Psalm 105

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; 
make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;

tell of all his wonderful acts. 

Glory in his holy name; 

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 

Look to the LORD and his strength; 

seek his face always. 

Remember the wonders he has done, 

his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, 

O descendants of Abraham his servant, 

O sons Jacob, his chosen ones. 

He is the LORD our God; 

his judgments are in all the earth. 

He remembers his covenant forever, 

the word he commanded, for a thousand generations... [emphasis mine]

I had one those roullette Bible study moments the other day- you know where you can't decide what to study and you flip your Bible open and point (also the method every youth leader cautions against)? It was like that. I have to be honest, my Bible reading lately has been almost extinct for various reasons. So I had about fifteen minutes before I had to leave for work (which almost never happens these early mornings), and I flipped my Bible open to the Psalms stumbling upon Psalm 105. 

It. was. exactly. what. I. needed. "Make known among the nations what he has done"?!? Isn't that what I'll be doing in June?? [Isn't that what I should be doing now?] As I continued reading verses I've read several time in my life it was like reading it with fresh eyes. The Psalmist continues to explain God's Covenant with the nation of Israel and how he redeemed them from Egypt, but also the impact on Israel for disobeying God's commands. Soooo good and I'll continue to study it in the next coming days.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fundraising took off since last I wrote. I gave a presentation at Mt. Hope on Sunday and they so generously took up a special offering for me! I received 23% of the cost of my trip from them!! I was/am overwhelmed by their love of God, love of the saints, and willingness to help send me. 

You can view the presentation (without my voice-over, of course) here: 

http://prezi.com/faliczsmfxsj/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

I have just over $400 left to raise! Jehovah Jireh. God our Provider. 

If you'd like to contribute to the cause, there is still time!

[Online: https://ecmafrica.givecorps.com/…/3333-short-term-missions-…
By mail: Every Child Ministries | PO Box 810 | Hebron, IN 46341]

Because online donations are not processed until the 15th of the following month, the absolute last date to donate online is APRIL 30TH.

Any thing donated online after April 30th goes into the general fund for ECM (which is also a good cause ;) just be aware that's where it is going).

All snail mail donations must be mailed in by MAY 20th.

Blessings to all,

~Sarah

Teaching, Even Though I'm Not A Teacher

The past few days, the team has been corresponding to get acquainted with each other. So far, I know I am traveling with two lifelong teachers. This intimidates me some because I am not a teacher by trade and I already feel a little inferior to their expertise. However, I am also excited to hear their stories,  learn from their knowledge, and partner with them on this endeavor.

After explaining that my undergrad degree is essentially biology (zoology) and my grad degree is in public health, Lyla, the team leader, suggested I develop science materials, specifically focused on the scientific method as well as agriculture. This is exciting because a major part of the project in Liberia was focused on agriculture and we facilitated some really fun experiments I can recycle and modify for this project. My plan is to teach the students the scientific method by carrying out experiments with the water cycle, plant growth, and wind, solar, and bio-gas energy; I just need to figure out what in-country materials will be available to the students. 

I am also potentially developing materials for hand-washing, but that is TBD still.


Fundraising has been a slow, steady increase. As of today, I am at about 40% of total costs raised, and 2/3 of airfare covered. Airfare costs must be fully covered by April 27th (11 days!) and I am a little nervous about getting it all in on time. However, I know God will provide :)

If you'd like to partner with me financially, you can donate online until April 30th or by sending a check with my name on the memo line by May 20th. 

Online: Go to https://ecmafrica.givecorps.com/projects/3333-short-term-missions-sarah-scott and make a donation there.

By mail: Every Child Ministries | PO Box 810 | Hebron, IN 46341


Blessings to All!

~Sarah

UGANDA [you-gahn-duh]

Hello everyone! 

It's been quite a while since I've blogged around on here. Actually, I forgot I had a blog until recently, but I'm resurrecting it to fill in my loyal followers about my life, etc. So, an update:

Back in December 2014, I made two main goals for the year because I figured I'm not getting any younger and it's my golden year (On March 27 I turned 27... get it??) So my goals: 1) to run the Detroit Free Press Marathon; and 2) to go on a missions trip of sorts. 

Marathon training started last week and gratefully my foot that had been super tight since I ran my car into a cow (♬I don't care, I love it!♬), feels 100% again. Since the marathon officials "strongly discourage the wearing of music devices", I've been trying to run without tunes which has given me plenty of time to reflect, pray, and think about the trip to Uganda.

So the trip: I've known even before December that God was pushing me towards a missions trip. In 2012, I went to Liberia, West Africa with a group of students from the University of Michigan (I know... they were good people though, and a few were Christians!), and combined we taught basic agriculture, engineering, English, math, and life skill courses to 400 high school students in 5 different camps across Liberia. It was intense and I learned a lot. BUT it was advancing a goal that, in the end, doesn't really matter. You can teach all the life skills you want to 80 students, but if they don't know the One who gives Life, it just doesn't matter. That trip taught me that 1) I LOVE AFRICA; 2) I was definitely going back to Africa; but 3) I would not return to Africa unless it was with a ministry proclaiming the Gospel. 

In December, I knew this was my year to go back and started looking for organizations that ministered there. A few names were tossed my way, but nothing really stuck until I contacted Every Child Ministries (ecmafrica.org). My home church, Mt. Hope Bible Church, supports the founders of ECM and I just remember feeling that tug of longing to go back when they updated us on the ministry. In early January, I received an email from a staff member letting me know a team was going out in June to encourage and train some national teachers at their Uganda site. I was soooo excited- like an urgency in my chest telling me this was it- time to go!

I leave in a little over two months and still have a long way to go. First, I have to come up with one or two teaching methods to teach the national teachers. I don't have any "professional" teaching experience, but I have had several opportunities for informal teaching: Youth Works, youth group, Sunday school, substitute teaching, Liberia, I'm In Charge, my current job with Home Help provider training. I'll be pulling from these experiences and probably poling my favorite teacher-friends about their ideas, too.

Second, I need to raise $2,600 for the bare minimum trip expenses. According to ECM, I'm only at $200, but hopefully it's that low because Lansing mail goes to Grand Rapids now and online donations are not processed until the 15th of each month. I'm still two months out, but this is the part that makes me the most nervous.

With that said, I invite you to partner with me financially. There are a few ways to donate, and all donations are tax deductible! 

1. Donate online by April 30th: go to https://ecmafrica.givecorps.com/projects/3333-short-term-missions-sarah-scott and make a donation.
   
2. Send a check with my name on the memo line by May 20th to:
   Every Child MinistriesPO BOX 810
   Hebron, IN 46341 

Thank you so much for your support! Please keep me in your prayers as I embark on this trip. 

Blessings,

Sarah Jane