ZION PROJECT IN THE NEWS!

Check out the news article written by ZP by a reporter for the Observer stationed in Uganda:

http://observer.ug/index.php?view=article&id=3275%3Agulu-idps-examine-life-through-camera&option=com_content&Itemid=59

HONOR YOUR DAD THIS FATHER'S DAY!
A good father is hard to come by in Uganda. But every once in a while you meet one who is imparting love to his children just like father God who loves us unconditionally. If you have a great Dad like mine, make a donation to Zion Project in his honor so that these little sons and daughters of young mothers can receive the Father's love and care in our home. It's a gift he'll always remember and it's much better than those socks you got him last year ;)

Cabin Confession

I love that with God when we step towards him, however unceremonious and slight, he always meets us halfway. I am struck by His grace in that.

I went to speak at a really sweet church in Harrisonburg, VA called Horizon Christian Fellowship that has been praying for me and the ministry. I got that feeling that I had just been with family, which was great for me because I hate to speak in front of large groups (and yes, I did make them sit in a circle so we could be more intimate) A few days before that I had been praying that God would give me some time away with Him because lately with traveling, and planning a wedding, I hadn't gotten the time I needed and I was becoming grumpy. The church mentioned they had a “lodge” in the “mountains” and if I wanted to come up and stay they would put me up. At that time I was super busy and super stressed about the fact that I have to speak to a congregation on Sunday and hadn't gotten a word from God yet. I hesitated for a second, thinking of my busy schedule and then I realized....wait, this is ACTUALLY what I prayed for but it's up to me to step out and take it. So I did. One long, winding, “where the heck are these people sending me, was I supposed to turn at that barn?” car drive later I arrived at my new favorite retreat spot.

Here I am sitting in the most adorable cabin you've ever pictured in your mind or seen on the front cover of Little House on the Prairie. Cute deck, great woodstove, a rocking chair. Ok there's no indoor toilet, but that doesn't stop me because I'm from Uganda remember? Ronny shows me how to use the propane lights while I have visions of accidentally blowing up my new home, and leaves me with a huge white suburban by telling me that “If it doesn't start in the morning just pop it into neutral; that should work” while I mentally try and remember where neutral is on a gear shift. But I begin to feel this growing excitement that I'm having an adventure with Jesus. Which I desperately need. And I think that is the key word. Desperate. When do we become desperate enough for Jesus that we just have to make a change. Or get lost in the woods in a cabin in the least populated county in VA after passing a sign that literally said, “Welcome to the Boondocks.”

I don't know if you're like me, but I usually spend the first hour of a retreat just trying to settle myself into “being spiritual” and end up usually thinking about that thing I forgot to tell my mom before I lost cell reception and had no way to contact the outside world. As I'm trying to start reading my Bible several wasps start circling me. Now, I'm not a bee person. I don't necessarily go into a hysteric frenzy like my little sister, but I would say I have a strong dislike for them. I keep thinking that my mom would say it's because I'm wearing perfume which I can't remember if I am at this juncture or even if wasps are attracted by heavenly smells (ok just give that to me), but this is really absurd. I'm trying to be with Jesus here. C'mon. After about another hour I look underneath my chair to see a huge wasp nest with 3 wasps carefully circling it. Are you kidding me?

So I proceed to rebuke them “in the name of Jesus” which seemed to work on one which flew away, but not on the other. But I refuse to be defeated by two wasps when I'm trying to have my day with Jesus. I won't bore you with the elaborate details of my hatched plan where I had to psych myself up for about 10 minutes before finally spraying them and praying they wouldn't sting me because I don't even have a walkie talkie to alert someone of my impending death. But they're dead.

I do end up having a great time just relaxing and feeling God's pleasure that I've finally come back home to Him, but I keep feeling unsettled because I really want “a word' for this church on Sunday. I just don't want to talk about Zion Project the whole time. I want the Holy Spirit to touch people, and heal people's hearts, and move them to make a huge risk in just following Jesus wherever He wants to take them. That's what I want, but I can't seem to find the words.

The funny thing I find about retreats is that a few hours in you realize how hard is to just be alone without any means of entertainment and if you're like me you realize you forgot the Across the Universe DVD you were going to watch in case you just couldn't pray anymore and feel a sense of rising panic, then guilt, because you really came here to pray, but still wanted a back-up plan.

And pray I do. Then I listen to some Dutch Sheets, “Overthrowing the spirit of Jezebel” which is fantastic and very much needed in Uganda and I realize how easy it is to come up under the spirit of the place you are in. Whether that's going home to your parent's house, or ministering in Uganda these things have an affect on us. Which makes me more grateful for believers and churches who pray for me and the girls in Uganda. It also makes me realize how much more we need it.

