Real Life Swaziland: 5/29/09 - 7/29/09 - Making Disciples; Reaching Our World

Back in the States

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Just a quick update to say that the Swaziland team made it back. Those that are staying over night and flying out in the morning are at the hotel and the few that are flying home today should be on their way.

Blessings,

Chad M.

Home.

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Zech, Mary Grace, Ryan, Chelsea, Kyra, and I have a new friend Maswani. She is exhausted. Her father died earlier this year. As her AIDS manifests itself in the final stages, her body looks like a scaly, dry mess. Her feet are incredibly swollen. The skin on her back looks like it is literally melting off like wax. She doesn't have clothes. She doesn't have soap. She doesn't even have her own copy of a Bible. She lies in a small dark hut...hopeless. Waiting to die. Did I mention she's 19? Yes. She is our peer.

Home visits are usually filled with questions about family, leisure activities, church, etc. But for the first part of our visit, we struggled. Searching for words of comfort...or just conversation.

Of course God can heal Maswani, and maybe He will. But aside from a miracle, she will die soon and there is only one comfort. But it's the greatest comfort of all...heaven.

Heaven. How often do we put our focus there? How often do we look through eternal eyes, not earthly eyes? Are we so consumed with our home, our finances, and our family that we forget that this is not our home?

In the United States,I am comfortable. Praying over people who are dying is not a daily thing. Holding hungry children does not happen every afternoon. Pain and heartache of losing your entire family is not a cloud hanging over my head. But here in Swaziland, this is life.

And the truth is, for most of the world, it's no different. We live in a world of hurting people. A world of brokenness and pain. And as I am confronted with this constantly here, I have learned that the only way to deal with this, the only way to serve and minister in joy is to have a heavenly outlook. As Colossians 3:3 instructs us, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." I think if anyone knows this it's Pastor Gift who has lived in this atmosphere his entire life, and I think he put it best when he said,

"When there are deserts, I see springs of water.
When there is emptiness, I see God; fullness.
When there is darkness, I see light."

Wow. I want this vision. I want to strive for this vision not just as I spend my days in Swazi, but even when I return to the comforts and distractions of the US. I want to have a heavenly outlook, a mindset focused on my REAL home, and in the meantime...Love. Love. Love. until the day I die ☺

The Luke Commission

Sat, 4 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Matthew 25:35-40

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

So, yesterday (7/3) was an amazing day, where I witnessed this scripture lived out. Yesterday our team partnered with the Luke Commission as they held a clinic here in Nsoko. There are over a dozen different stories I could share, as each person on our team walked away changed. As a leader, I can't even begin to describe the blessing yesterday was, and the pride I had as I watched: Ryan, Kyra, Mary Grace, Sara, Abbie and Amanda K work with so much joy as they clothed all these children from around our neighborhood. As I witnessed Amanda R, Becca, and Kati examine a couple hundred kids for scabies, ringworm, and other infections. Or EB as he took patients blood sugars, blood pressures, and tested for HIV. Or watching people work with the auto refractor to test patients vision and put them in new eyes glasses. Or simply watching Chelsea, Anna and Amanda L. play with all the children as they came out. Another incredible opportunity was seeing Zech, Estee, Kelly, Austin and Mandy as they prayed with patients right before they saw the doctor. I could go on and on, but I want each of you to be able to hear these stories first hand, from those you love when they come back. One quote I will leave you with, which came from our team-time last night....

"Today it hit me. Despite all that stats I read and even knowing that many of the people we live in community with every day are sick and have HIV...well, it wasn't real until today. I guess its just so different being on this trip because the numbers, can't compare to the stories, the voices, and the faces. The faces of those you know, you're friends as they are tested and recieve they're results."

Another Quick Update

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hello from Swazi!

We've had a great, productive week. On Monday part of the group went to a primary school about an hour away from Nsoko. It was a great experience and the kids there are incredible and so smart. They have to speak English in class and in 3rd grade, they start learning French. Crazy, huh? TWe got to help out in some of the classrooms and just play with the kids and observe the teaching. It was such a cool experience.

