For someone who has never taken a flight more than approximately 3 hours, much less left the country (I am the only one on the team who has never been out of the United States), I already knew the flight was going to be an interesting experience by itself. The team met at the church and then took a limo bus to Chicago O'hare airport. Considering there was 11 of us, all with 2 checked bags, the check-in process went rather smoothly. With a weight limit of 50 poun...

I realized that it has been a few days since my last blog so I am trying to play catch up. I want to at least finish the amazing stories that finalized the realization that I was going to Rwanda. Our 2nd BIG payment was due March 16th ($1200). I was facing the dilemma of either paying the bills or making the payment for Rwanda. I did receive $300 from an aunt and funding also started coming in from others. Our last payment ($650) was originally due April 1st...

So far, I have talked about the road that led to me finally participating in a mission trip and handling the first two payments. Now, for some more truly "God moments" (the first one would have to have been getting the money I needed for the passport). Our first BIG payment ($1600) was due February 16th and with all the changes I had had in my income due to business slowing down at the restaurant, I just didn't have it. I am the kind of person who li...

Now that you know some of the details of what led me to consider a mission trip and why it took so long to finally participate in one, I want to share with you some of the reasons why my faith has been tested and refined immensely over the last several months. For me, the biggest setback in my faith walk was when it came to financial situations. I have been completely on my own for several years, so had developed the mentality that if I wanted something done, I...

Good morning, everyone! Well, the big day is finally hear and I just wanted to take some time to reflect and share some of the experiences (and definitely God moments) I have already had while preparing for my first ever mission trip (and my first trip out of the country). I have to admit that this journey really started for me about 12 years ago. For as long as I could remember, I have had a heart for helping others in any way that I could. I also wanted to trav...