Hope all of your goodbyes, prayers and preparations are in high gear as you come so close to launching into this adventure with Jesus and your new team. I love doing this kind of ministry and I am truly blessed and excited to do life with you guys (and gals) and meet beautiful Nicaraguan people.
There is some thing I wanted you all to be aware of before we get any further along.... I will not be at your training camp this June.
I am actually headed to Nicaragua a week early and will be meeting with the ministry hosts there before you arrive. I SO WISH I WAS GOING TO BE WITH YOU, but circumstances a little out of my control have changed things and I do believe God's own purposes are being served.
However Patrice will be there to walk with you and get things started and she is a rock star in whom I have all reason to have great confidence, so there are absolutely no worries for anyone there.
Just so you know.... I will say that for myself as a leader (and a past participant on a nine month AIM trip), TRAINING CAMP and the importance of how it is designed to prepare you, (NOT prepare for everything you will encounter but rather for your hearts, minds and Spirits to be ready to receive everything God has for you) cannot be understated.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER ALWAYS AND RECEIVE, I REPEAT, RECEIVE EVERYTHING THAT GOD HAS FOR YOU AT CAMP WITH HUMILITY AND REVERENCE AND GLADNESS!
Those who will be equipping, instructing and teaching you have been ordained by God Himself to do so and they know what they are doing and do have your (and God's) mission at the center of there hearts.
Sorry again I can not be there, any questions or desire to chat my number is 678-270-6968
If we really want that great trip your probably day dreaming about then we must first let go of our rights, ourselves, our expectations and be shameless imitators of Jesus FOR ONE ANOTHER and then strive for that trip, instead of simply waiting for it to come to us.
Can you all comment on this blog to let me know that you got this???? Just read through this and then write whatever "I Got It" is just fine.
I got an email from Casa Mateo and here's what I know:
Bedding:
You NEED to bring a therma-rest or some sort of sleeping pad. Target has a great Coleman sleeping pad for under $30. We are not guaranteed to have beds so please make this a priority.
It will be warm most days so make your own decision about what bedding to bring.
Clothing:
GENTLEMEN: Please make sure you bring some sort of pants to wear to church, no shorts for church. Otherwise shorts should be fine in ministry.
LADIES: Dresses and skirts are worn to church, please prepare for that. It is preferred for evangelism if you wear skirts or dresses but otherwise shorts and jeans/capris can be worn.
MINISTRY: Bring at least a pair of work clothes, something you don't mind getting dirty.
Baseball and soccer are part of our ministry so please bring some appropriate shoes to wear to play in.
THINGS TO BRING:
I asked her what sort of things to bring that they might need and she said they always need THINGS. The two things she did mention are markers and tracts in Spanish. If you have time check out whatever stuff you can find in Spanish.
Don't forget to comment and put your name, I am trying to get a read on who is actually getting and reading these posts.
Don't be afraid to ask if you have any questions, see you soon!!!
I'm Sarah White; I'm eighteen years old. I graduated from Eastside High School in Greenville, SC in 2009, and I took this past year off of school to work and travel.
I spent the first 7 months after graduation working at Woodlands Camp in Cleveland, GA (only half an hour away from AIM and i never knew!!). Staying to work past the summer was by far one of the best decisions I've ever made. The work was humbling, but it was refreshing after high school to be surrounded by people going hard after God and to be confronted daily with the gospel. In October, I took a trip to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. It was in Fiji that God opened my eyes to what a third world country was really like. To experience it instead of just seeing pictures blew my mind. The coolest thing was that in the midst of poverty, everyone in Fiji was completely satisfied in Christ!! The week i got home, Hillsong United's documentary "We're All in This Together" premiered. The movie covered the band's two year music mission trip. One of the members talked about how he had no idea what he was going to do on the mission field b/c of the language and culture barrier but he KNEW he had to go. He knew he had to go love the people of the world in the name of Jesus no matter what he had to offer. God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called...so this is when Jesus told me I needed to go to the mission field this summer :)
anyway....since november i've been working at home at Pivotal Fitness and in the mall. I'm studying from home to be a personal trainer....my procrastination is making it take way way longer than it should have....but i'm stoked. I will be at Anderson University this fall studying kinesiology and then hopefully transferring my sophmore year to College of Charleston to finish up in Exercise Science.
