Africa Awakening 2008 - Making Disciples; Reaching Our World

First Week

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Well, it's been a week now since the team flew out of Atlanta to being thier time in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. Along the way we've had a few bumps, but the Lord is in control of it all. To start with we had 3 individuals (2 participants and a leader) who were still waiting on their visas to arrive on Monday. We rescheduled their flights for Wednesday and all three received their visas by then and got on the plane. On Tuesday, as the team was arriving in Johannesburg and going through customs, one of our leaders somehow could not located her passport. It was either lost or stolen between getting off the plane and reaching customs. Unfortunately, the border guards would not let her in country and instead put her on a plane the next day to head back to Canada (her home country). Meanwhile, the other three arrived safely and joined up with the team on Thursday. Then on Saturday, two more of our leaders flew out to head over there. They arrived last night and now the whole team (with the exception of one) is there. They all spent the weekend at a camp in the bush and will begin their regualar schedule today. The should be able to get on the internet this week, so look for updates on their personal blog pages.

Training Camp Highlight Video

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A long time AIM leader and the worship leader for the FYM Awakening in South Africa, Kristen McMullen, put together a great highlight video. We'd like to share the video with you so you can have a picture of the events of the last week. Thank you for all of your continued prayers and support.

Be Blessed,

The Admissions Department

Almost There!

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Africa Team has arrived in Johannesburg safely and is leaving shortly to fly to their final destination in Jeffreys Bay!

Please keep this team in your prayers as God guides and directs them through South Africa!

Training Camp

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hello All!

Great things are happening at training camp. God is doing some amazing stuff in the students lives to get them prepared for the next 9 months.

Each day they have two session in the morning at ministry and preparing for the field. Then, in the Afternoon they have two different activities. They have been learning dramas so that they can preform them in Africa. They have also been doing team builders. The picture on the right is of a team builder. Davie, Beth, Alyssa, Layne, Megan, Jessica, Amanda, Nicole, Matt, and Jillain were given the task of "building" but were given no direction on what or how to build. So, they had to be creative and decided to build a bridge with chairs. Below is Jillian walking on the bridge with the help of Jessica.

To the right is a Jillian, Alyssa, Johanna, Matt, Mary, Kristen, Sarah, Faith and others went through a spiders web (a.k.a a maze of string) and had to work together as a team to get through with a low number of times that they touched the string. Below is the same thing, in that picture is Gail, Victoria, Blair, and Andrew.

Everyone is safe and seems to be doing well. We, as a leadership team, will try to keep you updates as much as possible. Here are pictures of the drama's that they have been doing.

Commissioning Service

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Commissioning Service

September 14 at 8PM

This is a sweet time as the teams will be prayed over and get ready to GO!

Parents may attend, and are welcome to attend, but please remember that this is a team time and your child may not have much time to spend with you. Some teams take over two hours to be prayed over. This is not a time for you to reconnect but a time for them to be sent with blessings and affirmation.

We look forward to sending another group of participants out and watching God work in their lives and the lives of the people they will be ministering too.

What a great week we have had so far with your son and daughters. The teams are bonding and getting excited to go.

Thanks for the honor to be a part of your family's life.

FYM's Have Arrived

Tue, 9 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

All the FYM's have arrived safely and their first day of Training Camp is going great.

Today was a lot of team builders and bonding time.

What a great group of participants they are, you should be proud.

