The team is doing great. They have really become a family
and have a genuine respect and love for one another. We have been diving into ministry
around the homestead where we are living. We are currently working at local
schools during the week as well as doing some home visits and helping during the
services at our local church. The Lord has really been stretching everyone, but
in the process He is teaching them so much about what it means to truly trust
Him and give everything to Him. Today we were able to go minister at the
largest hospital in Swaziland
as well as at a shelter for abandoned children. The Lord is doing so much and I
know they are all looking forward to sharing it all with you when they return. Please
continue to pray against the attacks from the Enemy as well as for continued
unity for the team. God is working and we appreciate your prayers so much! God
Bless!
When I first arrived at training camp in Gainesville, GA, I was very nervous. I was almost to the point where I just wanted to go home. I was not nervous about my team, nor was I nervous about training camp. I was afraid about the ministry that we would be doing in Africa. There was a guy on the serve team named Luis who was very adamant about being anointed. I knew that I was anointed by God, but it didn't truly sink in until training camp. The music leader, Davy sung a free verse song that went like this: "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is around me, because he has anointed me to proclaim His Word." This comes directly from Isaiah 61. This changed my view of my fears and my ministry. I can't explain it exactly, but I was simply at ease with my fears! Presently, I am still nervous, but my fears are rational. I can not wait to be able to tell all of you in full what God has done here in Africa! -Noah Tassie
So let me just say that our lives are constantly unpredictable but busy. We as a team have endured so many days of travel that we are overly prepared to settle down into our permanent mission site. We have had our ups and downs, but together we have grown in Christ as a unified team. Only the Lord knows what tomorrow brings, so as for us we will be still and know that the Lord is God. I would like to let everyone back home know how much I love them and tell them that I miss them more than anything. -Kayla Harvey (Acts 1:7-8)
To start off I want to say Africa is beautiful and the people are even more beautiful! God has shown me over the past 2 weeks about servant hood and that I need to give everything to Him. One night at training camp we were told to pray and find out what God wanted us to give over to Him completely. God was telling me MY LIFE. This was hard for me but I did it and God has shown me now it is all in His hands. -Jordan Feltes
Hey everyone! I just arrived last night to our final home and it is beautiful! God has been working in amazing and wonderful ways. The very first day with our team everyone seemed to get along well. By the second and third days our team became family. I am amazed everyday how I can love people who were complete strangers to me. I guess that proves how big God's love is. -Rachel Messick
I just have to say that God is totally changing my life. I'm experiencing Him on a whole new and different level. I mean we have to trust in God all the time, but here in Africa you learn that trusting God is not the same as back home. I don't have my family, friends, or my comfort zone, but I am learning that I have people that love me here and above all a God who I am getting deeper in relationship with. I just finished reading Acts and God showed me that Paul was a man radical in what he believed. So with a lot to say but not enough words to explain it, all I say is thank you all for your prayers. Que Dios Ios Bendiga! -Gaby Duran (Acts. 20:24)
Our team arrived at our final destination yesterday the Hnonno homestead run by Pastor Mike Pratt. It is located in Southern Swaziland just outside of Mkhuzweni; filled with beautiful faces and welcoming waves. Each day I have learned a little more siSwati and a lot more about my team, my leaders and my translators Musa and Xolani. I am pumped for ministry and am ready to see more miracles happen! Thank you all for your continuous prayers and encouragement. I love you!! -Nia Kimbrell
Sani-boo-nan-ie (hello) everyone! The past few weeks have been quit eventful. We just arrived at our destination last night in Mkhuzweni and God has shown His protection and faithfulness all the way through. Several people on our team have been sick, but after we prayed God healed every one of them. Hallelujah! It's obvious that Satan doesn't want us here in Swazi, but his attacks are no more than compliments to us. That's even more proof that God's going to do something bug! I'm so excited. I love you all. -Skye Ocegueda
Sawubona! Greetings from Swaziland! We've only been in Africa a short time, so we haven't had much of a chance at ministry yet. However, on Sunday after church, a few of us stayed behind at the church for a while waiting to drive the Pastor home. We got the chance to play with the kids, with 2 cute little boys being my playmates! I had so much fun with them! I threw rocks with them (to break the ice) and then chased and tickled the giggling boys! They really made my first experience with Swazi kids such a blessing! Love you all! -Alison Frankish
On this trip God has shown me that my life does not belong to me but to Him that created me. I realize that I have to give my whole life over to Christ not just the parts that I wants Him to have. God is stretching me in many ways and I can't wait to see what else He has in store. Love you all. -Kayleen Ebens
We have just received word from the team that they have arrived safe and sound in Swaziland. They will be spending the night at Alabonza and then head to Swazi tomorrow.