I absolutely love meeting new people, its my favorite, so i'm really excited about meeting you guys in two weeks! I love working out, especially running. I love music....could talk about it for hours....but i can't carry a tune. at all. I like to chill and just talk, and i really really like doing things spontaneously. I love being outside. I hate scary movies. I'm passionate about snowboarding but i'm not very good...and i've recently tried to pick up longboarding. I want to live in australia. and that's all i can think of right now...
Can't wait to get to Nicaragua. I've been struggling with some things and so i'm really excited to see how God will give me the mercy to pursue His calling.
Hey guys I think you all get this in your email so I am hoping for a response on this blog.
Music and worship are such a huge part of being on the field so I am hoping that some of you are musically gifted. Do any of you have a guitar that you are willing to bring? It will be safe to bring so don't worry about that. Please post a comment on here if you are willing to bring one so that we all can know.
Also there are many of you who have questions and some who have asked me so if you want to start asking that on this page that would be amazing actually so that everyone can see the answers and responses. Please correct me if you don't get the email with the comments as well.
I have sent an email to our contacts regarding bedding, skirts and any other fun things we can bring so when they respond I will post that information here.
Things you might want to know...
We are not going to the middle of nowhere! There are supermarkets there with plenty of EVERYTHING and yes I mean everything. Unless you have really specific things you need don't bring multiples, you can buy it there. i.e.- there is not need to bring 25 packs of baby wipes and anti-bacterial you can buy it there.
You do not need the latest and greatest outdoor gear. While North Face and Nike are great brands the Walmart and Target version will get you by just fine.
We will at some points be able to use the internet BUT we are asking that you do not bring a personal computer. We will visit internet cafes to do blogging.
Do consider bringing a USB drive with at least enough space to load your pictures and blogs. Sharing pictures with others is highly recommended.
Do consider bringing less stuff and bringing fun gifts for kids. Go to your local Christian bookstore and see what they have in Spanish: stickers, Bibles, books whatever looks cool.
It will be warm so water balloons and things of such will be fun. Forget the twinkies and crackers and bring something for someone else.
Something I found in Kenya was that old cameras and ipods are great gifts for friends you meet along the way. They don't care that they aren't the latest and greatest, they especially love the ones with film so if you have some of those consider bringing them to give away also.
Think that's all for now... looking forward to meeting you all soon- Patrice
First, I just want to say how much I have loved reading your posts and how PUMPED I am to meet every one of you. It's so cool to think that God has had this trip planned, knowing that each one of us will be a part of it.
I have grown up in Atlanta, GA with an incredible family who loves the Lord. I am so thankful for parents who have raised me in a household where Jesus is the focus and the Rock. I have an older brother who is almost 26 and married, and a sister who is 23 and moving to Denver this summer. Both have been huge influences on my life, and are my best friends.
I went to the same school for 13 years here in Atlanta, meaning many of my friends I have known since we were 5 or 6 years old. When I started college last fall at the University of Virginia, it was a major transition, to say the least. I knew a few people, but still felt like I was lost amidst the 13,000 undergraduates. Being on my own for the first time, I have been learning how powerful the love of God really is. In learning to be completely dependent on Him, I have seen Him working in ways I haven't recognized before. He brought me to an amazing fellowship group called Chi Alpha, where I have been blessed with friends who challenge, encourage, and love me as the brothers and sisters that they are. I feel like this first year of college has given me a glimpse of what the body of Christ really looks like.
This year, I have been questioning what life as a Christian is supposed to look like in this materialistic, self-centered world. Do I live and love as the "little Christ" that I am called to be? What does this look like on a daily basis and how do we let Christ shine through in even the mundane things? I just want to jump on board with what God is doing because, as He has shown me this year, living for Him is AWESOME and I wouldn't want to live any other way.
