Orignally published on October 18, 2008.

What one man calls missions, another calls The Embarkment. Sophomore Joshua Watson is fulfilling his call to travel to Uganda to do what he can to meet the endless needs in the country.

Tyler Madsen, creator of the company LoveNailTree, describes The Embarkment as “an embarking on an adventure to help people.” Earlier this year, Watson entered into a spur of the moment preparation for a African journey through ROCKharbor, a journey he had been dreaming about for two years. The trip will be focused on medical aid to the northern city of Gulu, home to over a million displaced people.

With about $4,000 to raise for his trip alone, Watson collaborated first with Madsen and LoveNailTree to pull together a fundraiser event to help complete the dream. “That is what LoveNailTree is about, supporting non-profits,” said Madsen.

LoveNailTree agreed to support the entire event because they took notice of the fact that Watson was “wanting to do greater things outside of college, and stretch himself to share the love of Jesus.” The company built all the walls for the artwork presentation, the stage, designed the posters and agreed to sell their merchandise throughout the night for the cause.

The Embarkment was held in Stewart Lobby, which was transformed into a relaxed lounge atmosphere with art being critiqued in one corner and audience giving their applause to musicians in the other.

“All of the musicians are personal friends, or friends of personal friends and the artists are all just here wanting to help out friends,” said Watson.

The line up of musicians included some unique and powerful sounds from Jason Smart, QuarterMain, The Rococo Gang and The Vespers. Biola photographers and artists donated their best work to be sold. Contributors included the work of Chris Cox, Angi Welsch, Katherine Elizabeth, Jacque and Amanda Pritchard, Ashleigh Allard, Bethany Cissel and Sarah Sunderman.

With money to raise for his own trip and 10 percent of all profit going to Buyamba, a non-profit organization supportive of orphaned children in Uganda, Watson came into the evening with no expectations. Throughout the night the lobby filled with a steady stream of students, families and friends seeing a need and doing whatever they can to help a friend meet his goal, to embark on a long awaited journey. By the end of the night, Watson said he was pleasantly surprised with everyone who came in support of the event’s main cause.

If you missed the event and still wish to help Joshua Watson reach Uganda or donate to help better medical work in displacement camps, email [email protected] to get onto his mailing list.