UChurch Multimedia goes to Africa!

Our good friend, Danielle Shaw is going to Africa!  Keep reading to find out, from the woman herself, what this adventure is all about, and to learn how YOU can support her!

Hello All!

I have my pink, frilly apron on, a batch of banana chocolate chip muffins in the oven and a colony of butterflies in my stomach. Departure Day – or Leaving Day, as we called it at boarding school – is looming in the not-so-distant future. Thirteen days, to be exact. Thirteen.

A good number of people have asked me if I’m nervous, to which I honestly and quickly respond, “No!” Yet the butter- flies still flutter in what I can only call pure and growing excitement. When I let myself really stop and think about what I’m about to embark on, my spirit lights up in a way I’m not sure it ever has. Take my passions and put them together: languages, Africa, missions, stepping off into the unknown, realigning with a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose, and getting outside of that comfortable box to a point where I honestly can’t say what’s around the bend.

My boss and coworkers seem increasingly worried that I’m going to get back to Canada and promptly quit my job. While I don’t see that happening (as flattering as their concerns are to my ego), it’s exciting to know that the next chapter is closer at hand. Even if I’m still where I am today for a couple more years yet, it’s as though the winds have shifted and are blowing from a different direction, pulling the scent of finding myself further along this journey with God that I’ve jumped into.

With most of my preparations in order (or so I think), I find my main points of stress right now stemming from my hope to get things at work and home tied up before I go. Thanks so much to you, I have all the financial support required for this Discovery trip. It’s true! I’ve told a few people that although I grew up in the missionary context and am entirely familiar with the philosophy and reality of raising support, it has been incredibly humbling and inspiring to experience firsthand. Wow. And thank you.

For those who have committed to pray, I’d really appreciate prayer for:

- unity within the team

- humility, health and a willingness to learn, laugh and be vulnerable

- sensitivity to local customs

- safety traveling

In case you’re curious: I leave on June 14 and fly Calgary to London to Accra. There is no way to guarantee that I will have internet or email access, so please assume that no news is good news! And no, I don’t yet know where specifically I will be or what I’ll be doing, which is just dandy by me (and

which also gives me that much more to blab about when I’m back, right?). I fly Accra to London on August 4 and will then be in France from Aug 6-18 (oui oui!), flying home to Calgary on August 19. I expect a throng of people at the air- port to welcome me back. Or maybe at least one person. Mom?

Thanks, Danielle

Written by Jennifer Kohlhammer

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