Welcome to Inside Reach
All six teams have made it safely to their o-treach
locations. The following excerpts
are from emails we have received from the teams.
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Thailand Team
Bekah (TL), Bethany, Kimberly, Janessa, Charity, and Naomi
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The Thailand team is focusing on language study, building
strategic relationships, and is beginning to teach English in a Buddhist
school. They are also becoming involved with several local m-nistries.
Kimberly shares…
“It is early Saturday morning and it is absolutely beautiful.
When I take a look at my surroundings and allow it soak in I sense
something different, indescribable, and unusual. But, it is not completely
foreign in to me. I have felt it before and walked in it. It is the
presences of the living G-d and He is in this place. Yes, I know He has
been in every place—in our apartments, in the school, in the
place I get massages, in the coffee shop, but His presence has been
"battled with." In this place He is welcomed, loved, and
talked about and He is consuming me.
We arrived here at the Juniper Tree in Changmai yesterday in
the early afternoon. We took the afternoon to settle into our three-room
cabin and catch up on the sleep lost after waking up at 4 that
morning. We had a wonderful casserole supper that took us back home
and made this home for the next week. We are looking forward to
doing some site seeing, elephant trekking, and shopping over the next week,
but what I am really hoping for is some rest and time with the Father. The
last few weeks have been stretching, long, and involved a lot of thinking
on my part and I am ready to lay it all aside.
Last week we were in Mae Ramat, which is about 30 kilometers
outside of Mae Sot. We left Bangkok late Wednesday night and arrived in Mae
Sot early Thursday morning. We were all picked up by Manat, who would lead
us in some crazy adventures over the next week. Our first task was to renew
our visas in Burma and we did that with little effort and in good time. We
managed to stay awake long enough to eat breakfast and then drive to P'
Newt's house in Mae Ramat. (When I pronounce her name I think of the
little orange lizards back home.) We were warmly welcomed and quickly shown
to our mats, where we could sleep. We took the day to do some final
preparations for English camp and getting to know P' Newt and the girls who
live at her house during the school year.
We had three days of English camp that went really well with
about 60 kids each day. During that time I fell in love with P' Newt, her
house, and just the atmosphere there.
English camp ended on Sunday, and Monday morning we packed
up Manat's truck for a few days of adventure. During the next few days I
would learn what it is to completely hand my life over to G-d and say,
"I am getting in and going wherever you take me." Monday we
visited a really amazing cave and just had fun being together, taking
pictures and exploring. After leaving the cave we drove to the village
where two of the girls, who live with P' Newt during the school year, live
with their families. We played games, sang songs, painted faces, and gave
out bracelets to some of the kids in the village and then had supper with
Pastor Steven, who is a friend of Manat's. When supper was over Bueey and
Som came to show us to their houses where we would be staying.
On Tuesday as we drove to a wedding, that we invited ourselves
to, I wondered a few times if we would safely or ever arrive. The road was
terrible and yes a lot worse than Caney!! I honestly, and neither did Bekah,
didn’t know where we were going next or what to expect. We just got in the
truck when told to and went on our merry way. In those few days I was
blessed by warm hospitality of other believers, same across the river to
Burma, and was ever so glad to return to P'Newt's on Thursday afternoon.”
Pr-yer requests for the Thailand team:
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Pr-y for safety for the team
as they travel during the next week.
·
Pr-y for the transitions in
team life when they return from traveling.
·
Pr-y for faithfulness in their
different areas of service.
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South Africa Team
Jonathan, Andrew (TL),Kalen, Karen, Meredith, and Joseph
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The South Africa team is volunteering with a nongovernment organization
as teachers, laborers, children’s aid workers, and office personnel. They
are continuing ministry that began with the last REACH team. Jonathan
shares…
“Well, things here continue on much as they have the past
two months. Everyone is doing their jobs and doing very well. Last week we
passed the three-month mark since we have arrived. Wow, that is hard to
believe. It is going very fast. Working at the school has hit a few bumps
for me as we found out last Friday that we are way behind in doing
bookwork. The school is in the midst of trying to get registered, and we
are finding out a lot of things that we need to have done. So now we are
trying to get everything caught up by this Friday. As you may guess, this
week has not been the best week for me. Things are going well with the
bookwork, and at this point I only have one more big project to complete.
