Hello all my wonderful family and friends! 

As you all know (or will soon figure out!) I am going to be studying in Uganda for the next four months. To be more specific, I am going with a program called Uganda Studies Program, which is run by Best Semester, and I will be attending school at Uganda Christian University in Mukono, Uganda. I leave January 3^rd and return home May 1^st. I am in an Inner Cultures and Missionary Program where I will be staying with a host family in the village of Mukono and learning about missions and culture throughout Uganda (super exciting!).  I have told some of you that I am going to try my best to keep you all updated on my time there, so I’ve created this: my clever-titled blog! Our great God has a lot in store for me during this season of my life, and I hope you all can find some inspiration and enjoyment through my updates. Meanwhile, here is my quick background story on how the heck I ended up going to Africa!

I love Jesus. I love spending time with him. I love following his word and learning his plan for my life. For a long while now, I have been struggling as to where He wants me and where I could live out my fullest potential in him. Do I really want to be a school teacher? Or do I want to be a disciple of the nations? Can I do it all at the same time? When is my time? ..Kinds of struggles like that. So one day, just a few months ago, I heard him tell me to study abroad in Uganda. This was the first time studying abroad in Africa had ever crossed my mind, and quite frankly, I thought the idea was whack and impossible.  Don’t get me wrong, Africa has ALWAYS been a place of interest for me. I knew I would one day find myself there, but didn’t realize it would be so soon! Anyways, I listened and found out the application was due exactly five days from the day I felt led to study there. I prayed like I’ve never prayed before, trusting in what I felt the Lord was telling me, and I told him that if he did not want me in Africa at this time then he better find a way to stop me. Well, to make a longer story a bit shorter, God opened doors that I didn’t ever realize were closed. Financially I have been blessed beyond belief! Classes became available at the university for the first time ever…classes that I NEEDED to take in order to graduate on time. And most of all, my PARENTS GAVE ME THE OK! It was a tough tackle, but I never once heard a “NO!” (Thanks Mom and Dad! You da best!) The application was handed in on time, and here I am now, just hours before my flight takes off declaring the faithfulness and love of our Father!! I’m going to Africa!

So how am I feeling about all this? Being away from family and friends for four months? With no “western facilities” (cough, Mom!)? With knowing not a single person? With being thrown into a completely different world where heavy diseases are present and culture being unlike anything I’ve ever experienced? I’m feeling absolutely fantastic! Not a single worried, nervous or anxious bone in my body! Why, you ask? Jesus, that’s why! Jesus tells us not to worry (Philippians 4:6). Jesus tells us he is our healer (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus knows me when no one else does, and knowing him is all I need (John 10:14-15). How can I be anxious, nervous, scared, etc., when I know Uganda is the place where he is calling me to be? I'm simply stepping into my destiny. The atmosphere God has prepared for his children is one of joy, peace, love and comfort. I’ll be darned if I chose not to live in such a place. In the book of John, it is written that “there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” I am God’s beloved. He loves me more that I can comprehend. His love is nothing less than perfect, so I have not one thing to fear. 

As I continue down this amazing path Jesus has prepared for me, I will be praying for you all and hoping that you, too, will be living in the atmosphere freely given to us by the most astonishing creator. Mom and Dad, especially, I love you, but you do not have to worry about me. The Big Guy upstairs got my back! To all, I sincerely appreciate all your encouraging words and prayers. It means more than you know. I wish you all the best New Year, and too all my friends, the best semester! Continue representing the King!

I will update you all again as soon as I hang up the phone with Mom and Dad and get a chance!

PS. Sorry this was so long. Just wanted to give you the background story! I’m new at this blogging thing, so don’t expect me to go all Perez Hilton on you! Also, sorry to all you grammar police! I grew up in Schuylkill County. We ain’t always the most intelligent ;)

SEVEN SECOND VERSION!!

I’m going to Uganda. Jesus rocks. Y’all rock. I’ll keep you posted as much as possible!





Later Gators!