Big Red Mama Skow

My name is Michelle Skow and I have the privilege of being a part of "Team Jinja."  I am married to Dawson Skow, who previously blogged here....without me. :)  We have been married almost 11 years, and I thank God for blessing me with such a kind, strong, patient, loving husband.  He is my rock!  And it has been such an incredible blessing to experience this journey toward Uganda with him. 

You can decide which picture you think is more like the REAL us...

The preacher in a suit and his smiling wife, with formal dress and hair swept up... 

 or the oddly dressed, but fun-loving couple, acting silly :)

We have three beautiful children, Caleb, Ellie and Adelyn.  They are our sunshine!  The absolute hardest thing about this trip to Uganda will be leaving these three faces behind for 11 days.  I can take on wild animals and crazy dysentery, but missing my babies is going to be hard to bear.  But I know God will give us the strength to be apart for this short while.  In the end, I hope I will be an even better mama after having gone on this journey. 

This trip will be my first time to travel outside of our great United States.  I am having a little anxiety about the travel, but I know God's got it handled.  This mission trip to Africa is also unique in a way for me, because I am actually getting to go and visit one of my very best friends, who also happens to be the missionary we are going over to assist and serve alongside.  It is going to be so awesome to get off the plane in Entebbe, Uganda, and see familiar faces of people we love!  I do miss our Segners!

We appreciate the prayers and support of all of our friends, as we try our very best to be God's hands and feet, and show God's love to the people of Jinja. 

Charlie Lima

Hey everyone! Here is a little bio on me as well...

I am from Houston, TX and moved to College Station in 2000 to attend school at Texas A&M. I met my lovely wife, Alicia, in 2003 and we got married in 2009. Brian Linder actually married us in Las Vegas at the Wynn, on February 28th. We are expecting our first baby girl in August!

We began attending Brazos Fellowship in the spring of 2008, it has been such a blessing to find such a great place to worship. We currently host a small group at our house called "Two For One" where we have met some incredible friends and definitely grown through the materials and discussions in the group.

This will be my first mission trip. I have to admit to you, I never envisioned myself doing this, God has really made it clear to me that I need to go on this trip which is why I am going. Alicia will be 8 months pregnant while I am there and she is supporting me going 100%, she will be staying here so please keep her in your prayers during that time.

Now that I am less than two months away from going, I am experiencing a combination of emotions. More than anything, I can’t wait to see how God is going to work in me and in others through this trip; I have heard so many incredible stories about mission trips. 

Thanks for your support, God bless.

No bio of me would be complete with out a picture of our two boys - Peanut Butter (left) and Casey (right).

Dawson Skow - Finally introducing myself...

Hello everybody!  Not a regular blogger but here goes...

My name is Dawson Skow, and these are the facts about me.

I am the husband to a beautiful redhead, michelle, the father of 1 boy and 2 girls (all redheads), and I'm also the Worship Pastor at Brazos Fellowship.  I guess you could say that these are the ministries that God has called me to, and I couldn't be happier with the life that God has blessed me with.  I also love sports (except golf...).  I love the thought of reading...my love of movies and video games sometimes trumps it.

I've lived in College Station for about 15 years, and love my life here, but...God has called Michelle and me to go way out of our comfort zone and travel to Uganda for a short time.  I'm really excited about all that we are going to see and do, and how I know I will be changed by the people there-much more than they will probably be changed by me.  My prayer has been that God would use me and change me. I guess I'm a little anxious about going, but not too bad.  I don't really feel afraid of the snakes, planes rides, and unknowns.  I know that God has got it, and I'm gonna let Him have it.  I can't wait to see what is going to happen and how this could affect the future of all of us involved.

I praise God for the opportunity to go.

and here's some pictures of me and the family:

God bless.

Wow!  It is about to be June, like tomorrow!! Can you believe it!!  It seems like just yesterday I was having an informational about this amazing trip, and now here we are, a little over a month left before we leave!
My heart is so ready to be there!  I get the awe inspiring privilege of leading this team, and in effect, I get to hear stories from each of these individuals about their personal preparations.  I get to hear the fears, but also the inspirations!  This trip isn't easy for any of us to take, while yes the thought of going to a foreign country for most is intriguing, but when you get down to the nitty gritty of leaving family, friends, work, even for some of us children, it is a difficult decision.  Not one any of us made lightly.  But the Lord called, and I am so grateful for each of my team members who answered!
Right now, as we continue to prepare, we are still a little bit aways from our financial goal.
Please continue to pray for our team as we fundraise, pray for divine appointments and the Lord's calling on those here to send.
If you are one of those who feel called to give (even a small amount, every little bit helps!)  you can do so by:
1. clicking the "donate" button to the right of this post!
2. mailing a check to the Imani Office at: 216 W 26th St, Bryan, TX 77803
3. mailing a check to the person you wish to donate towards.

Please make all checks payable to "Imani" and all donations are tax deductible.

We have had some amazing support so far, thank you for all of your support!
We cannot wait to be able to share with you some awesome stories from Uganda!!

Blessings!!

Rachel Driskell

Kaitlyn

Hi all,

My name is Kaitlyn. I'm 21 years old and I'm a senior at Texas A&M. I'll be graduating this summer (actually two weeks after we return from Uganda). I'm originally from Spring, Tx and moved to College Station back in 2008 for school. I didn't grow up going to church but the Lord has been in a passionate pursuit of my heart especially for the past couple of years. I started going to Brazos Fellowship with a friend of mine from work and it became the very first church that I started to attend regularly. I rededicated my life to the Lord last summer and since then He has been teaching me so much. The Lord has given me a heart for children and culture so it's no wonder why I feel so passionately about going on this trip. I heard about this trip from my old boss. A couple of days later I saw on Twitter that two spots had opened up and I called Rachel the following day. I cannot wait to see how God is going to use our team in Uganda! I know he has huge plans for us.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina with some of my new friends. During my study abroad trip last summer. This is where the Lord changed my heart.

