Well, I've been in Africa for two weeks now, and it’s been amazing to say the least. We all have safe travels to SA and our team is really coming together.

For these first few weeks we’ve been doing a lot of training and just spending time with God. The first ten days here we stayed at bush camp, which is basically what it sounds like, we were out in the bush camping. It was a great experience that I will never forget! The beauty of God’s creation here in SA is incredible and when you are out here you can just feel His presence. One of the interesting aspects to our camping experience is that we were only allowed to bring ten items with us. It was a challenge, but you really learned to just live with the basics and share everything. We had some given items like our bibles and sunscreen, and eventually we were allowed a few more items. Since then we’ve moved into the Hope Lodge which is a very nice.

I’ve seen a ton of really cool animals like giraffes and Zebras and Warthogs, eaten some interesting things as well. I will tell you that I am not a huge fan of chicken feet, but it’s cool to say that I’ve eaten it anyway. One of the most amazing things here in SA are the stars! They are so bright and you can see so many more, the sky just glows with them. It’s been really cool because right before I left KS something I read was Philippians 2:14-16 “ Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like the stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life..” There are several cool things that really apply here:

1. Don’t complain, living in a team with people 24-7 and being very busy with ministry isn’t necessarily easy and when we don’t complain or argue it makes a great testimony and a great team.

2. Shining like the stars has a whole new meaning for us now after we’ve seen the awesome night skies in SA.

3. In the last part it talks about holding out the word of life, how applicable to OneHope where we literally hand out the Book of Hope to kids!

Something else that’s been great here are the sunsets, and the weather! It’s nice and cool in the evenings and it really doesn’t get too hot, but the sun is a lot more intense here.

It’s been great just being able to relax and truly spend time with God and have Him fill us up in preparation for a busy next few months of ministry! I’m getting anxious to get into the ministry here and see God do some awesome things!

Florida Training

I made it to Florida for training and so far it's been really good. I've gotten more excited and it's been really nice getting to know my team... And, the weather down here is amazing!

I've found out more about what we will actually be doing (at least what we thing we will be doing) in SA. OneHope as a whole is trying to focus more on how to make a lasting impact on the communities that we go to. Bringing the Word to children is their mission, but after we leave what will happen next for the people we've ministered to?... What OneHope is doing is working on a program called Cultivate. It involves thoroughly researching communities and finding out what the greatest issues are in that community. Then we develop a ministry plan specifically for that community that local churches and Christians can keep sustaining. Cultivate focuses on
three things:

1. Listening to the community

2. Evaluating and coordinating the communities assets

3. Identifying and striving for outcomes

I will still be doing book distributions in schools and OneHope is still completely focused on getting God’s Word out, but we are trying to make a sustainable impact for God where-ever we go!

Yesterday I went with my team into Fairview community, right next to OneHope’s headquarters, and did surveys to help with the research phase. It was a little intimidating at first, but every door we knocked on got easier to do. Yesterday we also got to go to the beach during sunrise to do devotions, it was great. Above is a photo of that awesome sunrise.

I’m really looking forward to what God has in store for me and how He will use me over the next year… Just a few more days and I’ll be on that 16 hour flight to SA!

Here We Go!

Night has fallen on my last day in Kansas (for 10 months anyway). I had a great day hanging out with my family and eating a ton of my mothers amazing food!... I'm definitely feeling a mixture of extreme excitement and kinda scared at the same time!.... It's hard to believe I'm finally going, it seemed like this day would never come.

I really hope that I get a lot closer to God though this experience. I hope that there are days I can just go out into the savanna with my Bible, a journal, my camera and just chill with God and get to know Him!... I've gotten a lot of encouragement from people the past few days, and I know it's been the Holy Spirit speaking through them, and that has been very comforting to me. This is a huge step for me, and I trust in God that He will be faithful to be with me through every bit of it and give me a whole new perspective on life.... God's blessed my life so much. Wonderful family and friends, provision for all of my needs, and now this once in a life-time opportunity to serve Him and be involved with what He is doing in South Africa! God is good.

