orphan - a child who has lost both parents through death, a person or thing that is without protective affiliation, sponsorship.
I've have been feeling quite a pull on my heart for the last 9 months to go on a mission trip overseas. It's been quite a journey trying to figure out exactly where it is God wants to use me. I've also felt a heavy pull on my heart for orphans. Those of you who know me well, also know that 9 months ago, this new passion erupted in my heart for the parentless children... I have no idea why these 'new' passions have entered my life... but I know they came from God.
I got our newsletter email yesterday from my church about the upcoming global mission trips for 2009. As I read about each of them and pondered the time of year they would be taking place there was one that kept ringing clearer than the others...South Africa.
Next July for 10 days there's a team going to South Africa to work at an orphans camp. Basically they're going to love on these kids that have been left behind due to the HIV/AIDS virus that their parents have deceased from.
In the last 24 hours, there have been 5 instances where Africa has been mentioned/brought to my attention, from various sources. Are they coincidence?
1. Yesterday in our email staff newsletter, there was mention of our World Drumming Class and how they collected school supplies and materials to donate to an education center in Botswana, Africa. They have been raising money to ship these materials overseas and just reached their goal. The materials are on their way! ; )
2. I opened and read the email from my church, mentioning the mission trip to South Africa.
3. Last night I was prepping my materials for Chapter 8 that my kids are reading in class today from our novel. I decided I wanted to find an online video clip that would be an awesome attention grabber to show in the beginning to hook these kids and motivate them to uncover the events from that chapter. We learn more about a new character that has just been introduced (a talking parrot), that gives the final clue to the solve the mystery. Here's the catch, he's an Africa Grey Parrot. I was able to find a really cool clip of this kind of bird from google video. The kids have loved it by the way! ; )
4. A student walked in this morning and asked me if the last day of school is a half day. First of all, I found it hilarious that he's already thinking about that--but who isn't right? ; ) We looked it up and he teased me that I still have to be here the rest of that Thursday as well as the next day on Friday. I laughed and told him that it's okay though, because I'll probably be catching a plane to get outta here the very next day on Saturday. The following convo took place:
"Oh yeah? Where you going?"
"Doesn't really matter too much where I'm going does it? It just matters that I'll be gone!" (winking at student)
"Haha, true. You'll probably go to Africa or something like that!"
"Haha! That's really funny that you say that...I'm actually thinking about going next July..."
"Really!? That's cool! For what?"
"A mission trip--to go work at an orphanage camp!"
"That's awesome!"
5. The email staff newsletters that we get everyday includes a section called "This Day in History" and today's made mention of today's date in 1967 the 1st human heart transplant took place in Cape Town, South Africa.
6. In my 7th Hour class, a student was sharing about an experience he had on vacation and meant to say Arkansas, but Africa came out instead. These two A words that are locations are nothing alike, at least that I'm aware of. But he could also still have Africa on the brain from first hour when we talked about the parrot. Hmm...
Is this getting weird or what?
I don't know what this means. I know that trip is expensive, but I also know that there are financial alternatives, ways to raise the money, as well as individuals and companies that volunteer to sponsor these trips.
Please pray for me and with me for guidance and wisdom in contemplating this trip...
image courtesy of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:LocationSouthAfrica.svg
**Edit**
There have been 4 more occurrences within the last 48 hours of this posting...
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