Hello Loverlys!
Anyone who know me at all, knows I want to travel this world. My heart's desire, besides living my life for Jesus Christ, is to move to London as soon as I get out of college, and open up my own children's home. I have always had an immense love for kids, and God has put compassion in my heart for them.
Unfortunately, I have never been out of the United States. About this time two years ago, God instilled in my heart a desire and a need to go to Africa. This is going to sound silly, but I had sort of a vision. Well, not exactly a vision, more like a thought, or a daydream that popped into my head. I have no idea how it got there. It happened when I was running on the treadmill at the Rich Fork gym, and I saw it in my head. Me in Africa, surrounded by children. They were all playing with my hair, hugging me, and smiling, while tears just poured out of my eyes and down my face. It just sprung on me. I have to go to Africa. I need to go to Africa. This was God's plan for me. As soon as that thought popped into my head, I prayed every single night for two years for an opportunity to go to Africa. No opportunities showed up. I never ,ever lost hope. I knew this is what God wanted for me. My dad came to me one day saying he was going to Guinea Bissau in April 2013. I asked, well more like pleaded, that I would be able to go. I was so excited, a real opportunity to do what I had always wanted. I prayed every single night for a month, and asked everyone I knew to pray for this to work out. In the end, it did not. When my dad came to me again and told me I was not old enough to go, my heart broke. I cried for days, and moped around the house. I guess I didn't really realize that God was telling me "Not yet." I thought for sure my whole dream of going to Africa was going to be a "No."
In November of last year, my best friend Bailey, told me of a trip she was so excited to go on to Uganda, Africa, to help with the Sole Hope organization.She said they were going to help dig out the jiggers that were in the children's feet and give them their first pair of shoes. She suggested I ask if I could tag along. "This is it," I thought. What a seriously perfect opportunity! I would get to go to Africa, with my best friend since birth, AND help with children?? I didn't want to get my hopes up. So I prayed even harder.
A month or so later, my dad told me to sit with him at the kitchen table. He had some news he wanted to tell me. Now usually, this isn't a good thing. I had a feeling I was about to get busted for something. As I traced through everything in my mind I done recently that might get me in trouble, I sat down. He said to me, "You know that trip to Africa that Bailey is going on in June?" I nodded. "You are going." He had talked to Bailey's dad, and everything had worked out. I was actually able to go.
I absolutely could not believe it. I immediately felt tears sting my eyes. I covered my face with my hands, and put my head on the table. I didn't want my parents to see how badly I was sobbing. My makeup was running, and I'm pretty sure I left a puddle of tears on the table. My heart was so full; I was so overjoyed. I just cried and cried and cried. I have never cried so many happy tears in my life. I ran to hug my Dad, and Mom, unable to say anything other than "Thank you, thank you." I don't think I stop smiling at all that day, I practically jumped around the house. I told absolutely everyone I knew about this amazing opportunity God had placed in my lap. What a miraculous planner and Creator we have!
It's really crazy to think that two years ago, when that little thought popped into my head, that in 2013, I would be planning my trip to Uganda. And in June, I would actually step foot on African soil, to meet some of God's children.
Give me Jesus,
Emily Grace
