Capital of Rwanda

The capital of Rwanda is Kigali and it is right in the middle of Rwanda. It is a developed city with buildings, cars, taxi, stores, and even a mall.

Here is a typical day in the city:

Round-about:

Mini-bus, also known as a taxi:


*Pictures taken by Karyn: more at www.karynmakinsafrica.blogspot.com

Rwandan Skyscraper

Welcome to downtown Kigali.I was looking at God's beautiful creation.

The nature and plants were so pretty but then...there...in the distance...a skyscraper...man's beautiful creation but the design was instilled into man so therefore it is still God's creation.

And a little taste of home :)

First Graduation

Jean Paul's High School GraduationJean Paul is the first street kid that has graduated in Jen and Serge's program.

I was so excited to be there to witness it.

Interns

The team in Rwanda gets a lot of interns throughout the year.
Left to right: Karyn, me, Nicole, Mike

Karyn is a photographer from Canada, Nicole is a student from the UK and Mike is a construction worker from Canada. They have all come to help Jen and Serge as well as the people of Rwanda.

It was great to have them there because they showed me around town, helped me learn the culture and we had some fun too.

Kamari Family

Meet the Kamari Family: Left to right: Prince, Serge, Beni, Isabella, Jen

They are the International Teams missionary family in Rwanda. Jen is from Canada and come to Rwanda about 7 years ago. Serge met Jen the first week she was in Rwanda and from then on it is history :) Now they have three kids and are living out what the Lord has called them to do.

They work with street kids. Now when I say street kids, the majority of what I am talking about are boys ages 12-25 years old that live on the street. Serge and Jen teach them proper living skills, find them a foster home, and get them into school.

They also work in a village called Kayonza; about an hour and half from their house. They train people to farm and the important of education. At the local church they have helped start a group that teaches crafts to people that have been affected with HIV/AIDS so they can make an income for their families.

All that and they still have family time! They are all lots of fun and I am excited to be a part of their team.

Traveling Time

I had a few extra stops along the way...
I started in Rwanda
hopped over to Uganda
then to Ethiopia
9hrs to Rome and then 9.5hrs to DC
I had a 7hr break at the airport and then to Chicago
Slept for almost a full day and back to work

More stories to come!

On My Way Home

My two week vision trip is over and I am now on my way home.

In one hour I will start my adventure back to the US. It is about a 38hr trip to get home.

I will post pictures and more about this trip when I get home.

Special Needs...Beginning Stage

In just two weeks in Rwanda I have been able to meet with many people and have gathered much informatoin about educating children with special needs. I have met with parents, teachers, students, pricipals, professors, governors and associations...

As a result I have concluded that there is a start of special education in Rwanda but it is at teh very beginning stages.

There is no nationwide sign language for the deaf; out of the 66 thousand blind people, only 30 are taught a 6 month vocational training program at a time; there are no docotrs to help children with the medical conditions that come with down syndrome and autism; there is one short course at one of the universities on special education/counseling (and it is just blind and deaf); there are no adaptations for children that are dyslexic or struggle with reading and math...MY HEART IS RACING! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE!

Some sort of national frame work needs to be established, but where do you start??

During my converstaion with the big private school in Rwanda they asked me if I would be willing to help adapt the curriculum for children with special needs, train teachers how to teach students with different learning styles and bring awarness to parents...wow what an opportunity!

In order for a national frame work to happen it needs to start somewhere and what better place than the big private school in Rwanda!

The dream to educate all the children with special needs in Africa has a chance!!

Beautiful Country

We took a drive through the country and I got to witness Rwanda's beauty first hand. Ok so pictures just do not do a justice but this place is gorgeous!

Beads

I got an opportunity to sit with a group of people from the church and learn from them. It is a group that was started by the church to help the members of the congregation that are affected by HIV/AIDS. They learn how to make beads (you know those fair trade ones) and sew to bring in an income for their families.

When I arrived they were grateful to have me. I do not know their language and did not know how to help with the beads but they were willing to teach me.

First thigns first...langugae...They taught me how to greet in Kinyarwanda. I am not sure if I was saying it correctly but I tried very hard and at least they understood me :)

One woman taught me how to make beads. She was patient through the language barrier and with my lack of small motor skills to make the bead tight like she could. By the end I almost go it. I did not make as many beads as she did but it was fun.

Needed a Jacket

Right now in Rwanda it is rainy season. That means it is about 80 degrees during the day but about a half hour before it rains the temperature drops, a breeze coems and then rain. It actaully gets cold. I put on a jacket! It rains for about 15 mintues andthen stays just a tad coolder for the rest of the day.

