In Their Words, Pt. 4

On Being Made Real | Five Kids Is A Lot of Kids

Your birth mom is your Real mom, Aden.  She grew you inside of her own flesh, and she gave you the gift of life, which is something I couldn’t do for you. Nothing will change that or take it away from you or her. That’s Real life. Her story will always be part of yours. And stories are things we get to keep forever. And I’m your Real mom, too. I get to love you and parent you every day.

The Family Stories That Bind Us | NY Times
The single most important thing you can do for your family may be the simplest of all: develop a strong family narrative...Children who have the most self-confidence have...a strong “intergenerational self.” They know they belong to something bigger than themselves.


Internet high-five to the makers of Cheerios! What a beautiful acknowledgment of the 1 in 10 interracial marriages and the 1 in 5 interracial couples in America (according to the 2010 Census).




Stand up and speak out for sustainable farmers here and around the world.




Mhmm.

Your Questions... Answered

You're over-supported! How amazing! What happens to all that extra support each month?

All extra monthly support will be deposited into my work funds account each month. This money can be accessed for the purpose of reimbursement for approved ministry-related costs as the need arises. All the extra support will directly go toward blessing the people in our community!

When do you actually leave?

I will fly out of Iowa City on July 9th. I will spend the 10th checking out at AIM's headquarters in Atlanta, GA, and I will leave the country on the 11th.

Are you excited?

I am many things right now. Excited, yes, but I'm also overwhelmed, stressed, exhausted, and grieved. Leaving is not easy. Good-byes are hard.

Is there anything you still need? How can we help?

There are still many practical ways to help out as I make final preparations for my departure. In the coming days, I will be stocking up on personal hygiene items, household supplies not available in Uganda, and items intended for use in ministry and community development. The following items would help greatly if you still desire to give:

• gift cards for Target, Walmart, etc.... to purchase items necessary for my life, health, and home in Uganda
• Amazon gift cards... (these can be sent via email) to purchase books for my Kindle, which is much more convenient than packing "real" books when I'm packing with strict weight restrictions. These books will be used for personal spiritual development and developing a family discipleship curriculum
• frequent flier miles... if you have miles you won't be using for Delta, United, or American Airlines, they could help with the purchase of my plane ticket from Iowa to the AIM headquarters in Atlanta, GA.
• personal checks... these gifts are not tax-deductible, but they are extremely helpful in making the above purchases

It is Not a Coincidence

A sweet supporter-sister-friend spoke this truth to me tonight, and it's too good to not share with y'all! She said:

When I read that you were supported 127% I immediately thought of James 1:27!! 

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." 

It is NOT a coincidence that your support landed on 127%.  I truly believe he smiled down and told the angels, "watch this guys, I'm going make her percent match the purpose I have for her to go to Uganda to be my hands and feet to take care of those sweet babies that families give up"! 

...So we can call this the "127 Miracle"!!!  How sweet HE is!

We serve a faithful and creative God. James 1:27 is a verse that has always spoken to me personally, and it has come up multiple times in the past few weeks... but I never made the connection! I'm thankful for the way you all see God's hand in situations and point it out to me. This journey is not my own. I love sharing it with you and learning from your experiences in it, as well!

To Make His Name Great (Part 2)

God is big. Like, really big.
He works in ways that are unfathomable and mysterious. When there is no way, He makes a way.
Because He can.
Because He is God.

For example, did you ever read about the time Jesus fed 5,000 people with the equivalent of a Hebrew Lunchable?

"They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread a fish." Mark 6:42-43

Jesus didn't just tide them over until they could get home for dinner... No, he gave them enough so everyone could eat their fill. And when they had, there were leftovers! All from just five loaves and two fish.
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And what about the time the Israelites fled Egypt, escaping from slavery, and they came to the Red Sea? The Egyptians were hot on their tail, and ahead was a vast expanse of water. Do you remember what God did? He made a way when there was no way!

"Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left." Exodus 14:22-23

God didn't help them all to supernaturally swim the expanse. He didn't even part the waters and have them walk through whatever sludge lays at the bottom of the Red Sea. No, he allowed them to walk across on dry land.
___________________________

And of course you must remember when God hit the "reset" button and flooded the entire earth, saving just Noah and his family and some animals. After nearly a year of being stuck on the floating zoo, the ark landed on dry ground, they all got off the boat, and God said: 

"This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds,  I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” Genesis 9:12-16

God didn't just let them off the boat (an extremely longed-for and welcome gift in itself, I'm sure) and let them get on with rebuilding their lives. No, he chose to place a beautiful, visual reminder of his promise plastered across the sky for generations to come. 
___________________________

Last week, over the course of about 48 hours, I went from 70% of my monthly support to 127%. 
Yes, you read that correctly. One hundred twenty-seven percent supported!
Exceedingly and abundantly God provided! 

Why so much extra? 
Because he can. He is God.
And because he loves us lavishly! 
And because He's in the habit of giving his children far more than they could ever dream of or deserve.

All for the sake of making His name great so the world might know him. 
Thank you, again, for your prayers, obedience, and generosity! Now you can all say that you've witnessed a miracle and experienced God's powerful provision.

Cloud of Witnesses

I've said all along that I cannot and don't want to go into this commitment to serve in Uganda alone. We're meant to live in community, and investing in the lives and futures of Ugandan families is no small task.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge and praise God for the many people who joined with me over the past few months. These are just a few examples of the many faithful who sat with me in discussion and brain-storming. Who offered up gifts and talents on my behalf. Who sacrificed time and resources to advocate for me and build the Kingdom.

These two lovely ladies and incredibly talented musicians hosted a luncheon and violin recital to raise support and spread awareness.

A couple friends offered up their sewing abilities to stitch together some Ugandan fabric and create these beauties.

A preschool student of mine had a lemonade stand one Saturday morning to raise support for Uganda. She sent all the proceeds to me afterward. My heart nearly exploded. Can't you just see God proudly beaming as He looks upon her 4-year-old faith and generosity?

A couple at my church used their technology know-how and artistic talent to create this image for t-shirts and this original painting to bless some lucky donors with.

Some friends approached me with the matching gift offer, which was the beginning of a big miracle and outpouring of grace and love. 

And many of you were praying, praying, praying all the while. All over the world.
In Uganda, a friend of mine said, "I'm going to join you in prayer and we shall testify for a miracle." And testify we will!
Another Ugandan friend, my dear Laura, texted to say, "We were about to have our evening prayers before sleep. We have prayed and He heard." Yes, He did! She didn't have to babble on and on to be heard by God because he knows what we need before we even ask (Matthew 6:7-8). He knows what we're going to say before we even say it (Psalm 139:4) so we can approach His throne in confidence.

...Because God doesn't just hear... He listens.

There are no words to express how deeply grateful I am for your faithful prayers and generous offerings as you advocate for me, support this work, and build God's kingdom in Uganda. I cannot do this without you, and I'm so excited for you to experience this with me!

To Make His Name Great (Part 1)

First things first:

I am fully supported financially and leaving for Uganda in July!

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

    his greatness no one can fathom.

One generation commends your works to another;

    they tell of your mighty acts.

They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—

    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

They tell of the power of your awesome works—

    and I will proclaim your great deeds.

They tell of the glory of your kingdom

    and speak of your might,

so that all people may know of your mighty acts

    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Psalm 145: 4-6, 11-12

Because I want you to understand the full extent of God's glory and the splendor of his kingdom, I'm going be transparent. I want to share my story so that His name might be made great.

I know there are big lessons to be learned through the support-raising process. God stretches me in ways that will prepare me for my time in Africa. I will need to trust God in big ways as I serve Him there. Raising support is only the beginning. It's the first chance to learn to rest in Him and trust Him to work out His best for me and in me. Serving in Uganda, I'll have many amazing stories about God's provision in His way and in His time. 

I know this, but that doesn't mean it's easy.

The past six months of raising support has been quite a ride. At times I was full of hope and faith, confident in the Lord's provision and timing, overwhelmed with gratitude. Other times, I questioned whether or not I was getting the message out effectively. Sometimes I slept in peace, sometimes I didn't sleep at all. I always remembered His name, but sometimes I didn't walk in the fullness of it.

