Jackie Tinnell

Howdy!! My name is Jackie and I am a full time student at Texas A&M University WHOOP! Along with being a full time student I am also the Children's Ministry Assistant at Brazos Fellowship Church, working with children is something that I have always loved to do. I am married to a wonderful Godly man (Albert) who has filled my life with so many blessings. I am also a mother of three precious girls ages 3 (Aven), 13 (Hailey), and 15 (Chelsea). I am also blessed to have five amazing step children ages 15 (Samantha), 16 (Caleb), 18 (Brittney), 19 (Isaac) and 20 (Andrew). It has been on my heart for many years to go on a mission trip, well this year I get the opportunity!! God has provided me with the strength, support and love of so many people and I cannot wait to share his love with others in Africa. I know He has HUGE plans for our team and I cannot wait to see what they will be!

My husband and I!

Our little princess Aven Marie!

Hailey Ann

Chelsea Lynn

Old Picture, only one with all the kiddos but Little A she did not arrive till a few weeks after this picture was taken. From Left to Right Isaac, Chelsea, Me, Hailey, Albert, Samantha, Caleb, Brittney, and Andrew!

The Starks - Better Late Than Never

Kristi and I are so excited to be going on this trip with the Brazos Fellowship team.  Not only are we getting to go and serve with an amazing group of people; but we’re also getting to go and see our dear friends, Jason and Kari Segner, a.k.a. “The Segnets.” 

Kristi and I have two amazing daughters, Abby & Avery.  They are a ton of fun and it has been amazing to see them grow and develop.  We feel truly blessed to be alive at this moment in time and to be living in this country.  When our girls are sick, we can go to one of the many pediatricians in our community.  We have at least four pharmacy options within one square mile of our house.  Life’s little bumps and bruises are simply not that big of a deal here at home.  Unfortunately, that’s not true in most parts of Africa.

That’s why Kristi and I are going.  That’s why Kristi and I are so proud to support Healing Faith and the ministry that God has put on Jason and Kari’s heart.  I truly believe that the work Healing Faith is doing is making an immediate and eternal difference in the lives of the people of Africa.  To be able to go to Jinja, and to see in person the work that God is doing in and through Healing Faith is such a privilege.  I can’t wait to see what God has planned for our team and our friends. 

 

Until next time…

Jonathan Stark

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