23 Days, 22 Hours and 8 Minutes

The Lord has been gracious and my goal has been met! With the love, support and prayers of family and friends, I raised $4,200 for my mission trip to Kenya with NBOI.

There are some that are travelling with me that are still raising. If you wish to support them, you can contact me and I will provide you with the best way to proceed.

I'm currently trying the handle all the requests for gifts (i.e. fabric, memorabilia, even a baby) lol but I am so excited! Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.

So, let's go through my checklist:

- Prayers (Keep them coming!)

- Plane Ticket Purchased (check!)

- Visa Purchased (check!)

- Shots (Ouch...but check!)

- Bags packed (well...I'm still procrastinating lol)

- Complete Funds for the trip (Won't He Do It...cue shouting music!)

I am still accepting donations if you would still love to contribute.

Go to paypal.me/Aaqila

or Mail a check to:

900 Shiloh Dr.
DeSoto, TX 75115

The Countdown Continues...

I am officially 42 days, 19 hours and 46 minutes away from embarking on my first mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya. I have heard a lot of questions pertaining to this trip.

- Are you nervous about flying for that long?

- Are you concerned about knowing what to share?

- Are you scared of seeing people living in conditions that you are not accustomed to?

- Do you think you'll catch a disease?

I appreciate the concern from all my friends and family. Of one thing I am sure, I am not anxious because I know God is in control. I am comforted by one of my favorite passages.

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

His peace is made available to me because of the Prince of Peace, and I am relieved knowing that I am just the vessel that He is using. All I need to do is surrender to the Holy Spirit working through me. Whatever happens, we will be able to look back and give God all the glory. I am expecting God to do exceedingly above all that I could ever imagine. I am anticipating that He will reveal Himself to me in a new way and that I will have a stronger connection to Him because of it.

So, let's go through my checklist:

- Prayers (check!)

- Plane Ticket Purchased (check!)

- Visa Purchased (check!)

- Shots (Ouch...but check!)

- Bags packed (well...I'm a procrastinating packer lol)

- Complete Funds for the trip (Here's where you can help!)


I have raised almost 80% of the total funds! Praise the Lord! I still need financial support with the remaining ~20% ($900). Will you partner with me?

If you'd like to support me through your donations, feel free to do so via:

Paypal: www.paypal.me/Aaqila

Venmo: @Aaqila-Rasheed

Or if you would like to mail a check, you may send it to:

Aaqila Rasheed

900 Shiloh Dr.

DeSoto, TX 75115

Thank you in advance for your support, either through prayers, financial contributions or both – both are incredibly valuable.  To learn more about NBOI and the work that they do, please visit www.nboi.org.  

Kingdom Building in Africa

Isaiah 6:8 “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

It's been a while since I've blogged, but God is really doing some wonderful things in my life and I want to share some of them with you. Since graduating from Baylor University in 2013, I have been afforded the opportunity to put my Marketing degree to work at The Bobbi Schwartz Group as Marketing Director; it is a consulting firm that provides personal styling for business professionals. Outside of my employment, I have committed to serving in my home church, CrossRoads Covenant Church. The past couple of years I have participated in the Worship Ministry and wherever else I am needed. However this year, I begin a new role as Leader of the Public Engagement Team. This team is charged with keeping the lines of communication open between the church, our members and the community at large via social media accounts, church website, weekly announcements, and other marketing channels.

And, if that is not enough, God has provided me an opportunity to go on my very first mission trip. I will travel to Nairobi, Kenya – June 17 thru July 2, 2016 with New Beginnings Orphanages International (NBOI). During our stay, I will assist in conducting medical clinics for the community surrounding the orphanage, teach dance worship workshops to the children, provide practical support and spiritual encouragement to the orphans and their caregivers, and most importantly, share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am writing this to ask for your support. There are two ways that you can support me, first through prayer (Mark 11:24). Our 15 person team will need the prayers of the saints as the Lord guides us and prepares us for His work in Nairobi. As well, I personally ask prayer for strength to do the work before us, courage to endure the challenges we may face, and patience to be open, loving and prepared to learn and work.

The second way is through a financial donation. The cost of this mission experience is approximately $4,200.00, which includes airfare, lodging, vaccinations, Visa and two meals per day. I am asking 100 people to donate $50 toward this trip. Will you consider being one of the 100?  

The first installment is due March 25, 2016 - $1,500.00, with the remaining balance of $2,700 due on May 17, 2016. And, if you know of anyone who has a heart for missions please share my story with them and share this information.

If you'd like to support me through your donations, feel free to do so via:

Paypal: www.paypal.me/Aaqila

Venmo: @Aaqila-Rasheed

Or if you would like to mail a check, you may send it to:

Aaqila Rasheed

900 Shiloh Dr.

DeSoto, TX 75115

Thank you in advance for your support, either through prayers, financial contributions or both – both are incredibly valuable.  To learn more about NBOI and the work that they do, please visit www.nboi.org.  

God Bless,

Aaqila Rasheed