My dad, two brothers and myself. Three special guys in my life

This week is a busy one for our team!  We have had so many amazing stories unfold about our team and the blessings poured out just in the simple fundraising aspect.  Funds coming from unexpected places, or right when needed, God is so good!
This week is busy, because we have 2 big things happening!

Today is the deadline to finish paying for our airline tickets to not lose the deposit we put down on them.  For some of our team members this deadline has been stressful.  I ask for prayers for those team members who are still not quite there, and if your intentions were to support any of the members, today would be a perfect day to do so!  All donations are of course tax deductible and no donation is to small!  You don't have to know anyone on the team to donate either! :)  Our team appreciates any donation big or small, and thanks you for partnering with us in this journey!

The next BIG thing we have is the Run For Change 5k/1Mile!!  We have been planning a 5k for the adults and a 1 mile fun run for the kiddos!  The run will benefit our team!  So if you like to run/walk/job/take the kiddo in a stroller whatever!  Please pre register at www.runforchange5k.com, or if you are on a mobile device, www.active.com/running/college-station-tx/run-for-change-5k-2012

We would love to see you out there!!!

We would also like to announce that we will be having a Mission's Rummage Sale Saturday May 5th!  It will be held at the Brazos Fellowship Church Parking Lot.  If you want to donate towards the team, but just aren't able to, this is a great way to help out!  Donate your old stuff!  Clean out your garage, we will pick it up!!  Even if you don't donate anything, COME!!  There will be some pretty good stuff!!!

Thank you all for being such an amazing support to our team!

Love always in Christ,

Rachel D

Col 2:2

Abby

Howdy! My name is Abby, and I am so excited to introduce myself to you! I am originally from Nacogdoches, Texas, and I have been living in College Station (or Bryan, depending on the year) since I started my undergrad degree at Texas A&M. Since then, I finished my degree, later started and finished a masters in Higher Education Student Affairs, and now, I work full-time in the Department of Student Activities at Texas A&M, where I am able to work with college students on a daily basis -- advising their leadership and decision-making for large student organizations. It is mostly fun and sometimes stressful, and I love being able to make an impact in the lives of others!


I have a wonderful and supportive mom and step-dad and one older brother. I also have a super cute and mostly charming five year-old nephew, as well as some friends that are as close to me as family. In my spare time (if I can ever find any), I love scrapbooking and being crafty, and I enjoy reading and working out and being outdoors. Cooking and baking (and trying to make healthy food choices) are other interest areas of mine...and ones that I wish/hope to get better/more adventurous with (again, if/when I have time). Finally, I have two sweet pets -- Lexie (my adorable pup) and Tucker Ann (my persnickity gray tabby cat).

My mom and step-dad with flowers from their recent anniversary. This was taken in a nursing home's rehab unit, where my dad is temporarily staying while he rehabilitates from a stroke he had in February.

My adorably sweet nephew Bradyn! I still can't believe he's already 5!



Lexie -- she's definitely a sweet heart!



Tucker Ann -- she looks sweet...but she has a mean streak at times!



Here I am...with one of my favorite kids ever!


Now, to share a bit about how I came to be a member of this fabulous team! It all started at the end of last fall when my church Brazos Fellowship announced that one of our own BF families would be leaving in just over month to become full-time missionaries in Uganda. That night, at our monthly First Wednesday service, they showed a slideshow explaining what the Segners (Kari and Jason and their four beautiful children) would be doing with their ministry Healing Faith Uganda in Africa. The Segners were at the service to talk to us so that we could support them and pray for their journey ahead, and as I watched the Segners' slideshow, a thought filled my head and heart, "our church should plan a mission trip, and if they do, I need to go".

Soon after that evening, and as the Segners' date of departure approached at the beginning of January, our church made a BIG announcement that a local non-profit -- Imani Tumaini Upendo, which was co-founded by some of the members of Brazos Fellowship -- would be putting together a mission trip to assist the Segners in their work. I was thrilled and a little surprised, and found myself asking God, "is this what you have planned for me?" As I prayed and thought about this wonderful opportunity to determine if it was, indeed, the direction God intended for me to go, all the spots for the trip filled. Even though I still had several questions and wasn't sure if this was where God wanted me, I was a bit disheartened that the door had been closed.

Over the next month or so, I began praying for God to help me to be sensitive to His leading. I prayed specifically that if He wanted me on this trip, I knew that He would open up spots that would allow me to serve Him and the people in Uganda by joining the team. As the weeks passed, it appeared to me that this was not where God wanted me. However, while I was in Colorado in mid-February for a work conference (I know...tough life, right?), I received an email from Rachel, the trip leader, letting me know that 2 spots had opened up. I told her I would continue praying about the opportunity and let her know if I would be joining as soon as I could.

During the next few days, several things began to fall into place which led to me texting Rachel to tell her that I would join the team, if spots were still available! I was and am still a little nervous about this opportunity to serve, but more than anything, I am so excited for what will surely be an experience in which God will do BIG things. I know He will help our team assist the Segners, serve the people and children in Uganda, and follow through on new and unexpected directions in our lives for 2012.

Thanks for reading...and feel free to check out my blog (http://livinmybeautifullife.blogspot.com/) if you're interested!! God bless!!