Wednesday, May 27, 2009

I can't believe how fast our mission is approaching!! It feels like yesterday when I was sitting in the living room with Hope and Daryl going through my application with them and just praying that I would be able to be a part of this most amazing mission I will ever get to experience. That was in November. It is now May, and soon enough to be June, which means one month to go. WOW!! crazy... I am so excited and yet so nervous at the same time to be going. I am so excited because I know that this will be the most amazing thing I ever do and it is something I have always dreamed of doing, but never expected to. And I'm nervous because, well, I have barley left Ontario and now I'm going to spend my first ever plane ride to the other side of the world. But I know that this is Gods plan for me and he wants me to do this or I would have never have been given this chance of a lifetime. This experience will not only change me as a person but it proves to not only me but to everyone that dreams do come true and you just have to take a chance, and most important, trust in God. I have met some of the most amazing people in my life in these past months, and I know I will be in good hands in Ghana. I love you all. Thank you Daryl, Hope and Kim for giving me this chance to make a difference in someones life, (and for putting up with me for a month..tehe) and most importantly thank you to all the people who have supported me in this mission. Either with donations, prayers or just love, you have all helped me get to where I am now, and thats one month from me being in Ghana, so thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! Much Love xoxoxox
Chelsey <3

Friday, May 22, 2009

I am so very nervous but also extremely excited to be able to go to Africa with this amazing group of people. Never having done anything remotely like this before, I know it is going to be a great experience I will remember for the rest of my life and I will know I did some good for somebody else. This is going to be so fun! and I cannot wait!!
Melissa
I can't be more excited to go to Ghana, a completely foreign country, and with even all the prep work we are doing here in North America, know that I have no idea what to expect when I get there. I know that there's a reason why I am a part of this incredible team, and doing the work we are called to do there—I can't say I know the reason, but I think that's all part of the experience. Somehow, spending my summer in a stinky, hot climate, doing physical labor, and bathing by buckets is the only way I would ever want to spend it. Helping the people and the community we will be in will be more than what I'm sure any one of us could ask for—the interactions, relationships, and life-changing experiences we will face. I know I, and the rest of the team will come back changed—and that is something we can expect.

Peace,
Rachel
"Well, the excitement builds. We have crossed our minimum budget target to go and stay safe. (This means we can eat, and drink water that is safe - a real bonus for sure!!) The team is pumped and energized and well trained. I am so impressed with these young people. This time, we get to do some different things. We have some soccer enthusiasts with us and have had soccer uniforms and balls donated. We will help set up a soccer ministry in the village and encourage the young people of Kokrobite through sports. The construction project has changed a bit, but "this is Africa", and change is to be expected. However, as always, we go prepared to serve in whatever way they need us.

I can't wait to get back. Developing friendships with people over the 10 year span of our association with Ghana has been wonderful. There is nothing quite like being met at the airport by dozens of smiling, beautiful people who are patiently waiting to renew friendships and start new ones. And, there is nothing quite like the feeling that you get when you know that your very presence brings hope and peace.

More to come....
Daryl"

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Hey Friends! Here is a little about me and why I'm on this team. I Have a passion in my life to work with youth and to see spiritual growth in peoples lives. About four years ago I felt God telling me to go to Africa, at the time I didn't want to go. I thought there was enough for me to do here let alone try to fix all the problems in west Africa. Over the last four  years  God has been Patiently working in and on my life, drawing me closer to him. One day about 7 months ago I prayed that if Africa was something in God's will for me, than to let it be done and to not let me get in the way of his plans. Very soon after I had prayed this a friend called asking if I wanted to help lead a team of youth to Ghana west Africa..... God had spoken and my heart was ready to listen. I was going to Ghana. Now with about six weeks left before we go I couldn't be more excited about Africa, but I believe even more so about my team. This is a group of men and women from different ages and backgrounds, different experiences and callings in their lives. I have seen so much growth in the last 6 months in my friends and in myself. I can only imagine what this experience will do to myself and my friends and that is what I think the real change is going to be. Yes we are going to help build and share and do good works in Ghana, but the real transformation is going to be the works that Christ does in our hearts while on this trip and after. I pray that God will reveal himself to us through family and friends and challenges, and shape us to be more like himself. That is the change I am so extremely excited to see and this is my passion in life, to see lives transformed by Jesus.

"love and peace to you all." Stephen.

Monday, May 11, 2009

"I'm so excited to be going back Ghana, looking forward to everything that it brings, for this amazing team and to the country!
Thank you to all" Darcie