At night I seep with a comforter, liek a real blanket. I am sure it is different durign dry and hot season but I know during rainy season I need to carry a long sleeve shirt or a jacket with me at all times.

You never know when it will rain until it starts to cool off and then wind starts to blow. Once it starts raining the whole city pretty much stops until the rain stops.

A Taste of Rwanda

After being in Kigali (the capital city of Rwanda) for a day here are some observations:
It is gree, hilly and beautiful (pictures to come).
People are welcoming.
Everything, including internet and spell check all in French.
Therea re no animals running around the streets.
It is quiet and quit peaceful.
The city is very clean.
There are not many people selling thigns from bowls on to of their head.
They have cheese (for all of you that was apart of the Ghanaian adventure:))
Not everyone speaks English.
Peopel are very affectionare: hand holding, long hand shakes when greeting, and lots of hugs.

It might be my naive western midset but I assumed Ghana and Rwanda woudl be a little similar but let me tell you...it's not. There is a difference going from city to city in America; chicago to LA to Boston to Huston. Of course there is a difference from coutnry to country; Ghana to Rwanda.

Many adventures and learning to come.

In Rwanda

The travel time was a little longer than expected due to an extra lay over in Uganda but I made it to Rwanda.

I got a chance to get to know the missionary family that I am staying with today. Jen is the mom and Serge is her husband. They have three kids; Pricne (13), Isabella (4) and Beni (1.5).

Now for a good night sleep....

Heading to Rwanda

I am finally finished packing! I am heading to the airport at 3am on Monday March 14th.
Trip: Chicago to Washington DC to Ethiopia to Rwanda!
I will arrive in Rwanda at 3:30pm on Tuesday March 15th.

This is Rwanda. It is in East Africa. I will be staying in Kigali with a missionary family. Kigali is the capital city.
Rwanda is 7hrs ahead of Chicago time.

I am way excited!!

Master Packer

You would not know it by looking at me but I have become a great packer.

I asked the missionaries in Rwanda what I could bring to them from the US and the mom, Jen, gave me a pretty big list; brown sugar, some caned products, shoes, movies, books, contact solution, Easter candy, a few fun things for her kids. I got it all...

Today I pulled out my suitcase and started to pack well everything fit perfectly in my cool orange suitcase. I mean everything; Jen's whole list and all of my clothes, sandals and bug spray! Just call me a master packer.

Then I tried to list my cool orange suitcase...and well...I couldn't. I am guessing it weighted over 100lb. Needless to say I need to now unpack and pack everything in two suitcases. I hope my skills work when there are two suitcases...

We Graduated

I graduated from training! Whoa...that was a lot of information in a short amount of time. I learned so much and much more prepared than I did before.

Here is the class when the interns were with us.
In the middle is the coordinator of training. He was great!

Now I need to start getting ready for a short trip to Rwanda. I leave on March 14th! I am very excited.

Boy's Dorm at Wa Blind

I just got an email from one of the teachers at the Wa School for the Blind in Ghana. That is the school I taught at when I was in Ghana.

I found out that last night the boy's dorm burnt down. No one was hurt but I do not know how bad the damage is.

Here is a picture of the boy's dorm when I was there:

Please keep the school, teachers and all the students in your prayers.
If I get more news I will keep you posted but thank you for your prayers.

Language Training

I have been in language training for one week now and look what I have learned...
Korean!!
I am really learning linguistics which means, I am learning how to learn other languages. I am learning to listen for sounds that I did not know existed and moving my mouth/tongue in ways I did not think were possible. It feel a little silly and probably look and sound a little silly but it is very helpful!

I will have to learn Kinyarwanda when I move to Rwanda. One of the official languages in English but people only know it if they went to school.

I have been told I am doing great but the one sound I can not make is one of the basic sounds in Kinyarwanda... figures... but I will keep working on it!

Snow Day!!

We got so much snow!! It was awesome!

Can you find my car...?

It is the red bug :)

Even though all schools and most businesses were closed, we still had training. But afterwards we all played in the snow!

Karen, Gale, Katharine, Necia, Me, Ashley, Heather

It was great!

Roommates

Here at training we all live at the International Teams base. It is in Elgin, IL.

I am really enjoying living in community; it is like college again :)
I have three roommates: Gale, Karen, and Heather

They are great!

Karen is going to Uganda, Africa. Heather is going to Athens, Greece. Gale is still open as to where she is going.

