Child-like Faith

It is amazing to me the faith that our young children have. I have been both proud as a parent and moved as an individual to see how this journey that God has put us on has made an impact on our children. This past week we went to he post office to get our passports taken care of for the whole family. While we were filling out paperwork another family with a little girl about the same age as Hadlee came and waited in line. Hadlee began talking to the family and telling them "We are going to Africa to help the people." As I listened from nearby I heard the other mother asking many questions. The mother asked where we were going and Karson told them Uganda. She asked how long will you be there to which Karson replied "forever." I did not hear the rest of their conversation but I watched as Karson, Everett and Hadlee shared with this family of complete strangers all about our journey to Africa and what we have been called to do. Karson gave the family an information card with our family photo on one side and information about Healing Faith on the other. As we left the post office that day Kari and I never had the opportunity to speak to the family, we only smiled as we walked by. I was amazed at the boldness and the conviction of our children telling this family about our move to Africa. However, the story does not end there. That evening we received an email from the woman at the post office.  Her email stated: "The precious Segner children spoke to my heart in the post office today as they applied for their passports. May God keep you safe on the adventure!" A woman that Kari and I did not have the opportunity to speak with was moved by our children ages 6, 4, and 3 enough to make a gracious and substantial donation to our ministry. Kari and I were both in such awe and so touched that we were speechless. I think that is the problem, we were speechless. At times we both struggle with being bold in our faith and sharing with everyone we encounter the story of Healing Faith. Not our children! They will talk to anyone and everyone that will listen and will share with them our story. I think Kari and I both learned a lesson that day in child-like faith from our own children.

Hadlee moved us on her own this week. She has been talking non-stop about her sister that lives in Africa.  She has decided that when we move to Uganda that she will find a sister. Kari and Hadlee were looking at some photos online from a mission team that is currently in Uganda when they saw a picture of a little Ugandan girl in a skirt. Kari continued to flip through the pictures when Hadlee said "wait I think that was my sister in that skirt." Hadlee did not see a little girl that looked different than her, she just saw a little girl she thought should be her sister. At what age does this change? At what age do we "see" the world differently? I was amazed at her child-like faith only knowing she wants a sister. 

This past week was an amazing reminder, a renewal as to why we are following God's call. With the to do list growing longer and longer the stress level is staring to rise. This past week was a renewal of that child-like faith thanks to a chance encounter at the post office and a lesson learned from a 3 year old little girl who is looking for her sister in Africa. 

What do you need to do to renew that child like faith?

Less than 5 months Now

Matthew 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."    It feels this simple to us.


I thought I was semi-prepared for the craziness that life would become before the big move, but I never could have imagined this.  I guess updating the blog has fallen under the "can wait" category.  So I apologize for the slack in posts!

Life Past: So we made it back from the road trip and it was incredible.  Just over 3000miles total with stops in 5 states.  The kids were such troopers and to say that we were encouraged by all the support for Healing Faith, would be an understatement.  We are truly blessed with such amazing and supportive friends and I know we couldn't be making this move without them.  I will post some pictures from the trip at the end of this post.

Life Present:  Currently we are gearing up for a big event during Aggie Week, here in College Station.  It is the M.O.V.E. event and is being hosted by Imani Tumaini Upendo.  You can read more about it here http://imani-africa.com/?page_id=392.  And if you live in the area, we still need volunteers and would be grateful for your help.  There are applications at the above link.  Healing Faith is going to have the opportunity to share at the event about what God is calling us to do in Uganda and I hope you can make it.

-We are also steadily checking off items on our to do list and adding about 5x that everyday! God keeps sending us sweet reminders of why we are doing this and we are just extremely thankful for this time with our family and friends before we move.  We know the time to leave will be here before we realize it.  Some of the big To-Dos right now that we would love for you to pray with us about are

      *figuring out what to do with the house.  Do we try to sell?  Do we rent?  How in the world do I get it presentable, either way, with 4 young kids running crazy in it?

      *we are starting home schooling with Karson this fall.  We are both very excited about this.  I am really looking forward to the time we will have together.  We have chosen an incredible curriculum for him in Sonlight and so luckily not much rests on me!  Haha.  This really is something we are both looking forward to so please pray we can adjust our schedules to this change.

     *Time management!  Jason will still have a full time job and currently two part time jobs, up until we move.  That coupled with my full time job of having 4 kids at home and now teaching too, makes it hard to find time to do all the necessary things we need to do to prepare to move.   We know we are extremely blessed to have the opportunity to work and get financial matters in order before we move, but it is a juggling act.  I know it is possible, we just really could use prayer.

Life Future: Our departure date for Uganda will most likely be around the 2nd or 3rd of January.  We are hoping to travel with the kids to Jinja before our training starts at New Hope on the 9th.  We have been blessed with an incredible intern, Rachael Ruiz, that will be with us during those 5months to help with the kids.  Please be praying for her that she will be able to raise the necessary funds and prepare for her time in Uganda.

-There are big things happening concerning the future ministry that Healing Faith will be doing.  I don't want to go into too many details before things are more concrete, but please be praying for Healing Faith and our future.  We daily are seeking God's guidance and His will for the ministry.  There are big decisions to be made and we truly appreciate you going before the Lord on our behalf.

-October 28th we will be holding a fundraising dinner and auction for Healing Faith.  Please pray that things will fall into place for this.  We think this could possibly take care of a huge portion of our upfront costs (roughly $17-18,000).  Please pray that God will be preparing the hearts of those that are to help, those that will donate items for the auction, those that will attend and learn about Healing Faith, just all aspects of the event.

- These are a few of many upcoming things. I do hope to update the blog more frequently and please know that you can always send us email at healingfaithuganda@yahoo.com if you have any questions.  We want to be an open book for others who might be considering life in the mission field and what our experience has been like in preparing.  There are just too many details to list, but please feel free to ask.


Matthew 9:37 "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Jason and I are resting in peace in this verse that no matter how crazy life may become for us these next few months, we rest in assurance that this is God's will for our lives.  No, this is not and will not be an easy road.  Yes, we are deeply saddened about the family and friends that we will be leaving behind.  But making this decision has been the most confident thing we have ever done and that confidence could only come from God.  Thank you for your continued support and prayer.

I have decided if I ever hope to get this posted, pictures will have to wait.  Hopefully there will be some soon!