I'm only human, after all. 
Psalm 103:14 says it best: "...for [God] knows how we are formed, he remembers we are dust."

I am dust. That's all. And I praise God that he remembers that! In my moments of weaker faith, in the times when I want to give up, when I know that logically it can never be... He remembers exactly how he created me. God has searched me and knows me.

And if I can take a moment to be honest with you, too, six days ago I didn't think I'd be leaving for Uganda in July. I was still over $600 short in monthly support, and from where I was standing...where my eyes were focusing...the mountain seemed too big.

Though I didn't doubt God's access to unlimited resources, as they all belong to Him, raising support no longer felt like holy work. I was desperate and feeling wrung out.

I'd been saying for the past three week that if my support came in on time, it will truly be a miracle. 

So on June 11th, I sent an email to a few individual prayer warriors. I couldn't do the praying on my own, so I begged them to beg God for a miracle on my behalf. I told them we needed a miracle!

I shared the need with my supporters one last time. You helped spread the word.

And then I experienced a miracle. A real, true, honest, miracle! 

Within two hours of that initial plea, support starting coming in. Within 24 hours, I was fairly certain I'd be leaving for Uganda in July.

You see, God heard your prayers. He saw that it was an opportunity to bring glory and fame to His name. God heard your petitions for a miracle and said,

"For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. 

How can I let myself be defamed? 

I will not give my glory to another." 

Is. 48:11

So the Holy Spirit worked, hearts were stirred, minds we opened, and grace upon grace poured down on me. For 24 hours straight, my email inbox was flooded, and my heart spilled over with gratitude and repentance. With each gift, God spoke to me saying, 

"Here you go. This is for you. 

Why did you doubt? 

I make ways in the wilderness and streams in the desert. 

I finish what I start. I will do this, too."

Over and over I heard that message. All. Day. Long.

"He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." 

1 Thess. 5:24

"...The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does."

 Psalm 145:13

It has nothing to do with me. (Thank goodness.) God is faithful. He will do it.

God knew my heart, and He chose to respond with abundant grace in spite of my doubts. The discipline of the Lord is truly sweet and utterly humbling. 
It wasn't only the miracle of my financial support coming in... A miracle was happening within me, as well.

I'm thrilled to share this opportunity to praise His glorious name and mighty acts with you! 
It's incredible to have witnessed a miracle before our very eyes! 
I hope you find great joy in praising His deep faithfulness to us! 

He is worthy.

(check back in soon to hear more about how extravagantly and abundantly He provided...!)

O Day Full of Grace

Over Memorial Day weekend, I had the pleasure of participating in an alumni choir at my high school alma mater. You can read about the incredible experience here.

I'd also suggest you take a minute (Okay...3 minutes and 54 seconds...) to experience one of the "City High classics" for yourself. It was an honor to sing this song again with such incredible musicians and dear friends.

Chills. Every time.

THIS IS BIG

This is BIG news. Like, REALLY BIG! I found out last night, and I could hardly wait until this morning to share it with you!

Remember how I wrote yesterday about how I needed $600 in monthly pledges in six days in order to be able to gain financial clearance by June 17th?

Guess what! That number could potentially drop to just $300 per month!

Some friends of mine, who wish to remain anonymous, have offered to match any pledge that comes in over the next three days... up to $300/month!

Do you know what that means?!

It means that when you pledge a monthly amount today, your gift is automatically doubled!

$10/month becomes $20/month.
$50/month becomes $100/month.
$100/month becomes $200/month.

Tell me that's not so exciting!

It also means that if there is a combined total of $300 in monthly pledges that comes in over the next three days, I will be fully supported! I will be able to leave to begin ministry in Uganda in July as planned!

I don't always understand how God chooses to work and when to reveal himself. 

Right now it's clear that the doors are open in Uganda for me to begin serving, supporting, and advocating for single moms and vulnerable children. 

And now a way has been made here to move this last, looming financial mountain.

