My first Blog

Okay everyone - so I'm new to this whole BLOGGING thing. I have a huge adventure ahead of me and figured this would be the easiest way to keep everyone up to date. If you haven't already heard and you didn't pick up on my new email address or the blog address or the blog header (I think that's what it's called) I'm heading to CAPE TOWN! Seriously if you didn't know that before you got to the end of the previous sentence you might need glasses! JK

So let me just give you a little background.
I had the opportunity to go to Cape Town in November of 2008 on a mission trip with North Point Community Church in Atlanta, GA. I had the time of my life. I applied for the trip about this time last year - thinking I would never get picked. (If you're not familiar with NPCC there's A LOT of people there.) I went with a group of about 17 or 18 adults. We partnered with Stellenburg Community Church in Cape Town to do an intersect project. We worked with MetroKids South Africa. MetroKids puts on "Sidewalk Sunday Schools" for children in townships around Cape Town. I absolutely loved working with MetroKids. My entire time in South Africa I was wanting to figure out a way to get back there.
Now - fast forward 6 months

To be totally honest - once I got back to the US - I got back into the BUSYNESS of life. All of my dreams of going to back to South Africa went to the back of my mind and the day to day routine of living, working, socializing, etc - took over. I guess I have a tendency to get all wrapped up in day to day life and find it easy to push God aside and not listen to his voice or even hear his voice for that matter. God is funny though - when he wants to make something clear to me - HE DOES. In the middle of May - my job ended. I wanted to say God took my job away - I think some people might not "technically" agree with that verbiage - but that's okay. When 1 door closes another door opens, right? He then gave me this opportunity to go to South Africa for 75 days.

So I leave for Cape Town June 22. I have a direct flight from Atlanta to Cape Town. It looks to be about a 18 hour or so flight. I leave Atlanta at 4:00 pm on the 22 and arrive in Cape Town at 4:30 pm on the 23rd. I am not 100% sure what all I will be doing while I am there.
I do have 1 opportunity that I am particularly excited about. I was put in touch with an organization Rainbow of Hope http://www.rainbowofhope.org.za/ This organization takes in children that have either been neglected, abandoned, or abused. I am going to have the opportunity to live and volunteer hear. I don't know all of the specifics - but I can tell you I am THRILLED. I am hoping to also work some with MetroKids again. I know they do not do the Sidewalks during the month of July - it will be there winter and will be cold and rainy. I am hoping I will still get to work with the student leaders and possibly get to visit with the children in their homes.

If you can't tell most of the things I will be doing will be centered around children. I absolutely love children. I think God is trying to help me find my PASSION and PURPOSE.

I'm not entirely sure what God has in store for me for the 75 days. A lady pointed out to me - that maybe God was just giving me this time to rest in Him. Pray that is something I will do.