This is my last entry. Another student will be keeping you updated next week. I wanted to give you the names of our team so that you might use them as you pray for us. Our fearless leaders are Dr. Garner and his wife Sydney. They make a great team. Charlotte and Audrey are Social Work majors and sisters. They have a spiritual strength that exceeds their age. Nick (Social Work) is not afraid to be true to his own beliefs. He will be a great asset to our class room. Lindsay (Special Education/Elementary Education) keeps us laughing with sly humor. She is student teaching in a local boarding school. She has a gift for knowing when someone needs to be encouraged. Michael (Political Science/Law/International Relations), goes by the name Bratcher. He and Elijah (International Studies/Leadership) have discovered the joy of playing soccer with the village children. They found out on Monday that if you bring out a ball, they will come. They both keep us from taking life too seriously. Leah (Political Science/International Relations) has an infectious smile and has discovered that she is gifted with children. She and Margie (our third staff leader and Leadership/Intercultural Studies alumna) spent an hour learning to dance with a few of the community youth. I think they are amazing and brave, for I could not be budged to join them. Brandon (Christian Ministries/Leadership) has quickly become our technician. We appreciate his spiritual insights during our devotion time. Ben (Religion/Philosophy/History) and Ethan (English/Writing) are the quiet strength of the team. They also enjoy running with the children. Kara (Addictions Counseling) has a heart for children and has been known to sit on the ground with Brittany (Photography/Art Therapy) while children gather around to color. Brittany carries this notebook with her everywhere she goes. It is moving to see children gather around and get excited as the colors come to life on the page. Melinda (Social Work), the one chosen to write the first week’s entries, has been married for 26 years. She is enjoying meeting the women in the communities, and living in her first “dorm.” Lindsay was going to try and count the number of “friends” Melinda makes, but gave up.
This is our team. As a traditional student who is an untraditional age, let me assure you that these young people will change their world somehow. It will be exciting to see where God is going to take them.
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3 comments:
Thanks so much for the great information you relayed to us. I know its been said over and over, but know that it is true...this team is being lifted up constantly in prayer!...It will be fun to follow your journey over the next three months. Give Leah a hug from her parents :)....Thanks again
Mom Weigel
Thanks for the great first week of information Melinda. You're the best. Ok I am not really objective I guess. I pray that you all have and amazing Sunday.
Thank you SO much for all the information and updates. It means a lot to those of us back here. I especially enjoyed hearing a little bit about each of the team members. I wish there had been an opportunity to meet all of you before the trip. Maybe when all of you return we'll get that chance?? Keeping all of you in my prayers....Denise Peterson (Love you Kara!!)
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