One Year (plus a few days) Later...

As I sit and write this blog, this journey with Sozo officially began 380 days ago, which makes my first official day at Sozo January 12, 2012.
It's so funny to see how the Lord is continuously at work in our lives. How He prepares the way weeks, months and sometimes even years in advance. I was looking back on college assignments while cleaning out my room the other day and came upon a paper that I wrote about my life right before my senior year in college. Keep in mind, this was before I ever even knew Sozo existed, much less had any idea I would seek out an internship with them. I rest assured that the Lord was preparing my life--my heart, for what was to come in just a few short months.

(Written April 2011)
"It is so incredible to see this journey unfold before my eyes and to begin to see His purpose and hand over each area of my life. As I approach graduation one year from now, next May, I rest completely sure that my childhood years, high school years and now college years were so preciously and perfectly designed to launch me into what the Lord has so sweetly prepared for me. I do not have any specific idea of what I will do as far as a career goes, but I do know that He will see me through each day in placing me somewhere that brings Him glory. I was made to advocate for those without a voice, those who fight every day to stay alive and those holding on to a hope that one day something better will come. Whether that is in the States or in a foreign land, I press forward with full confidence and hope, that the Lord will be my provider, my comforter, my protector and my shelter. I have learned that my plans seem great for just a small time, but His plans will always be far greater and far more exciting than I could dream up or imagine. I hope to work alongside an organization who does orphanages or feeding programs in another country. This would be a short term goal of mine. One that I would love to see happen in the next year. A long term goal I would have would be to be in a position that would allow me to travel often to other countries and be a vessel to provide a better, more joyful life for those who are not blessed to have loving parents and a supportive environment backing them."

The Lord without a doubt gives us the desires of our hearts. He grants us our hopes and our dreams. He is beyond faithful.

Over these next few sentences and paragraphs, my hope is that I could scratch the surface as I unpack what this past year has held. I will forget things along the way, expand on things that touched a sweet spot in my spirit and give God all honor and glory as I unfold one year in one blog. It has been a season of growth, frustration, joy, pain, laughter, surprises, discipleship and love. A beautiful mixture of every feeling and emotion that I can assure you, as tough as it was, I simply would not change one thing.

And so it begins--January 2012...
What started as an internship for school to wrap up my college career turned into much, much more. I laugh now, but at the time, I remember wondering what I was thinking starting at a non-profit right smack in the dead heat of tax season. Was I crazy?! Eyes crossed from inputting numbers in excel files, licking envelopes and making multiple trips to the post office--tax returns were sent and I released a deep breath.



Church of the Highlands Tuscaloosa- Haiti 2012

                  

Haiti

In March of 2012, I had the opportunity to travel back to Haiti to work alongside an unbelievable group of servants from Church of the Highlands. This was my second time to visit Sister Bonite and her precious children that take part in her feeding program she runs. I thought this visit back over there would be a breeze since I had been there less than a year prior. However, it was so much different. Actually it was harder. At first I could not figure out why that was the case, but over the course of my time there, it clicked. I was forced to be still. To not fill my entire day with projects, ministry, and children. My human tendencies are to go, go, go. Don't slow down. Don't reflect. Don't process. Fill my days to be so jammed packed that time spent with the Lord pass me by. So while we were in Haiti this last time, our days did have a lot of down time attached to them. And that was uncomfortable for me. Reason for that you may ask--Discomfort came when I had no choice but to pause. To simply hear that sill small voice. To listen to where He was leading and what He was pressing upon my heart. I have mentioned it before, but for those of you just now starting to follow this journey of mine, this last trip to Haiti was when the Lord confirmed to stay at Sozo following graduation. I fought it. Fought it hard to be honest. It didn't make sense. But He simply put it, OBEY. Daily obedience is what He asked of me. The question was "Will you say Yes? Not just today, but everyday."

Mud Run- Spring 2012

The Mud Run was next on the list--which was a lot of work--or so I thought until fall rolled around and we were cracking down on getting two fundraisers put together that would be held just weeks apart. Here is my disclaimer. For those of you who are reading this who were apart of putting THREE fundraisers on in ONE weekend in the fall of 2011 for Sozo--You were crazy!! I realize that my stress level should not have been as high as it was, because for you, putting on another 5k was just a hop, skip and a jump.

Phiona and Shamira at the Birmingham Airport

Next on deck was getting ready for the Summer. Trips, interns and two new friends from Uganda. On May 25, 2012, we welcomed Shamira and Phiona at the Birmingham Airport as they would be here for a time seeking out medical treatment. The lessons I would learn from these two lives were not known to me at that time, but my life would forever be impacted from two girls who were eleven and twelve at the time they arrived.

Shamira and Phiona



Summer with Phiona

I had the opportunity to spend majority of the first couple of months with Phiona. Getting to know her. Learning from her. Watching her go from shy, quiet and fearful of mzungus(white people) to an energetic, fun yet reserving not one ounce of her being. Each day was a new day. New lessons for me to learn. New lessons I was able to teach. Mercy. Grace. I was beginning to learn what these look like in tangible ways. I realized Through her young life, I was starting to learn more specific characteristics of Christ. The ones that He continues to offer me. Daily. I was beginning to see, this life I refer to as a journey was about to forever alter the way I live. The way I saw things. The way I loved.

