5 countries in 12 days tour- USA, England, South Africa, Kenya, France

Back home, WOW!!!

Happy to report that all 20 team members of our College Mission Trip to Kenya are back in the USA.  So many wanted to stay and if we had known what a difficult time we would have getting back we might have.

The team was an absolute JOY to lead.  The 17 university students were a delight and incredibly flexible.  Without complaining, no, with laughter and humor they endure a travel schedule that was insane!!  The 4 team leaders, Annie Coppedge, Alan Newsome, Brad Gorski and I were constantly overwhelmed with how well they took abrupt changes, disappointments and no luggage.  WE shared so much, SO MUCH, as a team, and are bonded FOREVER through the challenges and the goodness.

Yes, we are tired, sick, and weary.  Our team is returning to jobs, family, jury duty and college classes, but what God blessed us with is more, so much more, to overcome any weariness we are feeling.  As we process all that He gave us, we are constantly amazed at His provision of strength, patience, joy and love.

This mission trip experience revealed a LOVE that is indescribable. PATIENCE, during the travel, manifested when we all believed we had no more strength in hearing ‘I am sorry but…’ .  GRACE blanketed us when we were pushed beyond our human limits. JOY, a joy, that is not tied to circumstances under girded us to maintain our compassion and commitment to love as Christ loves us.

We were blessed to have been God’s instruments of HIS infinite love and compassion.  WE are grateful to have been able to GO- to shine, to love and to receive.  How grateful we are to be home- how grateful we are to have seen.

We are holding onto 2 quotes that were shared, “Sometimes statistics needs a face“  by Shane Claiborne and “Now that I have seen, I am responsible…“  from Albertine by Brooke Fraser.

NOW we have seen, and met, and know, the story behind the statistic of an AIDS orphan, a team leader named Phoebe, a village turning to the LORD to pull together to make life better for their children and family and so much more… now we are responsible.  The statistics we just read or hear about have a face, and a name and a heart.  Therefore, we are responsible for having seen, and met, and held and given a piece of our heart to.  WE are responsible to pray, love, give, and GO!  We continue to ask God to help us process and put into ACTION whatever He calls us to do now.

We thank you for praying for us and now we ask that we all continue to pray together and seek God’s direction in how HE wants us to continue to pray, give and/or go.

With a JOY that knows no bounds,

gaylyn

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Here are a few photos from the trip.  Many more coming soon…




Live it Live! Curriculum

Due to the current financial situation we are facing here at Mt. Bethel UMC, MB Media and support staff, along with God’s blessing, have decided not to air “Live It Live!” for the last quarter of 2008. The media buy costs will be put to other areas in need as the church sees fit.  We will evaluate a return to air in January 2009. I want to thank iON Media and their staff for their professionalism and understanding as we move forward. I also want to thank the entire MB Media team for working tirelessly over the last two years to bring God’s word to so many in the southeast region.

However, when God closes one door He always opens another. “Live It Live!” worship service and the weekly taping of it will continue as we begin creating an “All New “Live It Live!” Children’s Curriculum.” Randy Mickler delivered the first sample DVD curriculum to the top 100 largest churches in America last week during a large church conference at Château Elan’.

In addition, MB Media will be attending Children’s Pastors Conference in January 2009 to showcase our curriculum in full bloom! Thank you to all that have made “Live It Live!” what it is today as we look forward to growing God’s Kingdom for all children! For updates please visit www.liveitlive.net.

Alan