of years.

After spending the summer in Uganda in 2011 I became quite attached to the younger children that were living at Home Again at the time. I would spend the mornings playing with them while the older children were at school. Like many of you have heard me say before … literally not a DAY goes by I don’t think about and pray for these kids. So imagine my surprise when I slowly began to find out not only 1 but over half of those 15 kids have been blessed with a forever family. A forever family to love them unconditionally … something which these children probably don’t yet comprehend because of the things they have endured in their young lives. A forever family to provide for them and allow them to grow to their full potential and realize their dreams and have the opportunity to go after them.

Yesterday I finally had the chance to meet one of the Mama’s that I’ve been in touch with through Facebook. Jody FINALLY got to bring her daughter Paige home after a long and seemingly endless journey. After several trips to Uganda and a lot of heartache, Paige is home with her forever family.

I had to fight back tears in the middle of the airport because I was so blown away at the work God has already done in this sweet little 4 year old girl’s life. In July 2011 Paige couldn’t walk on her own, she was in one of those baby walkers, but just didn’t have strength to stand up without support. When I went back in March 2012 she was walking short distances, dragging one leg, and tiring quickly. Yesterday at the airport she was walking on her own, she looked so much more grown up already, and she looked beautiful! Jody said she was even running, able to feed herself with a spoon, and was much more vocally expressive and using some familiar words. THIS is a HUGE transformation. God is moving mountains in Paige’s life … I absolutely cannot wait to see what is in store for this precious girl!!

It is incredible to me what the love and care of a family can do in a child’s life. I know the Mama’s at the orphanage love these kids like their own and I know it is hard for them to see these children go. But watching the transformation and progress these kids make when they have their own families, their own mom and dad, to nurture them and provide for them the life they deserve is absolutely amazing.

(July 2011)

(July 2011)

(September 23, 2012 - Can't believe how amazing she looks!)

(September 23, 2012 - Meeting Grandma for the 1st time)

 

 

 

LOOK AT GOD

A friend of mine Jason Cooper (the same one I traveled to Uganda with) has posted this saying a couple of times lately and it has stuck with me … “LOOK AT GOD! God is able to do just what he said he would do … don’t give up on God, because he won’t give up on you. He’s able!”  And the verse, Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Which happens to be written on a notecard posted next to my desk that I put there earlier this summer.

It has stuck with me and sort of sums up one of the hardest, most emotional, most stressful semesters I’ve ever had. In short, I bombed my first test and essentially spent my summer studying myself out of that hole, praying I would pass in the end (sounds ridiculous, but in nursing school it’s possible even that one test will make or break it). The week before my final I figured out I needed to make at least a 76 to pass the class. I knew this wasn’t impossible, I hadn’t made below an 82 on a test except that awful first one. But I still spent ALL semester questioning and doubting myself. Am I smart enough? Am I good enough? Why did I actually think I could do this? After every test I called my mom or dad crying. And sent so many angry or frustrated texts to my close friends. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being in school for so long it’s that I’m an anxious test taker and as soon as I feel like something hasn’t gone as well as I’d hoped I psych myself out and make it even harder for myself to succeed.

But really it’s not about me and what I can or can’t accomplish. It’s about having faith and trusting that my God is able but needs me to give it all to Him so He can GUIDE me and walk WITH me through even the not so easy and frustrating moments. I feel like this is one of the many ways God is teaching me to quit doubting and if I would always look first to Him and trust in him then I would have no need to be anxious or angry or feel like I should just give up.  It’s not about me; it’s what God is trying to do through me; and I need to stop getting in the way of that because I know God won't give up on me. 

I also have to say, God has placed SUCH amazing people in my life. People like Jason Cooper, who without knowing it are encouraging me. And my clinical group at school that I get to be with on the floor at the hospital. They are an amazing group of women who again, probably without knowing it help encourage me and give me confidence. My clinical instructor this summer was also an amazing woman with such a calming presence, which was exactly what I needed. She also happens to be headed to Kenya on a medical mission team the end of this month J

LOOK AT GOD … HE WON’T GIVE UP ON YOU … HE IS ABLE!

On Wednesday I start the next semester of nursing school. Prayers for my sanity … hahaha, only sort of kidding!!

And for days when I just want to be anywhere but where I am (particularly in Uganda loving on the children who are always on my heart) I also have this posted on a notecard on my desk … from a Jesus Calling book:

“Someday you will dance light-footed on the high peaks; but for now, your walk is often plodding and heavy. All I require of you is to take the next step, clinging to My hand for strength and direction. Though the path is difficult and the scenery dull at the moment, there are sparkling surprises just around the bend. Stay on the path I have selected for you.”

