Hey, for everyone wanting more information on Mission Adventures (MA), this is basically all I have (and all they gave me!)…
The Dates for summer staff are June 9th- July 31st (but I might stay on afterwards)
The cost is $399 for the 7 weeks. This includes all food and housing. (Not a plane ticket :( unfortunately!)
The goal of Mission Adventure is to offer a “full-service” mission experience, meaning we take care of the details so that the teams can do the ministry. We prepare the food, do the housekeeping, accompany the teams on all outreaches, oversee work duties, drama training, and smallgroups etc. Everyone does not necessarily do everything, so the day is not really as daunting as it looks. Each staff member has a primary area of responsibility and then other main functions.
The teams are here Saturday through Friday mornings.Summer staff is challenging, stretching, but definitely rewarding. For many of the students coming through it’s their first missions trip andit’s really cool to see God impact their own lives as the step out andallow God to use them to impact others’.
So.... are you excited for me!! :)
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
I’m home!
Hello Friends and Family!
It seems like ages ago that I left home for England last September, not knowing what exactly to expect! Well, now I’m home, and I’m again in that place of slight uncertainty. But, I know He will use this time of uncertainty to continue His good work in me. Over the past seven months, I have gained a new passion for God and He has given me a lot more confidence in Him and taken away many of my fears. Even more encouraging than this, though, is that He is far from done with me!
Let me give you an overview of what happened while I was gone (and some of the highlights)…
Ø I arrived in England a few days early, to try to adjust to the time difference, and to meet Solomon Magura (my brother-in-law’s brother). God totally worked it out so that I could get to know my soon-to-be family through Solomon. He encouraged me greatly as He’s also done a DTS, and we had a lot of fun talking about our two families.
Ø My Discipleship Training School (DTS) started on September 23rd All my senses were overwhelmed for the first few days of trying to settle in and get to know people… on the dormitory issue I was slightly concerned about- well, I shared a room with six other girls, and I slept on the third bunk up (it was a faith-builder getting out of bed every morning!)
Ø My DTS was made up of twenty-five students- twenty-two girls and three guys. We also had six amazing staff members.
Ø During the first 3 months of DTS, we were in lectures- speakers came from the US and UK.
Ø Some of the most powerful things I learned/gained on lecture phase were: confidence- a huge revelation of my identity, some of my key fears were dismantled, and experientially learning how to work through conflict (both the right and wrong way).
Ø December 16th we left our beloved Holmsted Manor and the other half of our team (they went to Indonesia & Malaysia) for outreach phase. Our destination: Elbesan, Albania; a post-communism country that opened to Christianity not too long ago. On outreach phase, my team was made up of 15 people (including two leaders). At first, it felt like we were missing tons of people, but we were able to get to know each other better in a smaller group.
Ø From then until February 17th (when we left to go back to Holmsted for debrief week), we did many different kinds of ministry. One of the main focuses we had was to support the long-term missionaries in their ministry to the Roma Gypsy community that lives on the outskirts of the city. These people are extremely looked down upon by government and
society in general. One Albanian man, who saw us doing an Evangelistic meeting in the Gypsy community, said, “These are the people who steal your clothes and then sell them in [the] market…why are you bothering with these people?!” Praise God that he used our ministry to the Roma Gypsies as a witness to the Albanians!
Ø We did Bible studies, feeding programs, orphanage and daycare visits, many prayer walks, met with English-speaking Muslim students from the high school, and were expectant and available to God for whatever He had for us!
Ø When it came time to go back to Holmsted, there were many tears… It was hard to say goodbye to all the people we had become close to. We had ministered to many, but I was ministered to and challenged so much by the people I met during our time there.
Ø Over outreach, one of the main things God taught me was about relationships- how I relate to others, and how, when I trust people I might get hurt, but in the end, it’s worth it. Also, I think I got a feel of what it would be like to be a long-term missionary. This challenged both the way I think of cross-cultural missionaries, and also the possibility of me being one in my future.
Ø After outreach, we had a fun (but short) reunion with friends that had gone to Indonesia and Malaysia. Also, a new DTS had started at Holmsted, so we made some new friends, too! I also got the chance to go to Finland for a week with Iina, a girl I grew close to on outreach.