The rest of the team stayed in Nsoko and did manual labor. One group dug a trench for a new care point. The other group dug a hole for a squatty at someone's house.

On Saturday we got to give out clothes to the kids at the center/ carepoint we live at. We got to see their excited faces as they looked through the clothes to see what would fit them. It's so great to see them in their new clothes because they wear the same ratty, torn, smelly clothes everyday beacuse that's all they have.

On Sunday an adult came that is staying for ten days. They're here to build a new carepoint. We're going to be helping out with that this week as well.

On Wednesday we have to go back to South Africa to renew our Visas, so we're going to the beach at St. Lucia for the day. It'll be so cool to see the ocean from Africa!

Other than that, we'll be doing our normal ministry. Thank you so much for all of your prayers! They have been amazing. Keep it up... less than a month left!!

-Sara

Weekend in Manzini (posted a week late)

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey guys! this blog was actually written last week and posted on my facebook because I couldn't get this to load, but here it is, and I will write this week's too!

Today we are in Manzini! It's a much faster pace than rural Nsoko, which is only an hour and a half away. We are here for the weekend staying with the 1 month group, and a few of us, including myself, get to go to a Women's retreat for the women who make purses for Timbali crafts. Julie Anderson from AIM, oversees that ministry. I'm really excited since I have actually read Julie's blogs and even have a purse from the Timbali ministry (thanks Jessi). So hopefully I will meet the woman who made MY purse!! :) Click these links to learn more about all that: http://www.timbalicrafts.org/ and http://julieanderson.myadventures.org/

To summarize the week...wow. It's tough. But just to give you a glimpse of one week in Nsoko, here are some of the stories and scenes:

-I met a girl my age, who has a child, was raped and is now HIV positive. Her attacker is out of prison now, after a whole 3 years.

-I befriended a 12 year old girl named "Notunda" meaning "no love" in Siswati. Both of her parents are dead too.

-We did house visits yesterday, out of the 5 homes we visited, 4 of them asked for prayer for food. And jobs. But...there are no jobs right now.

-A woman we visited also asked for prayer of comfort and patience as she lives with the father of her children, but he still brings his girlfriends over to the house and they provoke her. She's trying to stay strong.

I could go on, but I think you probably see the trend. In America, these are headlines. Dateline specials even. But in Swazi, this is life. Real life. Our team says that phrase a lot. At first we said it just as a fun theme, but the thing is, it has so much truth to it. We live in a bubble in America. A bubble of safety and security. I am learning what real faith is here. Tested faith, I should say. Faith that He will provide a meal. Faith that he will sustain you as you watch your mom, your dad, and all those around you die. My heart is breaking, but God is molding me, stripping my pride, and all my desires of anything of this world.

That's all for now, this interent is crazy slow. Oh man. I will hopefully have a more detailed blog next time I have a faster computer. Also, I can't check my email today, this cafe isn't allowing me to access the site. I will catch up next week or sometime there after?!

I love you all so much and wish you were here! Praying lots!

A Choice

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Being given fruit and maize as a gift of appreciation for visiting a mother who can barely afford supporting 9 children-- humbling.

Praying over a dying 26-year-old mother of 2 in the later stages of AIDS and no money for any treatment--heartbreaking.

The smiles, the hugs, and the laughs from people who are in even the most dire situations--hopeful.

The days are flying by here, but each evening, by the time the stunning sunset shines through our windows...I am faced with a choice. I can choose to feel overwhelmed with anger, heartache, and bitterness at what I see each day in Swazi. Or I can choose to hold true to the fact that God is still good. Always. I can choose to say that..even if I can't be the super hero and save all of Swazi, God has given me the opportunity to share his love with even a few the next 40 days. Most of all I can choose that THIS generation, THESE children will break the mold. and will break the silence. I can choose hope.

Some of my favorite David Crowder lyrics say this..." And all the love in the world, is right here among us...and hatred too...so we must CHOOSE what our hands will do."