Forgot to add:

Embrace Uganda's big "Save A Child" fundraiser is coming up on November 29th at Angus Barn. We are hoping to raise enough money to complete the new clinic and provide scholarships for the children in the scholarship program. If you are interested in donating or being a part of the event, check out the EU website. www.embraceuganda.org

I hate/am truly terrified of public speaking and have never been good at presentations. I’ve been told on numerous occasions I talk way to fast, mumble, etc. in everyday life and it only gets worse when I am put in front of a group of people staring at me. I hate being the center of attention and I don’t like all eyes on me. But I have something that God has really laid on my heart and something I have become really passionate about that I WANT and NEED to share with everyone I come in contact with. So while my heart races like it’s about to beat out of my chest, I start sweating profusely, and my words tend to become a jumbled mess, not to mention I will most likely start ugly crying at least once over the course of my spiel … I’m working on overcoming my fear so I can share my experience in Uganda and the stories of the children who have stolen my heart!

I also have this problem with taking compliments. I think a lot of people have this problem … it’s not just me. Last week my best friend Hannah and I did a presentation about our trips to Uganda for Dr. Tippett’s class at Meredith College and it was the first time we’d really received the kind of feedback we did. Immediately afterward Dr. Tippett and Lina were grinning ear to ear obviously excited about what we had shared and told us how inspirational and great it was. To which I simply replies … Thank you, at least I made it through! This was also the first time my mom had heard me do a presentation … of course she hears me talk about it nonstop and has listened to me showing my pictures to tons of people but this was different. She told me how proud she was and how inspiring the presentation was. She left out the part about how terrible I am at public speakingJ. Then we got an email from someone who was in the class that day which just made me cry when I read it. She thanked us for encouraging, inspiring, and motivating her and her classmates to do more for their community and in the world and how much she appreciated us extending God’s love and compassion through our stories and pictures. After I read that I texted Hannah and said first of all go read the email and second … That’s what this is all about. For me, if I can spread God’s love and compassion by sharing the stories of the children I’ve met in Uganda and the experiences that have changed my life … that means more to me than anything else I’ve done in my life.

I don’t get to share my stories as much as I’d like because honestly it scares me but … hearing things like that from people is so encouraging and so motivating for me. I’ve also had the opportunity to share Uganda with some of my new friends here at school. I had one friend text me and say … I know you didn’t invite me but I really want to go to Uganda … uhmm YES PLEASE … let’s go! Then one of Hannah and I’s best friends is ready to go on a trip with us, which will hopefully happen soon. I’ve also had friends tell me how much they love what we’re doing but how can they help us here … in the US. The more we inspire people and share with them God’s love, which for me is through talking about my trips … that’s what it is all about!

Please pray for Katie. I met Katie this summer while I was in Kaihura … she is staying at Home Again while she is receiving treatment and medical attention for her cancer.

Earlier this year Katie came to the clinic in Kaihura to see about an infection and swelling under one of her eyes, tests were done confirming that Katie had some sort of cancer which was causing the swelling. She was going to need to go to Mulago Hospital in Kampala to receive treatment … the staff at Bringing Hope to the Family agreed to assist her family in any way possible to help with the medical bills.

Several months later (this summer) Bringing Hope discovered that Katie had not been receiving any medical care for the cancer and the swelling on her face had doubled in size. She began staying at Home Again a week or two after we got there. She wasn’t going to school so I got to spend a lot of time with her during the day when I was over there. She was always one of the first to give me a hug when I walked in the door in the mornings. She was always right beside me smiling and wanting to hold my hand. She is so sweet and willing to help with the younger children. I’ll NEVER forget the day Chris came to take a picture of her … he was posting a blog to raise funds for her treatment. The kids here love to look at pictures of themselves so of course Chris showed her; after she saw it she came and sat back down next to me and continued coloring with tears in her eyes.

I’m asking you all to please be praying for this sweet sweet little girl … her name is Katie and she is 9 years old. I’ve been told Katie isn’t doing well right now. She is also currently dealing with Tuberculosis and the chicken pox. She is HIV + and her poor little body can’t fight off anything else. Obviously she is also too weak to receive cancer treatment as well. They are taking care of her as best they can at the clinic in Kaihura … they don’t feel that she can make the 4 hour journey to Kampala (imagine the previous blogs about transportation/bumpy roads I’ve posted).  Pray with me!