Day 3:

Last night I didn't sleep good at all. I woke up at 11:30 and had orientation. Then I had lunch which was potatoes, rice and pineapple. After lunch I got sick which sucked.. I wasn't able to go do the out reach today. I have been sleeping all day and been trying to get better. There was a down pour this afternoon for about an hour. Hopefully tomorrow I am better and can go to church! 

Day 2:

I have finally arrived in Kampala, Uganda! I have been up for way too many hours.. My layover in Dubai was super long so I was able to get some good vouchers. My flight from Dubai to Uganda went by real fast! I got to meet a girl my age named Reba. Her dads a pastor and she has grown up in Uganda. It was so neat to get the chance to talk to her! Once I landed in Entebbe which was a 5 hour flight I went through customs and it went so smoothly! And Praise The Lord because ALL my luggage came with me!! I got picked up by some organization members and took a car ride tithe guest house which took about an hour and a half. It started pouring and hailing and the streets started to flood. I arrived at the guest house welcomed by other workers from the organization and by all the little sponsor kids. It was the best feeling ever. My first meal for supper was spaghetti and meat sauce and fruit! SO thankful I got to eat an American meal the first day here but know that it'll be Ugandan food more often. I have in packed and already made myself at home in my bunk bed :) I am loving every second of it and it already feels like home. I can not wait for more adventures! After a very full day of travelling I am ready to crash and sleep for many hours under my mosquito net bed :) 

Day 1:

 Well today I have begun my adventure to Uganda! It's crazy to think that I am already on my way. I slept great before my flight to Toronto and got to meet everyone at the airport in saskatoon before I left. I was an emotional wreck and couldn't stop the tears but I been able to keep myself together this past day! My flight to Toronto was nice. I got moved to first class for  no reason which was awesome! I was able to sleep and was comfortable. I spent my day exploring the airport and eating lots of food and sleeping in the lounge. I had supper at Swiss chalet. May I say it was quite nice dining for one! I then went through security and waited for my flight to Dubai. I flew with Emirates and the plane was crazy! It was a double decker and had a spa and suites. Unfortunately I wasn't able to sleep but it was a luxurious plane! I was able to sit by another Christian lady and it was sweet to hear about her teaching opportunity in Dubai. I have landed in Dubai a few hours ago and have been travelling for a day now. It is 9pm here and I have a layover here and my flight to Uganda leaves in the am. I am missing everyone at home and can't wait to tell more stories! I am excited to meet everyone down I'm Uganda! Highlight of the day: I was starting to tear up while boarding in saskatoon and a flight attendant came up to me an gave me a hug. It lightened my day. God has already been so evident while travelling and I can't wait to see what else he has in store! 

P.S I got to see the Burj Khalifa. You can't see it too well in this picture but it's because there is a sand storm at the moment and you can't see much. 

It is approaching faster!

These past few weeks have been going by so fast and I can't believe I leave in 4 days! God has revealed himself to me in new ways and has been moving in my life as I have been getting ready to leave. It seems like it was just yesterday when I was in contact with the organization and sending in my application to apply for Empower A Child. My mentors for my trip have been amazing and have been great prayer warriors. They have been able to support me in a way I never thought someone was able to support me prior to my trip. I am beyond grateful for all the prayer I have had while preparing for my trip. Everything has fallen into place to crisply and it has been amazing to see God be so gracious and provide so abundantly. I almost have all my funds raised but there are still 4 more days for God to work and provide! Some days I still find it hard to believe that I am getting on a plane by myself and travelling across the world to go do missions.  I have been reminded of Isaiah 6 where God talks about sending people. I am so excited to obey God and be vulnerable to Him and give him my life and let him send me. I can't wait to step foot on an adventure where I can be God's hands and feet and serve him with arms wide open. So here I am God; send me!

Prayer Requests: 1. That God will give me a calm spirit as I leave home. 

                         2. That God will provide enough financial support before I leave. 

                         

Support Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

I am pleased to tell you that I have been accepted to go and do missions work in Uganda, Africa with Empower A Child. Prior to applying I had spent time in prayer trying to figure out where to go and what to do after high school. After spending time looking for mission programs I found an organization called Empower A Child. I hesitated at first, but after seeking the Lord I knew that this was something that He had put on my heart. If you want to know more about Empower A Child go to www.empower-a-child.org

I plan to be in Uganda for the month of September living in a small village near Kampala. During my stay I will be working at a Baby’s Home (washing clothes, changing diapers and washing windows), helping at an Outreach program at a Primary and Secondary School (opportunity to share the Lord with teenagers that may not have a relationship with Christ), and working at Katalemwa Children’s Hospital. While at Katalemwa we will be teaching Bible stories and singing songs with young children. During the week there will be time for team building with other people serving with Empower A Child and some cultural awareness days.

I am setting out an an adventure of love that has no boundaries! I am excited to try and put a smile on every child’s face that I come in contact with. I can’t wait to experience God’s love in a new and deeper way! I want to invite you to pray for me as I go as I don’t want to serve in my own power, but God’s. Some prayer requests are: safety in travel on my own, trusting God, positive mindset, eating different foods and that God will provide me with enough energy to get through each day.

I also need to raise approx.. $2,500 for my trip. This includes my plane ticket, food, travel, visa and my accommodation while in Uganda. I will be working this summer also to get funds for my trip. Thank you for your support in prayer and finances as the Lord leads you. Empower A Child is not a registered charity in Canada; therefore payments are not tax deductible. If you would like to write a cheque you can make it out to Alison Gilmour and send it to: 1219 Emerald Crescent, s7j 4j2, Saskatoon, SK. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Thanks for your support!

Sincerely,

Alison Gilmour