Ready, Set.......GO!

Hey y'all! Well with the start of the new year I am officially all about our VBS in Ethiopia (but let's be honest that's nearly all I can think or talk about anyway).
The four of us teachers and Tyrone met up with some people at Grangerland Church of Christ to discuss them coming to help us next year. We got some definate interest so we are hoping to encourage that and continue to find others interested in coming. So if you are...please talk to us. It's not a commitment yet it's just giving you some information so you can discuss it with your family and see if it's a good fit for you. So get ahold of me, Joanie, Rusty, Alma, or Tyrone and let us know any reservations you have, or any questions.
So now on with some fun stuff!! We have narrowed down some stories we want to do, but no final decisions have been made. We hope to make those Sunday when we meet. The stories we have are Noah and the flood, Abraham and Isaac, Moses and the burning bush/plages, David and Goliath, Daniel and the lion's den, Hannah, and Rehab the Harlot. Since we have 7 stories and 5 days we have to cut a couple and maybe see if Chan will teach one of the stories we want covered the first Sunday we are there. We also have to see how we want to do Moses since that's a lot of ground to cover. Obviously some discussion is needed on this. The past couple of days I've been working on ideas for crafts. I think I found/thought of some pretty good stuff that I think will be easy/light supplies, that we can carry in bulk, and will be fun for the kids to make. Just gotta show the ladies and see what they think or came up with.
I am really really excited to get things going this year. I have been chomping at the bit since I got back to share my story and try to get more to come with us.
I have opened up a paypal account if you'd like to donate that way. I will also accept cash or checks.

God Bless!
Matt 28:19-20

It's About That Time Again!

WHOOP!!! We are getting prepared for the trip this coming summer and I figured it might be time to start updating everyone on the progress. So far we have decided on the topic...(but I'm gonna keep it a secret for now) and have an idea of the date. Still working on that one. We plan to have a dinner sometime for all interested in coming with us to teach/aid with VBS. So if you are interested let me or Joanie know and we will get you all the info you need. This is NOT a commitment...just if you are INTERESTED. So even if you decide it's not for you..no worries. If you are interested in donating to help this mission just let me know and I can give you more information and share some of the amazing things experienced this last summer. The plan is to start accepting donations won't be until after the new year. I wrote a journal of the trip so if you're interested in reading that I am trying to get a copy typed up hopefully very very soon. OH! if you didn't know already pics of the trip are up on facebook. If you don't have a facebook but would like to view them I'll try to find an alternative way to get them to you. Any questions please ask. Of corse we ask that you please pray for this mission and that we spread the True Gospel to all who will listen.

God Bless.
Romans 5:8

IT'S ALMOST HERE!!

Can you believe it?! We are leaving a week from today (Tuesday)! We are all just getting so excited and anticipation is growing more each day. We officially have everything done craft wise. All that's left is packing our bags and getting the correct bills so we can exchange our money once we get to Ethiopia. God has made so many things happen that seemed impossible at first. Thankful for all of the love and support we have received these past few months. Please pray we plant seeds in the children and their families, none of us get sick, and of course no major travel problems occure. Thank you again. God bless! :)

Philippians 4:4-7

Less than a month away!

So we are getting really close to leaving! Yesterday Mrs. Alma brought our Visas and today I got all my vaccinations so we are ready for travel! Still need to work on the VBS crafts and lessons...etc. We hope to meet up this week to work on stuff and the other three ladies next week. Continue the prayers and good thoughts. We need and appreciate it. God bless!

Hebrews 13:15-16

AHH!

AH! We are LESS than a MONTH away from heading to Ethiopia....Officially starting to freak out. Feels like we have a ton still left to do; that's probably because we do but I digress. We have all of the crafts and songs figured out. Now we just have to get all the supplies together and make the examples. Thankfully we have a decent portion of the supplies we need already. We get our visas in tomorrow. Whoo-hoo! Relief to us all. Life over the next few weeks is gonna be crazy and hectic and stressful for us but God will pick up where we fall short and somehow it will all come together! :)
God Bless! Pics will Hopefully come soon of the craft examples. (VBS leftovers are AWESOME)

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who has helped make this mission to spread God's word possible! It's been so uplifting. The sweet words of encouragement, asking about the trip, prayers, and donations have all meant so much. God bless you!

Lessons and Crafts

Today all four of us teachers got together and worked on our lesson/crafts/application/etc. Worked for a couple of hours and got alot done. We have so much to do but it is well on its way! So far we have a craft for each lesson and probably about half of the supplies we need for them which is fantastic! We are making shirts for each day of creation so when those are done I'll post pictures!  Mrs. Joanie is making those and those of you that know her will know they will look awesome! Hopefully this all comes together in time and we don't hit any major glitches. Keep up the prayers; we all greatly appreciate them! God Bless!

Crafts

Spending the afternoon working on VBS crafts! I'm So excited that I can start working on all this. We have really got some great ideas flying around and it's slowly starting to become tangible. Still ALOT of work to be done and more ideas needed but we are getting it together! Keep up the prayers please! :)

Another Check on the "To-Do" list

Exciting news.....Tyrone got our plane tickets!!!! Now we all just have to wait for our Visas to come in and get our shots and we will just about have all the technical stuff :) I still need money for the ticket to pay him back so please keep the donations coming! This all seems so surreal. With each check on our list my excitement builds even more. A hundred children all eagerly waiting for us to come and fill their ears with God's word, as He fills their hearts. Thank you ALL. This is such a beautiful thing coming together. So blessed in this work by our Creator.

Romans 10:17

Plane Ticket

Okay just got some new info. I need money for my plane ticket ASAP. Its $2600 and I'm already almost halfway there. If you can please PLEASE donate this weekend so I can get the money to Tyrone so we can purchase the tickets! Keep the prayers up as well! This work isn't possible if it wasn't for God and His glory.

Phil 1:2-6

What This Is

This summer I am heading to Ethiopia for a VBS. Tyrone Mynhier, a missionary at Woodland Oaks Church of Christ, has given me the opportunity to join him and 3 others to Gambella, Ethiopia on a mission trip. Mr. Mynhier has been traveling into this and other African areas for about 20 years to teach the gospel. There is currently a congregation in Gambella, (as a result of seeds planted by Mr Myhnier) of about 68 Christians. The trip will be from July 23- Aug 5. I will be teaching God and His creation at a ‘VBS’ that we will be hosting. Women and children are often not given much opportunity to hear the gospel. We are hoping to open a door to them. The children will be between first and sixth grade, however their ages will vary within each grade due to their education system. The expenses for me to make this trip will cost about $4700 which includes: Passport, Visa, required shots, air travel, housing, and food. This is my first mission on foreign soil, however, I have always strived to teach the gospel. This is not a trip that I take lightly. I am very serious and dedicated to furthering God’s truth and helping to bring as many people as possible to Christ. I wish to learn as much as I teach. I hope from this trip I will be able to develop a deeper faith and trust in God. I also hope this will be a stepping stone for future mission trips. I would deeply appreciate any prayers or financial assistance that you can give.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.