Ø I left England on March 15th. Amid lots of tears, I said goodbye to my friends, and to my beautiful Holmsted Manor (*grin*… people in the airport must have thought me quite a sight- my huge backpack and other luggage, bawling my eyes out in the check-in line!).
Now, I’m home! I’ve met my brother-in-law Moses, and had a joyous reunion with friends and family (including my niece who was born just a few days before I left!) God has taught me so much over the past seven months; about my identity in Him, about relationships, about how to hear Him better, and, through all the hard times, I’ve experienced God’s awe-striking love that is more crazy and incredible than I ever thought it could be.
Since coming home, I have purposed to live as a missionary in my home community… not easy, but definitely what God has for me. But that doesn’t mean I’m staying put! In June, I am planning on staffing a missions program for youth ages 14-18 in Las Vegas. I am still in the application process, and would appreciate your prayers for finances, direction, and God’s timing!
Thank you so much to each and every one of you who have contributed your prayers and financial support. It’s hard to put into words how you have helped change my life. At times during DTS, when things were extremely difficult, just knowing people at home were praying for me helped immensely. You have all touched people around the world through me, and my prayer is that you be blessed as a result.
Thank you and God bless,
LeAnna
It seems like ages ago that I left home for England last September, not knowing what exactly to expect! Well, now I’m home, and I’m again in that place of slight uncertainty. But, I know He will use this time of uncertainty to continue His good work in me. Over the past seven months, I have gained a new passion for God and He has given me a lot more confidence in Him and taken away many of my fears. Even more encouraging than this, though, is that He is far from done with me!
Let me give you an overview of what happened while I was gone (and some of the highlights)…
Ø I arrived in England a few days early, to try to adjust to the time difference, and to meet Solomon Magura (my brother-in-law’s brother). God totally worked it out so that I could get to know my soon-to-be family through Solomon. He encouraged me greatly as He’s also done a DTS, and we had a lot of fun talking about our two families.
Ø My Discipleship Training School (DTS) started on September 23rd All my senses were overwhelmed for the first few days of trying to settle in and get to know people… on the dormitory issue I was slightly concerned about- well, I shared a room with six other girls, and I slept on the third bunk up (it was a faith-builder getting out of bed every morning!)
Ø My DTS was made up of twenty-five students- twenty-two girls and three guys. We also had six amazing staff members.
Ø During the first 3 months of DTS, we were in lectures- speakers came from the US and UK.
Ø Some of the most powerful things I learned/gained on lecture phase were: confidence- a huge revelation of my identity, some of my key fears were dismantled, and experientially learning how to work through conflict (both the right and wrong way).
Ø December 16th we left our beloved Holmsted Manor and the other half of our team (they went to Indonesia & Malaysia) for outreach phase. Our destination: Elbesan, Albania; a post-communism country that opened to Christianity not too long ago. On outreach phase, my team was made up of 15 people (including two leaders). At first, it felt like we were missing tons of people, but we were able to get to know each other better in a smaller group.
Ø From then until February 17th (when we left to go back to Holmsted for debrief week), we did many different kinds of ministry. One of the main focuses we had was to support the long-term missionaries in their ministry to the Roma Gypsy community that lives on the outskirts of the city. These people are extremely looked down upon by government and
society in general. One Albanian man, who saw us doing an Evangelistic meeting in the Gypsy community, said, “These are the people who steal your clothes and then sell them in [the] market…why are you bothering with these people?!” Praise God that he used our ministry to the Roma Gypsies as a witness to the Albanians!
Ø We did Bible studies, feeding programs, orphanage and daycare visits, many prayer walks, met with English-speaking Muslim students from the high school, and were expectant and available to God for whatever He had for us!
Ø When it came time to go back to Holmsted, there were many tears… It was hard to say goodbye to all the people we had become close to. We had ministered to many, but I was ministered to and challenged so much by the people I met during our time there.
Ø Over outreach, one of the main things God taught me was about relationships- how I relate to others, and how, when I trust people I might get hurt, but in the end, it’s worth it. Also, I think I got a feel of what it would be like to be a long-term missionary. This challenged both the way I think of cross-cultural missionaries, and also the possibility of me being one in my future.