What will your choice be today? I want to choose to serve. I want to choose to PRAY. And I want to choose to be a dreamer because God is a big God who can do anything and everything which includes saving a dying country. Will you join me? :)

I hope all is well! I love each of you SO much!

-Kati

Smiling Lady

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We enter a dimly lit house that is one of the nicest we've visited since being in Swaziland. We are on our second day of home visits and I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of it. The Smiling Lady that greeted us at the door is not holding a beautiful baby. We are directed into a rather large blue painted room, with only a bed. At first awkwardness overcomes me because of the uncertainty of what awaits. The Smiling Lady told us that the beautiful baby's mother is very sick. We asked if we could pray for her and were told to enter the house. In a country that's AIDS prevalence is about 55%, I thought I had a good picture of what I was going to see when I walked into the room. A young lady, about twenty-five, lays on a small bed covered in blankets. Her head is all that shows of her small body. I instantly catch her eyes, which are filled with an overwhelmingly large amount of pain. The Smiling Lady tells us that she had been sick for the past thirteen months and recently stopped taking all medication because the family cannot afford it. As I walk closer to the woman I see that her brown eyes look emotionless - glazed over and agonizing. I now can see that this dieing lady has been reduced to nothing but bones. Her arms and legs are no bigger that of a small child. IN that moment it becomes hard for me to grasp what is going on - How can God allow an able mother to die without care?

We were allowed to pray over this woman, asking the Lord for healing. During the prayer I was overcome with clarity. I knew that the Lord was there, in the large blue painted room, with this dieing woman. She was not dieing alone.

Amongst all the pain and death that is in this country I know the Lord if working in these people. I believe that as Shepard's of the Lord, we are asked to take care of His sheep. As many flocks of sheep throughout the world die of HIV/AIDS, there lives are being stolen. The world is crying out for more Shepard's to come help the Lords people.

"May the Lord bless you with discomfort at easy answers,

half truths and superficial relationships, so that you may live

deep within your heart.

May God bless you at anger, at injustice, oppression, and

exploitation of people so that you may work for justice,

freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears that shed for those who suffer

from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach

out your hand and comfort them so that their pain may be turned

to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you

can make a difference in this world so that you can do what others

claim cannot be done."

-Franciscan Benedictin

Peace and Love,

Ryan

Quick Update

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I just wanted to leave a quick update to let you know that the team is doing well. I've talked to the leaders a couple of times by phone this week. Overall, everyone is in good health, ministry is going well, and they are getting the routine of life in Swaziland down, so to speak. As you can probably imagine, life is a little different in Swaziland and internet access isn't always available. One of the "fun" things the team is learning to deal with is the inconsistentcy of electricity. As a result, cooking is always an adventure!! Look for an update from the team soon.

Blessings,

Chad Mustain

Week 1..

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Swaziland is beautiful.

The hills, the smiles, the hugs...

We've only been here 3 days, but already, as I walk out of our "home" and the children jump all over me, it feels so natural. I have met many people heard stories that have broken my heart. Nsoko is one of the hardest hit regions when it comes to the HIV epidemic; Pastor Gift called it a "war zone." Yet, the Nsoko project brings so much hope. And with all the encouragement of the go go's and the other locals, through all this heartache, I can still smile because I know there are greater things ahead of Swazi. I pray..I trust...I KNOW this generation of children will make a change.

I know this is short and sweet, but internet time is very limited, so I will end with some random facts:)

--It was SUCH a blessing to have electricity and water! Although it goes off periodically, we are so thrilled.

--Dinner usually takes about 4 hours to make with our not-so-up-to-par appliances, but it usually ends up being a huge laugh/dance/singing fest.

--Our team gets along so well. We really are a family.

--Today was so chilly! I have a jacket and leggings on, but still, the wind is cold. I can only imagine how the kids feel.

I have so much more to say, but I will share when I can! Don't worry, I'm journaling it all :)

Thanks for reading, and to everyone back home, I love you all and am praying for you! Hope you're having a great day :)

Day One in Nsoko

Sat, 6 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Our team has made it safely to Nsoko where we will be living and doing our ministry for the next month.

