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!!

Shawna

Hi my name is Shawna. I'm  28 years old and have been a hairstylist for 10 years. I'm engaged to be married this June all the while God has blessed me with the opportunity to go on this amazing journey to meet wonderful people and touch someone's heart. I grew up going to Church but I never got any opportunities to know of or do anything like this before. A friend of mine went last year and it really sparked interest in me and I felt this urge from the Lord to go and do this. While in casual conversation I was lead to Rachel and Imani Tumaini Upendo. So grateful for her contacting me and asking me if I would like to join this Journey. How could I say no?! This is not about me; this is about something bigger. Since I've never been on a mission I am unaware of what to expect but I have no fear in that God has a plan for me and I am riding along for the journey. I'm so excited with anticipation to see what God has in store for all of us and to tell you all about what we experience. 

                                       My fiance Paul and I    

Tressie

Hi, I'm Tressie! I am a kindergarten teacher here in College Station and I have a passion for educating children. I have felt the Lord tugging on my heart for doing mission work in Africa for several years now, but it wasn't in His plan for my life until this summer. I have an amazing support system full of friends and family who are in support of my desire to follow the Lord's calling. My heart is already being prepared for this country and the people. I can't wait to go and serve Him and for my heart to be forever changed. 

*My phenomenal family... I was blessed with fantastic parents*

*My sweet puppy, Lola and I.*

*My best friends from high school!*