In the Beginning...

Have you ever said something and then watched it unfold before your very eyes?  Well, that is exactly what I am experiencing and I don't want to miss it. Therefore, I will journal it.  Here, on this blog. It is my Year On A Mission.

I'm not sure exactly when it started, but on March 27th, I told a fellow sister that I wanted to serve on four mission trips in 2010.  I wanted to serve my brothers and sisters in Haiti, Nicaragua, Togo and Kenya Africa.  At the time, I didn't know how I was going to accomplish this feat, but I knew that God placed the desire in my heart and that He would be the one to bring it to pass.

My first confirmed trip is to Kenya with my church family.  We will be there for two weeks beginning in the middle of October.  We will conduct workshops and intensive trainings in several coastal towns.  This will be an incredible time of leadership training and impartations. 

My next desire was to serve in Haiti.  However, my first two attempts to join a Haiti team met with rejection.  One due to a conflict in dates and the other because the team was already full.  Then in late April, I applied to be a part of a Haiti Construction Team and was accepted.  I immediately started the fundraising process and let me tell you, the Lord has been faithful!  We leave for Haiti in less than 10 days and will be there for a week.

Around that same time, early May, I received an invitation to return to Togo, West Africa.  I served on a team to Togo in 2006 and have since had a desire to return.  This is the first year in which I am able to do so.  The cost of this trip is daunting in light of the fact that my contract at my former place of employment ended in early May.  Nevertheless, I know that the Lord is leading me to be a part of this team, so I accepted the invitation to join.  The dates of this team work perfectly with the dates in which I'll be in Kenya.  Therefore, I will join my Togo Team there straight from Kenya.

Early in the year, I inquired about the 2010 Nicaragua Medical Team. I was rejected because the team was already full.  I contacted the leader twice to see if there were any openings and both times was told the team was still full.  Then, just 2 1/2 weeks before I was scheduled to leave for Haiti, I received an e-mail from the Nicaragua team leader, informing me that a slot was open if I were still interested in serving on the team.  I certainly was interested.  This would complete the four trips on which I believed the Lord was calling me to serve.  I am excited and in a state of anticipation.  However, I must admit a part of me is concerned.  How am I going to raise the money for all of these trips.  Half of the money for the Nicaragua trip is due on the day I return from Haiti and I haven't raised any of it yet.  Therefore, I was hesitant to join the team.  But then I prayed and I was led to step out in faith. 

The next day, this past Sunday (Father's Day), I had to turn in $250 for my Togo Mission trip.  I also need to raise some money to start applying to the Nica trip.  What was I going to do?  In the middle of our Youth Service on Saturday, I heard the Lord say to go ahead and do a bake & dinner sale the next day.  I complied.  Individuals thought that I would not make much, because most people take their fathers out to dinner on Father's Day.  But I said, I believe God.  When we are faithful and obedient, He makes up the difference.  That day, we raised over $350.  Glory to God.  Therefore, enough was raised for the $250 due for Togo Team and some left over to put towards the Nica Trip.  God is amazing!

So, now I'm contemplating what I will do next to raise the funds for these trips?  Do you have any suggestions?  If so, post them here.  I will soon send out donation letters.  Don't be surprised if you get one from me :-)  I am also selling Cakes.  People tell me all the time that my "made from scratch" cakes are delicious.  I'm trying to think of a catchy name now so that I can make up some fliers and distribute them to all of my family and friends.  Here is what I've come up with so far:  Commission Cakes, Cakes on a Mission, Destiny Desserts... What do you think?

Well, I guess that's all for today.  My arms are a bit sore.  I received two vaccines today. One in each of my arms.  Let me tell you, that was fun ;-).  I'm not sure how often I'll post.  I guess as I am led by the Lord.  Please pray for me that I would seek and clearly discern the voice of the Lord in this season.  The attack is great on the mission field, but the prayers of the Saints avail much.

Grace and Peace,
Donna Lee