Today is our last day of training camp. We will have our commissioning service tonight and then at 3am in the morning we will be boarding a bus and heading to the Atlanta airport. It has been a jam-packed week, but we have accomplished a lot and grown so much as a team. We did many team builders which challenged each of us, but we finished them all and set many records. Our communication is growing and the team is learning about each other in amazing ways. This week we have crawled in the dirt "army boot camp" style, lifted each other over tall walls in the obstacle course, eaten rice with our hands and learned dramas we can share in our respective countries. It has been stretching for all of us, but we have had so much fun in the process. We have seen God show up in big ways already and we can't wait to see what He has in store for us in Swaziland. Please pray for our team as we leave tomorrow.
We are half way through training camp and things are going great. Everyone is having a good time and really digging into what the Lord has for them while they are here. Our team is amazing. Everyone has a really sweet and caring spirit about them, and it is obvious the Lord is going to use them in BIG ways in Swaziland. We have bonded so quickly as a team. We have laughed together as we huddled around the tooth brushing station in pitch black dark, we have cried together as people share their stories and we have supported each other as we conquered different team building activities. It is neat to see how the Lord is taking people who came here as individuals and making them into one unit. We still have a long way to go as we become a team, but it is something that we all desire and are digging deeper to find. God is working here in Gainesville, and I can't wait to see all He has in store for this team this week and as we set off for Swaziland. Please continue to keep us in your prayers that the Lord would continue to go to the deep places in our hearts and molds us into the people He has created us to be. Also, please pray that unity would continue to grow and that each person would be able to find love and safety in this group. Only 3 more days until Swazi...we can't wait!!
Here are a few pictures from the week so far. Enjoy and God bless!
I was born in and raised in Alberta. I have a brother who is one year
older, two sister, one three years younger and the other is nine years
younger. I also have a brother who is eight years younger. I am in
grade eleven and I am working to part time jobs to save u for
college(ugh!) and for mission trips and traveling. I love visiting new
places and seeing the wonderful world that God created for us. I have a
REALLY big family who is very close. I also have an aunt and uncle in
the mission field.
I love roller coasters!This season right now reminds me of the part of roller coasters where
you are climbing the first really big hill.As you climb up, you have this excitement about what you are about to
experience.As you climb the really
gigantic coasters, your excitement builds and the ascent seems to take
forever.For some of you, your journey
towards this trip has been building since last fall.For others you have just jumped onboard this
spring.For all of you the last bit of
the hill to climb before you launch out onto the mission field will be training
camp in Gainesville, GA.
As you prepare I want to give you a list of things that you
can expect at training camp.This is not
an exhaustive list, but it will give you a bit of perspective.
• You will be trained in:
ochildren's ministry
ocross cultural
awareness
ospiritual warfare
odrama
oevangelism
oand a few other fun things perhaps
• You will also be doing some team building where a problem is
set and you and your team must work it out together. This will give you an
opportunity to learn to communicate better as well as learn more about one
another.
• You will be stretched out of your comfort zone.
This is a tentative schedule.
6:00 AMWake
up
6:15 Your
Time with the Lord (This is the most important part of your day!)
7:00Debrief
Quiet Times (As a Team)
7:15Breakfast
8:00Concert
of Prayer
8:30Training
Begins
12:00Lunch
1:00More
Training
5:00Free
Time
6:00Dinner
6:45Worship
and Message
7:45Team
Time
9:45Get
ready for bed!
10:00Lights
out! (Lights of course meaning flashlights.)
A Few Important
Things to Note About Training Camp
• Georgia
weather is unpredictable. Keep in mind Georgia gets HOT. During the day but can be a little chilly in the morning. Please refer to the dress code
and packing list for what to bring to training camp.
• Sometimes it rains on us in Georgia. If it rains, your clothes
that you wear at training camp
WILL get ruined. Georgia
Red Clay is not forgiving. Just know that your clothes for training camp might
not make it out alive (and this includes shoes).
• If you have EVER had ANY trouble with
allergies expect them to act up in Georgia, so bring what you need to
take care of yourself.
• Training camp is fun…SO COME EXCITED!
*Videos provided by Brandon Headrick, a World Racer who is currently on the field.
If you are driving to the Atlanta airport or to training camp:
On June 26th, if driving to the Atlanta airport you should arrive between
11AM and 3PM, if driving to Gainesville you are to arrive between
4-5PM.
