Hujambo!

(That's Swahili for Hi, how are you?)

My team and I arrived in Entebbe, Uganda yesterday around 4:30pm. We traveled 12 hrs on Emirates Airline to Dubai. I had never been on a plane that large- I was amazed by the amount of space (ten seats across) and the individual t.v. screen on the back of everyone's seat- the girls on my team could tell I don't get out much! We had smooth travel and everything went well with customs/baggage. We stayed overnight in a nice hotel in Dubai. While we were only there for a few hours, it was nice to sleep in a comfortable bed. After a little rest we were back at the airport- making our way to Africa. We made a stop in Ethiopia and then finally to Entebbe. By that time- we were so ready to be on the ground and IN UGANDA!! I was a little nervous about obtaining VISAs and finding our way around, but everything went well:)

Now to the good part. Lawrence, our sweet taxi driver, laughed when he saw the 15 pieces of luggage! He immediately called for a second taxi, "one for luggage, one for girls" He could tell right away we were American girls. I will say that several bags were supplies sent through A.I.M., but I admit we had too much stuff! We think we brought the basic essentials- we think we packed light- but we don't need anything. Ugandans don't. They live simply. I haven't been here long, but I can tell that they don't need "stuff" or possessions to be happy. I am envious of their simplicity.

The 35 min. taxi drive from Entebbe to Kampala was amazing! Words can't describe. I was trying not to blink because I was afraid to miss something. Traffic/roads in Uganda are similar to those in New York- people drive as if there are no rules and no one else on the road! Its not abnormal for the taxi to drive down the middle of the road in between two other cars...it was an experience to say the least. As we passed through town- the road is lined with stores/shacks with food and merchandise for sale. Kids are just playing- running- laughing-it was beautiful. The land is green and full- with rolling hills in the distance...its better than I imagined.

When we arrived at the A.I.M. guest house we were warmly welcomed by staff and WI-FI internet! We were surprised and excited to contact family and friends about our safe arrival. And just when we were missing home and our Thanksgiving traditions- the staff had prepared us dinner...turkey and dressing! So we got to experience Thanksgiving in Africa- and taste a little bit of home. We took a walk around the compound- then settled in to get some rest- we were all experiencing jet lag.

I rested so well in the African air - especially with a thunder storm through most of the morning- and my cold is clearing up...feeling much better:)

We had orientation here at the compound and then walked to the supermarket in town. As we walked down the road children were yelling "who are you? where are you from?" They are so curious...they want to know about Mazungus (white people). When we entered the store three little Ugandan girls yelled for us to wait because they wanted to "escort us". They were so beautiful. The oldest sister grabbed my hand- showed me the way. When we told them we were American their eyes lit up- like we were famous? like we were special? I didn't feel deserving.

Being American- being a visitor- comes with a responsibility. They watch your every move, they hang on your every word, so it is a wonderful opportunity to be an example of Christ.

We are leaving in the morning for Tororo to meet our long-term missionary and get settled in our house. We are traveling by way of the post bus- should take about 5 hrs...to go 115 miles! Roads and vehicles travel a little slower here in Africa:)

We have all enjoyed our stay in Kampala, but can't wait to get to Tororo!

I hope all is well in the states! Remember all we have to be thankful for- we are blessed...and so undeserving. We have an incredible God that loves us...and we all have a responsibility to be examples of Christ no matter where we are. All He ask is for us to love.

~ kwa heri (goodbye)

the journey begins...

Its official. The countdown is over. I am going to Africa!

My team and I have just completed orientation here in Pearl River, New York (AIM headquarters). After team building exercises, lots of meetings/sessions, packing and repacking to make the weight requirements....we are ready to go! At this moment, we are sitting in the lobby waiting on the taxi to pick us up to begin our journey to Africa.

I am experiencing many emotions as it sets in that we are actually leaving. I am so excited...yet anxious and nervous about traveling- going through customs- getting VISAS- just praying that everything goes smoothly. And if it doesn't...we will get through it. I am just ready to be settled. I am ready to be in Uganda. I am ready to get to know my team better. I am ready to hold the children of Tororo. I am ready to share God's love with the people of Africa.

I don't know if I can express completely what I am feeling- but I'll try. I know I have never been to Africa- to Uganda- nor do I know the people- the children- I do not know their names- what they look like- I do not know who they are....and I love them. All of them. My heart is warm and overflowing with love for the orphans of Tororo. I can't wait for them to know how much I love them, but more importantly how much God loves them!

Please continue to pray for my team as we travel tonight and tomorrow. Please pray that I begin feeling better (I have been a little under the weather here in NY) so that I have the energy and strength to do what it is I need to do in Africa.

I do not know how often I will be able to reach Internet access, but I will blog as often as I can!

Thank you for your prayers and support! I love you all!

My God is cool

I have been in the midst of fundraisingMANIA! I’m getting pretty good at asking people for money haha. While it has been busy around here for the past few weeks as I plan and prepare to leave, God has been even busier. He has been hard at work- allowing things to fall into place for my trip. I just wanted to share with you a few stories of how cool my God is.