We were surprised to find that we have electricity and running water at the community center that we will be staying at. Today we spent part of the day doing cultural training with Pastor Gift who lives on the property, and playing with children.

Tomorrow we will get to go to Pastor Gift's church and some of our team members will be able to preach at church as well as help with teaching sunday school with the children. Then on Monday we will be going out to the different care points where some of the children are fed and spending time there.

We are all very excited about hanging out with the children and getting started on our ministry!

Team in Swazi

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I just spoke with one of the leaders and the team has arrived safely at their location in Swaziland. They are tired but very excited for all that God has in store.

Blessings,

Chad M.

Team Arrived Safely

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hello family, friends, and blog readers-

I just wanted to give a very quick update that the team has arrived safely into Jo-Berg, South Africa. The team will soon be leaving the Jo-Berg airport with our Swaziland AIM staff to go drive the rest of the way into Swaziland. When I hear that they have arrived at their destination in Swaziland, I will post another update.

Blessings,

Chad M.

About to Embark to Swazi

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Friends and Family,

I pray that everything is going well in your lives. Our team leaves today for Swaziland and we couldn't be more excited! The experience here in Gainesville has been incredible for our team because it has been a time for us to learn about each other and get out any struggles we are having before we are in Swaziland. It has been made evident that each and ever person on this team has been called to Swaziland. I am so thankful for these people and that they listened to the Lord and followed their calling. These past five days here has really allowed the Lord to come into all of our hearts and prepare us for the journey ahead. We may not all be ready, but together and with the Lord we are going to have an amazing time.

We have a few prayer request for our team:

-Safe travels to Swaziland

-That the Lord will open our hearts to the Swazi people

-For each person on this trip, that the Lord will work through all of their struggles

-That our team can have an effective ministry

When we arrive to South Africa we will try to update the blog so you can know that we arrived safely, if we can't will do it as soon as we can.

Love,

Your Swazi Team

Training Camp

Sun, 31 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We've all arrived safe and sound to training! It has been a wonderful time of getting to know each other and we have spent the last 2 afternoons doing team builders. Yesterday we had the challenge of putting 6 tires on a giant tree and they had to be in a specific order unknown to our team. Needless to say it was a physical and mentally challenging task but our team was really able to begin to work together well towards our goal.

We've also had a few sessions on what it means to be the 'Beloved' and to see the truth that God is pouring into peoples lives has been very encouraging. Pray that we stay unified as a team and really focus on these next couple days of training before we head off to Swaziland. The next few days will focus more on cultural training and what it looks like to minister in Swaziland. Then Wednesday we'll prepare to head to the airport. We'll touch base before then!

- Amanda and Matt

Training Camp Starts Tomorrow!

Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey Team!

We are so excited to see you at training camp! We just wanted to touch base with you and let you know that Matt and I are praying for you and are so ready to see you. If you have any last minute questions as you are packing tonight or getting to the airport tomorrow please feel free to call me, that will be the best way to get in touch with us. You all should have my phone number in previous emails.

Also, just for a heads up at the airport. I (Amanda) will be there to meet you at the airport. If at any point once you get to the airport you need help at baggage claim, need help finding me, just call my cell phone. Otherwise I will be in the atrium in a blue AIM shirt waiting for you.

Again, we cannot wait to see you all tomorrow!

Details on Training Camp

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One Week to Training Camp!

Can you believe that? Here are a few details that you will want to know.

Sleeping:

You will be sleeping in either Cabins or Tents. The Cabins have mattresses but the tents do not. So if you are assigned to a tent you will want to bring a pad to sleep on. If you do not want to take the pad to country, you can leave it at AIM and we will let the next group use it.

Here is how we divided the sleeping arrangements:

For the Girls the breakdown looks like this:

Tents:

Nicaragua

Swaziland-One Month

Kenya-One Month

Central American Expedition Team

Cabins:

Amazon Jungle

India

Kenya-Two Month

Swaziland-Two Month

Philippines

For the Boys you will all be in a cabin together.

