I am heading to Africa. Uganda region to be exact.

Wow! I actually said it…or wrote it…out loud. I have barely spoken it to people in my everyday life.

This is all a pretty shocking turn of events for me because I have never wanted to go to Africa. I don’t have anything against it but it just never “called me”

…until now.

A few months ago while serving as the Creative Director for the Allume Conference I watched this video from Sole Hope.

[vsw id=”32387183″ source=”vimeo” width=”425″ height=”344″ autoplay=”no”]

I watched it and cried. I watched it again and again. There was something about it that drew me in. I thought maybe I will host a shoe party or buy some goodies for friends for Christmas but then Logan said “Come to Uganda!” and without thinking twice I said “Yes!” and then I said “I better ask my husband.”

So after a crazy busy October serving Allume (one day I will post about it), a November that was filled with catching my breath, let’s bring on December preparations for a trip to Africa that will impact me in ways I can’t fathom or imagine right now.

While I have done trips like this before this is my first trip since I have had kids and the honest to goodness truth is I am scared. Scared to leave them, scared of being so far away from Mr. Bailey, and scared about raising the finances to go. All that scare can equal a raging river of fear but I choose to live knowing:

“He is ever present with me;
at all times He goes before me.
I will not live in fear or abandon my calling
because He stands at my right hand.”

Psalm 16:8 (Voice)

I am thrilled to be heading out on this adventure with a dynamic group of ladies. You can meet them below.

Wynne Elder – Group Leader (Excited to have a fellow Texan full of inspiration at the helm!)

Logan Wolfram (With her around I know laughing is on the agenda!) 

Erika Riggs (I need to hire this gal as my personal shopper!)

Cara Coleman  (A fellow Allume goer and has some great gift ideas on her site right now)

Mo Isom (Love her moto!)

Molly Bear (Not a blogger…but lives in Phoenix so maybe we will actually meet before the trip)

Melissa Blair (Look forward to a plane ride learning about her dirty laundry!) 

Asher and Dru Collie – Sole Hope Founders (inspired by their hearts and drive!)

We are raising our own funds for this trip and given our year of three layoffs for my husband, leaving my full time gig, and our pursuit of being debt free the cost of this trip does not make much sense financially so I do have a fundraiser planned. Something I am praying benefits you while it helps me reach the goal of supporting Sole Hope. I will attempt to not be annoying but will be asking for your help to spread the word.

So while I never called Africa it looks like Africa is calling me. Excited for the journey.

Will you join me by beginning to pray over all the details ahead?

Wondering if you have any 2014 adventures ahead I can be praying for you about? Let me know.