And the winner is.........

You know those game shows like The Voice or Dancing with the Stars where they say "and the person going home is....." and then they wait for what seems like an eternity and the whole time you're thinking "ugh! This is unbearable for me. I'll bet it's so much worse for them!"

That's how I feel right now. 30 days from now I should be boarding a plan with a team of amazing people to leave the country for the very first time to go to a place I have dreamed about literally my entire life and I am worried that I may not make it there at all. I'm worried that I'll have to tell every one who has supported me to this point that I can't go this time because there weren't enough funds raised. Now, I believe that one of my gifts is the gift of faith. (ironically my ex pointed that out to me) I think that is part of what makes times like this so difficult. These times when I doubt, when I'm not sure if God will come through or if perhaps I was wrong about the calling He had for me. Perhaps it's the added stress of trying to pack up this house and move added in with the normal day to day stress of caring for my boys and getting things done at work that is causing me to doubt even this. This one thing I've planed for and dreamed of for as long as I can remember. What ever the reason, tonight I am praying for a faith like I've never had before. One that some how knows that when the announcer Finally tells us the outcome, I'll be on the plan with my team, headed to Uganda!

Inquiring minds want to know

Hello everyone!
I know I have been promising you all an update. I apologize for it taking so long. Things have been a bit crazy of late. Since my last post I learned that I would need to find new living arrangements for the boys and I so along with fund raising efforts and normal "mom" duties I have also been apartment hunting and am currently packing things up for our move next Saturday on December 1. We've been incredibly blessed with this house for the last 3 years so we are going to miss this place like crazy but are also very thankful for the time and memories here.

(A small sample of the MANY memories here)

Also since my last blog I have had friends and co-workers doing their best to help be sure I can get to Uganda! Some have been praying, donating and still others have been using their gifts to create fund-raisers. I am deeply humbled and honored by everyone's generosity! At this point I have $1,173.79 which means there is still $1,626.21 needed. I want to take this time to thank Each and Every one who have helped thus far! You are all a blessing!
I would also like to introduce you all to the newest member of our extended family!

This is Barak. The boys chose him from a number of students at TICC for our family to sponsor so that he can have the education and help that he needs. I am excited to get to meet him next month!
I am equally excited about the plans we have for our time in Uganda! While there we will be holding a summer day camp for the children. We will be assigned a group of children to plan activities and spend time with. For those of you that know me well you will know that I have been involved in child care in some way most of my adult life and I and so extremely excited to get a chance to build relationships with these children in this way again. :)

(photo credit:Courtney Smith)

There is still much work to be done. I must admit that trusting in the funds coming in and all the many details coming together in just the short time we have left is making me a bit of a nervous wreck right now. Hopefully, once my move is complete next week I can focus more on Uganda and relax and watch God work more of His miracles!
Again, a big Thank you to all who have supported me thus far! If you would still like to help Cheryl or I reach our goal please visit http://tiny.cc/yaaka and look for our name in the drop down box.
Yaaka!!
Tonya

From the "sticks" of the Ozarks to the children of Uganda!

It occurred to me tonight that to tell the story of my up coming journey to Uganda, I would need to include a larger picture of my life, if I had any hope of helping others understand why this is so important to me. I am asked quite often "why Africa?" "Why go there to help children when there is such a need here?" The answer to this lies in a few life altering moments of my life. Moments of clarity that stand out to me in ways others do not. So we begin as near the beginning as I can remember.

Some of my very first memories revolve around my tiny world of home, school and church in the beautiful Ozark mountains.

View of Silver Dollar City in Branson Mo.

It was a Beautiful place to grow up. We had plenty of space, explored the woods, ate plenty of good ol' home cookin and generally enjoyed our simple life most of the time. Basically, we were just out in the sticks with very little knowledge of the rest of the world. People laugh when I tell them I came from "white-ville" but it's true!

sensuous 2010 for Spokane Mo where I went to church/school
(White alone - 174 (98.3%)
Two or more races - 2 (1.1%)
Hispanic - 1 (0.6%)

In those pre-internet days my only "real" window into the world were the missionaries who came to our church. Through their photos I was able to see people and places that I would not have been able to other wise.This was Always my very favorite thing about going to church. Seeing Gods creation, the people He loves, not just around me but from all over the world.

I distinctly remember making a connection to these people and cultures simply through the photos that were shared with us. I hear different pastors talking about how they would tell God "ok I'll go but please don't send me to Africa/China/Russia(or where ever the inevitably ended up going)" and then thinking "why on earth would you NOT want to go there?!" A Great love of people and a deep need to change the world began growing and really hasn't stopped.

There have been times when I thought the door was being opened for me to finally love on others outside our country but had those doors shut for various reasons. Those times have been some of the most trying in my life. I know now that it simply wasn't time yet. God still wanted me to grow in other areas first. In fact, there is still much work to be done before I go in December. It worries me a bit that the door will again slam in my face and I will have to wait longer. I am thankful for those in my life who are giving me the strength to have faith that it will happen. I feel as though I am already in love with the children we'll be working with in Uganda, and I know it will be an experience that will change not only my life but one life at a time, it can change the world!

And YOU have an opportunity to be a part of that change! Will you pray about partnering with me in making this dream a reality? First and foremost, we need and covet your prayers. We are heading into an area where witch craft is prevalent and we need prayers for spiritual protection! Please pray for our physical and spiritual health, safe travels and for the hearts of the people in Uganda that we will meet. Secondly, will you pray about partnering with me financially? The cost of this trip is roughly $2800. I say roughly because it depends on the price of airfare. Tickets to Uganda can be anywhere from $1200 to $1800. The rest of the money raised goes to living expenses and project expenses while there. Any money raised above $2800, or whatever the end cost is, will go towards projects that we will be completing while we are there. Financial support can be mailed back to me in the self-addressed stamped envelope or by going online. Checks should be made out to Bridgeway Christian Church in order for donation to be tax deductible. Write my name in the memo line. Here is the link to the online form. Select my name in the drop down box for the team members. http://tiny.cc/yaaka If you would like to be included in updates please keep an eye on my Blog where I will post as often as possible.
Webale nnyo (which means "thank you very much" in Luganda, the language they speak in the part of Uganda where we will be going) for prayerfully considering supporting me! Feel free to contact me with any questions!