If your Parents need to stay overnight we suggest the Hampton Inn in Gainesville.
Of course, if you find a better rate somewhere else, feel free to go
there. The phone number is 770-503-0300 or 1-800-HAMPTON. The address
is: 450 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Gainesville
If you are flying into the Atlanta Airport :
MEETING AT THE AIRPORT: When
you fly into the airport you are to meet in the Atrium, located right
outside security. It is a huge gathering room with lots of sofas, food
court etc. We will be there to meet you . Look for us in our Aim
t-shirts and big smiles :) .
Directions to Adventures In Missions' Gainesville, Georgia Headquarters
From Atlanta, Hartsfield Atlanta Airport and the South:
Take the Connector (I-75/I-85) northbound until the two interstates split just north of Midtown. Though
I-85 heads northeast and would appear to split off to the right, be
cautioned: I-85 is a left exit and only the left three lanes will take
you there safely! Stay northbound on I-85. You willl pass under the Perimeter (I-285) at Spaghetti Junction. Continue northward on I-85 until you reach exit 113, which is the beginning of I-985. Take I-985 (also a left exit) northbound for 24 miles until you reach exit 24. Exit there. Take a left at the end of the exit ramp, towards downtown Gainesville. You are on U.S. Hwy 129. It takes just under an hour from downtown to get to this point.
Continue
north on Hwy 129 (you will turn right about a mile from the interstate
and another right at a T in the road). You will cross over Lake Lanier
at two points: the Chattahoochee River fork and the Little River fork. A few miles beyond the second bridge you will come to a traffic light. You will take a right at the light onto Nopone Road . Follow Nopone for 1 mile to Bogus Road ; turn left onto Bogus. You will see our sign about a mile in on the left hand side (but you won't see a building). Turn left into our driveway and you will come to our building.
From Greenville/Charlotte and the Eastern Seaboard:
Take I-85 southbound from Greenville/Spartanburg until you cross the Georgia state line at Hartwell Lake. Continue southward until you reach exit 137 ( Gainesville/ Jefferson). Exit there, turning right at the end of the ramp, towards Gainesville. You are on U.S. Hwy 129. Travel for about 17 miles until you cross over I-985, then follow the instructions in the second paragraph above.
From Chattanooga/Nashville and the Midwest or Appalachia:
Take I-75 (or I-24) southbound from Chattanooga until you cross the Georgia state line. Continue southward on I-75 until you reach exit 312, which is State Hwy 53. Go east on 53, being careful to stay on 53 as it goes through some small towns and makes a few turns. After going through the town of Dawsonville you will come to a major intersection with GA 400. Go north (left) on 400 to the very next traffic light and turn right on Harmony Church Rd. You will come to a stop sign a the jct. of 136 ( Price Rd. ). Turn right on 136. Travel on 136 for about 10 miles and it will end at Rt. 60. Make a right on 60 ( Thompson Br. Rd. ) and then a left at the very next light which is 283 ( Mt. Vernon Rd. ). Take 283 to the first stop sign and turn right on Jim Hood Rd. After a few miles you will come to a light - US 129. Go straight and the road becomes Nopone Rd. Go about a mile and turn left at the top of a hill on Bogus Rd. Go a mile on Bogus and you will see the sign for Adventures in Missions on the left. Turn there and follow the road to the end and you have arrived. Note: This was is 2 lane, windy road and is about 80 miles across, taking about 2 hours from the I-75 exit.
Alternate Route via interstate. Take I-75 south to I-285 and go east on I-285 to I-85. Go north on I-85 to exit 113, I-985. Take I-985 north to exit 24, US 129. You can then follow the directions above in coming from Atlanta. Note: This
way is much longer mileage wise and sometimes much longer time wise,
depending on the time of day and the Atlanta area traffic. But it's all interstate until you get to 129 (the last 10 miles).
This is your flight information. Be sure to pass this on to your parents so they will be informed! If you have questions about luggage, please
contact your airline, because each airline is different in their
policies.
I was born in and raised in Alberta. I have a brother who is one year
older, two sister, one three years younger and the other is nine years
younger. I also have a brother who is eight years younger. I am in
grade eleven and I am working to part time jobs to save u for
college(ugh!) and for mission trips and traveling. I love visiting new
places and seeing the wonderful world that God created for us. I have a
REALLY big family who is very close. I also have an aunt and uncle in
the mission field.
If you are driving to the Atlanta airport or to training camp:
