Exciting news!!!

Hi guys, here is a long overdue update:

Things are going well with team building and preparation for our trip. We have been meeting weekly on Sundays, with the exceptions of holidays. I think I speak for everyone when I say how excited we are to head out! I can’t believe its 2 months away! The upcoming weeks are going to fly by. Susan, our events planner, and I are working on a surprise trip for the team. I can't wait to share this when it happens! For now, it's still a secret.

On a personal front, I took a leap of faith and did what I have wanted to do for the past few years…book an extra week to stay by myself!! My team leaves on August 21 and I will stay behind and depart the following Saturday, on August 28. I’m really excited about this personal time I’ll have to further build relationships with the South Africans that I’ve gotten to know over the last 3 years and spend more time in ministries.

This Sunday, June 6, is commissioning Sunday at NewSong. I’m not really sure what will happen in the service but I know we’ll be introduced as a team and prayed for by our church community. Come out if you get a chance! We’ll be part of all 3 services. Pastor Dave will be speaking, and he is always so impactful with his messages so it will be a great service overall.

Many of you have asked about our prayer requests. Here are my personal requests:
• Continued team bonding and growth beyond the superficial layer into the uncomfortable layer prior to departing
• Financial support: I’m 50% there but have quite a bit more to go
• The Monte Christo Staff as they prepare for us and as they go about “usual business” within their daily encounters with the communities
• The communities we will be serving: Are they ready for all this love we are bringing!??!
• Donations: we are collecting some requested supplies to take with us to give to the communities
• A new experience: I’ve been three times before and I’m looking forward to the “new” things I’ll see and encounter this year. I feel like a big lesson waits.

I appreciate so much how all of you have somehow partnered in this journey (donations, moral support, financial support, spiritual guidance/support). I was just saying to some friends that I love how missions, when done right, can form a strong community of people from very different walks and backgrounds. It is a game in which everyone plays from the Agnostic to the strongest of believers. It is simply beautiful.

For more information on how you can support , or further support, this journey, please email me!

With much love and appreciation,
Danielle