The beach.
Sarah, me and Alexis... and my tangy carrot drink at our new fave hangout, Wax.
The slums/townships here in JBay.
A ray of hope in the midst of the storm.
May God bless you richly.
love
kristen
Saturday, September 27, 2008
the view from here...
Me at the beach in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
The beach.
Sarah, me and Alexis... and my tangy carrot drink at our new fave hangout, Wax.
The slums/townships here in JBay.
A ray of hope in the midst of the storm.
May God bless you richly.
love
kristen
The beach.
Sarah, me and Alexis... and my tangy carrot drink at our new fave hangout, Wax.
The slums/townships here in JBay.
A ray of hope in the midst of the storm.
May God bless you richly.
love
kristen
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
walking in the wind
I desperately wish I had a picture or two to post for you, but I haven't even grabbed my camera out yet.
In any case, I am here, in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. The team is phenomenal. This place is beautiful. The people are wonderful.
I've had the opportunity to go out and do 'home visits/door-to-door' ministry the last few days and I love love love it! My team is so stellar and digging in. We've met many people already and prayed for all of them. We regularly have a parade of little kids with us hanging off our hands and following behind and also leading the way. We've stopped in at some privately run day-cares in the townships/slums. This never ceases to amaze me. People who have next to nothing, giving of the little they have to help others who have even less. *sigh* I have so much to learn.
Alright, we will have internet at the house soon, so look for more comprehensive updates more often!
love you all dearly
Please comment and email!!?! It's SO wonderful to hear from home.
hugs and the love of Christ
me
In any case, I am here, in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. The team is phenomenal. This place is beautiful. The people are wonderful.
I've had the opportunity to go out and do 'home visits/door-to-door' ministry the last few days and I love love love it! My team is so stellar and digging in. We've met many people already and prayed for all of them. We regularly have a parade of little kids with us hanging off our hands and following behind and also leading the way. We've stopped in at some privately run day-cares in the townships/slums. This never ceases to amaze me. People who have next to nothing, giving of the little they have to help others who have even less. *sigh* I have so much to learn.
Alright, we will have internet at the house soon, so look for more comprehensive updates more often!
love you all dearly
Please comment and email!!?! It's SO wonderful to hear from home.
hugs and the love of Christ
me
Saturday, September 20, 2008
"look into my eyes"
I've received enough feedback about this to write a quick post about it...
I KNOW that I don't look into the tiny-itty-bitty little camera that is right above my computer screen when I'm recording because my FACE is right below it and I'd much rather look at that to be sure there's no gunk in my teeth or boogers on my nose!
there.
peace out.
I KNOW that I don't look into the tiny-itty-bitty little camera that is right above my computer screen when I'm recording because my FACE is right below it and I'd much rather look at that to be sure there's no gunk in my teeth or boogers on my nose!
there.
peace out.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
the merch table
It doesn't matter where I end up, God has ridiculous blessings in store. One thing that has always helped me endure is to choose to see even the tough things as blessings, as an opportunity to grow. That makes these gifts all the brighter!
Had the unbelievable opportunity to hang out with Bebo Norman and Gabe Scott at their concert last night in Georgia (right near Atlanta.) My friends' church was hosting a big launch for a new program and got Bebo to come and play. I had just arrived, and got put to work at the merch table. This is me and Julie workin' the merch. (She'll hate that I posted this pic, but there it is.)
At the merch table I met so many people and one in particular stood out. His name is Rob and he came up and we got to talking. He was holding an info packet about a child to be sponsored through Compassion (read below). He was wavering on buying 2 CDs and sponsoring a child. Then he says, 'frankly, I don't really know if I can cuz I don't even have work right now!' I was blown away by this man. Seriously considering sponsoring a child, (he already has one with World Vision and another org), buying two CDs to give away, and getting a picture to get signed for his friends' daughter. People of generous spirit are special, and challenge me intrinsically. I promised Rob I'd be praying about his job situation - would you help too if you think of it?
Bebo became particularly interested when I started talking about heading off to Africa. He is an advocate for the Compassion International ministry and encouraged people to sign up to sponsor a child. He's been to Africa numerous times and is passionate about supporting the less fortunate.
This is me, my friends Julie and Dave Forman, Bebo and his band-mate Gabe Scott.
Praying God brings you to a merch table soon
hugs
kristen
Had the unbelievable opportunity to hang out with Bebo Norman and Gabe Scott at their concert last night in Georgia (right near Atlanta.) My friends' church was hosting a big launch for a new program and got Bebo to come and play. I had just arrived, and got put to work at the merch table. This is me and Julie workin' the merch. (She'll hate that I posted this pic, but there it is.)
At the merch table I met so many people and one in particular stood out. His name is Rob and he came up and we got to talking. He was holding an info packet about a child to be sponsored through Compassion (read below). He was wavering on buying 2 CDs and sponsoring a child. Then he says, 'frankly, I don't really know if I can cuz I don't even have work right now!' I was blown away by this man. Seriously considering sponsoring a child, (he already has one with World Vision and another org), buying two CDs to give away, and getting a picture to get signed for his friends' daughter. People of generous spirit are special, and challenge me intrinsically. I promised Rob I'd be praying about his job situation - would you help too if you think of it?
Bebo became particularly interested when I started talking about heading off to Africa. He is an advocate for the Compassion International ministry and encouraged people to sign up to sponsor a child. He's been to Africa numerous times and is passionate about supporting the less fortunate.
This is me, my friends Julie and Dave Forman, Bebo and his band-mate Gabe Scott.
Praying God brings you to a merch table soon
hugs
kristen
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
how quickly we become linked
It's startling to me that after only 6 days together, I could so deeply love 41 people. As I think of my team that is currently in transit to Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, I reminisce on each of them individually and realize that I miss them already, terribly.
