I'll Be Home For Christmas!

It's official I'm coming home for Christmas, if God wishes (as they say in Burundi).
I fly to Burundi Friday at 1:30pm (like in 2 days)
I will then fly back to the states for Christmas arriving on Dec 19th.
(for those of you who have been waiting to meet Isaac, he will be joining me for Christmas, this is why I am returning after such a short time in Burundi)
The plan is then to return to Burundi Jan 7 but the ticket hasn't been purchased yet. I need to make sure finances, specific job, and housing is all lined up (this I hope to secure while in Burundi before graduation of my students)

I know that many of you wish that you knew what my plans were, what I was doing and where I will do it. But the truth is, I don't know myself. This is like moving to Texas and finding a job, it just happens to be moving to a city in Burundi and not in the US. The Lord has given me a passion for people with disabilities and the need is so great in Burundi that I can't sit here hoping someone will email me and request my assistance. I'm going there and will job hunt. I've prayerfully considered this step and I believe it is from the Lord (my parents do too). We (my parents and I) are stepping out on faith that the Lord is going to do big things, and we want to be ready for the work he has prepared for me to do.

Leaving soon!!!

It has been a whirlwind of emotions, lack of sleep because of excitement, nervous wreck, and big decision making.
I'm sure things will not settle down until I'm in that plane on Friday and can't do anything about anything for 36 hours as I fly over land and sea and wait in airport after airport. My flight leave Friday afternoon but doesn't arrive until Sunday afternoon in Burundi. But I don't care, it will get me there :)

New Prayer Card

Mail

Up to my elbows in letters, envelops, and addresses.

Fundraising Begins

If you are interested in helping financially with this adventure you can send funding to:

Living Hope Church
PO Box 1726
Westport, WA 98595

check memo line: Rachel in Burundi

The goal is $20,000.
This is $5,000 less than last year. Now I know some tricks to saving money while living in East Africa.
Funding will help pay for: $90/month visa fee, travel expenses, ministry expenses, living expenses.

Strike While the Iron's Hot

Things are moving so fast over here!
So I got an email yesterday from the travel agent saying that she wasn't able to purchase the ticket on Friday because of the holiday. She looked at the price on Monday and the tickets had jumped $500!!! She asked if we could hold off in hopes that the price would go down. I agreed.
Today she emailed me with good new! Not only did she get the ticket but the price went down and it was back to the original price!!!
Then as I was preparing other things for this trip I called the Burundi Embassy in Washington DC to find out if they got my paperwork for a visa and see about any problems that there might be. The woman informed me that she was currently putting my passport, complete with visa to Burundi in the mail!
How does this happen?

In the process of the weekend I also was able to get a church who could manage my account while I am in Burundi!

I guess the phrase, "strike while the iron's hot" applies here :)

God is good!!!

The Ball is Rolling!!!

I JUST BOUGHT A PLANE TICKET TO BURUNDI!!!!

That's right. Things have been moving so fast the last two days I haven't had time to update you on things. sorry

Here are the highlights:

Dad gave the ok to start fundraising

Received an invitation letter for a trip to Burundi in December from the president of HAU to go for graduation (Dec 16 is graduation of the students I taught)

Received positive conversation about a new church who is willing to manage my finances and take care of sponsors while I'm gone

Purchased a plane ticket for Dec 2-Dec 19 (return date pending on circumstances)

Plan to sure up plans for a Jan return to Burundi