Some Reflections and a Promise.

Sorry. This is a long one. I've been meaning to post this for a while....

There have been countless times in the past year where I have craved being back in Africa. Part of it probably has to do with the frustrations that I've seen with the typical North American lifestyle. We're a terribly self-centered society (myself included), and I get frustrated sometimes buying things for myself that are 'above and beyond' that which I need (simply because I feel like I am stealing freedom from those living in poverty).

That said, I feel I have a promise. Months back I had a 'silent auction' where I sold photos from my trip to Uganda last year. It's funny reflecting on the auction, because, firstly, it seems a long time ago, and second, the months leading up to the event were a complete showering of grace and encouragements from God (and the timing for all of this was perfect). All in all, it seems that I believe in a pretty perfect God :)

Here are some of the general details:

The auction was a one night thing. I sold framed photos and cards with my pictures on the front. The auction was held at a coffee shop (my friend happened to be the manager there). It all began with simply having my 'work' displayed, and turned into a larger event. The owner of the coffee shop (who has familial ties to Uganda/Kenya) heard that I was thinking of going back, and so (at that moment) it turned into a fund raising event to 'send me back' but I felt somewhat guilty taking the money to cover travel expenses (and I still do in a way). My initial intent was to give the money back to the people I'd met while in Uganda (I thought it technically belonged to them). Anyhow, this is all aside.

Here are the finer details:

-While hanging a poster (promoting the event) at the christian book store, a random man in the store heard what I was doing and handed me five bucks saying, 'give this to the children in Africa.' I sincerely believe that this was all the man had to give (and not just in that moment).

-I had the cards printed at a print shop near the coffee shop. Turns out the owner was from Uganda, and although he was already giving me a deal, he ended up giving me the cards for free in the end. He said, 'that's my contribution' and slid them towards me from across the counter. I may or may not have thanked him countless times and welled up with tears before walking out with the cards. I was just blown away by his graciousness.....and still am apparently.

-The day I went to buy frames, I almost freaked because they were super expensive...and then I noticed the '50% off' tags all down the aisle. The last day of the sale happened to be that particular day.

-I sent some emails to a couple newspapers hoping to get my story out there (and to promote the event a little more). It was actually kinda funny, cause none of us thought that ANY of the papers would pick up my story....but two different papers thought otherwise. I've got the clippings to prove it.

-I got several encouragements from random people I'd never met. People who had recently been to Africa and heard of my story and wrote me emails encouraging me and telling me their own stories....it was awesome.

-I made far, FAR....FAR more funding than I ever thought I would. I thought I'd cover my simple expenses (which actually didn't end up being entirely 'simple')....but I was blessed much further than what I thought possible.

Anyhow, I think that's it. I think that this post was more for me than anyone else who reads it. I keep being reminded of God's sovereignty during that time, and it keeps me sane when I get distracted in the day-to-day. The money's sitting aside. I like to say that it's God's promise (to me) that I'll get back to Africa at some point. I just need to know the when and where. And seeing that his timing was so perfect before and during the auction, I want to be sure that the money is used for his purposes and in this same perfect timing...

So for now, the money stands as a promise to me. Pretty nice promise, I must say.

p.s. The posted picture remains my favorite picture of the bunch that I sold. There are about five or so pictures that are amongst my 'top' favorites, but this one just...gets me.