Yesterday we had a tree planting day for the students. The organization is
getting a tree nursery so the people who came to help wanted the children
to learn a little about trees. SO they got the entire day off of classes.
YEAH!!! We have two and a half weeks of school left in this term, so we are
getting anxious to get a break. Looking back the term went so quickly it is
remarkable.”
Pr-yer Requests for the South Africa Team:
- Pr-y for health for the team.
- Pr-y for safety as they work and play with the kids.
- Pr-y for focus for the team with their
responsibilities.
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Kenya Team
Sara, Jeremy, Amanda, Zach &
Allyah (TL), and Brittany
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The Kenya team is working in the desert assisting a local
ch-rch planter. They are also being a light in the nearby refugee camp. Zach
and Allyah write…
“Life in Kenya continues to roll
on with lots of fun new adventures in store for all of us! This last week
marked a transition point of our o-treach time here. On Monday we left
Benson and his family in Lodwar and continued up north to a town called
Kakuma. We all were filled with mixed emotions on Monday as we rolled out
of Lodwar. Part of you said to be excited for the new times that are ahead
of us, but it was also very sad to leave a place that has become home to us
for the last several months. It seems funny to think that two months ago we
rolled into a little village outside of Lodwar and were hit with the
stunning revelation that we were going to be living in a straw hut for the
next few months in the middle of absolutely nowhere! Two months passed and
now I really miss my straw hut, but more than that I miss being with Benson
and the rest of his family. Benson! What can you say about the man? Part of
my time I was sort of convinced that the man was absolutely crazy! (In an
incredibly awesome, Apostle Paul sort of way). But as I leave, I still see
him as a man G-d has done great things through, but I see him more as a
friend that I have learned so much from by simply watching his life lived
out in front of me! I have learned that the same G-d that he has trusted in
to save his life and the lives of other around him (physically and
spiritually) is the same one that I’m learning to approach with more faith
and belief than I ever have before in my life! With that said, I’m so
excited to see what G-d has for us here in Kakuma! We have been working with
different refugees inside the refugee camp this last week (and have eaten
some terrific food) as well as helping to feed orphans in the area and also
speak in different schools in the area. There are so many awesome things
that we have a chance to get involved with in the next month so we are
trusting G-d to do his thing in our lives!”
Pr-yer Requests for the Kenya Team:
- Pr-y for the health of the team.
- Pr-y for this team as they are now working with refugees
at a refugee camp.
- Pr-y for good relationships within the team and with
the refugees.
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Israel Team
Carla, Derek (TL), Nick, Matt,
Creigh, and Laura
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The Israel team is
spending time building intentional relationships with the many travelers seeking
truth as they tour the holy land. They are also teaching conversational
English. Laura shares…
“Praise the L-rd we are finally done with construction!
Today was the final day, where we chiseled the last section, filled the
cracks with mud, and then did a final thorough cleaning of the
whole courtyard and lobby downstairs. It looks beautiful and we are so
relieved to be finished.
This week's compilation of volunteering has amounted to
greater busy-ness than we have seen in a long time. We put in extra hours
in the mornings to finish the remodel and then still worked the Fauzi in
the evenings, not to mention adding in volunteer work at the hospital,
helping a friend move, and renewing our visas, plus the start of Friday
night concerts at the hostel.