Ø After outreach, we had a fun (but short) reunion with friends that had gone to Indonesia and Malaysia. Also, a new DTS had started at Holmsted, so we made some new friends, too! I also got the chance to go to Finland for a week with Iina, a girl I grew close to on outreach.
Ø I left England on March 15th. Amid lots of tears, I said goodbye to my friends, and to my beautiful Holmsted Manor (*grin*… people in the airport must have thought me quite a sight- my huge backpack and other luggage, bawling my eyes out in the check-in line!).
Now, I’m home! I’ve met my brother-in-law Moses, and had a joyous reunion with friends and family (including my niece who was born just a few days before I left!) God has taught me so much over the past seven months; about my identity in Him, about relationships, about how to hear Him better, and, through all the hard times, I’ve experienced God’s awe-striking love that is more crazy and incredible than I ever thought it could be.
Since coming home, I have purposed to live as a missionary in my home community… not easy, but definitely what God has for me. But that doesn’t mean I’m staying put! In June, I am planning on staffing a missions program for youth ages 14-18 in Las Vegas. I am still in the application process, and would appreciate your prayers for finances, direction, and God’s timing!
Thank you so much to each and every one of you who have contributed your prayers and financial support. It’s hard to put into words how you have helped change my life. At times during DTS, when things were extremely difficult, just knowing people at home were praying for me helped immensely. You have all touched people around the world through me, and my prayer is that you be blessed as a result.
Thank you and God bless,
LeAnna
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Internet. Today. Tired.
Me, before going online to sell stuff on Craig's List:
One word. Dial-up. Grrr... it is the bane of my existence right now. I tried to get on Qwest to check out DSL, but my internet was so slow it wouldn't work! Ironic, huh? :) I'm trying to sell a bunch of stuff for my grandma on Craig's List. It's not going so well. It takes forever to upload anything, and I have the feeling not many people look on Craig's list. Hmmm... I think I may have to give up soon and join Ebay. Maybe then I can make some money. Well, if any of you are looking for a basketball hoop, Milk glass serving dish, Carpenters record, or one of the other random items I have for sale, please email me! Or better yet, buy it on Craig's List!! :)
Me: After going online to sell stuff on Craig's List... (about 5 hours later)
Saturday, April 21, 2007
How was my week? Well....
This past week I have been staying in a hotel up in Seattle- watching my niece! My sister has been doing job training, so I got the tedious (NOT!) task of watching the adorable Tinashe Chiedza-Joy!It was so cool to finally bond with her after so long of not seeing her! She is a cutie pie and has the most hilarious expressions... she raises her eyebrows when she eats something and either screams, coughs, or giggles when she's happy :) I love her, and I just know she’s going to be one cool cat :)
It was kinda strange being with my older sister. We haven’t really known each other very well for the past few years, and it was weird spending such a big chunk of time with her.... granted, it was only after 5 when she got off and was soooo knackered, but whatever! :) I'm hoping that through me taking care of Tinashe, we will get to know each other again. It amazes me at how easy it is to take advantage of the people so close to us… thinking we know them when we really don’t… and it seems harder to get to know them than to get to know a complete stranger. It’s just our crazy world we live in, I guess!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
My Hair... oh what a process!! :)
The Long And Arduous Process.... that is my hair :)
Pre-DTS: Nice and brown.... untouched by purple/pink :)
Pre DTS: Oops! How did THAT happen?! :) Purple hair turned fushia... twice! 
Albania: I had my hair braided on outreach by one of our wonderful Carribean YWAMers! It took a little over 2 hours to do it all!
Albania: I had my hair braided on outreach by one of our wonderful Carribean YWAMers! It took a little over 2 hours to do it all!
Just before coming home, I hair-sprayed my hair red... BIG mistake... the red didn't come out for weeks because I couldn't get it out with braids.
Post DTS:Wow! Poof-mama! It took two hours to take all this hair out of the braids, and it felt really strange to scratch my head again!
Post DTS:Wow! Poof-mama! It took two hours to take all this hair out of the braids, and it felt really strange to scratch my head again!
Wow! I actually washed my hair... :( After 3 1/2 months of no shampoo or conditioner, I finally gave in... that silly red stuff just would not come out!!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Home now....