How I Was Called To The Missions Field

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story...
From the day I first arrived in Nuevo Casas Grandes, Mexico with twenty or so other teenagers from my church I knew that I had been called to do missionary work throughout my life. I had such a huge feeling of compassion for others that I couldn't really descirbe accurately, and I still can't. I spent two weeks living in a church building and taking part in various ministries where I served women, men, children, and the elderly. The first year I went I was only fourteen years old, but I knew God had a huge plan for my life. I shared my testimony infront of a large group of people after a sports tournament we had put on for the city. As I slowly spoke about my past while the interpreter stood next to me repeating every word, I experienced such a feeling of accomplishment and humbleness and it was amazing. I returned to Mexico three additional times and my heart grew bigger and bigger for the people who were in such a desperate state. I loved the fact that they were so appreciative of what my team and I were doing with their community and those four trips made me completely determined to be involved with missions for the rest of my life, whether I travel ten minutes down my road or fly the the other side of the world to do it. My senior year in high school I dug deep into what God wanted to do with my life. I tried to remain open to be swayed by His plans for me, and though being a walking witness for life with Christ was spiritually, mentally, and emotionally exhausting at times I pressed on and grew immensly close to my Father in Heaven. By the time graduation came, I knew that God wanted me to go on another mission trip. So, I decided to take a year off of college and began my search for a missions program. Honestly, I used google to narrow down the thousands of organizations and after weeks of looking I found a great organization that had amazing priorities and values. Adventures In Missions was exactly what I was looking for, and that was determined when I typed something in and the link for the AIM website was on the top of the list. After reviewing the website and finding out that I could go to Africa I was completely stoked and prayed very hard about whether it was God's plan for me to travel so far from home to do His work. Turns out it was, and now I have about eleven hours left until I board a plan and say goodbye to my family for nine months.

Expectations of My Mission Trip

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

We were asked to write a blog about how we felt before leaving on this mission trip. Here is what I'm expecting...

I am so stoked for this mission trip! I have no worries, as of last week and I am more then ready to jump on that plane and start the new chapter of my life! I know that this is in God's plan for my life, and I am more than willing to slip on some walking shoes and run down this path He is making for me. I was overwhelmed with stress throughout the process of preparing for this trip, however I have not one ounce left in my body. All doubts, fears, and second thoughts have become extinct and I am overflowing with excitement to be able to be a part of this Africa team. I was anxious about everything until a family friend by the name of Beverly Crisman anointed my feet, hands, and forehead with lavendar scented oil and handed me a journal to keep track of my life on the field as a walking testimony for Christ. I ran down to my basement and started writing everything that was on my mind and how I was really nervous that my passport was not going to get back to me in time to go to Africa from the people who do the tourist visas. Then suddenly, God nudged me to open my Bible and when I did it fell open to Psalm and my eyes were drawn to chapter 27 which is copied at the end of this blog. Definitely check that out. It is an amazing verse and it is quite obvious to me that He was telling me not to worry so much. At that moment I was filled with peace and comfort and I have been crazy optimistic since! I shared it with the congregation today, and they loved the chapter as well. I mean come on guys, who can't love the fact that we can shout, "THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION, WHOM SHALL I FEAR?" I don't think it gets any better than that! I really am looking forward to God completely restoring the relationship between me and Him, and for Him to give me endless possibilities to share the word of God. I will not stop until I have touched and impacted lives with the words that God speaks through me. I look forward to getting a strong hold on who I really am as a child of God. I believe He will strengthen my giftings of singing, prophecies, speaking in tongues, and the various others that He has blessed me with.

I do have some prayer requests, so all you fellow prayer warriors please lift me up! I get sick pretty easily, so please pray for me to stay very healthy throughout the trip. Also, for God's provision and protection for my team and I.

^{Psalm 27: 1-14} The Lord is my light and my salvation- so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the Lord- the thing I seek most- is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord's perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music. Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "Lord, I am coming." Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don't leave me now; don't abandon me, O God of my salvation! Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I've never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. Yet I am confident I will see the Lord's goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

I Believe

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I believe that God works in mysterious ways.

