101 Days of Summer - Day Ninety Four

Not much happened today so I wanted to write a little about something that has bean on my heart for a very long time! For those of you who have known me for a while know that I have a heart for Africa. In particular a heart for AIDS orphans in Africa. I had the opportunity in 2008 to serve the children that had been on my heart for so long, the kids that I had prayed for since I could remember! That trip truly changed my life and I can't wait until I get to go back! Though I only spent two weeks there I will forever remember what happened. So it begins, South Africa, part one!

I honestly can't tell you how my passion for orphans came about or how my love affair with Africa began, but what I can tell you is that I have never looked back since I fell head over heels in love with the country, the people and the culture. I had the most supportive family throughout the process of preparing for my trip. When most parents are approached by their 16 year old daughter saying she wants to go to Africa their reaction usually isn't supportive. But my parents were so excited to see me following my dreams and were ready to help me get their in whatever way they could. This wasn't going to be my first mission trip, I had also been to Mexico, Jamaica & Peru, so we knew what we had to do to raise the funds. But this trip was more than I had ever raised before, thousands more. It seemed like such a huge undertaking that I was never going to accomplish. Not only was I raising money but my sister as well, she was going to Costa Rica that same summer. After countless hours at Chick-fil-A, 4 spare change jars that sat on the Chick-fil-A counters for months, car washes, spaghetti dinners, church offerings, generous donations and house "ducking" I finally reached my goal! It didn't become real to me, that I was actually going to South Africa, until I was boarding my plane.

I can't wait to share some more of my stories about my trip! Just wait until you hear about all of the travel issues we cam across! Until later! Sala kahle! (Stay Well in Zulu)