Please consider joining my monthly support team, knowing that your gift will be doubled if you pledge before June 15th. 

If you do choose to give, please let me know how much you are pledging. Because it takes quite a few days for online gifts to be processed through the website, and I need to be financially cleared on Monday, I must be able to communicate numbers to AIM. In order to make your pledge or gift count toward my final clearance number, please let me know how much you gave/plan to give via email, facebook, or commenting on this post.

If you're reading this and we haven't met before, I thank you in advance! We'll get to know one another on the journey, and I'm forever grateful to have you along for this adventure. As you can see, it's going to be a wild one!

$300 a month. Doubled. Spread the word. This can happen!

600 In 6

Currently, I'm still at least $600 short of my monthly support goal. I only have six days to see this support come in (including today). If it doesn't, my departure date will be delayed until October. Basically, I'm looking for a miracle to happen by June 17th!

I know that God has asked me to return to Uganda to minister to single mothers and young children. Things are ready for me there! My visa has already been approved by the Ugandan government (a miracle in itself!), I have housing secured, furniture and other household items purchased, and a community of people waiting to receive me. But without the monthly support, I cannot go.  

All it would take is 6 people committing to $100/month for me to be cleared today! 

Or 12 people at $50/month.

Or 24 people at $25/month.

Everything helps! No matter how small.

I know some of you have already given, and for that I am so thankful! 

For those who haven't given and still plan to do so, please visit AIM's giving site as soon as possible to set up automatic, monthly giving (at this point, if you choose to give a one-time gift, it will be automatically be divided by 24 months and be applied to my monthly support).

If you have already given and still believe in the work to be done regarding families and single mothers in Uganda, please consider doing one or some of the following today:

1. Share my blog and the giving site (above) via Facebook, Twitter, your blog, or whatever social media you use. Help spread the word!

2. Forward my newsletters/emails to friends or family members who you think might be interested in giving or learning about Uganda

3. Share the need within your small groups/community groups 

4. Anything else you can think of to help get the word out in less than 6 days!

Thank you for believing in the good work to be done in Uganda and for advocating for me in these ways.

Six days, y'all. Is it possible?

It's In The Name

Only 7 days left until all of my financial support must be in.

Will you join me in prayer this week as we pray with confidence for God's provision and miracles? The Word tells us that if any two of us will agree on anything on earth that God will do it for us in Heaven. I believe this promise.

His name is El Shaddai, the Lord Almighty.

His name is Jehovah Shalom, the Lord is Peace.

His name is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide. The Lord will see to it.

That is His name,

and "we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever."

Micah 4:5

In Their Words, Pt. 3

Mommy Is Beautiful | Kate Connor

"Because my yoga pants are not indicative of 'letting myself go;' they are my uniform...but it’s important to me that my kids see my yoga pants as a sign of expertise... I want them to know that just as my role isn’t lesser than a business woman’s (or a business man’s), neither are my skills. Neither is my beauty.  

I am not a mess. I am a professional mom – a beautiful one."

Primum Non Nocere - First, Do No Harm | Livesay [Haiti]
"I think most adoptive families (choosing to adopt internationally especially) enter into the process thinking they will be helping a child that desperately needs a family... My struggle is, most of these kids have that family before we arrive. We've not done enough to help their families have other options. We've not invested enough time in educating the birth families; first families frequently don't fully understand what they signed up for, nor do they understand what they can expect in the future."

Our People Are In Darkness | Jacob Borgelt
(Friend and fellow AIM missionary serving in South Sudan)

"...I often wonder if one of the reasons why many churches in the remote areas of Africa struggle is due to a preaching and teaching method geared toward the literate while the majority of people in such areas are strictly oral learners... Though in the past there were challenges that prevented missionaries from remaining with the Laarim of the Boya Hills, the door is now open wide to this unreached area, and I am confident that Christ is going to establish and strengthen His church here."


A look at the REAL “Green Pastures” of the famous Psalm 23. Fascinating. 




Psalm 148... Have you ever sung along with stars and whales? Whoa.

In Case You Haven't Heard...

For those who missed the memo...

I'm going to serve as a missionary in Uganda for two years.

