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We traveled to Livingstone and had a great time. We went on a safari and got to see many African animals in their natural environments including giraffes, zebras, antelope, elephants, water buffalo and rhinos. It was amazing. We went on a short cruise on the Zambezi River, ate lunch and relaxed. After the cruise we went and saw Victoria Falls. I now know why they call it one of the 7 wonders of the world. We did a lot of souvenir shopping and bartering and we are now leaving Livingstone for Lusaka where we will spend the night and leave for Ethiopia tomorrow.
Greetings from sunny Australia! We are finishing up our last full day of work and are enjoying the warm day and bright sunshine. It has not rained in a while, which is good. The last few days have been gorgeous, though the mornings are still chilly. The team is quite spread out today...some are fixing barb wire fences along Teen Missions property line, others are finishing up the maintence shed, cleaning out the bus we have been using or doing other odd jobs around the property. The work is coming to a close and Saturday we will be preparing for the start of Debrief. Tomorrow (Friday) we will be working only half a day and are planning to spend the afternoon shopping for souviners at the local shops. This past weekend was amazing...probably the best we have had so far. Sunday we traveled four hours up the coast to the town of 1770 (named after the year Captian Cook discovered the area) to see the Great Barrier Reef. We camped out at a caravan park and though it was quite croweded we still enjoyed it. The park was located on the beach and we were able to watch the sun set and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. We spent two nights there and on the second night we sat out on the beach for evening devotions (a time when we come together as a group to sing, pray and a team member shares something they have been learning, their testimony, etc.). It was amazing to be able to look up into the sky and see all the stars, the milky way and hear the waves lapping at the shore. God is so cool! Monday morning we woke up early, boarded the Spirit of 1770, a boat that took us about an hour out into the ocean to a section of the Barrier Reef. It was a beautiful boat ride and some of the team road on the seats on the top deck of the boat. We saw some dolphins and a whale or two on our way out to the Reef. We arrived at a pontoon that was moored off the island and after suiting up in wet suits, fins and masks we and jumped in the water to start exploring. I think the rest of the team would agree with me...the barrier reef is goregous and whole experience was one of the best things about the summer. TJ and several others said that it was worth all the hard work they did this summer....a good reward! There were brightly colored fish that would swim right by you and the coral and other things were breathtaking. Chloe and Alanna were even able to see a turtle! It was a little unreal to be looking around and actually seeing all this beauty with our own eyes...not in movies or in a book. Many of the team members bought underwater cameras and spent the morning and some of the afternoon swimming around and snapping pictures. We also had the chance to go to the island via a glass bottomed boat (amazing!) and walk around the island. It was so gorgeous being there...beautiful white sand, blue green water....the team enjoyed walking around and taking pictures and figuring out which movie this beach reminded them of...Pirates of the Carribean, etc. The day ended back at the campground and we were up early the next morning to travel back to Teen Missions. On the way back we stopped at a Christian school for a presentation. We worked with highschoolers and also some of the preschoolers or "preppies". The team really enjoyed spending time with the kids and were able to play basketball and volleyball with the highschoolers during their lunch period. So...that is what has been happening in our corner of the world. Please continue to pray for us as we head into Debrief and look foward to going home!
Greetings! The team have made it to Cairo, and are settling in here at the beautiful Victoria Hotel. What a wonderful past week we have had, wrapping up our project, engaging in more ministry opportunities, meeting the governor of Assiout, and enjoying a few other special opportunities at the orphanage. On Friday, we were asked to attend the funeral of a lady who worked at the orphanage for many years. The lady was actually taken in by Lillian Trasher herself, grew up at the home, and gave her life in service to the other little ones. As it was a somber event, we could have peace amid the loss, to know that this saint is risen with Christ! Praise God for the empty tomb, and the peace we have, knowing that death is not the end for believers in Jesus Christ. The team officially poured the last bowl of concrete on Saturday, which concluded their work project. The sidewalks and roads look fantastic, and will serve to bless the orphanage for years to come. On Sunday we attended our last morning church service, where the team presented a few of the favorite songs for the children. During the Sunday evening service, we were able to partake in communion with our Egyptian brothers and sisters. How wonderful it is to be able to serve the same risen Savior, with fellow believers across the many miles! We truly serve a big and good God! On Monday we had the privilege of meeting the governor of Assiout, who the orphanage warmly welcomed with Egyptian flags lining the newly paved sidewalks. He graciously thanked the team for our work, and expressed his appreciation for