Everyone will want to bring a sleeping bag and a great idea is to bring a sheet as it does get hot in GA and for some, it gets hot in country. Most of you will want to sleep on top of your sleeping bag.

Food:

You will not be able to take food in the cabins or the tents. The ants are horrible here in GA and they will get
in your sleeping bags and they will bite. So no Food! There will be a place to put food inside so make sure it is marked well with your name.

Cell Phones:

A friendly reminder that you are not to have cell phones while at Training Camp. You will be able to call your parents upon arrival if you would like to.

Laundry:

This is the largest Training Camp ever! Count on not having your laundry done while at Training Camp.

Extra Luggage:

You can only have one suitcase in the cabin or tent. All your other items will be put inside in one room. Count on not getting to that luggage as your may be on the bottom of the stack.

Items you will DEFINETLY want:

The two most common items that individuals do not bring are a flashlight and a toothbrush holder. It is dark on our property with very limited outside lighting.

Your toothbrush and toothpaste will not be kept in your cabin; you will want to put your toothbrush in something to protect it from germs.

Rain:

It is forecasted to rain most the week. Plan accordingly! The dirt in GA is red clay and will ruin your shoes and clothes to the point that you will want to throw most of the them away at the end of Training Camp.

Final Paper Work Past Due 1 Week

Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Your final paperwork is past due!
This was expected to be in the office. If your Account Page does not show that all is in; you need to get that done today, NO EXCEPTIONS!

You need to mail ALL the documents to:

Adventures In Missions
Admissions Department

6000 Wellspring Trl

Gainesville, GA 30506

How I was Called to the Mission Field

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Oh there is so much to be said about the call. It is something that I fear but at the same time long for so deeply! My call seems to come in baby steps that slowly and faithfully desensitize me to my fears and selfish desires. In other words the more I have followed the "little" calls the quicker and more faithfully I follow the "big" calls. Throughout high school I had one "little" call after another. In 9th grade my Mamma informed me that I needed to find time at some point during high school to do some mission work. My wonderful Godly Mother was thinking somewhere like Tennessee or Flordia you know something not too far. At the time I was playing 3 sports and time was what I did not have, especially in the summer. But luckly for my Mamma, soon after she made her request our Church's first mission team to Costa Rica began to form. Well as a somewhat selfish and thrill seeking 9th grade I decided that I would indeed "sacrifice" and go to the poor people of Costa Rica with my friends. My parents got over the shock and let me go. It was on that trip to Costa Rica that my eyes were opened to the life of missions and I felt right at home. I had seen the suffering in the US and was aware of many of the issues but the life and work of a missionary was very new to me.

Thoughout high school I went back to Costa Rica every chance I got as well as several places in the US. I fell in love with meeting new people and discovering the faithful God they knew. Even through all these trips I knew that it was not to my friends in Costa Rica that I was called. I knew that I was called to serve but the who and the where had not yet been revield. My Senior year I recieved a "big" call from God. It was to give up soccer. This is indeed a story of its own but I did quit soccer. It was one of the hardest decisions that I have ever made. That one act of obiedience spiriled into a series of callings. Because I quit I was able to go to an HIV/AIDS confrence in Chicago where I was called to go to Africa. I did not know when or really where but I knew that at some point in my life I would go. From there I went to Asbury and joined Acting on Aids(AoA) where because on connections I had from the confrence and my work in high school became a member of the leadership early my freshmen year. Then because on my involvement in AoA God opened the door for my to lobby in DC against the war in Norther Uganda. It was there that I kept hearing about the need for mental health perfessionals Africa because of the horrific effects of war, poverty, and abuse. It was then that the Lord confirmed my call to major in Psychology and later Social Work. And finally the Lord opened the door for not only me but also both my parents to go the Uganda last January. The trip was incredible and from that He gave my parents peace about my call and me confirmation that I need to spend more time in Africa. So that is where I am now going with ya'll to spend more time in Africa. I still can not say that I am called to be in Africa full time but I can say that this is the next "little" call that could be in a series leading up to a " Big" one or as we say in the south a big'un!

