Chili Dogs + Big Sticks= happy tummies

“U GONDA HELP BECKY GET TO UGANDA” was a great success!  We cooked chili dogs, drank lemonade, and had Big Sticks for dessert! It was so great to relax and have friends trickle in and out of my house.  I was able to tell them more about what I will be doing in Africa over a game of Apples to Apples.   The night ended with $170 squashed inside the glass jar and note cards filled with words of encouragement! Thank you to everyone who was able to come, I am very grateful for you in my life J

$5000-$3500=$1,500

God is Good and His promise is true.  Please, please, please be praying.  I have $1500 dollars still to raise.  Thinking about where I was just weeks ago is mind boggling.  I was sitting at Taco Tuesday, feeling ultimately defeated.  I had no money, and $5,000 seemed absolutely impossible.  Today, I feel like I am just an arms distance away.  

BIG THINGS COMING UP!!

Tomorrow night I have invited my friends over to enjoy some delicious chili dogs and yummy desserts as a benefit fundraiser dinner.  I am very excited to be with close friends as they continue to encourage me through this journey.  

Next Saturday, May 7th, is the garage sale! I will be making the journey from SD to the OC.  Over easter I was able to go home for about 24 hours.  I was surprised to see items already collecting in my parents living room.  

There are sure to be great pictures to come!  

my first day off in 21 days

Bike ride by the beach and picnic with Ryan and Pool with Court, Shea, Sarah, Greg, and Ryan... it was the perfect day off. 

the mailbox

Today I needed hope.  I found myself walking over to the mailbox: nervous, excited, anxious, and praying.  Praying that God was planting seeds in my family and friends’ hearts to support me and trust in me to spread love and truth into Africa.  I opened the mailbox and after a stack of endless coupons, God answered my prayer.  Three envelopes sat in my mailbox, addressed to me. Today I wasn’t concerned about the amount, but more the hope.  I opened the envelopes one by one and found myself smiling about each persons name, as I read their notes and thought about memories I have had with them and their families.  There was a total of $400 in the mailbox. I was not expecting that, God is revealing His promise to me.  As I fear the loss of hope, I challenge it. So stop trying to hide from me, because I will find you. :)

I also would like to mention that my dear friend Jill has decided to throw me a garage sale event to help raise money.  The sale will be in Orange County on May 7th, so please stop by!  More details about where and what time will appear in the weeks to come.  

why.

My mind is wrapped around Uganda.  Why do I want to go? Is this just me having cabin fever and needing to flee America to reassure myself there are countries less selfish and less consumed by filling a busy schedule?  Is this me yearning to be challenged culturally, yet again? These are the questions consuming me.  Why. Why do I want to do this?

I have come to some conclusions.  Not only will this opportunity give me skills that I will potentially use in a job, this opportunity will allow me to tell my story. 

            If I wanted to go on a trip, I would have gone on one.  One with my parents.  A trip of pure relaxation and quality sun bathing time.  If I wanted to do any missions trip, I would have gone with LOVEWORKS at Point Loma with my friends and classmates.  I would have gone for three weeks, and been able to come back and work.  Oh, but God, that guy up there, knows me much better than that, and more than myself. 

            I desire real relationships, ones that develop over time.  Over laughter, over eating, deep conversations, and silence.  Two months can give me that, if my heart is open to it.  I desire to witness change.  Uganda has been consumed by civil wars and child soldiers.  I need to see this reality, and come to terms that this is not just something I read about in the news or discuss in my classes.  God wants to spark a fire within my heart, I know it.  I desire to be the hands and the feet.  I want to fulfill a purpose.  A purpose to spread love. To spread mercy. And grace.  I will not discredit their culture or try to convince them mine is right, but I will be a light and attribute the brightness to my Savior.   

 I want to love on the people of Uganda, those hurting and those rejoicing.  I want to be their friend and their sister in Christ.  I will be vulnerable with my past, present, and share my genuine hope for the future. I will be honest. I will break the American stereotype.  I will wear skirts to my ankle, t-shirts, and daily spray myself with bug repellent. 

            I am drifting into a  life that is not mine. It is His.  I will answer His call.  I will not give up, and I will learn to be patient. 

I would like everyone to know there has been a deadline extension.  COTN will not be purchasing our flights, but Flood will, and they have extended the $1500 due date.  I am VERY close, but still need everyday to be a day of prayer and trust.  

Life is short

Encouragement from friends have done more for me than I can explain. Today I am thankful for them. Courtney forced me to write on my facebook, and Shea has reminded me of God's promise and love. And they both believe that this is what I am supposed to do. That this opportunity has been placed before me for a reason. Their encouragement to me is reassuring. My sister and Greg have been more than helpful. Greg is willing to help in any way that he can and Sarah came over to help me stuff envelopes. The letters went out thursday... with animal postage...I couldn't resist. My grandparents. Well they, they just believe in me more than I ever thought possible. Not only have the donated generously, they made 30 copies of their own to hand out to their friends. I have been shocked by the amount of compassion I have received from my friends, family, and bible study girls. I am almost to my $1,500 goal which is due this Friday. It doesnt end there though. Prayers are still verrrryyy crucial! If you would like to receive a letter or want more information on where to send tax-deductible donations, you can email me at rmorines100@pointloma.edu. The song I posted has been my song for the past couple months and always seems to brighten my day... Hope you like it!

Opening Day!

There is something about opening day that gives me the happy jitters.  Hot dogs, peanuts, outrageous prices on all the concession items, dedicated fans, and sitting in the nosebleeds.  How on earth did Petco Park manage to fill the entire stadium at 3:30 on tuesday, dont people have work or kids or something???  I went to the game with Ryan.... he is a Giants fan.  Someone refused to take our picture because he was in Giants paraphernalia .  He got bullied by some dedicated San Diegans, and responds " who has the ring buddy?" They say, " Get over it dude, its a new year." I agree. Its a new year, and its raining navy and white not black and orange. 

PADRES WIN :)

$1500, say what?

Well I got an email yesterday.  An email that read, you must have $1500 by next friday, meaning I have 8, yes you heard me right, 8 days to come up with some funds.  My letters are going out tomorrow which means some people may not get them for another 3 days.  Im stressed, overwhelmed, yet hopeful.  My energy is going toward this, because it would be a shame to give up so soon.  Please be praying for God's work in my life, and for his purpose in me, to be fulfilled, whether it be in Uganda this summer or San Diego!  If you want to learn more about Children of the Nations, to whom i would be interning for you can visit their website http://www.cotni.org/.  And if you would like to learn more about Flood you can visit their website too! http://www.diveintoflood.com/.  

Pictures from Rwanda!

If you would like to partner with me financially you can give online at diveintoflood.com/give by using my team code UG611JA.  OR email me at rmorines100@pointloma.edu and I will send you my address! 

Uganda Day #1

Uganda preparation is well underway!  Last night I had my first Uganda meeting!  I met the rest of my team and I am so excited to share this journey with them!  I found out I basically need to raise $5,000 dollars by May 18th so PLEASE be praying! I will be sending out letters by this Wednesday so check your mailbox!