Because when we get overwhelmed, or burned out, or tired, or busy we have to combat these things by communing with God. And even though I get a little bit scared in a cabin in the woods alone at night with a picture of 3 racoons on the wall who look like they're staring at me, and a huge (gigantic, rivaling the spiders of Uganda) creature crawls out of the stone fireplace and I have to choose between 1) Am I brave enough to smush it
or
2)Should I lie awake all night wondering about where it might be...

I'm so glad to be here because I know God is happy I'm here and I feel more like the person I know He wants me to be.

Every time it's worth it. The adventure with Him is worth it. No matter how long we've been gone or how far away we might feel He's still there waiting like the tire swing on the old tree, or the rusty swingset in the backyard. Waiting for us to remember He's there. And even though I still have no idea what I'm going to say on Sunday, I realize it's probably all part of His plan.

Dear Beloved Ones,

I am sorry I have been so delinquent in sending out prayer requests the last month. I wish I could blame it on Uganda internet, but I can't this time :) Being in the USA has actually made it harder to get time to communicate, if you can believe that! I miss communicating with you all, but it has been so nice to be back here and see my family. I'm very blessed.

There are A LOT OF UPDATES and CHANGES!!!
GOD has been up to a lot in my life personally. A few praises:

I GOT ENGAGED!!!!
Yes, it's true. Some of you have been praying for a long time, but God brought the perfect man for me into my life and I am so grateful. He is a huge support to me and to the ministry. We are planning an August wedding and will return together to Uganda in September to continue the work. He has already and will continue to serve alongside me in the field, especially helping with our ZP farm (so thank God for him!) otherwise I would probably be lost! :)

Other Things to Thank God For:

• Irene gave birth to a healthy baby boy at the end of last month. We are so grateful her and the baby are doing so well
• Girls continue to thrive in their sewing and hair-dressing classes and are at the top of their class!
• We just received a GRANT I applied for earlier this year and it will be a huge source of support for us!

NEEDED PRAYER:
We are in a season of transition. This month we will lose or dear friend, board member, and prayer coordinator Michele Keen as she moves onto the great vision God has called her to. Please pray for blessing on her as she transitions and for us as we look for a new board member and prayer coordinator (and well graphic designer, the girl does everything! :) If you might be that person email me at sarita@zionproject.org or call me: 650-452-8295

We are DESPERATELY in need of a US coordinator to help Sarita with the state-side operations. So that goes at the top of the list:

• God to provide us with the right person to be a US coordinator volunteer/missionary/possible staff position(raise your own funds like YoungLife thing) to assist ZP with our State-side operations
  
  
• God’s continued vision and direction for the project
  
  
• A new board member for Zion Project
  
  
• A new prayer coordinator for ZP by the end of this month!
  
  
• A technical volunteer to help with our website
  
  
• God’s grace on Sarita in carrying the vision as she speaks to churches and groups about ZP
  
  
• God to put HIS words in Sarita's mouth as she speaks (as she hates public speaking and needs His SPIRIT!)
  
  
• For God to touch people's hearts to give to this work
  
  
• God’s grace on Sarita and her new fiance Tyson as they plan their wedding and adjust to the upcoming changes when they move to Uganda in Sept.
  
  
• Continual growth for the girls in Uganda in both their faith and in their skill building
  
  
• God to provide them with self-sustaining activities and jobs
  
  
• God to provide ZP with the right pastors, staff, and partners on the ground in Uganda—people who love him with all their hearts and in humility
  
  
• For God to continue to fill our hearts with love for the people of Uganda
  
  
• For God to break through the strongholds of the orphan spirit, poverty spirit, and the jezebel spirit in Uganda that plague the land with corruption and greed
  
  
• For God to continue to give us revelation of His love and a spirit of sonship so we can give what we have received
  
  

As always, I cannot do this without you. Please email me if while praying for us you have something laid on your spirit. I welcome it! Please also keep me in your prayers--that I would get some sweet time with the Father to hear his voice...as it has been a very busy, and exhausting season for me since being back.

with so much love,
Sarita

ps--This is a crazy month of speaking and traveling for me, so until further notice, we will hold off on conference calls until God brings us a new prayer coordinator. Thank you for your dedication!

Back in the States!
Zion Project Speaking Engagements:

Wed, June 10th Horizon Christian Fellowship, Harrisonburg, VA 6:30pm
Good Shepherd School

Sunday, June 14th, Oakbrook Church, Reston, VA 10:30am http://www.oakbrookchurch.org/

If you miss me this time, I'll be back in VA/DC area in August if you want to try to get your church to plan something for then!

And remember we have the photo exhibit if you are interested in hosting it for a house event, art gallery, or church.

New phone #--650-452-8295