Which leads into this summer. I can't wait to be in Nicaragua with yall and to be a part of all that God is doing there. I have never done anything like this before, and so I'm excited to step out, not really knowing what to expect, except that God will be there! My prayer for this summer has been 2 Corinthians 2:14 - "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in a triumphal procession in Christ, and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him."
God Bless! Can't wait to meet yall!
- Paige
I'm in the middle of this picture with some of my Chi Alpha friends -
Hi!
My name is Ashley Downing; I am 20 years old and just finished my sophomore
year at Clemson University in South Carolina - Go Tigers! I am majoring in
Marketing and working on a minor in French... so this Spanish thing should be
interesting and definitely entertaining. I love the south, sweet tea, and being
outside. I have the best family
anyone could ask for and at the end of the day there is nothing more important
than our family and the love we have for each other. I have been raised in a Christian home and my parents have
been an amazing example of love, compassion, loyalty and integrity. I have one older brother who is my
rock. He is smart and funny, and always puts others first. He is much more
logical than I am and so many times he has helped me see things and understand
them in a different way. Some other things I love are reading, writing, and I
will admit that I have a weakness for shoes. I love to cook/bake - anything. My
favorite is Cheesecake and I could live off of pasta (at school I do, because
it's cheap). I love music, and
although I cannot hold a tune, it doesn't stop me from singing in the car! Saturday's in Death Valley are the most
amazing and exhilarating few hours you will ever spend. I love the beach, the
mountains, and definitely the lake. I want to live in New York City one day,
but I know I'll come back home. I never really played team sports growing up;
however, I took ballet and figure skated for about 8 years, and I love to watch
sports. I am always up for random things and 2 am Waffle House trips. And... I am
a HUGE cat person. I will probably have separation anxiety this summer!
My
relationship with Christ hasn't always been easy. In March of 2005 my Dad passed away. It turned my whole
world inside out and I didn't know how to handle it. For a while, I ignored the
pain. I didn't grieve and I
covered my hurt with anger. I was very angry with God for a couple of years. I
couldn't understand how a loving and all -powerful God could let the best man I
have ever known die. I felt I wasn't done with him yet, that I still needed him
here with me. Without question, I
was a daddy's girl. He enjoyed nothing more than to see me and my mom and
brother smile. Even though I only had 15 years with my father, I truly think
that I have more memories, experiences, and life lessons than many people get
in a lifetime. He continues to be a part of me and the lessons he instilled in
me will continue to influence me for the rest of my life. I will always carry him with me and I
know he is watching over me. It wasn't until my senior year of high school that
I really began to deal with my hurt. My best friend, Derek, was killed on a
motorcycle by a car that wasn't paying attention. Derek was the friend that was
there for me right after my father passed. So when he died, I went into a hole. I grieved for my Dad and
for Derek. I wasn't sure if I was
going to come out of it. But then I realized that God placed so many other
people in my life that cared for me, loved me, and were there to wrap their arms
around me. No matter how bad it was, they were always there and they were not
going to give up on me. Christ will never leave nor forsake me. He will carry
me when I can no longer walk. All He wanted was for me to put my whole heart,
faith, and trust in Him. There are
still days when I want to hold the cards, where I want to be in total control. But every time I trip, His hand is
there to catch me, as if to say... "See, why didn't you trust me?" So I hope this trip will continue to
teach me how to trust in Him and be a true Christ follower.
I
am so excited for this summer in Nicaragua. This will be my first real big
mission trip, without my church, without being able to drive there, and longer
than two weeks! I know that God has amazing things planned for all of us and I
cannot wait to see how He works in us and through us. And I'm excited to make
memories with all of you and share our amazing God with the people of
Nicaragua. See y'all soon!
