I am going to Uganda this summer with five friends, also known as "Mommas on a Mission". To help offset our costs and to help us raise $ to purchase donations for the organizations we'll be working with, I have created the following items for sale. If you'd like to place an order, please send me an e-mail at christyrowden@cox.net with the item you are interested in and I'll get in touch with you for shipping or local pick-up details. Thank you so much for your support!
"Oceans" 6" square tile trivet with felt pads on the back Minimum suggested donation: $10 Metal easel (optional): $3 Wooden easel (optional): $4
"Amazing Grace" 6" square tile trivet with felt pads on the back Minimum suggested donation: $10 Metal easel (optional): $3 Wooden easel (optional): $4
"More Thank You Think I Am" 6" square tile trivet with felt pads on the back Minimum suggested donation: $10 Metal easel (optional): $3 Wooden easel (optional): $4
"How Can It Be" 6" square tile trivet with felt pads on the back Minimum suggested donation: $10 Metal easel (optional): $3 Wooden easel (optional): $4
4" coaster set (mini versions of the 6" tiles) with felt pads on the back Minimum suggested donation: $12 (for the set of 4)
This is an example of a custom tile I can do. Custom designs are an additional $15. You just send me a pic and an idea for your design and I'll see what we can come up with.
“I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me, but now I'm more afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter.” - Bob Goff #lovedoes
6" square tile trivet with felt pads on the back
Minimum suggested donation: $10
Metal easel (optional): $3
Wooden easel (optional): $4
"Phillipians 4:8"
6" square tile trivet with felt pads on the back Minimum suggested donation: $10 Metal easel (optional): $3
Wooden easel (optional): $4
"The safest place to be is within the will of God." - Psalm 34:4
6" square tile trivet with felt pads on the back Minimum suggested donation: $10
Metal easel (optional): $3
Wooden easel (optional): $4
7"x9" burlap photo holder
Clothespin has has an added touch of paperbeads made in Uganda
I've been thinking a lot recently about my life today and where I was just 5 years ago. At that time, I started blogging for Project Hope Worldwide, a local non-profit that was about to open an orphanage and school in Lira, Uganda. I can remember clearly one night in September 2010, I was at dinner with some friends when I received a text from our pastor asking if I wanted to go to Uganda. He wanted me to see firsthand the original 20 children that were getting ready to move into their new homes when the orphanage opened in a few months. To say I was taken aback is an understatement. I always thought it was "neat" that people would travel to third world countries and serve there but I never in my wildest dreams thought I would ever travel to Africa. I had absolutely zero interest.
So I told my pastor I would pray about it but the catch was that I had to let him know my answer in just a few days because we were going to travel in December and I'd have to get my travel immunizations and my passport right away. Well, like I said, I had no interest in going; however, I felt like I was being asked to go for a reason and I truly felt like God wanted me to go. So after praying about it, arguing with God, and discussing it with my husband, I felt like I had to go no matter if I wanted to or not. So, I said "yes".
I have to admit, the next few months were spent in total fear. I read everything I could about Uganda and learned way more than was necessary. I read about Joseph Kony, child soldiers, witch craft, child sacrifices, etc and it scared me to death. It was a gripping fear that would wake me at night and I'd cry about it during the day. I'm sure my husband thought I was a total basket case. I would look at my girls and think, "What if I'm killed over there and never see my family again?!"
Now I can look back and laugh at how ridiculous and unfounded my fears were. I can also see how Satan tried to keep me from going to Uganda by building on my fears and keeping me from living life to it's fullest and experiencing joy that can only be found by trusting God. I shudder to think how different my life would be today if I would not have said YES. Since then, our family has developed a love affair with Uganda and has been involved with several helping organizations there. And the best thing that came from our involvement with Uganda was growing our family by adopting our son, Asher, two years ago. We love him more than anything and can't imagine our life without him today.
So as I prepare for my fourth trip to Uganda this summer, I reflect back on my fears and can honestly say I have replaced them with 100% faith in God. In each of my previous trips, I know that He went before me and prepared the way and He has grown my faith in Him like I would have never expected.
Warning: Selfless promotion...One of my favorite quotes is "The safest place to be is within the Will of God". I have made a special 6"x6" tile trivet with that saying on it as a fundraiser for our trip to Uganda. I am charging a minimum suggested donation of $10 for the tile and $4 for the wooden easel (optional), plus shipping if you are not local to our town. If you'd like to order one, please leave your e-mail address in the comments below and I will get in touch with you.
I've gathered a few resources that may be helpful for anyone who experiences fear, especially for those whose fears are so debilitating that it steals your joy and keeps you from feeling safe in the will of God. If you have any resources that I can add to this list, please leave a comment and I'll be sure to add it to my list! ;-)