I've been meaning to send out one of those “I’m home” email... due to a variety of excuses both creative and lame, I haven’t gotten around to it. I have to say though, it is fun to surprise people and say "I'm home!!" but maybe our flourishing "grapevine" in my community isn't the BEST way to get the news across :) Re-adjusting is going okay... somehow though, I've managed to make myself extremely busy once again- but I'm trying hard not to continue... today I stayed in bed until 1!!! After experiencing "delayed-jetlag" (probably due to the fact that I have only gone to bed before 12 once since coming home), I decided I needed it. Actually, the general consensus around these parts is shock at how good I'm doing... not much culture shock. lol... maybe that means I'm "cut-out-for-it" as Mom said, but I like to think it's the grace of God (really it's that either way). I am realizing how much of a sacrifice it's going to be to keep up on my relationships- both with God and DTS friends... I'm afraid both have kind of been put on the "I'm-tired-and-can't-be-bothered" back burner. Accountability, anyone?!? – Definitely a hard thing about not living in that tight Holmsted Community! Well, this was a bit over a one-liner, and definitely not as long as it should be, but oh well! :) God bless!!
Friday, March 02, 2007
A few Musings from Finland
So I've been thinking about how small this world is- It's so weird to think that a friend from DTS is home in hot, HOT Hawaii, and I'm here in snowy Finland, when just a few days ago we were together in mediocre rainy weather!! :) (okay, maybe not that bad....) Here at Iina's house in Finland, there's not as much as I expected, but still- snow is snow.... and it seems to keep snowing, but only enough to keep it on the ground and about a foot high maybe.... well, maybe a foot and a half...
Iina's family is so nice - she has older siblings, but only her mother and father live with her. Her Mom speaks some English and is ADORABLE when she uses it.... such a thick accent! lol....and her Dad can say "Hello" and that's about it :) So far, I've learned a few words, and, apparently, have a gift for repeating words just like they're said to me - one of the funniest instances of this was when we sat down to dinner and I asked what the Finnish word was for what we were eating (it was like casserole) and when the response was "Makaroonilaatikko" I repeated it perfectly on my first try - which prompted lots of laughs and shock..... :) It's a lot of fun!
Yesterday we went to the capital of Helsinki - I saw the ocean; frozen!!!! (well, the sea anyhow...) It was soooo sooooo cold there- there's a lot of wind that comes off the sea. But it was fun- we went shopping, and I actually got something! :)
I'm here in Finland until the 5th of March... so I'm sure I will have lots more to write about soon.
I'm still not sure of my plans for when I go back to England... I have a few invitations and ideas, but they all take money and they would all probably be fun (oh such a dilemma, I have to chose from too many wonderful things! lol.... I really am so blessed!). I need to decide soon though! Welcome to semi-adulthood, LeAnna!
Here's a thought to leave you on.... at what point to people become adults? In Finland, the idea is apparently much, much different than the US, and it's been the topic of Iina and I's closest thing to an argument! Wow... interesting. I would love to hear any musings on this!
Iina's family is so nice - she has older siblings, but only her mother and father live with her. Her Mom speaks some English and is ADORABLE when she uses it.... such a thick accent! lol....and her Dad can say "Hello" and that's about it :) So far, I've learned a few words, and, apparently, have a gift for repeating words just like they're said to me - one of the funniest instances of this was when we sat down to dinner and I asked what the Finnish word was for what we were eating (it was like casserole) and when the response was "Makaroonilaatikko" I repeated it perfectly on my first try - which prompted lots of laughs and shock..... :) It's a lot of fun!
Yesterday we went to the capital of Helsinki - I saw the ocean; frozen!!!! (well, the sea anyhow...) It was soooo sooooo cold there- there's a lot of wind that comes off the sea. But it was fun- we went shopping, and I actually got something! :)
I'm here in Finland until the 5th of March... so I'm sure I will have lots more to write about soon.
I'm still not sure of my plans for when I go back to England... I have a few invitations and ideas, but they all take money and they would all probably be fun (oh such a dilemma, I have to chose from too many wonderful things! lol.... I really am so blessed!). I need to decide soon though! Welcome to semi-adulthood, LeAnna!
Here's a thought to leave you on.... at what point to people become adults? In Finland, the idea is apparently much, much different than the US, and it's been the topic of Iina and I's closest thing to an argument! Wow... interesting. I would love to hear any musings on this!
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