Packed & Ready To Go!

I packed my bags yesterday and I'm ready to go! Amazingly I fit 10 months worth of stuff into one check bag, one carry-on, and my messenger bag! I didn't think it was all going to fit in there, but with some creative packing and some cramming it all fit :)

The picture is of Shikwaru Lodge, where I'll be staying... I don't think that's the actual place I'll be staying, but it gives you an idea of the surroundings. I found out a few days ago that the internet at Shikwaru isn't the most reliable, so I'm not sure how often I'll get to post, but I'll do my best to keep everyone updated as much as I can!

I'm really getting excited and I just want to go! I've been getting ready for this trip for just about a year now and it's finally about to begin :)

Above & Beyond

God has provided ALL of the funds I need for my trip! Praise the Lord!

Not only did I get the $12,000 I was blessed with enough funds to cover all of the expenses that I've had to get ready for the trip, and for any expenses I will have in South Africa. And... I'll probably be able to donate some of the extra money to OneHope!

It's just two weeks until I fly out to Florida now! I'm getting more and more excited as it gets closer.... I will be in Florida for a week to do training and then we head out to SA on Feb 8th... OneHope let me know who all will be going on my first Nomad trip (the first 3 months I'm there) and I've been able to find them on facebook and get to know them some which has been nice... I also found out that I'm allowed to bring a laptop, so I went ahead and got a new one to take with me since my old one died last semester, let's hope this one lasts longer than a year and a half! It will definitely come in handy to store photos and keep in contact with everyone back home :)

Thank you all for all your prayers and support, I really appreciate it and I know without you this trip would not be possible... God's really, really, really amazed me with how much He's provided for me, and I know that my life will never be the same after this journey!

Almost There!

Once again it's been a while since the last post, this last month has been a very busy and crazy one, but now that I'm home for Christmas it's beginning to slow down a bit! I'm completely done with college now (praise God!), so from here on out I can completely focus on getting ready for my trip.

The Photography Show was a huge success. I sold about 70 photos and made a profit of $1,500! I was amazed by how many I sold, and I've continued to be amazed by how more funds have continued to come in! The total is now at $10,500!!! I only need another $1,500 and I'll be there.... $1,500 seems like nothing in comparison with what God has already provided.... 30 people at $50 would totally cover it. I know God will provide, and just the fact that He was able to help me raise $12,000 during a recession is a great testimony in and of itself.

I've had my photos up at Radinas; however, I haven't sold many there. I'm going to have my photos up at my home church in Fort Scott, Faith Christian Center. Hopefully with that and another speaking engagement I have in January, I'll be able to get the rest of the funds I need.

Not only am I almost there as far as funds go, I'm literally almost in SA! Just about 5 more weeks and I'll be on my way.... I am getting more and more excited as it gets closer and I know it's going to be great experience.

Photography Show

It's been a while since I've made a new post, so I think it's time for an update. As a fund-raiser I will be having a photography at the KSU Gardens Visitors Center. Above is one of the photos that will be in the show. I have a variety of photos, mostly plants, ranging from places like the East Coast to Panama. The show is from November 14 to 21 and is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. I'm really excited about doing this, and getting it all put together has definitely kept me busy the last few days! Doing a fund-raiser like this can be kind of risky because you never know if people will actually buy the photos, but I'm trusting God will continue to be faithful and provide for me!

Speaking of providing, the fund-raising total is now at $7,200! Only about $4,800 to go! This number may seem big, but I know God will provide. If you think about it, if just 96 people gave $50 that would cover it!

Again, it's important to remember that me going to South Africa for a year isn't about me. It's about getting the word out and saving the lost! In many ways I feel inadequate to do this, but in my weakness God is strong! This is a huge leap of faith for me, and I'm excited to see what the outcome will be.

The trip is getting closer and closer and it's starting to feel more real. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and being totally freaked out! But, it seems like the great things in life happen when you have to be a little scared to do it.

Please continue to pray for South Africa, the effectiveness of our ministry while we are there, and the funds I need to go on this trip.