taking interest in the children at the orphanage. Dr. Assad and leader Mike spoke on behalf of the team, thanking the governor for taking the time to meet us, as well as proclaiming that we came to Egypt for many reasons, but moreover because the love of Jesus Christ brought us. We pray that the governor will think of the team fondly, but mostly that we were able to in a small way, proclaim Jesus to him. He ended his visit with the giving of gifts, handing out personally to each team member an informational packet about Assiout, as well as Lillian Trasher Orphanage tee shirts, with pyramids and camels on the back! He went even further to invite us on a ferry ride down the Nile River. How generous and warmly we have been treated by the Egyptians. Monday night brought another treat for the team, in that we were able to attend the July birthday celebration. It warmed my heart to see how the children played games together, each one treated incredibly individually, despite being one of 600+ children at the home. The team played relay games with the children, and the boys engaged in a fun game of basketball. We all enjoyed spending time with our new friends, eating ho ho's (a team favorite!) and drinking mango juice, while celebrating the lives of those who had birthday's. Tuesday afternoon brought the fun of the adventure down the Nile! The ferry boat was a relaxing way to end the summer. About nine of the children were able to come with us, and we had a good time playing, and enjoying God's beautiful creation. There exists quite a contrast of palm trees and desert in the distance as we headed south toward Luxor. At one point, as I gazed off into the distance toward a nearby city, I noticed two steeples, one with a cross of the Christian faith, and one with the crescent of Islam, piercing the air side by side. This is how we are to be in our lives, we are to stand side by side with those who do not yet believe, and hope to stand out in contrast by displaying the overwhelming love of Jesus. With slightly heavy hearts our team departed the orphanage on Wednesday morning, praising the Lord for this incredible opportunity to serve Him. I would like to share two testimonies from the team members: Have you ever seen those people who are completely schedule oriented? The person who must do this thing at this time, and that thing at that time? Or how about the people who have to have super organized lives? Like if you walked into the room and moved one little object they would flip and they wouldn't be able to move on unless that object was repositioned. But God is not like that. Now I do not mean that God changes. I mean to say that the way God orchestrates our lives changes. An even might occur, or a person might enter our lives, or even leave, and suddenly our lives may have a brand new priority within the terms of our earthly agenda. Like the college student who right before receiving his degree, has to drop everything and go back home and work the family farm because his father has died. His life has gone from studying and classes and equations and thesis papers to crop yields, irrigation, harvesting, waking up at four in the morning and going to bed at eleven o'clock at night. My father used to say, "bloom where you are planted." Adapting to change is not easy. Taking ourselves out of one frame and into another will always be hard. But, when we realize that God's got a plan, we know it will be alright in the end. Teen Missions had repeatedly changed my scenario. From rural Michigan that has a moderate summer to a hot wet plot of land in Florida. After that, three different airports and two planes taking me to a burning dry country with water so contaminated you could sell it by the slice. I often joke that after learning to put up with adversity in its many forms, the hardest adjustment I will have to make will be civilized life in Mayville, Michigan where I can drink the tap water, walk around barefoot, and actually acknowledge the existence of women in public. God has taught me that the trick when moving form one difficult scenario to the next is to just keep moving. -Andy Hussman Living in a Christian home, I have been aware of the Lord my entire life. Still, I had never submitted to the Lord until I came to Teen Missions. Like most things from home, TMI gave me a much greater appreciation for my faith. During the "life or death" struggles of boot camp, my faith went in and out with the tides. The pitiful whines coming from the multitudes of teens were nearly drowned out the mosquitoes on occasion. I will admit that I joined in on that chorus often. But with a bit more spiritual strength, my team moved on to the field, only to find more day to day struggles. I am overjoyed we overcame them together. Though I was not always confident in my own abilities, I took comfort from the verse Philippians 1:6. Through it all I gained many new insights, experiences, and lessons on how to live my life in Christ. -Bailey Rathbun We thank you for your prayers, and will continue to look to God for guidance, strength, and more ministry opportunities as we move to Switzerland for debrief. Praise Him for what He has done, and will do!! Peace in Christ!
What a great experience it has been to us all while we have been in Nicaragua. We are packing up today and will be leaving tommorow. Our bus is coming at 430am to take us to managua airport. We had our last rally last night, the pastor and the whole congregation thanked us for all the hard wotk that we have done. They presented us with a flag of Nicaragua and certificates with our names on them. It was a great experience. Pray for us as we travel back to Florida. Thank you for all your prayers this summer. God bless.