Sorry for the length, I am so excited to meet all of you VERY soon!!!

Expectations of My Trip

Sun, 17 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

(A sunset picture I took in Ecuador)

The start of this trip is just around the corner and I am overly excited for what is about to happen is all of our lives. I am not one to expect much and I really do not like expectations, they can skew your view of something before it has even happened. However, I do expect God is going to change our lives during our time together. Personally, I know that God is working very hard on my life. but He and I know that this trip is going to be a great time for us to be together. I really have few other expectations from this trip, I am just ready for God to take me on a journey that will serve Him and show his grace to the people of Swaziland. I can not wait to meet this whole team, to learn and build life long relationships with each one of yall. This trip is going to be epic, if I must say! See yall in a short while!

Baggage Regulations

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Many of you have been asking about luggage regulations for travel. For your flight to Swaziland from Atlanta, the regulations are 2 checked bags, not weighing more than 50 pounds each. If you go over the limit, you will be responsible for the excess charges. Please weigh your bags before leaving home and make sure they are not over the limit.

For those who were ticketed later than April 29, there are stiffer regulations. You are allowed only one bag and an extra bag will cost you $50 in each direction. The only one this effects is Mary Grace Rumford (sorry about that).

Also, you need to check with your airline for your domestic flight to Atlanta when you come for training camp. Many airlines only allow 1 bag for their domestic flights. The excess charges can sometimes be a little steep. Those charges are not reimbursable

Reimbursements General Facts

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Once your entire trip and airfare is paid for, you may submit your additional trip
expenses to us for reimbursement from your account. The allowable reimbursements
are those expenses which you incur as a direct result of your participation on this trip.
The IRS limits us on what can be reimbursed - things they consider direct expenses for
this trip.

The items you can submit for reimbursement are:
Airfare tickets
Medical insurance
Shots needed only for this trip
Passport and Visa expenses for this trip only

To be reimbursed for these expenses, you MUST submit your receipts to us prior to
training camp. The original receipt is the only form we can accept. WE CANNOT
ACCEPT CHARGE CARD STATEMENTS OR A COPY OF A CHECK.

We will process those receipts and reimburse you only if you have the amount to cover
the cost in your support account. We will provide a partial reimbursement if the funds
left in your support account do not cover the entire receipt after your trip is complete. We process reimbursements:
After you leave on your trip
Mid-Way through the trip
Upon completion of the trip

Sometimes in the summer months it is difficult to keep up with the demand of
reimbursements. Plan on your reimbursement check taking about a month to process
from leaving on your trip to a month after the completion of your trip.

Any additional money which comes in after your trip is complete will go toward covering
any trip deficit you may have, but cannot be used for reimbursement of expenses.

When submitting receipts to us, please fill out the reimbursement form that you can find
from your Account page.

Again, ALL REIMBURSEMENT REQUESTS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO US PRIOR TO YOU GOING OUT.

Directions to Airport and Gainesville

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Directions to the Atlanta Airport :
MEETING AT THE AIRPORT: When you fly into the airport you are to meet in the Atrium, located right outside security. It is a huge gathering room with lots of sofas, food court etc. We will be there to meet you . Look for us in our Aim t-shirts and big smiles :) .

Directions to Adventures In Missions Gainesville, Georgia

From Atlanta, Hartsfield Atlanta Airport and the South:

Take the Connector (I-75/I-85) northbound until the two interstates split just north of Midtown. Though I-85 heads northeast and would appear to split off to the right, be cautioned: I-85 is a left exit and only the left three lanes will take you there safely! Stay northbound on I-85. You willl pass under the Perimeter (I-285) at Spaghetti Junction. Continue northward on I-85 until you reach exit 113, which is the beginning of I-985. Take I-985 (also a left exit) northbound for 24 miles until you reach exit 24. Exit there. Take a left at the end of the exit ramp, towards downtown Gainesville. You are on U.S. Hwy 129. It takes just under an hour from downtown to get to this point.