It is so cool to hear every one's stories of where they have come from, how they got here and what they will be doing. God really uses each and every one of us and all of our skills, strengths, desires and even weaknesses. He is an awesome God!

Week One of Training

It was a great first week of training.

The days are jam packed, starting at 8am and finishing at 5pm (and then we have homework) with small breaks in the middle. It is a long time to sit in a classroom and learn but the information we are learning is great.

Here is everyone that I am in training with. We are all serving for two or more years.


This past week we focused on cultural difference. We learned more about our own American culture so that we will be aware of what is different and how to deal with it once we get to our destinations. The skills we learned on how to adapt to a different culture will come in handy.

There are four more weeks of training and I am excited to learn more!

Back to School...

The holiday season has come to a close and all of the college students have now gone back to school. It was nice to have everyone home for the holidays though.

I am kind of going back to school as well. On Saturday I leave for training with International Teams. Last week I was finally finish my online class. For the next month I will be living in Elgin, IL at the ITeams base and will be going through extensive cultural training.

I am pretty excited! I hope to learn how to adapt to a new culture quickly and much more.

Long Distance Phone Call

I was able to talk to Fuseini today!


He was one of my students at the Wa School for the Blind.

Fuseini told me how everyone was doing. Haruna and Issahaku are both in the vocational class. They are learning trades so they can support themselves. Everyone else; Ajara, Razak, Iddi, Ahabadeen, Rasheek, Patricia, Laticia, Mane, Jowa, Peter, Amina, Decimal; they are all doing good. Micheal, their homeroom teacher, now works at a different school.

They all graduate in 2014 and I hope to go see them walk.

He asked me to greet all of you so 'Hello' to everyone from Fuseini.

Your Culture

I just finished reading this book all about culture. It made it a little more easy to understand culture and knowing where people are coming from. The book over all theme put culture into two different categories; hot-culture and cold-culture.

Hot-Culture:
Relationship
Feel-good Atmosphere
Indirectly Answer Question
Group-Oriented Inclusive
Hospitality is spontaneous

Cold-Culture:
Task Oriented
Time and Efficiency is important
Direct, Short and to the point
Individualistic
Private
Schedule events and gathers

What type of culture do you come from?

(if you are from the northern part of America you are probably a cold-culture but if you are from the southern part of America you might be a hot-culture)

Snow!

Welcome December, Welcome Winter, Welcome Snow

It snowed today! I love snow!

It was the first snow fall of the season. I love snow! Ok, so I really do not like the cold but I love the snow. This year I am going to do every winter event I can think of: sledding, making a snowman, ice skating, make a snow fort, snowboarding, snow ball fight, shovel...

I am going to enjoy this winter because after this year I will not see snow for a while.

If you have any more ideas of winter fun let me know!

Troop Drama

(Emily knows the 'Maddy face' oh too well)

Emily and I got all dressed up and had a great night on the town. We went to see 'Jungle Book' as a play. It is a great movie and even better as a play. But what made the play were the actors.

The actors and actresses were adults with special needs. They all worked very hard memorizing their lines, songs, where they stand and when to move. All their practicing paid off; the play was a hit!

The set and costumes were made by volunteers and looked great on each actor. Here is a picture of them taking their final bow at the end of the play.

Reading....?

Can you believe it... I am reading!

To tell you the truth I went through high school without reading very many books; spark notes was a great invention. And then in college, I had a lot of friends... :)But now in the 'real' world I kind of have to read.

It is not exactly for fun. It's for training but I am actually doing the reading. I have about 7 books to read for homework. I may be reading because the books are not on spark notes, or because no one else is taking the class with me or because I like to keep busy or because I am really enjoy it or because I'm just growing up. Well what ever the reason, I am reading.

I read one book, listened to another and read/skimmed another. Ok so to you that may not be reading but for me that is reading :)

3 down... many more to go. I am determined to get through them all. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

'Grown Up' Doctor

It is that time of year again; the time of sharing and caring and being sick. There are few things my students like to share... but their cold, runny nose, cough, and flu they always love to pass along.

I tried hard to prevent it but it was bound to happen. I got sick. Usually I treat myself; taking cold medicine and sleep but not this time. This time I needed a doctor to take care of me.

This did not seem too bad at first. I loved my doctor; I had been going to her since I was a baby. She was patient and kind to me. She even gave me all my shots for Africa :) And let me tell you that was not an easy task (I am not a fan of needles)

Then remembered the promise my doctor made me, 'I could go to her until I graduated from college, then I needed to go to a 'grown up' doctor.'