Emily Carter- Wales has been awesome. We've gotten to know all the kids here at Save the Family, and we really love them. Our two weeks have gone by extremely quickly, and we're all sad to go. We're all anxious to go home, but we love it here too. I can't wait to see my prents, but I also feel like I could just stay here forever. The team is awesome, and we've become like a big family. I'll be sad to leave them, and I'll never forget this summer. Thank you to everyone who's made it possible. Tiffany Clay- My experience at Wales has been wonderful and very life-changing. The people at "Save the Family" have been very nice and gernerous. I have learned alot and have grown very close to God. I think this is the closet I have ever been to God in my life. I would definately come to Teen Missions next year. The one thing I miss the most is my Family. Mackenzie Mummert- When I had first gotten to Wales I just wanted to go home. We were working in a giant mud pit all day. I trhought it would be horrible. But, everyday as we worked and started to become more as a team, things started to become easier and we started to meet all the people here at Save the Family. Then I realized that God means for us to be here. And we started to make a difference to all the people here. But, alltogether I think that just as the beginning of every journey, its hard but as you grow in God and with the people you are with, you grow tighter as a team. Cassie Woodward- My summer so far has been amazing! God has shown alot while being in Wales. He has shown me me how much the world needs Christ's love. The kids and staff here at Save the Family are wonderful. Thye kids are loving and want to do everything we do. And the staff have done above and beyond the call of duty to make us comfortable and show us there beautiful city and counrty. Now as we journey to Iceland I know God is going to do something great and draw me closer to him Will Jablonski- I have had alot of fun here in Wales. I love the scenery here. The people are aweomse here. The Save the Family organization has been really generous to us. I really love it here. Maliya Drever- Wales has been amazing. It's a beautiful country. Everyone here at Save the Family are all so wonderful. They're so kind and they're more beautiful on the inside than this country will ever been. I will really miss it here. Travis Carlson- I have learned and experienced so much on my missions trip so far this summer and above all I have realized that God is with me wherever I go. Even though I might go home to a not so Christian environment, I can still use what I have learned to draw closer to God and to teach others about God. GOD ROCKS MY SOCKS! Danielle Keane- My time in Wales has been great. I've got to see so much and I have to say Wales is the prettiest place I've ever been! I've had the best summer of my life here. I've got to play football (soccer) with the kids and share the word or God with them. While I've been in Wales I've grown closer to God. And I am just so happy that we were able to help out Save the Family and share the Word of God with them. I'm really going to miss this place! And I really hope to come back soon! Yvonne Amberman- My experience in Wales has been amazing! The staff here at Save the Family have been so loving and nice. The jobs have been hard but exciting and challenging. The sight seeing has been wonderful. Ty Fast- Well, I didn't want to come in the first place, but the kindness and hospitality of the staff and residents here at Save the Family has made this quite and enjoyable experience. I'd like to say a special thanks to the two Allens and Billy for driving us around and to Mr. and Mrs. Speed for your generous hospitality. Also I have very much enjoyed the company of Mel, Ray, James, and the rest of the kids here at Save the Family. Over all, this is an amzing place and I would recommend it to any future team members. Kate Myskowski- My veiw on alot of things has changed. I have really realized how blessed I am. While being with these homeless people here I see that they don't have anything. I have realized how big the need for Christ is around the world and how much they need to hear about God. Alot of the familes here are broken, and I am so grateful to God that my family is solid. Overall, my experience has been great and I praise God that he has given me this wonderful oppportunity to serve. Besty Joslyn- My experience here in Wales has been a crazy one. I have never done anything like this before, The kids immediatly flocked to us and we have made instant relationships with each other. The poeple here are so thankful for everything we do. Here I feel useful and helpful. I feel wanted, as we prepare to leave little kids jumped on top of us screaming, "Don't go We don't want you to leave" I now find myself attached to these kids and though I am anxious to move towards Iceland, I find it hard to leave these kids. I wouldn't give up this experience for the world. Kayless Condes- Being here in Wales has been absolutely amazing! It's been really humbling helping these families out who are getting back on their feet and it has made me appreciate my family more at home. God had me sent here to TMI and I didn't know why but I know it was to serve these people nad to be a witness to them. It's also made me appreciate the fact that I have grown up in a christian home always having God in my life because not everyone here at Save the Family has had that. I learned even though I've gone through alot of hard times, I've lived a truely blessed life being able to have a relationship with God. I'm so grateful for coming here and can't wait to go home to show my family how it has changed me. Lindsay McCranie- Wow, Here I am and the summer is almost over... Seems like it goes by way to quick. This summer to Wales has been an amazing one to say the least. I am so thankful that God put me here as a leader on this team. God is SO GOOD! Being here and working with Save the Family and seeing all of these broken families and people who have lived such a hard life, coming back to God is just breathtaking. Last Sunday we have a baptism service here for the residents and it was overwhelming. God has just broken my heart and humbled me more than ever this year. I will always have a special spot in my heart for Wales, Save the Family, and all the residents here. I am truely grateful for this summer... The best one yet!
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