Saturday, January 25, 2014

Moving Mountains

Hujambo Rafiki (Hello Friends), 

What a crazy past few weeks it has been. In fact, to say that my mind has been blown would be putting it lightly. Ever had an experience where you had the lowest expectations possible, but then out of nowhere things start coming together and the impossible started to happen? Well that has been this week.  What a lot of people don’t realize is the Team Tanzania was not supposed to happen-- it was the rookie team. Which what makes what I am about to say even more impactful, as of this week Team Tanzania is completely full! There is only one other team from Azusa Pacific University that is completely full and we got another boy on our team! (huge answer to prayer!) ….Out of the 30 some action teams that are going on different mission trips, we are one of the only teams that are completely full.  So this is great news right? … but wait there is more..  a company in  Long Beach has donated bikes. BIKES. So along with water, filters, and feeding people, we will be assembling bikes. A bike in Africa is a game changer. It can make a huge difference in getting to jobs, water, or other villages. This is a huge development. Words cannot express my overwhelming joy.  In the next month, I will be heading down to that company to learn how to assemble those bikes and then we will put them on a shipping container. I cannot wait to see how this develops and what wonderful people we will meet because of this opportunity! GOD IS GOOD. 

Intercultural Mission Class

Today I started my intercultural mission class and I am in love. I am afraid that this class will feed my heart for missions and I may not return home from Tanzania this summer. (Kidding.. sort of) When I talk about missions, my eyes light up. This is my passion--helping others in the name of Christ. The more I engage in this class, the more that passion grows. I think for my entire life I have ran from the idea of being a missionary, because “the American dream” sounded so lovely. However, as I get older I realize it’s all stuff and you cannot take a U-Haul to the funeral home. As I feed my soul with the idea of missions, I cannot run anymore. When I went to Uganda in 2007, I had my first taste of what it was like to live outside myself. It was almost as if, I had lived in darkness my entire life and then saw the light.  This light is why I am going back and why I am leading others. I want others to see that light and have a passion for things outside the “American Dream”.  Needless to say, this class is making my passion for mission grow stronger and is challenging me to think about things I've never thought about.  

Financial Update: 

I got my update this week and I still need to raise $3,492.50 away from goal. However, I have raised about $687 right now. 


Mailing out letters 
I have been bringing in a lot of funds by doing photos shoots. I have been offering my photography skills. Instead of getting paid, I have people make donations to my trip. I’ve done family portraits, headshots, senior photos, and couple photos. It’s been a fun way to raise money, as well as use one of my talents. So if you have photography need, keep me in mind! 



I also sent out support letters this week. If you didn't receive one and you would like one, please send me an email or download it here.

If you would like to make a donation you can give online:  Click Here. When filling out the form,  Make sure to select Team Tanzania and fill out name: Danielle Ernest.  

Prayer Requests 
  • For my Team- that God will continue to prepare them and bless them for making this commitment. 
  • Team Unity and Bonding- We had our first team meeting this week and it went amazing. Pray that we will continue to unite and come together. 
  • That God will provide a bike expert somewhere on our journey. Whether that person goes on our trip or they are over in Tanzania or wherever. 
  • For fundraising. Pray that will be able to minister to people and that God will bless our socks off. 
  • Strength- this semester is getting hard and intense. Satan is seeking to distract. Pray for endurance and strength. 


Thank you all for your love and support. The love I have been given over the past few weeks has meant the world to me. 

Blessings, 

Danielle 



"Radical obedience to Christ is not easy... It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.” 
― David Platt


Wednesday, January 15, 2014

132 days until Tanzania



Well it’s 2014- the year I will go to Tanzania. 132 days until I leave.  

Team Update 
My team is starting to form, which I am very excited about. So far there are 6 members on Team Tanzania. We are hoping that we get a few more, hopefully more males. As of now, we have 5 girls and 1 male.  So please continue to pray that God will provide more men for our trip. We need more men in order to have an impact since Tanzania is a patriarchal society. 

Fundraising

I am $3,780 away from my goal. Being a communication major, I have written my support letter 3 times because I have not been satisfied. Those will eventually go out within the next 2 weeks, I promise. If you would like to receive a support letter, please email me your address and I will get that to you. 

If you would like you give online:  Click HereWhen filling out the form,  Make sure to select Team Tanzania and fill out name: Danielle Ernest.  


Health Update

In my last post, I told you I was using Tanzania to get healthy and guess what…  I have. Currently, I have lost 15lbs. My goal is to be 40lbs lighter before I leave for Tanzania. I have been eating healthier and exercising regularly.  I even joined the “Gold’s Gym Challenge”, which I think means torture yourself for 12 weeks, but it is worth it. 


Prayer Request

Please pray for this semester. I am taking 18 units, working 30 hours, and trying to plan/ raise funds for this trip. I cannot wait to see how my team and I will be used to further the Kingdom of God and how God uses this trip to further change the hearts of myself and my teammates.  I ask that you partner with my team through prayer. Prayer is a very powerful resource that I deeply want for our team. Our team’s most pressing prayer needs are: For our focus to be Christ centered, for our team to have unity, for future interactions that will take place with the people of Tanzania and the people along the way, for our partnership with FFCC, for the finances of all the team members, and for all of us to rely solely on God for our strength and guidance. 

Thank you all for you encouragement, donations, love and support. I appreciate it. I can't wait to share this journey with you. 


Kwaheri (Bye), 
Danielle 

"Do justice, embrace love, and walk humbly with God" - Micah 6:8