Only God could create that kind of family in such a short time.
Only God could create that kind of family in such a short time.
Monday, September 15, 2008
surviving camp, and serving God
The following is a video amalgamation of the madness of the training camp we all just survived!
Training Camps here at AIM never cease to challenge my socks off. From learning about a God that speaks to me, to being vulnerable with 20-50 college students on a day-to-day basis, to being dug into so deeply that scars are left behind. This training camp was no different as I faced some molten hot iron being used to sharpen my edges.
If you know me, you know that I tend to be fairly dominant and come across as crazy independent and confident. If you've loved me, you probably know that I crave correction, and behind that confident exterior lurks a sensitive young woman wading her way through this torrent of life alongside you. I received correction at this most recent training camp and it was a hard lesson. If I'm honest, I didn't want to hear it. If I'm real, I needed to hear it. After I waddled my way through the muck of it, I realized that the heart behind it was sincere and that I could grow immeasurably if I received this correction with a good heart.
The ultimate lesson that finally hit me: I serve God, not man. Bottom line. Period. No if's, and's or but's. Know what I mean? No worrying about what people think, or assuming an outcome. Just a plain and simple 'Yes Sir' to the One who created the universe.
Amen.
Training Camps here at AIM never cease to challenge my socks off. From learning about a God that speaks to me, to being vulnerable with 20-50 college students on a day-to-day basis, to being dug into so deeply that scars are left behind. This training camp was no different as I faced some molten hot iron being used to sharpen my edges.
If you know me, you know that I tend to be fairly dominant and come across as crazy independent and confident. If you've loved me, you probably know that I crave correction, and behind that confident exterior lurks a sensitive young woman wading her way through this torrent of life alongside you. I received correction at this most recent training camp and it was a hard lesson. If I'm honest, I didn't want to hear it. If I'm real, I needed to hear it. After I waddled my way through the muck of it, I realized that the heart behind it was sincere and that I could grow immeasurably if I received this correction with a good heart.
The ultimate lesson that finally hit me: I serve God, not man. Bottom line. Period. No if's, and's or but's. Know what I mean? No worrying about what people think, or assuming an outcome. Just a plain and simple 'Yes Sir' to the One who created the universe.
Amen.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
stinky smelly training camp
It is inevitable... training camp has a way of making you give up on personal hygiene. It might be because of the heat in Georgia so that no matter what you do, you're sweating. It might be the fact that you're sleeping in a bunk house with 30 other girls and you all smell a little, so why bother. Or it might be that your entire focus is on something else so incredibly divine that you simply don't think about it...
Whatever it is, I'm in desperate need of a shower and some time with a loofah! haha
Leader training has been challenging this year in that I feel like I did at AIM 6 years ago, I know no one. The office has changed so much - faces as well as layout - that I feel like a alien discovering a new planet. A lot of introductions and small talk, makes for one pooped me.
The good has arrived in the surprising arena of food. The cook they've got here has labeled me one of her "special girls" (which I love :) and at nearly every meal I get to scoot down to the cook-house and hang with her as I assemble a very healthy meal. Who would have thought?
The students arrive tomorrow all day - not only the 41 that are coming to South Africa, but some Real Life Teams as well going to Swaziland, Kenya and India!
Prayer:
I'll keep you posted.
much love and hugs
kristen
Whatever it is, I'm in desperate need of a shower and some time with a loofah! haha
Leader training has been challenging this year in that I feel like I did at AIM 6 years ago, I know no one. The office has changed so much - faces as well as layout - that I feel like a alien discovering a new planet. A lot of introductions and small talk, makes for one pooped me.
The good has arrived in the surprising arena of food. The cook they've got here has labeled me one of her "special girls" (which I love :) and at nearly every meal I get to scoot down to the cook-house and hang with her as I assemble a very healthy meal. Who would have thought?
The students arrive tomorrow all day - not only the 41 that are coming to South Africa, but some Real Life Teams as well going to Swaziland, Kenya and India!
Prayer:
- for the leaders in their final preparations
- for the students as they travel
- for me as I prepare to lead worship for Training Camp
I'll keep you posted.
much love and hugs
kristen
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
the drive
Once I left Butler, PA, I headed to Lynchburg, Virginia to visit with Jason, a 'kid' from my very first mission trip to Ghana. Hadn't seen him in 5 years! Then off to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to visit with some wonderful people I met a couple years ago doing mission work. Then I finally made it to Gainesville, Georgia where I am now - at the Adventures in Missions office in fact.
A shot of the Appalachians on my way to Lynchburg, VA.
My friend Jason, not terribly impressed, at the largest fountain east of the Mississippi...apparently. :P
My friends in Winston-Salem, NC. We all met a couple years ago doing mission work in West Virginia and Atlanta.
It's been an unbelievable journey. I've loved being able to see so many people I care about so deeply along the way. My dad at one point had offered to buy me a plane ticket so I could just fly from Toronto to Atlanta. Awesome offer! But I turned him down knowing that driving would enable me to catch up with so many incredible people.
Thank you all for your hospitality and hearts!
May the Lord bless you abundantly.
hugs
k
A shot of the Appalachians on my way to Lynchburg, VA.
My friend Jason, not terribly impressed, at the largest fountain east of the Mississippi...apparently. :P
My friends in Winston-Salem, NC. We all met a couple years ago doing mission work in West Virginia and Atlanta.
It's been an unbelievable journey. I've loved being able to see so many people I care about so deeply along the way. My dad at one point had offered to buy me a plane ticket so I could just fly from Toronto to Atlanta. Awesome offer! But I turned him down knowing that driving would enable me to catch up with so many incredible people.
Thank you all for your hospitality and hearts!
May the Lord bless you abundantly.
hugs
k
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