TEARFUL GOODBYE'S

I can't believe my trip is already here.  It seems like just yesterday I decided to plan this.  I want to start by thanking all of you for your support both financial and in prayer.  Please continue to pray that I go where God leads me and that I have the servants heart He would want me to have! 

These last few weeks have been a blur.  Packing 260 lbs into 4 suitcases is definitely not an easy task.  Thank you so much to everyone for all the donations.  I have tons of clothing, shoes, formula, medicine, diapers, medical supplies, crayons and the list goes on.  

I am so excited to see what God has in store for me.  I already feel Him stretching me in new areas, and  although it's not always easy, HE is always in control.  I just need to remember.. Deut 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”  I should not be surprised by the fact that I have had so much peace!  Yes there have been shed tears, but I know that God is with me wherever I go... yes He even follows me 12806 km all the way to Uganda!  

I was reading my Bible the other day and this verse really hit me... Phil 1:6 being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  I know that it is only by God's incredible grace that I have made it this far, and He will continue to strengthen and guide me all the way through this amazing journey!

It wasn't easy saying goodbye, I spent the whole day with the twins (Nellie and Viki) on Tuesday, they have finally learned to say Maman Nicole.... I hope they don't forget me.  I spent some great quality time with my parents, and then Brian (my love) spent all day Thursday with me, doing all my last minute shopping and catering to my every whim :) He bought me a fantastic new devotional I cannot wait to dig into!  I don't know how I am going to leave everyone for so long, but again, my GOD never fails me!  He holds me in the palm of His hand.  He is my comfort and my strength, really and truly He is all I need.

So please keep praying for me, I will blog and post pictures as often as I can.  I love all of you!  The next time I blog I will be in AFRICA!!

When is God good?  All the time
All the time, God is good!!

26221 minutes until I leave for Uganda!

Hey it's been awhile since I updated this blog and so much has happened.  I'll do my best to catch you up on all the latest.

I leave for Uganda in 18 short days.  Life has been hectic
trying to plan a wedding, find a house, apply for immigration, applying for Michigan nursing licenses, trying to pack for an 18 week trip..... Bible studies, running around collecting donations for Africa, trying to fit all these donations into 4 suitcases...

I am so INCREDIBLY BLESSED.  God is so good to me.  As stressfull as all of this is, I have a peace that surely passes all understanding. 

As for my trip to Africa, here is my itinerary,  I leave for Uganda on July 5th from Detroit Metro Airport, thru to Amsterdam, then after a brief stop in Rowanda, I arrive in Entebbe Uganda July 6th @ 10 pm.  My drivers Eric and Shallom will pick me up at the airport and we will stay the night in Entebbe.  On July 7th I will stop in Kampala to grocery shop (this is the last "real" grocery store in Uganda) and at the hospital in Kampala to give blood.  (I have a rare blood type and I'm sure they could use it)  We will then drive the 3 hours to Jinja where I will stop in at Amani Baby Cottage to visit and drop off some donations I have for them.  Also I will get to see Hope...... I miss her so much <3
That evening Eric and Shallom will drive me the last 45 min of my trip to Iganga Uganda to Kwagala Baby Home.  
My friend Emily opened this orphanage in March, and I am thrilled to be spending the 1st two months of my trip with her.  (She is currently ill and in the USA receiving treatment... please pray for her).

 

The 2nd half of my trip will be back at Amani Baby Cottage in Jinja!  

I will keep you posted as to my lastest ventures...
Please keep me in your prayers as I begin my travels.  Pray for finances, safety and health..

I love each of you!!

NICOLE
 

Harsh Realities and sweet endings..

So my week started on a bit of a sad note.  I took 3 children who have HIV to the Children's Hospital.  It is one of the worst things you can possibly experience.  Picture you are sitting in an Emergency room, but take away the plasma TV, the air conditioning and every last spec of cleanliness.  Add about 100 women all with infants or young children, no bathrooms, no vending machines and 100 degree temperatures.  Add in birds and the worst filth imaginable.  Blankets spread all over the lawn so families can visit with their sick children.  The ward in the hospital has about 3 infants to a bed, it's overcrowded and understaffed... but it's free.  You wait hours to check in, hours to see triage, hours to see the Dr, and then wait again to receive your medication.  Next time you are sitting in Emergency complaining about our Health care system remember you could be living here.... (I did not take any pictures it didn't feel right)

But God is good!!! ALL THE TIME!!!  So despite the beginning of my week being sad my Friday was AWESOME!  The other volunteers and I all got to take a child and go on a boat trip down Lake Victoria to the Nile River~~~  How amazing!  It was so much fun.  We saw monkeys and tons of different birds.  A few sea otters.  A great end to a good week!  