Throughout the process of getting ready for this trip I faced many obstacles. Vaccines, tourist visa registration confusion, sickness, rude co-workers and sarcastic bosses, car troubles, spiritual warfare, and fundraising efforts failing. All these things had flooded my mind with negative thoughts about this trip. At one point the burdens had become so heavy that I had contemplated backing out of the trip. I emailed my youth pastor and told her that I was thinking about dropping out of Adventures In Missions, and that either Satan knew that God had something huge planned for me on this trip or that this trip was simply not in God's plan for me. After reading her email response and praying long and hard about my future trip to Africa, God reassured me that being a missionary to Africa this year was in fact where He was leading me, and that I had to stay strong and fight for my calling to be a missionary. The obstacles continued. I had never gotten vaccinated as a child, so I had to schedule about five trips to the doctor office and get the big list of shots. By the end of July I felt like a pin cushion! Then I had to track down a doctor in a special travel office to give me the "foreign shots", however problems kept comming up keeping me from accomplishing my medical papers which were by that point past due. It took me about two months to finish my medical paperwork. I kept pressing on. I finally got over the mystery sickness which I had gotten during a 60 hour work week, so I was starting to see that things were looking up. My passport came swiftly after I applied for a new one, and I accomplished the majority of my visa application.

On the way to church one Sunday my car transmission completely broke... when I was on the highway. My dad came to my rescue and I asked him if he would drive me to church. Although I got to church about fourty minutes late, it was a fantastic service and touched on areas I really needed to hear. In August my fundraising hit a plateau and barely any money was comming in from my waitressing job. I was losing hope, until on a Sunday not too long ago the sermon was about pressing on through suffering and discouragement. The topic applied to how I felt and it really helped me to gain back my momentum. My support letters started getting responses, two teachers from my old school donated generously to my fundraising efforts, and I felt a real balance in my life for the first time in a while. Now that I have less then twelve hours until I get on a plane and start my journey as a missionary I can certainly say that it has been a crazy few months, but I am glad that everything happened the way it did. The obstacles made me stronger and they helped me to grow closer to my Heavenly Father. Today as I was driving to church, I got a case of cold feet and I was hit in the face with the fact that I was going to be leaving for nine months. As I turned onto the road of my church my car started to chug... and my mind was filling up with negative thoughts, ultimately stressing me out about the trip to Africa. The more I grew discouraged, the worse my car acted. I started praying in tounges and rebuking anything and everything that Satan was trying to do. My car started to work better, then worse, and back and forth the whole length of that road until I got to the parking lot of my church. My car completely stopped and I litteraly rolled into a parking space. Soon after I ran into the church and into the front of the congregation and had one of the most intimate worship segments I had ever experienced. I had chills the whole time and was singing in tounges. I gave my plans, my worries, my burdens, my everything to Christ and a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. He told me that I was going to be a magnet to people, and that those who I was with would be drawn to me throughout the trip. I spoke to the congregation briefly, and that was it. Church was over and I was completely renewed and feeling amazing about what is going to happen in the next nine months. So, I believe that we should all expect the unexpected. God works in CRAZY ways and He always knows what He is doing. He knows how we are going to react to certain things. He was right next to me as I endured the things that were trying to get in the way of me leaving tomorrow, and I know that there will be way more obstacles and spiritual warfare. However, I know that my God is with me and that anything that comes my way He will prepare me and strengthen me to show Satan that He has no say in God's will.

While packing for training camp...

Sat, 6 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There has been some confusion in what to bring to training camp and what can be acquired in Jeffrey's Bay. Here is a packing list of things to make sure you have at training camp that you might forget. If you don't want to take some of this stuff with you to Africa that is fine, however you will never see those things again. This is not meant to replace any previous packing lists, just to clarify and to remind you of a few things.

-Water bottle

-Flashlight/headlamp

-Closed toed shoes you don't mind getting messed up

-Jeans

-Rain gear (if you desire to stay dry)

-Backpack or purse to carry around training camp (also very helpful while in country)

-Notebook/journal and LOTS of pens

-Pillow

-Bedding (sheets and blanket or sleeping bag)

-Baby wipes/face wipes

-Hand sanitizer

-Alarm clock

And remember to bring a plate, bowl, cup and silverware for South Africa.