Well, today was the big day... My doctor kept her end of the deal and now it was time to keep mine. I went to a 'grown up' doctor today! Even though I was a little nervous I knew I had to get medicine to get better.

Turns out this doctor was very nice. She practiced medicine overseas and was excited about me going to Africa. As we talked for a little bit she gave me some medicine to get over my sickness. Now I would not want to visit her all time, she was a great lady. And I am starting to feel better already.

Training

Ok so I am back in school now... well sort of...

I have started the online training for International Teams (ITeams). I have books to read, papers to write, research to do and worksheets to do.

And I thought I was done with school for a while...

I have started some of the assignments and it is very interesting. I am learning more about ITeams, myself and other cultures.

Oh, and good news: I found one of the books on tape :) That will help a lot!

A Special Week

This week was a full week! After working 12-15 hours a day I was tired but I slept knowing this week was special; this week was different than the rest; this week was better!

No two days were the same, come to think of it, no two hours were the same:
I read a test to a student with a learning disability
I worked on math with a student that has a behavior disorder
I practiced speech with a student that is deaf
I filled out college applications with a student that is blind
I put together a science project with a student that has ADHD
I created a map with a student that has an emotional disorder
I took notes with a student that has low muscle tone
I talked about wheelchair rugby with a student in a wheel chair
I interpreted for a student that is deaf
I prepared note cards for a student that has down syndrome
I ran with a student that has autism
I played soccer, basketball, track, ice skated, did gymnastics, swam with all different students.

The best part was not just getting the opportunity to work with each one of these students but the best part was each one of the students I worked with finished the task they started. They ALL finished!

I always love to see them smile, that makes what I do worth it but when they finish something... well, that just makes me so proud! :)

Fashion Show

This is Emily. Emily is in sixth grade and I have had the privilege of working with her for a few years now.

Last week I was overjoyed when Emily asked me to go to her Fashion Show with her. This fashion show was sponsored by an organization called the National Associating for Down Syndrome. Emily got a chance to be center stage, as danced a choreographed routine and walk walked down the runway with a new dress.

This is what Emily had to say:

My name is Emily. I was in a fashion show. I wore three outfits. The first outfit was a black jacket with a white shirt and black pants. On a stage I danced with a suitcase and my pink dress. I danced to the song ‘Hit the Road Jack’. During the dance my hair piece fell off. We took pictures of me and my friends.
Then I changed into a blue dress with black flowers and high heel shoes. I walked down the run way and waved to the Chicago Black Hawks Mascot and Maddy. I had fun!

Emily

A lot of preparation went into making this event possible. And even though during Emily's dance she her fake hair fell off she didn't loose a beat. The day was a success. Way to go Emily! Thanks for letting me come :)

Chicago Marathon

Every year I love to go cheer on the runners. They trained so hard, looked forward to this moments for months, can not believe they are actually running for this amount of time...with this many other people...

It is an exhausting, taunting, exciting, scary, hopeful event...running a Marathon.

I love to cheer them on...
At the start when they are rearing and ready to go
At mile 7 when they are in routine and focused on running
At mile 12 when they are only/already half way done
At mile 18 when they start to think 'why am I doing this?'
At mile 22 when they start to zone out due to exhaustion
At mile 25 when they have to run up hill for the whole mile
At mile 26 when they turn the corner and see the finish line! They smile, their faces light up and feel no pain any more, just the thought of finishing!

Way to go runners!

Jr. High meet Farm

I work with high schoolers during the day and elementary kids in the afternoon. I felt like I was missing something...

Then I went to a farm with the Jr. High Youth Group from my church and realized I was missing jr. highers :)

I am now volunteering with the Jr. High Youth Group and it is a lot of fun. They are full of energy, talk a real lot, eat nonstop and ask a lot of questions.

Hey wait a minutes, they sound like my high schoolers...
Oh and wait a second, that sounds like my elementary kids too...

Well, I am now working with kids morning, afternoon and night. I love it!

Back in High School

My high school years were much different than most...

I went to three periods and then left for an internship tutoring at an elementary school. Afterwards, I worked at another elementary school's after school program. I often went to church and helped with the kids program in the evenings. I just loved elementary kids.

With that in mind... My high school councilor was convinced I was going to come back to Lake Park (my high school) and teach. First of all I liked elementary students and second I was not fond of my high school, why would I go back and teach. Often times I just agreed with her just to make her stop talking, never really thinking about the idea.