We are all enjoying our time here in Nazareth I think, but
it's been hard this week for me to focus on what is important, and I have
been feeling the effects of lack of focus. It’s terribly miserable when you
have no time to spend in the Word and with the Lord. I know, you can always
make time, but it’s hard when you're that busy, sick-ish,
and very tired. Looking back on it, I feel like I failed. Why can’t I just
get up early and make time to read! Or, instead of talking to my friends at
the hostel, pr-y! I know I am here to serve and relate but the work can't
come before the One I'm working for. I know things would have just been so
much better, and I would have avoided so much stress and mistakes along the
way if I would have just spent time with Jesus, my first priority. It's so
simple yet so hard to accomplish. Why is this? I know because of the devil,
but for real...it’s so hard, and it's hard to keep fighting when you feel
like you have no strength left. But that’s when you have to remember to
take your strength from God, and use the strength you have to seek him
FIRST. The good thing is that I have been very encouraged in the Lord from
the church services we have been to this week...all three in English! This
is really kept me alive and also motivated to share with my friends here
about J-sus! I picked up some Arabic New
Testaments the other day that I will be able to share with my friends.”
Pr-yer Requests for the Israel Team:
- Pr-y for team unity.
- Pr-y for a willingness to serve and passion for our
min-stry.
- Pr-y for focus.
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Madagascar Team
Keith, Matt, Courtney, Erin (TL),
Stacey, and Ryan
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The Madagascar team is partnering with MAF (Mission Aviation
Fellowship). They have spent time building airstrips in the bush, teaching
conversational English, painting, and helping at an orphanage. Stacey
writes…
“So about a month ago Matt, Erin, Courtney, and I got back
from Anjabetrongo. Then on the next Tuesday, we left for Maralambo where
Keith and Ryan were. We met up with them on Wednesday. We got to be with
them for a couple hours then they took the four of us to Ampasinambo. The
rest of the week was spent heli-lifting everything from Maralambo to
Ampasinambo so we could start the airstrip construction there. Keith, Ryan,
and the other guys arrived on Friday. We spent the next week and a half
working all together on the airstrip. It was a lot of hard physical work,
but it was really good to finally get to do something like that. We all
really enjoyed it. We camped out and stayed in tents and had two local
ladies cook for us so we got to eat rice everyday twice a day!!! =) On
Monday, the three of us girls came back to Tana and the plan was for the
guys to stay in the bush until the 18th. However, Ryan got sick so last
Saturday they went to pick him up and bring him back here. So Erin was
asked to go and replace him. It was been a good week for us here in the
city. Most days we feel like we don’t do too much. We aren’t able to teach
our English classes because our students are busy with the political
situation that is going on. And pilot club has been cancelled in the
evenings also because of the political thing.
Courtney is able to teach her MAF class that meets once a
week and I have been able to teach Jereone every morning. Other than that
we just do odd jobs that need done at the hangar. I think it has been good
for us to be here without Erin. It has made us have to take extra
responsibility and make some decisions. From what I hear things are going
well for them out in the bush. They have gotten a lot of work done and
everyone is healthy. They get back on Wednesday so we are all looking
forward to that.
At the end of this month we (the girls) need to move out of
our house because another MAF family is moving in. We found out on Thursday
that we will be moving into a house that is still in our compound. We are
really excited to move there. They have a big house and a big yard.
Hopefully we will be able to use the space for even more hospitality
opportunities! And it is still in this compound so we don’t need to go far
and we will still be close to everyone!
Last Sunday, Courtney and I were sitting at the table
pondering over our grocery list trying to plan our food for the week so we
could go shopping the next day. We were at a loss. Tired of eating pasta
and just not having any ideas. Then it hit me… why don’t we do a fruit and
vegetable fast for a couple days. I have to admit my intentions weren’t very
sp-ritual at first, but I think G-d used that in a big way. So for Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday we packed our lunch and ate carrots, cucumbers,
apples, pears, and peanuts. Usually in the evenings after we ate our supper
of the same thing we would spend time in pr-yer. We focused on the
political situation here in the city, the group out in the bush, Ryan’s
health, and anything else that came to mind. On Tuesday evening, we also
pr-yed for one of my friends from home. I don’t even know how to describe
how I felt that night. I had been struggling all day with the situation but
during our pr-yer time I felt such a peace. I could just feel G-d’s
presence. I had to keep opening my eyes to make sure that He wasn’t
actually sitting there with us in the physical being. It was so real and
amazing! When we finished pr-ying, Courtney and I both felt so FULL!! It
was such a G-d thing. We felt the need to run around the house a couple
times. Needless to say, it was a great experience. I really think that
night was the reason that we fasted. I really feel like G-d showed up in a
huge way in my life. I also think that through those pr-yer
times Courtney and I were able to strengthen our relationship together.”