We are excited for you all to arrive in a few days! I

Final Paperwork Past Due One Week

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Your final paperwork is past due!
This was expected to be in the office. If you Account Page does not show that all is in; you need to get that done today, NO EXCEPTIONS!

You need to mail ALL the documents to:

Adventures In Missions
Admissions Department

6000 Wellspring Trl

Gainesville, GA 30506

TGYT - Meet Cartoon Character

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Would you rather...

meet Fred Flinstone or Yogi Bear?

Directions to Airport and Gainesville

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

If driving to the Atlanta airport you should arrive between 11AM and 3PM, if driving to Gainesville you are to arrive between 4-5PM.

Directions to the Atlanta Airport :
MEETING AT THE AIRPORT: When you fly into the airport you are to meet in the Atrium, located right outside security. It is a huge gathering room with lots of sofas, food court etc. We will be there to meet you . Look for us in our Aim t-shirts and big smiles :) .

Directions to Adventures In Missions
Gainesville, Georgia

From Atlanta, Hartsfield Atlanta Airport and the South:

Take the Connector (I-75/I-85) northbound until the two interstates split just north of Midtown. Though I-85 heads northeast and would appear to split off to the right, be cautioned: I-85 is a left exit and only the left three lanes will take you there safely! Stay northbound on I-85. You willl pass under the Perimeter (I-285) at Spaghetti Junction. Continue northward on I-85 until you reach exit 113, which is the beginning of I-985. Take I-985 (also a left exit) northbound for 24 miles until you reach exit 24. Exit there. Take a left at the end of the exit ramp, towards downtown Gainesville. You are on U.S. Hwy 129. It takes just under an hour from downtown to get to this point.

Continue north on Hwy 129 (you will turn right about a mile from the interstate and another right at a T in the road). You will cross over Lake Lanier at two points: the Chattahoochee River fork and the Little River fork. A few miles beyond the second bridge you will come to a traffic light. You will take a right at the light onto Nopone Road . Follow Nopone for 1 mile to Bogus Road ; turn left onto Bogus. You will see our sign about a mile in on the left hand side (but you won't see a building). Turn left into our driveway and you will come to our building.

From Greenville/Charlotte and the Eastern Seaboard:

Take I-85 southbound from Greenville/Spartanburg until you cross the Georgia state line at Hartwell Lake. Continue southward until you reach exit 137 ( Gainesville/ Jefferson). Exit there, turning right at the end of the ramp, towards Gainesville. You are on U.S. Hwy 129. Travel for about 17 miles until you cross over I-985, then follow the instructions in the second paragraph above.

From Chattanooga/Nashville and the Midwest or Appalachia:

Take I-75 (or I-24) southbound from Chattanooga until you cross the Georgia state line. Continue southward on I-75 until you reach exit 312, which is State Hwy 53. Go east on 53, being careful to stay on 53 as it goes through some small towns and makes a few turns. After going through the town of Dawsonville you will come to a major intersection with GA 400. Go north (left) on 400 to the very next traffic light and turn right on Harmony Church Rd. You will come to a stop sign a the jct. of 136 ( Price Rd. ). Turn right on 136. Travel on 136 for about 10 miles and it will end at Rt. 60. Make a right on 60 ( Thompson Br. Rd. ) and then a left at the very next light which is 283 ( Mt. Vernon Rd. ). Take 283 to the first stop sign and turn right on Jim Hood Rd. After a few miles you will come to a light - US 129. Go straight and the road becomes Nopone Rd. Go about a mile and turn left at the top of a hill on Bogus Rd. Go a mile on Bogus and you will see the sign for Adventures in Missions on the left. Turn there and follow the road to the end and you have arrived. Note: This is a 2 lane, windy road and is about 80 miles across, taking about 2 hours from the I-75 exit.

