Wednesday, February 19, 2014

TO AFRICA!!

Dear Friends and Family,

            As many of you know, I had the privilege of serving in El Salvador with Living Water International in May of 2010. The road the Lord took me down to get to El Salvador was a long and winding one that hasn’t really ended. Some have speculated that the illness I returned with triggered and caused my diabetes. You might think that because of that I would never want to go on a mission trip again. Thankfully, that is not the case.  The time I spent preparing for El Salvador and the week I spent there transformed my heart to consider missions more long-term. Once I was diagnosed with diabetes, that dream of mission work was placed on hold, and I soon realized that it will ultimately look very different than what I thought the Lord had called me to.

In April 2013, I started sponsoring a child through a ministry called Africa New Life. His name is Shema Eric, and I fell in love with him the moment I picked up his photograph. I had no idea I could love a child so much, especially since I’m not actually his parent.


The Lord has graciously presented and called me to a trip to Rwanda through Grace Bible Church over my school’s spring break, March 14 – 23. Each of us will have an opportunity to meet and spend time with our sponsored children.

Some of the other things we will be doing include:

  • Visiting the four villages where Africa New Life serves
  • Visiting the schools, street kids ministry, and seminary
  • Encouraging the long term staff there
  • Practice speaking English with kids

There are two ways you can support me as I continue my faithfulness to the Lord’s leading.
First, please pray. Some things to focus on include:

  • Pray for God to spiritually prepare each member of my team and the people we will meet in Rwanda
  • Pray for me as I prepare to leave the country for the first time with diabetes
  • Pray that our team can raise the funds to in order to go ($3,200 per person for the trip and flights)
  • Pray for Rwanda and the work Africa New Life is doing there

Second, you can support me financially. Please pray and ask God if he is leading you in this way. I understand that not everyone is called to do this, but know that I appreciate all of your time spent in prayer considering this.

If you feel lead to support me financially, you can mail me a check made out to Grace Bible Church, which will be tax deductible. Comment or email me (chaugneland at yahoo.com) if you would like to support me, and I'll give you more information.

I am so thankful and blessed that the Lord has called me out of the United States again. I had not realized how much my heart had been longing to serve internationally until this opportunity arose.  I pray the Lord uses this trip as a time of understanding His character more fully and encouraging those serving long-term with Africa New Life. Thank you for being a part of my walk with the Lord.

In Christ,


Connie Haugneland

Isn't he presh! Can't wait to meet this little guy!

He loves soccer and wants to be a teacher! #meltmyheart