My desire is to show practical love and support to vulnerable, single mothers and their babies through a family discipleship program. My desire is to see lives transformed by the Gospel and disciples of Christ raised up.

I'm hoping to leave on July 11th.

I still have a lot of monthly support to raise. About $750.

These funds must be pledged by June 17th, or I won't be able to return to Uganda in July.

This is where I need you... 

Maybe God hasn't asked you to move overseas right now, but He has commanded you to "go into all the world to make disciples." 

By sending me to Uganda, you get to be a part of the Kingdom work happening there.

By sending me to Uganda, you'll get to worship with Ugandan brothers and sisters around the Throne one day and say, "I had a part in that."

This is what it looks like...

4 people pledging $100/month

4 people pledging $50/month

3 people pledging $35/month

7 people pledging $20/month

5 people pledging $10/month

And that's how I can leave for Uganda in July!

In pledging before June 17th, we'll get to watch a miracle happen before our very eyes!

Are you one of those people?

My Funny Friends

Last Thursday was my last day of preschool with our kiddos. It was bittersweet to say goodbye to these precious children and their wonderful families. I was blessed to have them in my life over the school year, but I knew going into the job that this was going to be a transition year. It would eventually come to an end.

It was such a joy to be one of their first teachers and spend the year watching them grow and learn in significant ways. You can almost watch the neurons firing across the synapses in their brains building all sorts of new connections as they learn and experience the world in fresh ways! All throughout the year they're experimenting with various ways of moving through space, solving problems, negotiating social interactions, and constructing their worldview.

Because preschoolers are still so new to this world (Three short years ago they were helpless infants, and now they're in school! Amazing.), their ideas and perceptions about life and how things work often prove to be hilariously charming. The following is a collection of quotes I gathered from our darling students over the course of the school year.

(All About Family)

Girl: "Who is your mommy?"

Boy: "Mama."

Me: Who has a dog at home?
Girl: I do! It has pink and white fur. Its name is Pig.

Me: There are lots of names for daddies. We can call them daddy, or dad, or papa, or father.

Preschooler: Or Ross. My daddy is called Ross because he draws ("dross") things.

Girl: "My daddy is a doctor."

Me: "Oh, really? I didn't know that. What kind of doctor is he?"

Girl: (blank stare)

Me: Is he... a surgeon or a baby doctor?"

Girl: "No!...(looking at me like I'm crazy) He's a grown-up doctor! He can't be a baby!"

________________________

This silly photo of me hung in the snack room all year.
You can't tell here, but the original photo is torn
and covered in grubby, little fingerprints. I love it.

(Treats from Snack Time)

At preschool I learned that "some hot dogs are made from cotton because they kind of taste like cotton. You should really try them sometime!"

Preschooler sits down at the snack table, pours himself some apple juice, and says: I need some coffee...!

Me: Coffee? Why?

Boy: I'm tired. I need a nap. My baby brother kept me awake all night.

Me. Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Why did he keep you awake?

Boy: I guess he just doesn't know the rules.

"Dear God, thank you for our mommies and daddies and fast shoes. Amen."

Me: "What do babies eat?"

Preschoolers: "Legos!"

"Small pieces!"

"Straw and blueberries!"

"God, thank you for snack. And thank you for super heroes. And thank you for the real heroes in this world. Amen."

Me: "Okay, everyone, make sure you're working on eating your snack. Fill up your tummies so you can have lots of energy for all our fun things today!"

Preschooler: "Yeah. I have been growing, like, all day."

Boy: Oh, I love this stuff. It's called Pirates' Booty.

Girl: Hey, don't say that word. That's not nice. Miss Smellie, he said a bad word!

Me: Well, this is a little different. He was just talking about the name of the snack. But you're right. Some families don't say "booty." Do you say "bottom" in your family?

Girl: No...

Me; What do you say?

Girl. We say, "Sorry."

_______________________

(Spiritual Lessons)

Me: I'm glad you're feeling better today. We missed you at preschool!

Boy: Yeah. I only have one more puking life. And then in my next life I won't puke anymore.