Alternate Route via interstate. Take I-75 south to I-285 and go east on I-285 to I-85. Go north on I-85 to exit 113, I-985. Take I-985 north to exit 24, US 129. You can then follow the directions above in coming from Atlanta. Note: This way is much longer mileage wise and sometimes much longer time wise, depending on the time of day and the Atlanta area traffic. But it's all interstate until you get to 129 (the last 10 miles).

Reimbursements General Facts

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Once your entire trip and airfare is paid for, you may submit your additional trip
expenses to us for reimbursement from your account. The allowable reimbursements
are those expenses which you incur as a direct result of your participation on this trip.
The IRS limits us on what can be reimbursed - things they consider direct expenses for
this trip.

The items you can submit for reimbursement are:
Airfare tickets
Medical insurance
Shots needed only for this trip
Passport and Visa expenses for this trip only

To be reimbursed for these expenses, you MUST submit your receipts to us prior to
training camp. The original receipt is the only form we can accept. WE CANNOT
ACCEPT CHARGE CARD STATEMENTS OR A COPY OF A CHECK.

We will process those receipts and reimburse you only if you have the amount to cover
the cost in your support account. We will provide a partial reimbursement if the funds
left in your support account do not cover the entire receipt after your trip is complete. We process reimbursements:
After you leave on your trip
Mid-Way through the trip
Upon completion of the trip

Sometimes in the summer months it is difficult to keep up with the demand of
reimbursements. Plan on your reimbursement check taking about a month to process
from leaving on your trip to a month after the completion of your trip.

Any additional money which comes in after your trip is complete will go toward covering
any trip deficit you may have, but cannot be used for reimbursement of expenses.

When submitting receipts to us, please fill out the reimbursement form that you can find
from your Account page.

Again, ALL REIMBURSEMENT REQUESTS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO US PRIOR TO YOU GOING OUT.

Are You Blogging?

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Blog pages are a tool we have provided to you to be able to keep people up to date on your journey as well as a way to connect with each other. I know most of you stay connected through Facebook, but we would also like you to be updating your personal blog page on a regular basis. The blog page is also a way in which people can support you. So, if you're not directing people to your blog page and keeping it interesting, then you may be missing out on some support as well.

As you prepare to go, we ask that you post regularly and comment on the team page as well as others on your team. We have also asked that you post an "I Believe" article on the team page. Some of you have not done that yet. While on the field we want you to put up weekly updates to keep people informed so they can be praying for you and supporting you. Blogging is an integral part of the program and it has proven very beneficial.

Below I've listed some of you who have not posted an "I Believe" article or put your Bio up or posted anything on your page. Please make that happen so we can get to know you better. Thanks!

Here are the ones who haven't posted their "I Believe" article yet:

Kristen Berg

Sarah Buller

Tyler Bussanich

Ryan Carmichael

Davie Ingram

Samantha Jakus

Amanda Sellars

Victoria Trefry

Loretta Wang

The following need to put up their Bio's on thier blog page:

Kristen Berg

Tyler Bussanich

Jessica Emerson (somehow a blog was not set up, we'll take care of that)

Davie Ingram

Samantha Jakus

Sarah Keppinger

Sydney Sample

Victoria Trefry

These are the ones who need to put up a post on their page:

Kristen Berg

Faith Bulger

Ryan Carmichael

Jessica Emerson

Davie Ingram - Last post 5/18

Please do some work on these this weekend. I appreciate you guys and can't wait to meet each one of you. God has some great things in store for each of you.

Parent's Reception

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Parent's Reception

September 8, 2008

4-6PM Registration for Participants

Take a Tour of the Facilities

Enjoy light snacks

Watch a slide show of our previous trips

6PM Parent's Meeting

Learn more about Adventures In Missions

Hear about the Training Camp Experience

Come and get your Questions Answered

Meet the Staff

7PM Dinner

Cost $5 to Parents

Parents are welcome to remain for the worship time after dinner.