Continue north on Hwy 129 (you will turn right about a mile from the interstate and another right at a T in the road). You will cross over Lake Lanier at two points: the Chattahoochee River fork and the Little River fork. A few miles beyond the second bridge you will come to a traffic light. You will take a right at the light onto Nopone Road . Follow Nopone for 1 mile to Bogus Road ; turn left onto Bogus. You will see our sign about a mile in on the left hand side (but you won't see a building). Turn left into our driveway and you will come to our building.

From Greenville/Charlotte and the Eastern Seaboard:

Take I-85 southbound from Greenville/Spartanburg until you cross the Georgia state line at Hartwell Lake. Continue southward until you reach exit 137 ( Gainesville/ Jefferson). Exit there, turning right at the end of the ramp, towards Gainesville. You are on U.S. Hwy 129. Travel for about 17 miles until you cross over I-985, then follow the instructions in the second paragraph above.

From Chattanooga/Nashville and the Midwest or Appalachia:

Take I-75 (or I-24) southbound from Chattanooga until you cross the Georgia state line. Continue southward on I-75 until you reach exit 312, which is State Hwy 53. Go east on 53, being careful to stay on 53 as it goes through some small towns and makes a few turns. After going through the town of Dawsonville you will come to a major intersection with GA 400. Go north (left) on 400 to the very next traffic light and turn right on Harmony Church Rd. You will come to a stop sign a the jct. of 136 ( Price Rd. ). Turn right on 136. Travel on 136 for about 10 miles and it will end at Rt. 60. Make a right on 60 ( Thompson Br. Rd. ) and then a left at the very next light which is 283 ( Mt. Vernon Rd. ). Take 283 to the first stop sign and turn right on Jim Hood Rd. After a few miles you will come to a light - US 129. Go straight and the road becomes Nopone Rd. Go about a mile and turn left at the top of a hill on Bogus Rd. Go a mile on Bogus and you will see the sign for Adventures in Missions on the left. Turn there and follow the road to the end and you have arrived. Note: This is a 2 lane, windy road and is about 80 miles across, taking about 2 hours from the I-75 exit.

Alternate Route via interstate. Take I-75 south to I-285 and go east on I-285 to I-85. Go north on I-85 to exit 113, I-985. Take I-985 north to exit 24, US 129. You can then follow the directions above in coming from Atlanta. Note: This way is much longer mileage wise and sometimes much longer time wise, depending on the time of day and the Atlanta area traffic. But it's all interstate until you get to 129 (the last 10 miles).

Mary Grace Rumford

Thu, 7 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey Guys & Gals,

So yes I am on the team not just a random name that showed up on the web page. My name is Mary Grace and I am so excited to be able to be on this team and have this incredible experience this summer.

My home is in Macon, Ga and I have just finished my junior year at Asbury College in Kentucky where I am studying psychology and social work. I love my school and the ability to follow God's call to work with victims and those who have been marginalized.

I have an incredible family who support me in everyway. I am the youngest with 3 older brothers. They are all married and have given me the 3 best older sisters a girl could ask for. I also have 2 nieces who are the loves of my life. My dad runs a children's home in Ga that has greatly affected me as I have grown up.

I love to laugh and to try new things. I played lots of sport in high school and love to pretend like I am still athletic! Most of all I love people and the chance to walk along side of them even if it for only a little while. I started going on mission trips in 9th grade where the Lord put an undeniable love in my heart. I have never been on a trip or team like this and am so excited about this adventure. I have no idea what the Lord has up his sleeve but I know it is going to be a great ride no matter what!

How I was called to the Mission field

Wed, 6 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How I was called to the mission field - well that has been a roller coaster road over the last year and a half. Before I start Ill let you know I have spent most of the last year and a half fighting this call to do missions full time. I have fought due to my fear of not being good enough, my inability to trust the Lord to fully provide and my own pride in wanting to have something to show for. Just recently I have been able to rebuke these lies and declare with full confidence in the Lord that He has called me to full time missions.