Me: That's right! When we believe in Jesus, someday we will get to have a new life with him forever. And in that life there will be no more tummy aches or head aches or tears. Isn't that wonderful?!

Boy:...But what about lunch? How will we eat lunch?

Teacher: "Some people didn't think Jesus was the King, and they wanted to get rid of him. That's not very nice, is it?"

Girl: "...Spank them!"

(after having our eyes closed for prayer) "Miss Smellie, I like the top of your eyes."

Me: "God is everywhere, isn't he? He's in our homes, and here at school, and everywhere we go, even though we can't see him, He is with us. "

Girl: "But when is Jesus going to come out of my heart?"

Me: "Well, some day Jesus is going to come back to earth and live with us. And then we'll get to see him and hug him!"

Girl: "Yeah. And right now Jesus is working in the clouds."

_______________________

(Minds at Work)

Dramatic play phone conversation between two preschoolers:

"Hello. I want to order some tuptakes." (cupcakes)

"We don't have tacos."

"Okay. Love you! Bye!"

Me: What is your teddy bear's name?

Boy 1: He doesn't have one.

Boy 2: You could name him Bearby!

Boy 1: Nah... I'm gonna name him... People!

Boy 2: Or you could name him after me, so you can think about me all the time.

Me: "Let's all sing the ABCs while we wait."

(we sing it)

Me: "Okay, now how about Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?"

(we sing it)

Preschooler: "Okay, now I'm gonna sing Star Wars. Dooo do do do do doooo do...do do do doooo do..."

Teacher: "Everyone close your eyes tight! Can you see anything?...No! Now what do we call it when someone can't see?"

Preschooler: "Dead..."

Boy: (chatting with his friend during calendar time)

Me: "It's time to listen right now."

Boy: "...I'm *talking!*" (looking and sounding incredulously offended)

Girl: "Meow, meow, meow."

Me: "I can hear that you're meowing. Are you pretending to be a kitty?"

Girl: "No, I'm a reindeer."

Girl: What's this?

Me: That's an x-ray. It shows a picture of the inside of your body.

Girl: The inside of your boobie?!

Me: No. Your BODY.

Little boy (wiping away a few tears): "I have some water in my eyes..."

Me: "Oh, let me see. How did that get there?"

Little boy: "Just from my bones..."

Preschooler: "Hey! I can see Africa from here!"

Me: "Really? What does it look like?"

Preschooler: "It looks like a red house!"

____________________

(One-Line Wonders)

Boy: "Guess what I brought for my sharing today... The Batmovehicle!"

(playing knights/princesses, castles, and dragons) "Hey, try to fire-breathe me!"

Girl: "Miss Smellie, when I grow up I want to be you."

Boy: (sees a college student walk by wearing large headphones) "Hey! Look at that wrestling guy!"

"What's the opposite of cold?"..."Nice."

"What's the opposite of happy?"... "Birthday party!"

"What's the opposite of winter?"... "Tuesday."

"What's the opposite of push?"... "Not push."

26 People : Updated!

If 26  23 people were to join my monthly support team in one of the following ways, I could be 100% supported by June 17th!

Take a look:

Are you one of these extremely important 26 23 people? 

Will you help me close the financial gap so I can return to Uganda in July?

Monthly supporters are the backbone of our ability to serve as missionaries. One-time support is essential for actually getting me to Uganda, but without monthly supporters, I would not be able to remain in the country.

My support would quickly run out, and my ministry would be cut short.

I would not be able to use my degree in Early Childhood Education to serve Ugandans in our community.

I would not be able to share the Good News of redemption and love that Jesus offers to each of us.

I would not be able to build relationships with single mothers and advocate for at-risk children.

And more selfishly, I wouldn't have health insurance, food to eat, electricity, water, access to transportation, or any mode of communication with the "outside world."

Do you see how extremely important your role as a monthly supporter is? 

All I need is 26 23 people who catch this vision before June 17th...
26 23 people who understand the impact they can have on the nation of Uganda by sending me...

If you choose to support me, you'll be investing in the lives of women and children in Uganda knowing that one day you'll be able to say, "I had a part in that."