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!!!
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