Preparation

Yay my first entry in the blog! :)

I have to say the excitement is kicking in during these final days leading up to take off. I'm quite nervous at the same time because it's my first time on a Missions trip. I really look forward to every aspect of it though, ranging from the spiritual growth, the service, cultural experience to the food. I'm really passionate about working with children so it's a privilege for me to be a part of the undoubtedly refreshing experience that God is preparing us for.

I think the fact that we have such a fabulous team makes it so much easier to tackle any challenges that we face. I've had soo much fun practicing for the programme so far! Can't wait to see how God continues to work in us when we get there! I can hardly sleep nowadays!

The team building day was a unique experience of its own. We discovered how well we worked as a team and how to improve the bits and bobs here and there. Other than the team building activities, the personality test was awesome! Regardless of our unique differences, any time spent with this crew is a good time!

The commissioning service was a good public start for us I reckon, just to get used to being in front of everyone. I still can't get over the amount of love and support we have from everyone, it's really encouraging! I guess it's only because we have such an awesome church family.

Time to pick up the pace with the packing. It feels so real now, I think that's what's making me so anxious. 4 sleeps to go and Africa, here we come! :)

Sharon

Pre-trip thoughts

New to this whole blogging thing - so I'll see how it goes! (The offer of a prize for being the first member to blog, other than Emily, was too much for me to resist.)

So yeah, I am extremely excited! I never thought that I would be able to go back to Africa this soon after my time over there last year. It is going to be going just that much better such an awesome group of people with some great plans and ideas.

The commissioning on Sunday was really good, and it was so encouraging and empowering to realize that we will have so much support by our Church community while we are over there. And if there is one thing Africa taught me last year when I went is that prayer power really does count!

So yeah, that is pretty much me at the moment - just so excited to show the rest of the team that haven't been to Africa before how incredible it is and how God is transforming Africa into one of the most exiting places to be in the world :)

Tom

Commissioning

This morning the team was commissioned by our Church to go on this trip to Africa! We shared some of what we will be doing, and then they prayed for us and sent us out!

It's great knowing we go with such strong support from our church family (as well as our other friends and family) back home! We appreciate all the prayers and support you have given us over the last few months as we have been preparing. Seriously, we have been blown away by your financial donations, your attendance at our fundraising events, and your prayers! Thank you so much!

We ask that you continue to remember us this week as we make our final preparations...when we fly out on Friday, and of course during the 3 weeks we are in Africa.

5 sleeps to go! I better start packing!

Team Training Day

Last weekend the team had the privilege of having Brian & Melanie Stark from International Teams NZ, come and spend their Saturday with us! We spent the day out at Big Bay. The sun was out and we had a gorgeous spot just a step away from the beach! (many thanks to the Ocklestons for letting us use their place.)

The day was focused on team-building, so Brian & Mel lead us in a number of activities that forced us to work together! In the first - we had to get all 10 of our team members across the 'burning lava pit' using only 9 blocks of wood. The catch? A part of a team members body had to be touching the wood pieces at all times, otherwise it would burn up in the hot lava!

In the second, we had to carry a ball on top a piece of plastic pipe without it dropping from the beach into the living room, using 16 strings coming out of the pipe & everyone holding one of the strings. (Kinda hard to explain...check out the picture at the top!)

Then when we sat down to lunch, there was also a catch! Both our hands were tied to the person next to us...It made for a much more difficult meal!

But through all three activities, we learnt huge lessons about working together, listening to one another, and lots of other things we will be able to put into practice while on this mission trip, as Brian & Mel debriefed with us.

In the afternoon Brian made us each do a personality test! We found out why some of the team love to talk...they're otters, why some tend to be super organised...beavers, and why some like to retreat to sleep...golden retrievers :) It was really interesting and lots of fun! But it was also a great insight into each member of the team and what we can expect from them on this trip.

Also throughout the day, we heard testimonies from each of the team members, we spent some time reading God's word and praying for one another.

It was a really fun day! And if it's anything to go by, I think we have a fun few weeks in store for us on this trip!