13 days!

I leave in 13 days and have been overwhelmingly blessed with love and support. I cannot even begin to describe how thankful I am for those of you who have joined my support team, emailed me and called me to tell me that you're praying for me and love me.

Not only have I reached my support goals, but you have also given me nutritional supplements, shampoo and conditioner, medical textbooks for the clinic, and money for last minute purchases. The days are passing quickly, but in the last two weeks I've been able to see friends in Charleston, Hilton Head, and North Carolina and will be in Asheville this weekend for a cousin's wedding/Fuller family reunion. What a way to spend my last few days in America!

Seriously...I have to be the best-cared-for person leaving to go overseas ever!

Some of you have asked what I still need. So...if you're going through your closets, I need to expand my collection of long-ish skirts, short sleeve shirts that can be worn with said long-ish skirts, and scrubs.

And if anyone had a pediatric stethoscope and/or a good quality adult stethoscope not in use that you were willing to donate, that would be amazing! Both Mandie and I have stethoscopes, but they're only slightly better than isolation stethoscopes. These aren't needs...just "it would be nice ifs..."

Y'all are wonderful! I thank my God everyday for you....

Love, rachel

Africa Here I Come!

It’s official: I bought my plane ticket!!! I leave August 9th for Masindi, Uganda! Yikes!

Last week PIONEERS Africa gave me permission to go! We worked up a contract between PI and Palmetto Medical Initiative outlining the relationship and so I’m moving forward!

My support raising adventure has been exciting! As of today, I’m at 90% for my monthly support needs and 100% for departure. I still need $150/month which means finding 10 people who will support me at $25/month!

Please let me know if you are willing to join my team, either in prayer or financial support! If you would like to financially partner with me, please visit pioneers.org/give. They have an option for monthly automated giving. My account number is 110942.

Please contact me: countingitjoy@gmail.com or visit my blog: http://smallripples.blogspot.com

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* I'll be living in Masindi, just to the right of Lake Albert

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Prayer Request

Please be praying for my arrival there and the staff I will be responsible for training. My inadequacy is a great opportunity for the Lord to show His glory. The vision of PMI is to create a hospital that provides excellent healthcare that is also eventually self-sustaining. When I started this adventure, I thought about the patients for whom I would care, but more recently, the Lord has given me a vision to see the staff of the hospital become passionate for the Lord and for His message. That may seem obvious, but Uganda is not among the unreached nations and some say the percentage of Christians is as high as 90%. I pray that the Lord will set apart the staff; that they would not just call themselves Christians because of their cultural background, but that they would be authentic followers of Jesus. Please pray for the first couple months as I assess their skills as nurses, as well as their spiritual condition.

In the Shadow of God

Bezalel didn't make it into the top 10 baby names for 2010, not even the top 100....I don't even think it'll make it into the top 10 in Israel, and it's a Hebrew name. 

I've been doing a Beth Moore study this summer with the women at church.  It's the updated version of "A Woman's Heart," a study of the tabernacle.  I was struck this week in my homework about a man named Bezalel.  God appointed him as a craftsman of the tabernacle.  In Exodus 31, God is telling Moses who he has appointed to construct the temple: "See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.  I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship."  Bezalel was one of the elite few from the Old Testament who were filled with the Holy Spirit.  What an honor!  Yet, he is hardly mentioned after that.  His name means "in the shadow of God."  I looked it up in baby names and the definition went on to say, "implies protection of the Almighty." 

"In the shadow of God" also implies to me that Bezalel was not in it for the fame and the glory.  If he was, then he was probably disappointed.  He was filled with the Spirit in order to carry out his job and he did so under the shadow of the glorious Almighty God.  My flesh seeks recognition and honor, yet my heart's desire is that the Lord be glorified in everything I do.  I really do want to be so hidden in the shadow of the Most High God, that only He is seen.

That is my desire for Africa.  May the name Bezalel be a theme, a daily reminder, that I am not working for myself but for the Lord.  May it also be a reminder that He is my hiding place and my refuge.

the Lausanne Covenant

Uniting Proclamation (evangelism) and Demonstration (of God's love) within the Church's mission.  Where are we now? ....http://vimeo.com/10168437

Approval to Go!

I received an email yesterday from Christine, the East Africa Area Leader for PI Africa!  She gave Mandie and me full approval to go!!!! It seemed a long time in coming, but hallelujah! :)  Now the only hurdle is to finish raising support.

God has already abundantly provided 100% of my departure needs and 57% of my monthly support!  In physical numbers that translates to still needing $776/month.  I am trusting the Lord to provide the rest!

If you'd like to join my support team, you can visit PIONEERS here: http://www.pioneers.org/Give/AutomatedGiving.aspx

Some of you have asked what percentage is used for administrative fees.  10% is deducted for administrative fees and 2% is deducted for international ministry.  Also, here is some information on PIONEERS' financial accountability:

Financial Integrity
Pioneers is a member of ECFA, an accreditation agency dedicated to helping Christian ministries earn the public's trust through adherence to seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship. Founded in 1979, it is comprised of over 2,000 evangelical Christian organizations, which qualify for tax-exempt, nonprofit status and receive tax-deductible contributions to support their work.

Independent Audit Each year, Pioneers is audited by independent certified public accountants. Click on the link below to download the 2009 audit. Download 2009 Audit

ECFA's Standards of Responsible Stewardship focus on board governance, financial transparency, integrity in fund-raising, and proper use of charity resources.

Pioneers is also a member of CrossGlobal Link, formerly IFMA. Not only are members trusted to be true to the Bible, to the gospel, and to the high moral and ethical demands of Scripture, membership with CrossGlobal Link ensures the highest standards of financial integrity.