I miss you all, but I wish I could stay here forever!!! 

Better by the DAY

Had a great day Saturday relaxing and sightseeing!

Sunday I went to a great Church service with amazing worship!  I taped the service so maybe we can try some African songs at Parkwood!  We also did devotions on Sunday night with just the girls (my roommates) it was incredible.  7 girls from all over North America, from all different kinds of churches coming together for an in depth look into 1st Corinthians.  I love these girls and I know God put us all together for a specific reason.

Today was the best day yet!  I started back in the girls cottage!  I love every last one of them.  They are all beautiful with fantastic personalities.  A family from America showed up today, they have their final court date tomorrow to adopt one of the girls from my room.  It's bittersweet.  I know she is going to a great family who love Jesus and will give her a great life, but it's hard to see her go.

I brought lots of the twins clothes with me so today I brought them to the cottage.  Mama Lucy started dressing the girls in the new clothes but the were a few who didn't get new things.  They were starting to cry when I dug for more, and with the donations of another volunteer every girl got new clothes.  Their smiles are priceless!

I also got to spend my lunch hour with Hope, I don't know how I will be able to leave her here.  She stole my heart!  Look at that face!!

Week 1

Just finished week 1...  I was fortunate enough to spend the 1st 3 days in the nursery.  Those babies are so amazing.  I seriously would bring every last one of them home with me if there was a way for me to do so without landing in jail.  :)  

So I did my Bible study on Thursday morning before work and had a good prayer time.  God reminded me that I won't always get my own way and that he will put me outside of my comfort zone to allow me to grow.  
AND THAT HE DID.....  
I got transferred into one of the boy cottages ages 1-5 who are all quite spirited.  By 10 am I was ready to head home.  Then I prayed and again Jesus reminded me that none of this is about me, and that ALL these kids need love and attention; also He will never give me anything I cannot handle.  I worked Thursday and Friday in this cottage and then.....

Jesus kept His promise

I will be spending the rest of my time here in the girls cottage.  Which I love.  It's where I worked the last time I was here.  They are age 1-5 including 2 year old twin girls who make me a little less homesick :)

I will try to post photos another time, they are all on my facebook if you want to look there!

A glimpse of Heaven!

So I had my 1st day back!  It was AMAZING!!!

I got to work in the nursery.... you all know how much I love BABIES!!!

There were a few new additions since I left, including the youngest who is only 1 week old.  He is so precious.

Unfortunately I won't be working in the nursery as I am needed for another age group, but I will be sure to stop in on my lunch hour daily!

I'll post a few pictures so you can see how great this is.

I definitely think that when we get to heaven this is what it is going to look like!

Tina



Noah

Mercy

Anne

Hope :)

Me and Hope... She totally wants to come home with me!

I love you all, thank you for all the prayers!  I'll keep you posted!

UGANDA BOUND for the 2nd time!!!!

Wow, things certainly have changed.  As most of you know I returned home from Uganda January 31st as I was very ill.  After several trips to the emergency room, no one had any idea what was wrong with me, and I had no intentions of ever going back to Africa.  Finally, my test results came back and I was given the proper medication and was well on my way to recovery.  I had spoken with my insurance company about the possibility of me returning to Africa and at the time I was told that they would fly me back if I wanted to.
I was then informed that because of my illness, even with the letter from my Dr stating I was fit to travel and had no more complications, that the insurance company was unwilling to send me back.  I was beyond disappointed.  Then my mother (the mom of all moms) called for me.  She has a way with words!  Finally on the 21st I got a phone call that they had made an exception for me, and would pay for my return trip!  THANK YOU JESUS!!!
Needless to say I am running around like crazy with less than 48 hrs before I leave, trying to pack and get everything I need in order.  Making phone calls, cancelling appointments, and making sure that the twins have everything they need for the next 3 weeks!   

Throughout this entire ordeal, I have prayed and asked God for His will to be done, but I have to say I was so stressed, so worried, so anxious... Then I remembered the following Scripture.

Philippians 4:6,7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME

ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

HE NEVER FAILS!!!