My Time in El Paso, Texas :)

I've spent the last 5 days here in El Paso training for my summer in Africa... What an incredible time! Though the days have been long and draining, they've been full of information to guide us through the summer. We've worked with our groups teambuilding, looking at our personality strengths, in wellness seminars, and in deep, intense worship together. We've learned how to take care of ourselves abroad, how to present our testimony, lead VBS, lead a Bible study, and communicate with our teammates. The incredible staff here have poured their hearts into our experience!
One of the biggest blessings has been our team leader Heather Eby. Her father is the site coordinator & a missionary to Senegal, so she has spent years in the areas we'll be visiting. Her cultural advice, encouragement, and enthusiasm is so helpful. We also received a tenative itenerary, including the Jesus Film, soccer camps, youth camp, HIV/AIDS awareness, visiting an orphanage, and much, much more.
A second huge blessing are my teammates!! I love them so much already. I have so much confidence in our abilities as a team and with God's help. Today we had the opportunity to go into the community and worship with any body of people we'd like. My teammates and I chose to take a few public buses (nothing like Mexio buses!) to the Islamic Center of El Paso. A kind man talked with us for over an hour about the beliefs of the Islamic community. The information will be wonderful, as Cote d'Ivoire is 84% Muslim. It was a great chance to be on our own as a team and work together. We know the journey will be incredible!
Tomorrow I leave from El Paso at 11 AM for Atlanta. After Atlanta, I'll fly through the night to Paris, France! [an 8.5 hour flight] We'll spend 2 hours in Paris, then take another 6.5 hour flight to Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire... I can't believe it is finnnallly here!!!

Only 6 Days Away!

The packing has begun & the countdown is on... In 6 days (May 26) I'll fly to El Paso, Texas to join with my team and all of the other students preparing to part ways and spend our summers in all corners of the world! Each of us has come from different paths and callings to meet through Youth in Missions, but we all have the single goal of glorifying God through our experiences this summer. We will train together for 5 days in Texas, receive flight information on Sunday, May 30, and begin our travels on Monday, May 31!

My team consists of myself, Sarah, Logan, and Jordan, all students from Nazarene colleges around the country. We're heading to Cote d'Ivoire with the advice - be flexible! A little unnerving... but we've raised money, learned a little French, got vaccinations, prayed, packed (sort of!), and put this trip in God's hands.

Our contact from the Ivory Coast, Pastor Tim Elby, says we are the first missions team to come in 10 years since the war broke out, and that the local church is excited to receive us! Most of our time in Cote d'Ivoire will be spent in the city of Abidjan. Tim says, "The city is right on the coast with high rise buildings, modern roads and infrastructure, beautiful beaches, and even a small mall." May-July are Cote d'Ivoire's rainy months, so it will be a hot & humid summer! My teammates and I will stay in a small apartment during our time in Abidjan, and our host will be Reverend Djedje Yao Clement. The other portion of our time will be spent in the country's central district with Reverend Prao Kouakou. During our time in Africa, we'll be working in children ministries, youth events, outreach activities, and compassionate projects.

Thank you for your prayers as I make the final preparations for this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Love,

Paige