Pr-yer Requests for the Madagascar Team:
- Pr-y for safety for the team with the political unrest going
on.
- Pr-y team unity with the team being split between the
city and the bush and being reunited again next week.
- Pr-y for safety and health for the team in the bush.
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Southeast Asia Team
Andrea (TL), Justin, and Alicia
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The Southeast Asia team is learning the language and partnering
with an organization to teach English, do library work, and build
relationships with young adults. Andrea shares…
“We spent the last week traveling to two different cities to
visit the libraries there – other branches of the library we work with in
Bogor. We got home Saturday night, and we’ll leave again Monday afternoon
for Singapore to renew our visas, so we really feel like world travelers.
Our week was good, busy, and tiring… We spent a lot of time in planes and
buses. We helped with three Storytellings and four Speak English Days,
which means we dressed up in our ‘teaching clothes’ and met a lot of people.
Storytelling is with elementary kids. We get to read them the story “The
Giving Tree,” teach them English words, help them act out the story, and do
a craft. Speak English Day is with high school or college students, and we
basically just try to keep a good conversation going, in English, of
course. It’s pretty tiring, but it’s also a lot of fun.
Aside from library programs, we also got to hang out with library staff and
visit some amazing scenic places. While we were in Medan, Pak Arison, the
library’s director, took us to see Lake Toba, which is the world’s largest
volcanic lake, if I’m not mistaken. It’s beautiful – a big lake surrounded
by green mountains. While we were there, Pak Arison decided he needed to
paddle around a little in a canoe. So we found one he could use, and he
climbed into it, wisely handing us his wallet, phone, and watch for
safekeeping. Now, you must understand that Pak Arison is a very proper,
dignified guy, at least at the office, but apparently he likes to have some
fun too. It turned out that the canoe was extremely tipsy…so as soon as he
pushed out from the bank, it tipped from side to side and almost capsized.
He managed to row around for a little while, with us and a bunch of other
people watching and hoping he’d tip over, which he finally did. We got a
lot of laughs out of that. :)
Another story… While we were in Aceh, we got to go to several awesome
beaches. (Aceh is the place that was destroyed by the tsunami in 2004. It’s
mostly rebuilt now, but I’m sure the people there still remember the
disaster every day. It’s also the only place in Indo ruled by Islamic law,
which means, for instance, that every woman has to wear the Muslim head
covering, including us. Before the tsunami, Aceh was very closed to people
like us, but now it's a lot more open because so many foreigners came in to
help rebuild.) Anyway, my friend Hera gave me a ride on her motorcycle to
one of the beaches. I love motorcycle rides!!!!!!!! We drove between rugged
green mountains and rice fields, our jilbabs (head coverings) flapping in
the wind. Then we got lost...she wasn't sure which road to take, and soon
the road we were on turned into a narrow lane winding through a jungle and
a small village. I didn't mind one bit; I was enjoying every minute. I can
still smell the mixture of jasmine and goat manure that floated through the
air. We finally found the right road, and alighted on the sand in front of
the huge, tropical blue ocean. So much fun.”
Pr-yer Requests for the Southeast Asia Team:
- Pr-y for safety and refreshment as they go to Singapore
to renew visas.
- Pr-y for a smooth visa renewal.
- Pr-y for focus and vision for the remainder of their
time.
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