Hey everyone! To tell you a little bit about myself. My name is Amanda Thomas and I'm 17 years old. I live in a little town in Ohio most people have never heard of and I love it. I'm a small town girl. I love being outdoors and enjoying God's beautiful creations. I wasn't always raised in a christian home but I did always go to church. I always knew God was real but I never allowed Him to play the role He wanted to in my life, until last year. Last year I went through some struggles and I had no idea where to turn but God was already there to catch me. That summer I went on a missions trip to Puerto Rico and it changed my life. I met so many awesome people and I had a chance to draw so close to God. It's not always the easiest thing living for Him but one of the most important things I've realized during my walk is not to concentrate on being perfect, but to concentrate on falling in love with Him.
I'm an outgoing person and I love meeting new people! I also like listening alot, it gives me the chance to see things from a new perspective and learn things I wouldn't have otherwise. I'm a snowboarding fanatic! and I've been told I'm a very random person.
I can't wait to meet all you guys! This trip is going to be Amazing!!
Soooo I've put this off till finals are done and figure it's time to introduce myself. I'm 20, I go to University of Colorado at Boulder and major in engineering and just finished my sophomore year.For fun I love hanging out with friends/family and having adventures, playing just about any sport, and hangin out outside in beautiful boulder. I grew up in a Christian home my whole life and my parents were great in instilling in me who Jesus was.I accepted Christ when I was little pretty much just because my older sister did; I didn't know what it meant besides my parents were into it. When I got older I started playing hockey and really started to love it. I would go to church if it didn't conflict with hockey and I wouldn't have time in the word because I didn't have enough time with hockey. Hockey, sports, having fun, and living for myself was definitely the center of my life. Senior year of high school God seemed to give me everything I had been striving for in my high school career and yet I still wasn't satisfied. Looking back this is really when God started working on me and breaking me for him. I started making some bad decisions and going after the wrong things. This continued into my freshman year at CU. One night right after Halloween freshmen year God really started to work on me. I decided to crack open my Bible and he began revealing himself in some crazy ways. The verse that really hit me was Hebrews 12:1 that says "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles...." That night I decided to recommit my life to Jesus. What I was missing this whole time was the Lord of my life part. I didn't trust Him that He actually had the best, most fun and most fulfilling plan for me. I went from an intellectual understanding of who Jesus was to actually trusting Him and giving Him my life. After I took this hard first step I would never ever go back. God has put so many awesome people in my life and has given me so much joy after I finally gave my whole life to Him. It's not fun and games all the time but I would never go back and do anything without God anymore. After freshmen year I did this summer thing with a campus ministry here at CU. It was designed to get the participants to grow closer to God and it was stinkin amazing. I learned soooo much and met some amazing people. I could never summarize what I learned in a paragraph but one of the main things was simply learning how to have a quiet time. I never realized that God wanted to draw close to us besides on Sunday mornings. I also learned how to share the gospel with other people in a not weird way. One of my favorite versus that came out of that summer was Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." God has been great this past year by bringing awesome people to me and letting me see Him work in Boulder. There were a lot of choices for this summer, but I felt like God wanted me to do this missions trip. I've never been on a missions trip (and I don't speak Spanish) so I really don't know what to expect, but I love adventures and I know God wants me there this summer so I can't go wrong. I can't wait to see God's faithfulness and just plain awesomeness this summer in Nicaragua!! Can't wait to actually meet all ya'll !!
Hiya! My name is Elizabeth
and I am twenty years old. I was born in beautiful Lexington, Kentucky.
My family and I moved to Ohio about 8 years
ago and now West Chester is home.
I am so psyched about going to Nicaragua this summer. There have
been so many green lights God has given me as I've sought out coming on this
trip. Being able to leave school almost two weeks before the term ends and
receive my credits was a huge answer
to prayer, and was a reminder of God's total involvement in this pursuit.I am certain that God's got amazing things
planned for this trip.
Little tid-bit about me...
I am twenty years old and easy going. I'm a first born child
and have seven younger brothers and sisters, who are some of my very best
friends. I spend a lot of time with my family, and I'm gonna miss them a ton
this summer.
