Peace

Just yesterday I received some more specific information about my team in the mail. So far my team consists of five girls and one boy. I have their names, and I will be praying for them as I prepare for my trip. I leave exactly eight weeks from today; the thought is exciting, yet slightly frightening. I place all my confidence in the One who holds this world in His hands.

I also found out that the young ladies on the team will be required to wear skirts or dresses while in Zambia, in order to be culturally acceptable. This was a personal answer to prayer, as I am used to wearing skirts, and wasn't particularly looking forward to spending two months in jeans. :)

And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house!' And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him. But if not, it will return to you." -Luke 10:2-6

Please pray that His peace would rest on me as I get busier preparing for this trip.

Specifics About My Trip

In this post I will be explaining a bit more about my upcoming mission trip, how I will be preparing for it, and how I will be serving in Africa.

This summer I will be traveling to Zambia, Africa as a short term missionary with Teen Missions Int'l. Teen Missions is an organization that was started by Robert Bland who is a former Youth for Christ director. Each summer Teen Missions sends several hundred young people on short term missions trips to dozens of countries around the world. Teen missions is based out of Merritt Island, Florida where they train young people to be effective missionaries. On June 24th I will arrive in Florida for two weeks of boot camp with several hundred other young people. We will be living in tents, and washing our clothes by hand. We will participate in Bible studies, youth rallies, and Scripture memorization. Each day we will have time set aside to spend time with the Lord, and we will also run an obstacle course in order to prepare ourselves physically.

Most teams that will be serving overseas during the summer are construction teams, and they will take basic construction classes during boot camp. My specific team is an evangelism team. Therefore we will be practicing skits and puppets shows that share the Gospel message. We will also be trained in drill team, which will be the main focus of our ministry. Drill team is a form of precision step, and though I am not very familiar with it I am excited to take part as I have former experience as a dancer.

After two weeks of boot camp each team will fly to their respective country and begin their ministry. My team will fly into Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. While there, our main focus will be ministering to AIDS orphans by teaching them drill team, and also performing for them. We will also put to use our knowledge of puppets and skits in order to share the Gospel message. Again we will be living in tents and bathing and washing our clothes using five-gallon buckets.

On our return to Florida at the end of the summer we will be taught how to give a power point presentation to our churches. I am very excited to see how the Lord will work in me and through me this summer.

For more information on Teen Missions please visit their website, or for more information concerning my specific team click here.

Boots!

Several weeks ago I went shopping for my required 6-inch construction boots. These are the only shoes we will be allowed to wear during the trip, for health and sanitation reasons. Breaking them in was quite an ordeal, I have been wearing them *everywhere*! Well, I suppose it is better than getting massive blisters on the first day of boot camp. :)

This is a picture of me the first day I wore them. Yes, I did leave the house looking like that, and no, I will not stop wearing skirts just because I have to wear construction boots. :)

Off to Africa!

Hey Y'all,

On this blog I will be chronicling my preparation for, and journey to Zambia, Africa this summer. I will be leaving on June 24th for Merritt Island, Florida where I will train for two weeks. I will then fly to Zambia, where I will spend six weeks ministering to AIDS orphans by teaching them drill team, and sharing the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ. I will be providing more details in the future, and I hope you will join me on my journey, as I prepare my body, mind, and soul for the work of the Lord.

Your prayers will be appreciated throughout this journey. Thank you!

In Christ Alone,

Elsie Anne