To attend please RSVP to admissions@adventures.org

Suggested Hotels in Gainesville:

Ramada Limited Gainesville

766 Jesse Jewel parkway

1-985 @ Exit 20

Gainesville, GA 30501

770-287-3205

Days Inn

520 Queen City Parkway

Gainesville, GA 30501

770-535-8100

Back to School Supplies!

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to give you guys a heads up on some great sales that are going on across the country that could really help out our friends in JBay.

Office Depot

Scissors - 25 cents (limit 5)

Sharpies - free w/ mail-in rebate

Staples

Pencils and rulers - free! (limit 2 per customer)

Box of pencils - 50 cents (limit 4)

Office Max

Elmers Glue - One Penny! (limit 3)

Bic pens 12-pack - 25 cents

Crayons - 20 cents (limit 2)

There are some other great deals at regional stores, but these are the national ones. It would be awesome if each of you could go in a few times and pick some of these items up. Our ministry partners are ALWAYS looking for supplies like this and it would be a huge blessing for us to show up with tons of this stuff. Thanks so much and we can't wait to see all of you in about three weeks!

I Believe

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I believe that God always answers my prayers even if it's not the answer I'm looking for. I also believe that God's plans are way better than any of the plans that I could have. For the longest time throughout high school I always new God was real but didn't want to accept him into my life. I thought other worldly things were way more important. I would constantly do things that I thought would make me acceptable to my friends. These things always ended up getting me into trouble and I would blame God for letting them happen. I thought "Hey, if God loves me he wouldn't let me live life like this." I had convinced myself that God was real but he didn't care about me. I thought God was sitting up in Heaven judging me and saying "Well Kayla, there is one more sin you have committed and it looks like your straight on your way to hell, tough luck!" I thought it was too late to do anything about it so I was going to keep on living life my way. I always felt like something was missing, I was a miserable person for a long time. I went to church every Sunday, and every Wednesday but never heard any of it. I felt like my mom was forcing me to do things with the youth group and I hated it. I was sure people at church were judging me and that made me so mad, and I wouldn't let anyone become my friend. I was Forced to go to a girl's bible study every week. That's where I met a few girls from church and got to know them a little better. They didn't judge me; they ministered to me by being an example. They didn't say things like "You're going to hell for those sins" like I thought they would. I started hanging out with them a little more and new there was something special about them. I longed for the relationship they had with God, but I didn't think it was possible. I started liking church a little more, and I started listening to what people had to say. That's when I realized that I wasn't the only one who struggled. I started to live life a little better, and say no to things that I would have said yes to earlier in life. I still struggled sometimes and hadn't fully given myself to God. Then In March of my senior year it hit me that I was still trying to do things my way and not Gods. That's when I said "Ok God, I'm going to live my life for you!" and one Wednesday night at church I got re- baptized and said "God what do you want me to do?" and he simply said MISSION WORK! So here I come Africa! I believe God will use ME!

Final Paper Work Due in 1 Week

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

PAPERWORK - Check on your Account page and see if you have all your paperwork marked as being in. If NOT, then read the next paragraph.

In one week ALL your paperwork is due in the office. If you do not have your physical scheduled, then do that TODAY! If you have not looked into securing insurance, then do that TODAY! You cannot put this off any longer. To process all the papers and get you ready to go out is a BIG job and we NEED your paperwork!!!! You will NOT be able to go on this trip unless it is all turned in

50% of your trip cost is past due

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

50% of your trip cost is past due:

You should have this approximate amount in your support account.

This amount is:

FYM - $3500

If you do not have this much in your account, let me remind you that you must talk with your program director within the next week. If you do not meet your financial goals, we have to enforce the consequences listed in your handbook. We are praying that God provides all you need this week! Remember, we are here to talk and pray with you - call us anytime.

Final Paper Work Due in 2 Weeks

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In just about 2 weeks ALL of your paperwork needs to be turned in!!! We need to process it in the office and we need time to do that before you leave for your trip. You CANNOT bring the paperwork with you to training camp and expect for it to be processed before you leave!! Please get that into us as soon as you can!!!