I am a student at SinclairCommunity College and
studying to get my degree in Early Childhood Development and minor in
Psychology.
am imperfect, very transparent and open. I'm extremely
social and love to get to know people on a deeper level. I am very much an
optimist and I can function on little sleep. I have a running bucket list;
traveling to Costa Rica
is one. I love rollercoasters and do not like the dark. I speak sarcasm
fluently and I know only like, three words in Spanish. (I'm working on adding
to that.)
I have been so blessed to grow up in a Christian home. Both
my parents love the Lord and have taught us kids to do the same. If I where to
share with you in a sentence my testimony, it would be something like this; All
religion ever made of me was a sinner with a stone tied to my feet, it never
set me free - falling deeply in love
with Jesus brought the change in me."
Growing up in church and being surrounded by Christians my
entire life, I knew how to talk the walk and yeah, even how to walk the walk,
but it was shallow. I knew what to say and when to say it, how to act and where
to be. Without a doubt, I loved Jesus and had a passion for serving him that
was real and genuine. But even though those desires and Christian traits where
there in my life, it wasn't until just a few years ago that everything I
believed about me, about others, and about God came under fire.
In the fall of 2008 my little world as I had known it began
to crumble. Although I can't give a lot of detail here, I left home for a time
under some very odd and hard circumstances. During my time away from home,
amidst a hurricane of events involving my family and church members due to my
leave, God began a life change my heart.
I don't know if you've ever had an experience in life that
has placed you in a position to question everything you believe. For me, that
moment came one night when it was just me and God. There was no one and nothing
for a distraction. With face on the floor, with pretence gone and walls down,
God began to get a hold of my heart. I could not change what others had done.
The past was untouchable; the scars of hurt would still be there. But God in His
mercy was beginning to call me out. Calling me to live in forgiveness, to walk
in freedom, to live unashamed, and to seek hard after a relationship with Him.
That night was the beginning to a new way of life for me. I no longer was able
to tailgate on my parents walk with God. I could not "lone ranger" this
Christian life. I needed a personal and real relationship with the Lord Jesus.
Let me tell you, some the hardest of times in my life have
come sense that day. Yeah, that night brought change to the inside of me but
the circumstances around honestly did not change much. Inside change sustained
me for the days that followed. But I can tell you this, He is who I live for
today. I am passionate about living life to the fullest for His glory. He has
brought fulfillment into my life in a way that no one or nothing ever can. He
is a chain breaker and heart changer!
I am a victim of God's amazing grace every single day. I am
so very human and if it where not for His patience with me and His promise to never
up on me...I shutter to think where I'd be today.
Well, I'm pretty sure I totally redefined your idea how
tid-bit. Haha.
I do talk a lot, so feel free to tell me when to ...... (You
know.) I won't be offended. You won't be the first.
I can't wait to meet you all and join together in this force
of what God's gonna do in my life personally and as a team this summer in Nicaragua!
Hi!
My name is Ashley Downing; I am 20 years old and just finished my sophomore
year at Clemson University in South Carolina - Go Tigers! I am majoring in
Marketing and working on a minor in French... so this Spanish thing should be
interesting and definitely entertaining. I love the south, sweet tea, and being
outside. I have the best family
anyone could ask for and at the end of the day there is nothing more important
than our family and the love we have for each other. I have been raised in a Christian home and my parents have
been an amazing example of love, compassion, loyalty and integrity. I have one older brother who is my
rock. He is smart and funny, and always puts others first. He is much more
logical than I am and so many times he has helped me see things and understand
them in a different way. Some other things I love are reading, writing, and I
will admit that I have a weakness for shoes. I love to cook/bake - anything. My
favorite is Cheesecake and I could live off of pasta (at school I do, because
it's cheap). I love music, and
although I cannot hold a tune, it doesn't stop me from singing in the car! Saturday's in Death Valley are the most
amazing and exhilarating few hours you will ever spend. I love the beach, the
mountains, and definitely the lake. I want to live in New York City one day,
but I know I'll come back home. I never really played team sports growing up;
however, I took ballet and figure skated for about 8 years, and I love to watch
sports. I am always up for random things and 2 am Waffle House trips. And... I am
a HUGE cat person. I will probably have separation anxiety this summer! .jpg)
