I am so blessed!

When God said He provides, he really means it!

I applied for my passport a couple of weeks ago. I was super nervous because I know how long it takes for them to be sent out, and I leave in less than a month! Even the lady at the post office lectured me about procrastinating, but she said she thought I would probably get it before I left. I was thinking, "Lady, I really don't have a choice." I gave her all of my information and she sent it out. Exactly a week later, I had my passport in my hands. I was in complete shock, but also very excited! I think that's when it started to hit me that I was actually leaving the country for the first time. By myself. Without my mom and dad.

I still only had about half the money I needed, so I was anxious about that, too. I just kept praying, "God, if this is really what you want me to do, I know you will provide for me." I was starting to save all the extra change from the HU bookstore or the Huntington McDonalds in hopes that that would get me a few extra dollars. Then all of a sudden I checked my mailbox at school and I had a handful of letters! All of you are awesome! I was still short on some money, but after talking to my parents, we decided we could make it work between prayers, my money, and theirs. So I kept praying about it. Then, I got an additional donation, with the EXACT amount of money I needed to pay off the trip.

So, as of right now...
My plane tickets are booked, and I've paid off the actual trip itself!

I am getting so nervous as the trip gets closer, but I know I need to go out of my comfort zone and make a difference somehow. I know this is exactly what God wants me to do.

I seriously cannot thank you all enough! You are all amazing, and I would NOT have been able to do this without you. I appreciate you all so much, you have truly been a blessing in my life!

2 Corinthians 9:8
"And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."

Wow!

Okay, so this will be short. I just feel like I have to update a little bit here and there, so you don't think this is a scam, haha :)

But I have to admit.
Sending out letters terrifies me. I have never been a fan of asking people for money, and especially for something big like this.

To be honest, I was nervous I would have to find a way to pay for this trip all by myself.
But God provides! Within four days of me sending out my support letters, I already received 3 donations back.

I am so blessed by my friends and family...I really don't think you all realize how much I appreciate you and all you do for me. Thank you so much!

Phillippians 4:19
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

I'm Going to Haiti!

Dear Friends,

I pray things are going well with you. I am loving Huntington University so far, and have already made wonderful, life-long relationships! I am writing to you because I have exciting news to share.

God has been laying on my heart the thought of going on a mission trip for several months now. He has finally given me an opportunity to go to Haiti with a friend from Huntington and her youth group. I will be departing the country on December 17, 2011, and returning on December 22, 2011.

I will be serving with Mission of Hope, an organization that has worked for over 15 years in Haiti, just north of Port au Prince, giving orphans a home, providing food and medicine, letting underprivileged children receive an education, and spreading the love of Jesus Christ. While there, I will have the opportunity to work in an orphanage with roughly 60 Haitian children, help rebuild and repair homes damaged in the earthquake, and share the word of God to an area that has very little.

You, too, can be involved in my trip overseas! I plan on starting a blog. You can check it out once I get it started. The web address is:
                                www.hannahinhaiti2011.blogspot.com/

You can also support me financially. The total cost of the trip will be $1200. I have included an envelope if you feel led to contribute. I will need all financial contributions to be mailed to me by November 15, 2011, with checks made out to “Hannah Bowles”.

If you can’t support me financially at this time, I completely understand! However, I would greatly appreciate prayer. Pray for me, the group I am going with, and the Haitians we will be working with. I am so excited to see what God is going to do through me and the other young adults I will be serving with this December!

If you wish to learn more about Mission of Hope, you can visit their website at www.mohhaiti.org.

Thank you again and God Bless!
-Hannah Bowles