Ha... Well here I am graduated from college and now a substitute teacher at Lake Park, in a high school, the same high school I attended, the school my counselor said I would come back and teach at, the school I said I would never come back to. Crazy how that works.

But the funny part: You know that counselor that said I would come back and teach...Well I actually taught with her today. :) She just could not stop smiling.

Lesson Learned: Never say Never

Do the Hula

I found this and though I would share with you :)

If you can not see it clearly, I will explain why it is so great:
My dad, Mason, Mike Duffy, Matt and Flammini are all learning a Hula Dance. It was priceless!

A+ for Effort!

Hawaiian Party

Look at Dad and Mason in the back row learning a dance from Hawaii

Dad I think it is too late for that...




And a fun time was had by all... well except maybe the pig...

Lexi

It was so nice to see my family from Alaska again.

I have been watching Lexi, my cousin's baby, grow up via pictures over email but it was so good to see her in real life. Even though I had never met her in person it was like I already knew her because of all the great technology we have now.

I love Lexi and Amy!

Amy, my cousin, cut my hair and it looks so good.

Mom and Tracy's Wedding

It was a wonderful wedding. We had a great party afterwards with all of Mom's and Tracy's friends. It was a day to remember!

Two Families becoming One


You may kiss the bride...


For the first time Mr. & Mrs. Tracy Davison


Bubbles

My mom looks so beautiful.

Have a good Honeymoon


The Maddy Face :) I love this picture


And now I have another little sister, Jessica. Another little sibling that is taller than me... yeah! :) But I love them all.

College for Mallory

Wow do I feel old... My little sister is going to college.

We moved Mallory into Columbia. She is on the 7th floor of the University Center. Which is smack dab in the middle of Chicago, right on Wabash and Harrison. She's got everything with in walking distance.

Her dorm is really nice and she has a roommate and two sweetmates; they have a connecting bathroom.

It was a little nerve recking during move in day but it always is. Mallory did well and she has played cards both nights she has been there. This week is 'Welcome Week', where she gets to learn all about Columbia.

How exciting... Oh to be a freshman again...

Wedding Planner

I think I have been missing my job of planning events...

My mom has willingly allowed me to take over the planning part of the wedding. She has laid the ground work and now I am putting it all together :) Making schedules, Target runs, decorations, phone calls.... I love planning things!

This wedding is going to be so much fun. But I am also really excited for my family from Alaska to come in. I get to see Amy and Andy (my cousins) baby, Lexi!

On one of my Target runs for ribbon, I conveniently passed by the baby section and just happen to find a cute little summer outfit. I figure living in Alaska Lexi might need some summer clothes. Can't wait to see you guys!

International Teams

After much searching, filling out the applications, a few phone interviews, a psychological evaluation, another written application, and one last interview, I have been accepted as a career missionary at International Teams, also known as ITeams.

After consulting with the Lord, I accepted the position with ITeams and signed up for the first training session.

How exciting! I am going to be a missionary! I just can not wait!

Now I am sure you are wondering what is the time line of me leaving for Africa... Now this can change according to God's plan but for the moment this is my plan. I will work a little this semester while taking two training session with ITeams and raising support. During January and February are the intense training sessions. I will take a vision trip (check out what is going on, meet the team there, look at my house before I buy it) to East Africa, Rwanda and Uganda. I will come back for the summer and make the last minute preparation. Then I will move to East Africa around October 2011.

I alway thought I would graduate form college and move right to Africa but that is not what God's plan is for me. I will be in the US a little longer than expected but it will be nice to spend some time with my family and friends before I leave.

But again this is just my plan, God can change it. Who knows maybe I'll end up in Africa sooner... :)

Camp

I love working for Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, WDSRA.

I get to be a one on one aid for kids with special needs in a camp. That means I do not have the responsibility to plan and organize all the fun trips but I get to go on them. This week is the end of the summer bash and that means lots of field trips and fun.

We got to go down town to Navy Pier and not only play miniature golf but we also go tot go on a boat ride. I have been away form Chicago for a while and I forgot how beautiful the city is. I love Chicago. I took this picture with my phone while we were out on the boat.

We also went to a water park. It was great! The participant I was with went down the big water slide! I could not believe it, it I was so proud of him.

Garage Sale

So today my siblings and I had a garage sale. We opened at 8am and there was a light flow of people all day long. My goal was to sell as much as possible, even the house. That way it would be less to move when we find a new house.

One man came and I thought he might be interested in buying the house so we talked for a while. He said he could not buy it now but would spread the word that a house is for sale :)

It was 95 degrees outside and I just could not take it any more so we closed up shop around 3:45pm. It was pretty successful: sold some stuff, made some money, finished a scrapbook, did a bible study and talked with some people.