With that said, last December 07 I went on my first mission trip to El Salvador. I was there for 3 weeks working in an orphanage, doing manual labor and playing with children. The Lord broke my heart and broke down my fears. To fully explain this you must first know that I have/had a serious fear of sticky hands, mainly on small children. Now this is truly a fear - I get really nervous because its sticky, and they don't really know what they are doing, and you can't really control what they are going to do with them. Its a serious fear. So I have stuck to older children all my life until I was in El Salvador. Hector and Christopher took my heart. The Lord placed a desire on my heart to let these children, any children that I get the opportunity to see know how much they are loved.

I knew that the Lord wanted me to missions full times, but my mind was filled with excuses, inabilty to raise funds, my parents wanting me to get a real job, and anything else I could come up with. I prayed with a friend about doing missions that summer, and within 2 days both of my parents were on board and supportive of me doing missions with my summer. Praise the Lord!

While I was in Kentucky this summer leading mission trips the Lord placed the desire on my heart to do medical missions, and do them in Swaziland. I knew that the Lord would call me to Swaziland one day, but had no idea how or when. At the end of the summer I went to visit a friend and was able to start a conversation about doing medical missions and the first country that came up was Swaziland! Since that day in August the Lord has continually confirmed my calling to be in Swaziland including once again, my parents suggestion to be there for the entire summer this summer. The Lord has continually brought people into my life to support, encourage and to be a part of the vision that He has for Swaziland! The Lord is good, and I am so excited for the plans that the Lord has, and I am ready to serve Him with my life.

Journey Reminder

Mon, 4 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Have you started your Journey?

If not, do so today!

Final Paper Work Due in 1 Week

Mon, 4 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

PAPERWORK - Check on your Account page and see if you have all your paperwork marked as being in. If NOT, then read the next paragraph.

In one week ALL your paperwork is due in the office. If you do not have your physical scheduled, then do that TODAY! If you have not looked into securing insurance, then do that TODAY! You cannot put this off any longer. To process all the papers and get you ready to go out is a BIG job and we NEED your paperwork!!!! You will NOT be able to go on this trip unless it is all turned in

50% Goal is Past

Mon, 4 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

50% Goal is Past!

If you do not have this much in your account, you must call in and talk to someone in the Admissions Department. The number to call is: 877-811-0210

We are praying that God provides all you need this week! Remember, we are here to talk and pray with you - call us anytime.

Change in Return Date

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We are making a change in the day you can return home after the trip. We will not be doing a final debrief in Atlanta with everyone, so you are free to fly out as soon as you can after arriving back at the Atlanta airport. It is important that you leave enough time between your arrival in Atlanta and your connection home. Make sure that your connection home leaves at least 4 hours after your international arrival into Atlanta.

If you cannot secure a flight for that day or you already have a flight secured for the following day, we will put you up in a hotel for the night. If you have an flight and can get it changed without cost, please do that as well. Your flight is scheduled to come in to Atlanta at 7:20 AM on July 28, 2009.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call us at 877-811-0210. Thank you for your flexibility with this.

Flight Itinerary

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This is your flight information. Be sure to pass this on to your parents so they will be informed!

If you have questions about luggage (what type and how much it can weigh), please contact your airline, because each airline is different in their policies. If you have questions about what to pack, refer to your handbook.

Here is your flight itinerary

Airline Departure Arrival

DL 200 - Atlanta to JoBurg	Delta	3-Jun	10:05 PM	4-Jun	7:10 PM
DL 201 - Joburg to Atlanta	Delta	27-Jul	9:05 PM	28-Jul	7:20 AM

You will need to depart Atlanta sometime on July 28th after 11:30 AM. If you already have a ticket for July 29th, we will put you up in a hotel for the night.

Directions to Airport and Gainesville

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Directions to Adventures In Missions Gainesville, Georgia

From Atlanta, Hartsfield Atlanta Airport and the South:

From Greenville/Charlotte and the Eastern Seaboard:

From Chattanooga/Nashville and the Midwest or Appalachia: