Travel Advisory and Immunizations Galore!!

As I prepare for my impending adventure, I wanted to give my support team an update!
Less than a month and I will be on a plane bound for Uganda, Africa.  Soooo cool!!  :)
I am very excited, and yet I am fighting some apprehensions... rrying to find the balance between walking in faith and fearlessness and walking in wisdom and reality.

Last week the US government issued a global travel advisory.  Basically they advise Americans to not travel due to unusually high terrorist chatter.  At least that is how I understood it.  The advisory ends August 31, but as my mom pointed out, terrorists probably don't check the calendar.

I am sure if it is too dangerous to go, Watoto Ministries will advise me to reschedule.  They wouldn't put the team in danger, and they wouldn't want to be responsible for a bunch of Americans/other foreigners if there really was trouble.  My plan is to keep in contact with the ministry, and take whatever they advise into prayer and consideration.

Please be praying for the whole situation.  I believe God has ordained that I should go and be a part of the work Watoto is doing.  He provided the funding through you, my amazing support team, so rapidly that I am still in awe.  I believe He will protect me, and as my sister recently reminded me, the safest place to be is in the center of God's will for my life.  Join me as I seek His wisdom in this situation.

In other updates
Just this morning I completed my CPR training!  I wanted to take this course so would be ready to handle any emergency situations while working in the Baby Homes!  Not only did I receive training on how to administer CPR to infants, but I got the full course.  So now I can save lives of all ages!! :)

I have gotten the following immunizations:  Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Hep B and a prescription for Malaria that I will take while in Uganda and then a month after I return.  These are expensive, however the generosity in giving was so great, that I have funds to cover most of the cost of the immunizations.  Those individuals whose funds were used were contacted, and they gave their approval for their donation to be used for this part of the trip.


THANK YOU, AGAIN, TO EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!

I will continue to update you, and I appreciate and value your prayers!!!
For the Kingdom!!
Jaimie

Watoto Baby Home!! Sept 6 -20, 2013

*Fundraising Goals have been met, ahead of schedule, by an 
Amazing God and an incredible support team!!!!* 
I am honored and humbled by how Good the Lord is
and by His constant Provision!!!  
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Dear Friends and Family,

12 years ago I was in the Philippine Islands ministering at a giant garbage mountain and having an amazing time.  Seriously, the time of my life!!  It was there I first felt a calling to minister to orphaned children.  I have participated in various mission trips over the years, but never specifically focused on orphans.  Over the years I have pursued various opportunities, but nothing ever came to fruition.  I am THRILLED to say I have finally found, and been accepted to, the trip I have been waiting for all these years.

Kampala, Uganda,  Watoto Ministries, BABY HOME 
(Infants - 2 years old)
Sept 6-20, 2013!!!!

http://www.watoto.com/babywatoto

Watoto is an amazing ministry, and I am honored to have been accepted to participate with them.  I will be traveling to Kampala, Uganda for 2 weeks as an individual, and I will be joining a Global Team of other individuals from around the world.  Together we will work with babies who have been abandoned at the house, found on the side of the road, in garbage dumps, etc...  We will hold them until they no longer need to be held, feed them, play with them, show them and teach them about God's love and faithfulness.

It is also my desire to use my skill in dance and in pastry as a way to contribute.   Dance is a huge part of who I am, and how I relate to people and life. The African people have a rich heritage in dance, and I would love to help see that continue with these precious lives.

I went into Pastry so I would have a skill I could use anywhere in the world God might call me.  I have shared this with the staff at Watoto, and I am hoping I can contribute in some way with my culinary skills.

I need your support, prayer and financial, in order to make the dream a reality.
I believe what God has ordained, He will bring to pass.  I am asking you to seek His guidance on how He desires you to be a part of what He is doing in my life and in Watoto Ministries.

I will provide everyone who contacts me through prayers, encouragement and donations with updates on the fundraising, how your contributions were applied to the need, and I will also be providing a trip summary so you can see how your contribution made a difference in many, many lives.

There are a few ways for you to contribute monetarily:
1.   Go to the homepage of this blog (or to the top of the page if you are already on the blog) and contribute through Paypal. This is a secure way to donate to my mission trip.  I will make sure to send you a receipt.   **Please use your checking account so I do not have to pay a fee.  A fee is still charged if you use your debit card!!**

2.  Send your TAX DEDUCTIBLE donation to
Jaimie Sofia c/o Abundant Grace Assembly of God
Watoto Baby Home Mission Trip
3516 N Mcculloch Blvd, Lake Havasu City, AZ  86406
You will receive a receipt from Abundant Grace with necessary tax deductible information.

3.  If you would like to send your donation directly to me, please contact me at jaimiesofia@gmail.com, and I will provide you with my personal address.

I am still in the process of compiling the final cost of the trip, but here is what I know so far.
1. Accomplished!  Flight from Phoenix, AZ to Kampala, Uganda  -  $1,600

 **Update**  
Goal #1 of $1,600 has been met!!  
Praise God and thank you, team, 
for joining this vision!! 

2. Accomplished!!  Due by July 31 - Accomplished by July 14
 Funds required to participate as a Global Team Member  - $2,220

 **Update 6/27/13**  Funds Raised $2,220

Funds Still Needed by 7/31 = $0

3. Accomplished!!!  Optional Safari -  $490  -  I will be fundraising for this portion of the trip once I have raised the non-optional funds.   The safari is organized by the ministry and will include other individuals from the mission trip. 

Total Required with Safari - $4,310
Total Raised as of 7/14/13  - $4,310!!

Praise God for His provision and for the incredible support team He continues to build!!  

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!! 

Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support.  Please contact me if you have any questions or desire further information!!!  :)
For the Kingdom!
Jaimie

Isaiah 6:8 -"...Here am I Lord.  Send me."
James 1:27 - "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.."