Oh and I am still pretty itchy. I went back to the doctor today and he said I still have poison ivy. Instead of oral drugs he game me creams. Lets hope this works!

Dad and Sue

On August 9, 2010 my dad and Sue got married! It rained in the morning which will bring them luck but for the ceremony the skies were clear and beautiful. It was a great day. It was really nice to see my dad so happy.

Decorating


Getting Ready


The Ceremony


Wedding Party

Mallory, Me, Brittany, Sue, Dad, Mason, Brad, Scott

The Happy Couple

Tooth

In the middle of wedding planning, preparation and getting better from poison ivy one of my teeth broke. It was a back molar and it hurt pretty bad. Good thing I was home for all of this.

Quick visit here and there and now I have a whole new root to my tooth. The best part is that the doctor put in an orange root :) I was wearing my orange shoes and an orange shirt and he thought I should match. That was very nice of him. We also talked about his adventures in the peace core (he was in Africa).

Now that I will always have orange with me, I now need to get a cap for my tooth. So, no one will ever see this orange root but I will always know it is there :)

Beautiful Night

This was my last night in Philly. I just had to share it with you all.


This was a great summer, a great experience and I am thankful for each moment of it (even the poison ivy).

I met great people, traveled to new places, learned new cultures and got to see God work in it all.

I learned that I am a very independent person but I heavily rely on God to guide my every move. And every day He took care of me, whether it was due to a tornado, what to do for the morning, patients, or just sitting and listening to Him.

And now for the next journey of my life. Weddings...

Fun in Philly

My last night in Philly, I had to do all the tourist stuff!

I went to the land of giant game pieces...


And I got a push in the Monopoly wheel barrow.

That is Jen. I was living in her room for the past summer. She is awesome and took good care of me when I was very itchy.

Then we climbed up the stairs Rocky trained on.


And of course I had to find a fountain. I love fountains.

This fountain is in the middle of Logan Square. It may not be as cool as Buckingham Fountain but it was pretty nice.

It was a great night on the town, even though I was really itchy.

Had to Come Home

After a few hours in multiple doctor offices, some confused looks and a change of medication, I realized it would be best for me to head home and get better.

It was a hard decision to make but I realized I was not going to get better and would only hinder my team and myself if I continued.

I said my good byes, packed up my bags and headed home. It has been two days and the swelling on my wrists and ankles have gone down greatly. I am still pretty itchy and very red but doing much better.

It is nice to know that there will always be a safe place to come if anything every happens. It may take a day or two to get home but it is possible and I am welcomed with open arms.

Love Park

The city of Brotherly Love.

I love this place. Not just because it is in the middle of a big city or because it is a fountain but so many people come to hang out here.

One of my favorite memories was bringing about 100 sandwiches and passing them out to all the people who would not otherwise eat that night. Yeah you can say they were homeless but I like to call them friends.

It brought me back to the good old days of Sunday Snacks. Oh and for all of you who have met Foots before, well I found the Foots of Philly. Her name is Sharron. Wild and crazy but you just have to love her :)

A Mix of Groups

Back at Wyoming Baptist we had three different groups there this past week.

One group was from Massachusetts.

The leaders were Tim and Ann. There were 8 energetic high school girls; Allison, Melony, Emily, Hannah, Allison, Kimmie, Hannah and Maddy. I got to do a little bit of ministry with them and they were a lot of fun. Lots of changes coming up for you girls but don't worry God will show you the way.

One group was from Indiana.

Brad and Karen were the leaders. There were 5 high school students: Megan, McKenzie, Natasia, Micheal and Steven. It took a little pushing to step outside of comfort zones but once they did God really used them. Keep on being bold.

The other group was from Connecticut.

This was a group of junior higheres who were very excited and ready to serve the Lord. Leaders: Tim, Karen, Ugo, Megan, Priscilla, Scott, John, Katie, Julie, Rachel, John, Patty and studetns: Michael, Emma, Emily, Carolyn, Jayla, Jackie, CC, Katie, Lizzy, Michael, Erin, Josh, Eles, Katherine, Collin, Steven, Sam, Phinous, David, Elena, Cameron, Jackson, Olivia, Zack, Josiah, Zack, Rommel, Michael, Peter, Ryan, Hassan. It was awesome to see them grow through out the week.

Now that you are all back on your mission field, use what you have learned on the training ground a be bold for the Lord.