Here is the paperwork that needs to be turned in:

Copy of Passport: If not already turned in

Medical Release: This needs to have a Doctors Signature

Participants Release: This needs to be notarized

Shot Record: This MUST be on the form we have provided

Proof of Insurance: Copy the front and back of your Insurance Card

Travel Arrangement Form

4 Weeks Before Trip: Funds Needed

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In 4 weeks you are leaving on your trip.

You need to have 60% of your trip cost in your account and the rest in pledges before we can let you go on your trip.

If you have over $1000 to go then you need to spend some time support raising in the next few weeks.

We STRONGLY suggest that you think of 20 people to call and ASK if they would consider supporting you in this ministry. Here is what you can say, "In 4 weeks I am leaving for _____________. I am so exicted to go and get involved in the ministry that Adventures In Missions has set up for our team. We will be doing relational ministry. (expand more on this) I am short of the funds that I need at this time. Will you prayerfully consider supporting me in this ministry?" (Let them know how they can support you)

We would love to help you with this in any way that we can. If you have questions or need help in any way, please call.

We pray that God will supply your funds needed for this trip.

Flight Itineraries

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Below is the travel itinerary for the group. We have two separate flights to Washington DC but then all on the same flight heading to Africa and down to Pt. Elizabeth.

UA7521 15Sep08 Atlanta 9:30 AM Wash DC 11:25 AM

UA7200 15Sep08 Atlanta 1:10 PM Wash DC 2:56 PM
SA208 15Sep08 Wash DC 5:40 PM Johannesburg 3:35 PM

SA425 16Sep08 Johannesburg 7:40 PM Pt. Elizabeth 9:25 PM

SA207 13May Johannesburg 6:00 PM Wash DC 6:00 AM

UA7201 14May Wash DC 8:35 AM Atlanta 10:33 AM

UA7724 14May Wash DC 12:35 PM Atlanta 2:28 PM

You will be coming back into Atlanta on May 14th. We will have one final debrief in Atlanta before you head back home on the 15th.

Christmas Stay

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Many of you have been asking if you could stay over Christmas break. In the past we have left the home in JBay open to any of the Africa participants wanting to stay in Africa over our Christmas break. Over the past 2 years everything has worked out fine for those desiring to stay and we've had plenty of room. This year however, it seems that we've had a large number saying you wanted to stay for Christmas. We need to get some numbers to see if we have enough room. If you are currently planning on staying over the Christmas break and not flying home, then please post a comment below. This does not commit you, but it helps us know how many are wanting to stay. The year does get long and those who stay sometimes wish they would have taken the break and gone home. With 41 participants and 10 staff, we can't accomodate everyone. At the most we can only house 20. Please comment below if you want to stay.

Fundraising and Financial Support

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

So I figure there will be enough questions about finances to merit creating a new post...

My main question is this: Once we reach our 60% required, if we don't have enough pledges to cover the remaining cost of the trip, when do we need to send the rest of the money in? The reason I ask, is because some people might want to send in money after I leave and we want to know where the money goes..towards my account or the general fund?

Basically I don't understand when the total support needs to be raised by: is it by the time we leave, or by the end of the trip?

I believe

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I believe that through God all things are possible.

I joined the team very late, and I started this whole process behind. On top of that, I had a summer job at a children's camp that was going to leave me with no time to accomplish everything that I needed to for this trip. I was becoming very overwhelmed with everything that needed to be done and felt that there was absolutely no way that I was going to be able to meet all of the financial goals that had been set before me.

At the staff orientation at camp, a man all of the counselors affectionately call "General", talked about the hope that God gives us. He said that if God can move mountains and raise people from the dead, can't He take care of all of the small problems that we have? I knew the message that General was speaking is what God had been trying to tell me so long. I heard these words in my heart: "Faith, I have chosen you to go on this trip. There is absolutely nothing that is going to stop you from going. Trust me."

