MY JOURNEY TO UGANDA

As many of you know, over the past year, the Lord has been constantly working in my life in showing me my calling to overseas missions in Uganda. It has been quite an adventure already. About a year ago, our Father began breaking my heart for children who were not receiving proper care and who were overlooked. Little did I know, He was doing this to prepare my heart for what was to come. A couple months later, He made it very clear that I was going to do long term missions overseas. This was affirmed through friends and family members numerous times and is still happening today. At the end of March, I was home for Spring Break and was able to go to my home church, Coastline Calvary Chapel in Destin, FL. This specific Sunday, there was a ministry there and the ministry's leader mentioned Uganda briefly, along with many other places. The man had us split up in to small groups to pray for the nations. During this time, the only place I could think about was Uganda. When the other people in my group prayed, the only place they mentioned by name was Uganda. Later that day, I was reading "Love Does" by Bob Goff and he talked about his ministry in Uganda. Things like this happened for weeks on end and it was very clear to me where the Lord was calling me. Through prayer and affirmation I knew that our Father was calling me to Uganda for long-term missions.

At that time I was not exactly sure what this was going to look like, although I knew I would be working with children in some way. Since then, the Lord has shown me that I am called to work in orphanages in Uganda to serve His children and to share my hope that is Jesus Christ. Through a friend at school I heard about Sozo Children and how one of her friends had interned with them. I figured I could check it out and the second I visited their website, my heart stirred. I prayed for months about whether or not I should apply, knowing that I had to take classes over the summer and that I did not think it would even be possible for me to go. The Lord repeatedly assured me that He was in control and to apply in faith. Since I applied for this internship, God has done CRAZY things to make it possible for me to go. It would take me five (more) pages to type it all, but if you are interested in knowing every little detail, I would love to sit down (maybe over a good cup of coffee) and share them with you. On January 15th, I was notified that I was accepted for the internship with Sozo Children. God is faithful, y'all. I am so excited to spend 9 weeks this summer in the nation that has captured my heart. I am so excited to get my feet wet and get a glimpse of what the rest of my life is going to look like. Although I do not know all of the details yet (our God does), I know that after graduation I am supposed to go back to Uganda for a long time. I cannot put in to words how excited I am for this journey and how grateful I am to have the opportunity to be involved with this wonderful ministry.

If you would like to partner with me in this, there are many things you can do to help! One of them is prayer; please pray for my heart, the team members' hearts, and most importantly for the nation of Uganda. Pray that the hearts of the people are open to the gospel. Another way you can help is by giving. I need all the support I can get. You can give on this page or contact me personally at laurenvcollins@yahoo.com. Thank you for being faithful servants and laborers for Christ. I appreciate each and every one of you and am so grateful for you! Thank you for joining me on this adventure!

Joyfully His,

Lauren Collins

2015 Sozo Children Uganda Internship

Ephesians 4:1-6

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

This year we are excited to offer an incredible opportunity to a passionate group of college students. During the summer of 2015, each intern will be traveling to Uganda to serve orphan and neglected children while investing in the surrounding communities. They will each be stretched physically, spiritually, and emotionally while we explore the unique relationships found  in the body of Christ. Regardless of background or titles we hold we are ONE in Jesus Christ. 

This summer each intern will be tasked with the following responsibilites: discipling our Sozo Children, assisting the Ugandan staff at home, growing in relationship with each other, connecting believers in the surrounding communities, working alongside Ugandans in community rehabilitiation efforts, growing the local church, and facilitating Sozo Children teams. 

Learn more about Sozo Children's vision at:www.sozochildren.org