Still at JFK

Here is the picture that was requested. We shot it at CCA right before we loaded on the bus. Well, we are now at JFK & have made it through security in record time, smoother than most. We will be boarding soon... 13 hour flight here we come!

Reflections

This past Sunday we had a service to Commission our G.O. team of 27. During this service Darin discussed how our vision of missions has evolved. If you would like to check out the sermon, feel free to listen or down load it (right-click, save target as) here. You may also read the full collection of Darin's journal entries here.

Are You Ready to G.O.??

Well folks, here it comes... there is no turning back now... and who would want to for that matter?? In three days -Tuesday- we will be meeting here at CCA to send off this years team of 27 travelers (Mike & Toivo make 29). If you aren't going and would like to join us for the send off, we will be meeting at 2:00pm and plan to be packed up and on the bus at 3:00pm to roll out on our way to JFK.

This years team is pretty dynamic. We have a team of nine that will be staying in Okahandja doing a variety of things. Some may include going to preschools in the mornings or painting some of the buildings and installing a ceiling on the Morsbach property. The afternoons may be filled with afterschool programs, bible studies and other things that Mike has been a part of over the past six months. We have a team of four teachers that will be teaching teachers how to evaluate children and their special needs. And finally we have an eclectic team that will be in Arandis partnering with Hope's Promise Orphan Ministries. That team also includes a group of seven dancers that will be assisting Pastor Tresford's daughter, Pearl, with her dance classes that she teaches.

So, join us on this journey... we will be updating the blog as much as possible. Send us some shout outs, we love to hear from you all! Reading comments around the fire is one of our highlights!

One Week

The money in, the last team training session complete... it must just about be time to go. One week from today we will meet at Christ's Church for the bus ride over to NYC/JFK for our departure.

Before we go there is one more great opportunity - our Commissioning Service at Christ's Church on Sunday June 29th, at 10AM. Our commissioning service will pretty much be a regular Sunday morning worship service but with a iNam: Namibia 2008 theme and prayer time. We hope that many will join us for this send-off worship service and celebration.

The actual departure - Our bus arrives at 2pm on Tuesday July 1st for loading and plans to roll away at 3pm. All are invited to come send the team off.

Getting close, my friends. Let's go to Africa!

Calendar Items

Our two remaining mandatory All-Team Meetings have been set on the calendar. Make plans now to attend and participate.

Sunday April 13th, from 1 to 4pm, we will cover the particular preparations for our team concerning the works we will be involved in, and that our partners continue in. We will also be communicating information concerning flight and in-country itineraries, and discussing more particulars of our in-country accommodations and planning.

Sunday June 22nd, from 12 to 4pm, we will complete the third and final training session, this unit on Cross Cultural Training. We will also be having a 'packing party' for our extra suitcases of donated supplies that we will carry over to our hosts.

These are mandatory meetings, so if you can not make them you will need to make them up.

Thirteen weeks and counting.

First Meeting Sunday!

We've got our team. Now, time really begins to fly!

Our first mandatory team meeting will be held this coming Sunday, March 2nd at 1pm. This meeting will include an introduction to our team, your trip, and the schedule that we have embarked on from application to arrival. We will spend a good deal of our time talking about fund-raising. We will also share some Q&A time - so come prepared with your questions.

As mentioned, this meeting is mandatory. If, for any reason, you cannot make this meeting, you will need to plan to make it up. Please notify Darin or Germaine immediately if you cannot make the meeting.

Are you ready to go to Africa?

Good Eating!

People always ask what we expect to eat while we're in Namibia. Take a look at Mike's blog. He's found a great source of protein for us - mopane worms! He's included some cooking instructions and pictures. Can't wait to get there!

On a more serious note: Your applications and deposits are NOW DUE. Please get your aps in to the church office so that we can begin immediately to procure our flight itinerary.


Also, if you DO NOT HAVE A PASSPORT, you need to apply for one IMMEDIATELY. Last year we had two people who started in March and did not receive their passport until the day before we left. Please do not wait.