Update update read all about it

To my family and friends,

Hello all, I pray that everyone is doing well and are enjoying God’s work everywhere you go. This weekend, 21st Nov. 2009, is the weekend we as students have been counting down too. It’s the weekend we leave for outreach! It’s pretty crazy that it’s finally here. It seems just like last week that we started lectures and already we’ve done 11 weeks of lecture and now it’s time for 8 weeks of outreach. Three of the four teams have left for their countries. John and Jennifer left for Tingha on Wednesday, then this morning at 8am the Vanuatu/ Samoa team left and then this afternoon the Thailand team left. I don’t know if you’ve read my previous posts but a red flag might be going up when I say, “The Thailand team has gone” yet I am still posting...I wasn’t able to go on that team. While God has broken my heart for the people of Thailand, I wasn’t able to get my fees in in-time and with lots of heartache and tears had to let God be in control. With that, I am on the South African team. Most of the team leaves tomorrow, 22 November, and then Bethani, Ricky, and I leave Monday morning. Our plane takes off at 10:35am Sydney time (3:35pm Cali time) and we fly straight to South Africa – land in Johannesburg, have a lay-over and then head to Cape Town. When we are there we will be working with the church, in detention centers, with gang members, in the slums, we are hoping to go into an orphanage, and with HIV/AIDS victims. Every day is planned out and our only day off is Saturday...as of now. The Thailand team will be joining us after two weeks. Then Bethani, Ricky, and I leave 15th January and fly back to Perth...then to Sydney.

These past couple weeks have been very emotional. There were times I didn’t know if I was even going on outreach and I would really like to send a heart-felt THANK YOU to all that have prayed for me and sent in more support money. For all that have supported me, while you aren’t physically able to go to South Africa, you are still coming and reaching the unreached through me. THANK YOU ALL! It means so much to have you behind me in this decision in life. While time is going well, I miss home, family, and friends.

I want to let everyone know that while I am on outreach I most likely won’t be updating my blog or facebook. I hope to be able to send a message to Nathan and he will be able to relay the message of my works in South Africa. I know that God has a greater plan for me in South Africa and even though it’s been hard to accept not going to Thailand or being able to get on the plane today with the team I know my time in S.A. is going to be awesome. I’ve laid down my rights to be upset about my outreach location and I know that I trust God and his decisions for me. I can’t wait to come back to the western world and post photos and then to come home and share my experiences down unda’.

Please keep me and my team members in your prayers. My new team mates are: Bethani, Marie, Silas, Christine, and my leaders: Liz, Brea, and Ricky. Two weeks in the Thailand team joins: Jennelle, Shanna, Eilidh, Roman, Gerdien and the leaders: Paula and Gerry. Also, please keep the Vanuatu/Samoa team in your prayers: Maggie, Will, Janine, Keturah, and the staff: Leetoia and Sam.

Thank you all! I love you! I miss you.
Cheers mates!