This past week I was out running errands for the upcoming golf tournament this weekend, and I called a dear friend of mine, Jennifer Connelly, to ask her advice/ run something by her. Jennifer has actually been helping me fundraise- giving me ideas- helping me organize several events. I began keeping her beautiful children when I was in High School and have always admired her and how she has raised her family. This past August we realized we had something in common- a call to Africa. The Connelly family is in the process of adopting a baby boy from Ethiopia. I know that this has been on her mind for quite sometime, and I admire her ability to step out on faith, to face the obstacles of adopting in order to bring a child into their loving home. And I can’t wait to babysit- to hold and to love another Connelly kid. (check out my links to The Connelly Adoption Story as well as 2loveorphans.com)

When I met up with Jennifer last Wednesday she was running errands, and she mentioned that a couple from Uganda was actually in town. Her children’s school is partnering with a school in Uganda to help provide sponsors and support for those children and teachers in need. So I jumped in the car and went to meet these wonderful people! Neither Jennifer nor I had planned this meeting, but God was allowing our paths to cross. As soon as I walked up Jennifer explained that I would be leaving for Uganda in a matter of days. They immediately embraced me- thanked me- and within two minutes (not knowing who I was or where I came from) asked me to spend Christmas with their family. They had given me a way to reach them if I needed anything at all….and they meant it. It’s comforting to have a family waiting for me on the other side of the world. My God is cool.

The golf tournament came. I was nervous about the weather, if I would have enough teams, if people would have a good time, if I would make any money. Well the weather couldn’t have been any more perfect. I had my family and friends show up to help (at 7 am!) And I had all my teams and more! At the end of the tournament I was counting and hoping that I had reached my goal of $1200. (this was the amount I needed to send to AIM in order to be financial cleared for my trip) I didn’t reach my goal….instead I went well above my goal! With several generous donations to add I made about $2000! My God is cool.

We simply can’t do it alone. When you hand it over to Him, it is amazing to see how everything falls into place. When you step out in faith, He will provide a way. He is that cool.

fundraising

Thank you to all who have purchased a t-shirt to help send me to Africa! I picked up the shirts Saturday Oct. 31, and by Monday I was filling out an order form to purchase more. pretty cool. Thank you to my church family and youth group at Jackson FUMC for buying me out. Thank you to all my beautiful Phi Mu sisters for your continued love and support:) Thank you Mom and Dad for helping me throw together a yard sale this Saturday (Nov. 7th at First Christian Church Shelbyville) and a golf tournament next Saturday (Nov. 14th at Blackberry Ridge Shelbyville). I couldn't have done any of this without you!

If you are interested in purchasing a t-shirt, let me know on facebook (BethAnn Carkuff) or through email (bethann_c@hotmail.com). The shirts are $20 ( or $25 to cover shipping, if I need to send it to you). All proceeds benefit Africa Inland Mission.

Please continue to pray for my team and I as we prepare to leave for our trip.

While I'm waiting...

Last August I started volunteering at First United Methodist Church in Jackson – A dear friend of mine called and asked if I would be interested in leading a small group within the youth group. My first thought…doubt. Was I ready for this? Was I ready to lead these girls- to help them grow- to guide them, when my walk with God had been so shaky- so inconsistent. How could I be an example when I struggled myself to grow with God?

Even with my doubt I began volunteering every Wednesday night, and before I knew it these girls opened up, began sharing with me, and trusting in me. I just fell in love with them! I began worrying about them, praying for them, wishing I could protect them from pain and sadness. I had thought I was placed as their leader to teach them, but what I soon realized was they were teaching me. Those beautiful girls had led me to work on my relationship with God, to awaken my soul, to reach a spiritual high and stay on it. With this growth and new church family I began thinking less of applying to school and more of applying for mission opportunities- something that had been on my mind and in my heart for a long time.

While I began researching the possibilities of missions in Africa- I still had doubt. I had doubt in not applying for graduate school, in not applying for jobs, in not figuring out my career options. I had doubt in abandoning what I thought I should do- what others expected me to do. For the first time I felt I was listening to God, but it can be difficult sometimes to follow a feeling.

I spent many months waiting. Waiting for acceptance, waiting for an assignment, then waiting for a departure date. In waiting I did become frustrated and discouraged. At one point my assignment changed, and it seemed as if things might not work out at all- for quite sometime. I had days where I laid in my bathroom floor crying- asking God what was I doing? If He wanted me to do this- why was it not easier? Why did I have to face so many obstacles? After a few weeks of feeling like giving up- I picked up a book called “Dangerous Wonder” and it seemed to be just what I needed to hear at that time (I recommend reading itJ) The author, Michael Yaconelli, was talking about having childlike faith in order to abandon everything and follow wonder, passion, and calling- even when its dangerous and risky. In this waiting period, I had learned a great deal. I learned the power of prayer. I learned to trust in God to work things out- on His time- not mine. Waiting had reminded me that serving God in Africa wasn’t at all about when and where I wanted to go. Waiting had reminded me that God never said it would be easy or free from obstacles. I am grateful for the obstacles and the waiting because from it came growth. Waiting allowed me to grow closer with God and better prepare me for the journey ahead.

I once heard “God doesn’t call the qualified- he qualifies the called.” I wasn’t qualified to lead those girls in a small group discussion no more than I am qualified to travel across the world to minister to the orphans of Uganda—but I was called. And I am confident He will qualify me.