Prayer List

Hey guys! I got a couple prayer request.

• My roommate Kasey is getting over some kind of a stomach bug. She is feeling better (Praise the Lord!) after sleeping for almost 2 days.
• God to give us eyes to see the people that God wants us to disciple. 
• My other teammate, Kayla, to get over her pink eye.
• Strong immune systems for the rest of us!
• Opportunities to share Christ with students.

Some Praises!!!

• We got to meet a bunch of students through softball practice/game, dinner, friends of friends, church members, etc. 
• Went to a BFF (Bon Fire Fellowship) at a local Baptist church which was very uplifting! 
• Met some church members who hip hop dance in competitions and church! They are going to teach us a few moves and swahili words! 
• getting along great with roommates and team members.
• God's peace that only HE can provide!

I cannot thank you enough for remembering me in your thoughts and prayers. You are a source of peace when I want to give up and go home. God keeps reminding me why he has me here and I believe it has been through you prayers, so thank you dear friends! :) You guys are awesome! 

Random Orientation Moments...

 So these are not in order but oh well! :) This is my amazing team that is such an answer to prayer! From the left it's Amy, Kasey, & Kayla.All the Hands On girls! The Hands On girls!
 Being crazy which is natural to us..

 We got to stay in a village with a real live African family for a weekend in Botswana. This is me and little "Blactini" or in English "Pongo".

 This is our church service held in the living room. We ended up with 30 kids, 6 teens, and about 5 adults. :)

 "How Beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News."

 We played Father Abraham, Red Rover, Duck-Duck-Goose, and Simon Says.

 Sweeping...

 Kasey and Dennis who is 4. He was shy but warmed up to us quickly! He is VERY ticklish!

 The older lady on the right is 93 years old, and is the lady (in the middle) great grandmother.

 Me and Kayla holding the naked chicken!

 Plucking the chicken.. It was actually easier than it looks!

 Me and Dennis stuffing our faces..

 This is Luda, my African sister's little girl (so my African niece ), Dennis and May Grace is in the back. She is our wonderful loving host! She is the sweetest thing and my African grandmother. :)

 Playing an African game with Luda, Hope, and Dennis.

 Kasey & Luda, Me & Hope, Amy & Dennis.

 This is during our hour long bus ride. This guy is a 20 year old who insisted he was going to get Kayla to marry him. I nearly DIED laughing along with the rest of the bus as they were arguing. Thankfully our Hands On guys were protective. :)

Botswana!

Johannesburg airport at 3:30 am to catch our flight to Botswana!

 Some of the team! From left: Kasey, Jacob, Alex, and Katelynn. Funny story, our flight was cancelled so they had to fit us onto another plane. Praise be to the Lord, they got us all on it and it left the same time as our other one, plus we got all of our luggage!!

 Botswana!!

The Hands On Team! I love these guys and have been through a lot the past week. Pray for each of them as they serve all over South East Africa!

Whew!!! The week is FINALLY over! This week was orientation or training for the mission field held in Botswana. It has been such a hectic week, but totally worth it. Unfortunately, I don't have too much liberty to tell you everything but I will share some of the highlights:

• Our first day lasted 20 hours on 3 hours of sleep
• We were not allowed to have our luggage the first night
• No hot water for the week
• Got to take a 2 hour bus ride with Africans
• Made a ton of new friends
• Had SO much fun with the Hands On group!
• We got to live with a African family in a village for a weekend with no electricity, water for bath, or indoor toilet. TIA (This Is Africa)
• Killed, plucked, gutted, and cooked a real live chicken... My "African uncle" helped me. He said, "You are the best American!"

More pictures still to come! 

Johannesburg!

Here are just a few pictures from Africa! Enjoy!
This is Alex from Alabama... She was my travel buddy from Atlanta. We talk as though we have known each other all our lives... Must be a PK thing! (Preacher's kid)

 This is the mission guess house we are staying in. This compound has 8 buildings, and a playground! (Which is fun I might add..)

 Just beautiful!

 Alex and me enjoying the shade in the warm weather. She is such an answer to prayer!

 Jet lag.........

 This is Tim Kearley, who is currently living on the compound with his wife Charlotte , has been working with the IMB for 35+ years. He invited us for lunch!

 He served ostrich sausage, sea-salted pork, cabobs, baked potatoes, and pies! It was really good. :)

 From the left: Alex, Matt (Tim and Charlotte's oldest son who has traveled everywhere just about! He also enjoys quoting lines from "The Emperor's New Groove" one of my favorite Disney movies!) Tim, and Stacie. Stacie came and picked us up from the airport and took us to dinner. She has been working with the IMB for a number of years and is funny. :)

Well it's time to get ready for the other team members to arrive and then catch a flight at 6am! Thank you for all the prayers!

Safe!!

I made it!! I made it to Johannesburg South Africa about 7am (Texas time)! The flight was looong but good. However over the past 48 hours or so I have only gotten 11 hours of sleep. Thankfully I have another "chill day" to get used to the time change. I have many stories about my trip but here is a few things I learned:

• NOT a good idea to do Jumping Jacks on a plane.
• It is very entertaining to watch people try not to fall asleep, or in my case watch the person next to you slap you in their sleep.
• South Africa this time of year is GORGEOUS!! (Warm, breezy, friendly, and green!!)
• God always answers prayers when you ask him specifically! 
• God is always right besides you, no matter where you go in the globe. 

Pray for me this week as I go through orientation. Pray that I will boldly speak about Christ to many people. Pray that I will keep my eyes on Jesus so I don't get distracted. Thank you and Blessings be with you from J-burg! 

Packing!

Packing, packing, and MORE packing! I have done a lot of shopping and buying stuff for my 5 month stay. And I am just saying that I love having the excuse to buy stuff!

       I honestly have no idea what I am going to do without my mommy. She has been my sanity in the midst of all the craziness of packing. She is the biggest blessing in my life and I know she would appreciate your prayers as she encounters this huge change in her life. (Considering I am the first kid to move out of the house. Moms just think they have it tough when their kids go to college a few hours away! I am at least 24 hours away. Thank you dear Lord for technology!)

I also wanted to mention that I won't be able to communicate for the first week and a half while I go to orientation. Please pray:

• For safety arrival
• Luggage availability
• Strength (physically, spiritual, and emotional!) 
• A sensitive heart
• Comfort and Peace for my family 

Joshua 1:9