Transparency.

It feels good to sing songs like

"Where You go, I'll go.

Where You stay, I'll stay.

When You move, I'll move.

I will follow You."

OR

"The cross before me,

the world behind me.

Though none go with me,

I will follow you."

But can we truly abandon our hearts

and surrender our lives to God

until what He is asking of us

is revealed directly in front of our faces?

He's started asking me of things

which paralyze me at the thought of them.

They paralyze me with fear.

I'm learning what those songs actually mean now.

What if I feel like He's asking too much?

What if I'm the girl He calls to leave her family?

What if when I get up to speak, He doesn't give me the words?

What if my God, whom I hold with the highest regard, fails me?

May He turn my fear into faith.

Because what He is asking me to do,

isn't just a race.

It's not jumping hurdles

with the occasional 200 meter sprint.

He's asking me to move mountains.

He's asking me to do something that I

physically cannot do on my own.

So God?

You better come through.

All of my weight is on You.

And if You fail me,

I will fall.

This is my heart cry:

"Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." -Ephesians 6:19-20

Support.

As many of you know, since August 2010 I have been studying American Sign Language (ASL) through Vincennes University at the Indiana School for the Deaf. I took two years of ASL in high school and I am currently finishing up my second year at Vincennes. ASL is something I have absolutely fallen in love with. God blessed me with an artistic mind; one that is very visual and learns with pictures, shapes, and colors. This language has always been easy for me to understand and communicate with Deaf people. I’ve learned about deaf culture and customs, as well as their community and the way they interact with one another.

Recently I’ve been given an opportunity to travel to Ghana, West Africa with an organization called Signs of Hope International (SOHI) to teach in Ghana’s deaf schools. I will be leaving on May 14th, 2012 and staying for two months. Ever since I learned about this organization, I’ve felt a strong calling on my heart from God. I’ve decided to follow Jesus and He’s asked me to come to Africa, so I will go. Given that I was born and raised in Indiana and have never been out of this country before, there’s a little bit of fear that constantly resides in me. Your prayers are greatly appreciated as I travel to the other side of the world to this very primitive and remote village to fulfill the purpose for which I was sent.

The deaf people of Ghana have no native sign language in their country, the way we have ASL, making it impossible for the deaf children to communicate, let alone receive an education. Many of the schools I will be serving in are run by teachers who have no formal deaf education and cannot communicate in sign language. SOHI is a non-profit organization, that provides support and education to the deaf students of Ghana, West Africa by sending volunteers to teach and give American Sign Language to these children. During my mission, I will work with deaf students and be involved with everything from teaching and tutoring them to implementing after school programs and helping improve the physical conditions of the schools.

Please prayerfully consider a tax deductible contribution as I work towards my worthy cause of $3,800.00. This money will provide me a plane ticket, a place to sleep, food to eat, and other travel expenses. I humbly ask for your generosity to come along side of me and partner with me as I travel. Prayers are a huge need as well as anything you feel called or led to give to help me fund my way to Africa. I have a payment of $950 due the 25th of every month, starting with January 25th, 2012. Please know the deadline for all funds is April 1st. Your donation will go directly to my mission fund and be used to help me pay my travel and living costs. You will be sent a receipt for your contribution upon request.

If you feel led to give please email me at: ali.acoustic@yahoo.com - I will then give you the address to mail your check to. Please make all checks payable to Signs of Hope International and

**be sure to put my name in the “memo” section of your check to ensure it will go to my fund**

Keep reading my blog! I've already started posting my feelings, thoughts, fears, and excitements before the trip and it will also be a place where I will post pictures and updates when I am able to travel out of the village for dial-up (!!!) internet access while in Ghana.

I thank you for taking time to read my story of how God has been working in my life and I thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart for any contributions you might give. He called me to study ASL a couple of years ago and I never thought it would lead me to Africa. It is truly amazing what He accomplishes in our lives when we trust Him, and when we let Him.

May your lives be filled with joy through the hope of our coming King,

Ali Weber

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” -Mark 16:15