I went to General and I told Him what God told me. General told me that he believed that God was going to provide me with all of the money that I needed for the trip. I agreed with him whole- heartedly.

The next day General approached me with one of his very closest friends, Pastor Willie George. He had told Pastor George all about my struggle raising money, and how he and I had talked about it just the night before. Pastor George looked me in the eye and said "Faith, you have already met over half of your financial needs." I was really confused for a moment because I had only raised one hundred dollars. Then he continued, "I'm giving you $4000 dollars to go on your trip to Africa." I was amazed at how quickly God had answered all of my prayers. To this day I am still amazed at how God provides His children with all of their needs, no matter how great or small. Its like God tells us in His word, "This is the confidence that we have in Him, that whatever we ask, if it's according to His will, we know that we have what we asked Him for"(1 John 3:14 -15). I have all the confidence in the world that God will continue to provide all of our team's needs while we are on our trip, and for the rest of our lives.

Christmas Break

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Wow, as of right now, 18 people have replied that they wish to stay in Africa over Christmas break. There are 51 people including the staff. And we were just told that, at max, there will be room for 20.

I think this is something that the team should start praying about.

Pray for...the AIM staff to decide what to do in the situation, either the funds for people to afford to fly home or a place for everyone to stay in SA, and most importantly that God's plan for Christmas break will be fulfilled and not our own.

Random Questions

Sat, 9 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I have a question. How many of you have bought your malaria pills already? I went to the pharmacist the other day with a prescription for malarone and they told me it would be $1200.00 for the whole trip. I know I've taken malarone before when I was in Namibia and it works without any side effects, you just need to remember to take one a day. I don't necessarily want to take a cheaper pill but $1200.00, (though it's worth not getting malaria), is a bit expensive for my taste! Anyone have any ideas?

Meet Your Leadership Team

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Let me introduce you to your amazing leadership team!! I think each of you will grow to love all of them deeply. You can begin to get to know them through their blog pages.

Chris & Christina Via - Africa Awakening Directors

Tag & Holly Thompson - Assistant directors

Outreach Leaders

Aaryn Phillips Michelle Jeppe

Chelsea Short Amber Mullins

Em Halls Becca Arnold

Isabel Maldonado Matt Spainhour

Other Awakening Staff

Kristen McMullen

Worship Leader Melissa Regier - Cook

Dee Dee Huey - Awakening Discipler

(not her real picture)

Reimbursements General Facts

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Once your entire trip and airfare is paid for, you may submit your additional trip
expenses to us for reimbursement from your account. The allowable reimbursements
are those expenses which you incur as a direct result of your participation on this trip.
The IRS limits us on what can be reimbursed - things they consider direct expenses for
this trip.

The items you can submit for reimbursement are:
Airfare tickets (to and from Atlanta as well as your Christmas flight)
Medical insurance
Shots needed only for this trip
Passport and Visa expenses for this trip only

To be reimbursed for these expenses, you MUST submit your receipts to us prior to
training camp. The original receipt is the only form we can accept. WE CANNOT
ACCEPT CHARGE CARD STATEMENTS OR A COPY OF A CHECK.

We will process those receipts and reimburse you only if you have the amount to cover
the cost in your support account. We will provide a partial reimbursement if the funds
left in your support account do not cover the entire receipt after your trip is complete. We process reimbursements:
After you leave on your trip
Mid-Way through the trip
Upon completion of the trip

Sometimes in the summer months it is difficult to keep up with the demand of
reimbursements. Plan on your reimbursement check taking about a month to process
from leaving on your trip to a month after the completion of your trip.

Any additional money which comes in after your trip is complete will go toward covering
any trip deficit you may have, but cannot be used for reimbursement of expenses.

When submitting receipts to us, please fill out the reimbursement form that you can find
from your Account page.

Again, ALL REIMBURSEMENT REQUESTS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO US PRIOR TO YOU GOING OUT.