As debrief begins and I prepare to fly back to the States in only five days, I am of course forced to look back over the last eleven months and reflect on what God has done, what I have seen, and how myself and those around me have been changed for the rest of our lives. I love seeing the transformations that have taken place, knowing how many people partnered together to bring the hope of Christ to many around the world, and I find joy in the anticipation of what is to come for each of us. I know that this year has prepared me for what is to come – whether helping out with a youth group, moving back to New York, or returning overseas to continue the Lord’s work. Thank you. If you have read a blog, if you have prayed, if you have commented, if you have encouraged, if you have sent money, if you have been alongside me and my team in any capacity. Thank you.
Training Camp September 2007:
with joyful anticipation: the original “Two Guys, Megan, and Some Girls”
Training Camp September 2007:
Megan switched to another team, and our team became seven:eleven, based on Mark 7:11
Thailand – September:
Our first ministry location – Ratchaburi, Thailand, where we taught English, preached, sang (“Blessed Be Your Name…”), and built relationships
Cambodia – October:
A month of eating only rice, climbing a mountain, running into cows, and having an amazing time with the children and staff of Four Square Church and Orphanage in Banan, Cambodia
Philippines – November/December:
Three new temporary team members changed our team into “Beleven”, as we spent a jam-packed month doing anything and everything with International Care Ministries in Dumaguete, Philippines
China – January:
Back together, (until separated by housing arrangements!), we spent a short two weeks in China helping in schools, sharing food and Christ at the train station, and finding wisdom and encouragement from local missionaries.
Swaziland/South Africa – February:
Sarah headed back to Kentucky to be with her mother, but God had bigger and better plans for her and for our team as He guided us in our work in a black township near Nelspruit, and then prepared us for Mozambique.
Mozambique – March:
The longest and most extreme “roughing it” experience for us all in Mutarara, Mozambique, but also the most rewarding, as we began construction on a new orphanage, provided medical attention for the locals, and loved on the women and children.
South Africa – April:
Brandon stayed in Mozambique to continue the building project and rise up the men of Mozambique; the remaining five headed to Cape Town, South Africa to learn how to be still before the Lord. Brandon rejoined us soon after.
The squad stayed together doing various ministries in San Jose and other areas of Costa Rica, team time was hard with so many distractions but the Lord taught us all lessons that we would later bring to the team and ministry.
Mark headed home to Canada to be the amazing big brother he is. Sarah returned. The short two weeks allowed us to see different areas of Panama City, Panama, as well as a few small towns outside the Canal District to pray for and encourage the growing Chinese population.
Nicaragua – July:
Sarah, joyful and trusting, left us again to support her mother and family in Kentucky. We partnered with AIM missionaries and a short-term medical team from Virginia for a crazy week of medical clinics and VBS in Granada. We also traveled cross-country to Puerto Cabezas to rebuild houses, pray for the sick at the hospital, and love on orphans.
