It's starting to sink in

I keep having in my head that I'm going to Africa in a matter of months, but it's honestly really just starting to sink in. Right now I'm watching a TV program where the main character leaves for Africa and he's saying goodbye to all of this friends and family, and I'm crying because I can't help but think of how I'm going to be doing the exact same thing in 8 1/2 months. I'm not having doubts because I know I'm able to rest on the peace God has given me about this decision, but I still have my moments of having a hard time.

"An open door for effective service"

That is what Paul told the Corinthians about the church in Ephesus in 1 Corinthians 16, and that is exactly what I feel about this opportunity in Jinja. God has opened this door wide open and through the passions and gifts He has given to me as well as the miscellaneous events He has placed in my life to prepare me, I can honestly say that if I continue to seek Him in this, that I will be able to serve effectively with the people down in Jinja. Just thought I'd share that little revelation with y'all.

Prayer Request

So lately, I've been feeling like I'm in a boxing match and losing terribly. For a week or so it seemed like my knee was getting bad again, and therefore I was starting to think that I would need more surgery, but it then got better. Praise God! Now, as I've been feeling just emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausted, I got one of the worst colds I've ever had. It basically has taken me out of commission for the past three days (and yes, one of those days was Thanksgiving). I'm sitting now in the coffee shop, just b/c I needed to get out, with a roll of toilet paper b/c I have to blow my nose so much and aches all over my body. I just ask now that you pray not necessarily for me to have this sickness end, as through all of this I know I'm being tested, but that I would have the strength to endure.

GA Profile

Well, my profile is officially up on the Global Adventures website (www.globaladventures.org) it has a few more details about what's been going on and the work I'll be doing, it will soon have a link to support me online.

My First Time Speaking

So tonight was the first time I spoke about me going to Africa to an audience. It was such a different experience then just normally speaking in front of crowd, but people were laughing, so hopefully they weren't bored out of their mind. It was awesome meeting the people afterwards so if any of you who were there are reading this, it was great meeting you.

Tomorrow Night

I received an invitation to be interviewed at Renovate tomorrow night. It was so unexpected that it was kind of one of those things that God was telling me "Kelli, this is all My doing, because you are supposed to go". It's not like I'm having doubts, but little bits of encouragement that God gives me always reaffirms that this is what He's calling me to. The coolest part about it was that it wasn't any of my doing, it was purely His work.

Support

I now have an account with GA so I am able to receive support any time. There are a number of initial costs that need to be covered, so if you're wondering if there's a need now for support, there definitely is. You can send your check to Global Adventures 4001 Osuna Rd NE ABQ NM 87109 and put "Kelli O'Hea" in the memo line.

Picture time

Yesterday I took my pictures for the GA website profile. I feel like such an awkard person when I'm taking pictures, but hopefully some of them worked out, so far, this one's looking like it could work. I should hopefully be getting my prayer card printed by the end of the year.

My revelation for the day

So as I mentioned in the previous blog, it's basically exactly 9 months away that I'll be heading down to Jinja. At first I thought to myself "9 months! That's too long!!!" but then God opened my eyes to something: 9 months is length of time the baby must be in the womb before it's born. Yes, I know this is a weird illustration, but bare with me. Finding out that I was officially approved was the beginning of this process of me being formed into a missionary. As with babies, if they are born prematurely they are not as healthy as if they were born full-term, in that way if I go prematurely to Africa I will not be as effective as I could be if I were to wait until it's time. As I was sharing this idea with some dear friends of mine (the ladies at the front desk of Calvary) they elaborated on the illustration saying that while there is a pregnancy, there is discomfort, emotional roller-coasters, and morning sickness. During these next 9 months I'm going to go through so trials, attacks, doubts, and fears, but the good thing is that if I keep my focus on God in the end, I will be in Africa doing what I love. My receptionist girls also brought to my attention that Satan wants me to "miscarry" he will do everything in his power to keep me from going, so please keep me in your prayers throughout this "incubation period".

Early August

So I met with Neil yesterday and it sounds like it's fairly reasonable to think that I'll head to Africa in the first week or so of August. Yes, it's about 9 months away, but I have to go through training for three weeks in Mexico. This training is highly recommended and all but required for missionaries entering the field. In that nine months I will also be getting everything else ready for me to move down there including immunizations, graduating, visiting friends, etc... Also at the meeting I found out that when all is said and done, I will need about $2000 a month to cover all of my expenses. I also now have an official account set up with the church, so people can start supporting me now as there are numerous initial costs that I need money for before I leave (i.e. plane tickets, visa, immunizations, etc...). As always, if you have any questions, I will be more than happy to let you know more abot what I will be doing and what my needs are. Continue to keep me prayer that I focus at school.

I'm Officially Approved

I just got the official word from Neil that I'm approved to go. He met with Skip today, and I couldn't focus all daywaiting for the answer. But just a mere few minutes ago, he came in to tell me the news that could change my life. Now, the next step is to find out when next summer I'll be going and start getting things in order for me to go. I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!