Annual Fundraiser Dinner

Adventure Race- Fall 2012

We made it through fall fundraisers but I can't say with confidence I would have personally had I not begged, pleaded and offered just about everything I owned to get my fellow Sozo staffers home from Uganda a week or so before originally planned. Thankful for their hearts that understand both sides of Sozo--Uganda and the States-- and appreciate the hard work that goes into each. Along with everyone making their way back to the States, they brought along yet another Ugandan friend, Daudi. Daud(as I call him) is our on-ground administrator for Sozo in Uganda. And he is phenomenal I might mention. He joined us in the States for two months until we both returned to Uganda in October. Some of my favorite moments with Daudi were when we would sit outside and he would tell me stories of the children in Uganda. Where they came from. What their lives looked like before Sozo. The good, the bad, the ugly. He wanted to me to see the work that The Lord had done in their lives. And I did. Those were special days.

Daudi at the North Carolina fundraiser

St. Petersburg Fundraiser

Sozo takes on Disney World

I was able to travel to both the North Carolina and St. Petersburg fundraisers and we even snuck in a quick trip to Disney World. Both dinners were wonderfully done and it was so incredible to see how much love there is for Sozo, and not just in Alabama. It is a blessing to see how people grasp a hold of the vision of Sozo and they love it the same way we do. Seeds are being planted across multiple states and fruit is beginning to be evident. Sherry and Jon, you are such a huge blessing to Sozo and we are beyond thankful for everything you both do in order to make Christ known. To Him be the glory.

Rays of Hope

Sozo Children House 1

I travelled to Uganda in October for the first time. To read more about this trip you can view this previous blog. (Uganda Trip) The days that I spent in Uganda were beautiful. Not just the physical appearance of the country, although it did not disappoint. The beauty came in the people I met. The joy of the children. The love of the staff. The open arms and acceptance from the people we passed on the streets each day. Uganda took my heart. But then again, I have yet to meet anyone in which this hasn't been the case. There is something special about this place. Something I can't figure out, but in the same breath, I just don't know if I want to figure it out. The mystery that lies in that truth makes it that much more special. It was something about the sunrises and sunsets. It was something about many voices joining together as one to bring fame to our Father. It was something about the fresh squeezed juice we occasionally drank. It was something about the smell of the garbage being burnt. It was something about the eagerness the children had to grab the first hand they saw or grab a hold of the first leg they could get their arms around. The sights, sounds, tastes, smells and feelings you experience are what stick. You don't get hung up on the brokenness that surrounds you because you take a look to the left of you during devotion and see Francis worshiping our magnificent Father with the sweetest air guitar moves you'll ever see.

(Francis has the blue shirt on. Watch carefully. You won't miss his sweet moves!)

 

And then you look to the right during a game of around-the-world and you lay eyes on Alex, but you are immediately drawn to a smile that represents such a joy in the Lord that it is simply indescribable.

Alex

And it is then, from one of our youngest children to the guy who we are privileged to call our van driver, that you begin see what beauty from ashes truly looks like. It's right there, unfolding before your eyes. Redemption. It's divine.

Shamira

After returning from Uganda in October, I began to weekly tutor Shamira. We worked together on her Math, Social Studies and English. I cannot begin to express how these days that we spent in the library touched my heart. Her hard-work, dedication and drive to truly learn impacted my life in ways that she has not a clue of. She is special. A true workmanship of the Lord. Her spirit is meek, but she is strong. I am beyond thankful and grateful for the opportunity to spend afternoons with this precious soul. Together, yet in different and unique ways, we are learning more with every day that passes that goes way beyond those four walls that make up that library.

Before I began tutoring Shamira, I began to weekly meet with Amiee(her mom) as she took on the role of mentoring me. This relationship that formed was the result of four very long years of asking (more like pleading with) the Lord to have someone step into my life and play this role. It was worth every prayer prayed in that time to have a sweet soul like hers in my life. I value the wisdom that can be poured into our lives if we are simply willing to receive it. I thank the Lord for her life each day and am honored that she takes the time to intentionally invest into my life. She is a strong example of pure love and grace. I am grateful.

Joan

Derrick

Along the way, I have had the great opportunity to get to know, grow to love and yet again learn from the whole gang. Joan has taught me to have joy. Derrick has taught me gentleness. Shamira has taught me strength. Laurel has taught me selflessness. Coleman has taught me what ambition looks like.

And here we are now--January 2013..

A few Sozo staffers-Snow Day 2013

The new year has begun. It has been a great one so far. The Lord has shown Himself faithful time and time again. We are expectant for what is to come throughout this year at Sozo. We cling tight to His promises which are true and we know that He is sure to carry out until the day of completion the good work that He has begun. It's a fun ride. Some days are hard. But it is on those days that we are reminded that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Praising the One from whom all blessings continuously flow.

Next stop...Uganda.
Please be in prayer as I prepare to travel back to Uganda on Sunday February 3rd to spend one month back in that special place that stole my heart just three months ago. I will be working alongside Andee and a few others to implement various educational programs into our homes that are currently running. We pray the Lord's blessing upon each day. May He grant to us patience, discernment and good graces as we follow what has been pressed upon each of our hearts.

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18