Look Out Peru...we are on fire for God and coming your way

I'm exhausted.  My legs are sore, my eyes stay open from sheer need to remain awake, and I hear video-game style music playing over and over in my head.  Today was a very long day...and it's not over yet.  This morning, we had to eat breakfast at 7, meet with our team (GO TEAM 1!) at 8, and be ready for drama practice at 9.  Since then, I've had two 20 minute breaks and an hour lunch break.  But I'm not complaining because I'm having so much fun!  I've met so many amazing new people who are on fire for the Lord!  (Our team is so lively and amazing!)

Today, the funniest thing happened.  Okay, so to start this story, picture a big room.  Now picture it cut in thirds.  Each third is marked off as a "stage" for each of the three teams.  Each team practices the drama at the same time on their different "stages" (actually large rectangles marked off with tape).  As an exercise, the director had us perform the drama talking "in character".  Normally, the drama has no dialogue.  Since our team is so talkative, lively, and outright funny, it quickly turned into a screaming match.  Characters would scream out something funny that had to do with what was happening.  It was absolutely hysterical and everyone was laughing.

I've learned so much more about God in the last couple of days.  I learned that I need to be closer to Him (don't we all, though?).  I've ever really been close to him because I just...didn't know how, I guess.  But now I'm really working at it.  I met this amazing girl named Laurel.  She is such an amazing role model.  I talked to her for a while a few days ago and I realized that I want a relationship with God as strong as she does.  Already, this trip has changed my life.

I have to be honest, before now I was terrified to go to Peru.  I love traveling, but there was so much to worry about.  What about _____?  What about __________?  What about _________________?  I let my anxiety get the better of me.  God has completely turned around my attitude and given me a peace about it.  Whatever happens is in His hands.

The 2017 Never the Same Missions group is going to do amazing things in the next couple of weeks, guys.  Seriously.  Look out Peru...because we are on fire for God and coming your way.

-Megan

Training + Drama Practice

I am writing this post as I sit and watch drama practice.  It has been a busy few days.  Saturday and Sunday involved leader training for me and mostly free time for Megan and Savannah.  Leader training included spiritually challenging talks, practical guidelines for interacting with students and keeping them safe, clarification of responsibilities, and a balloon art workshop.  The girls enjoyed playing games and getting to know other team members while I was in meetings.  On Sunday afternoon, we had some free time to take a trolley to the beach.

Yesterday, our day was spent welcoming students as they arrived in Ft. Lauderdale.  We enjoyed having some time to get to know the wonderful people who are on this trip with us.  Last night, the mission trip officially began with our first FUAGNEM, our nightly worship and teaching time.  The acronym stands for "Fired Up And Going Nuts Every Minute".  The music and message by Susie Shellenberger were very impactful.  After some time with our team (one of three ministry teams), auditions were held for the drama.  (Yes, it was quite a late night.) Before we were sent to bed, the parts were announced.  Megan will be playing the part of a baseball player, believe it or not; and Savannah will be playing a mime.  After "tucking in" a few girls on our team, I joined Megan and Savannah in our room, where we all went right to sleep.

Today, Megan and Savannah have been working with the rest of the cast to learn the drama, called "Spellbound".  It has been a lot of work and a lot of fun.  I have been watching most of this process, and it has been incredible to see how quickly it is coming together.

Before closing, I want to say that this trip is one of the most positive experiences that I have been involved in...for students and adults alike.  So far, everything about it has been amazing...And we have not even left the U.S yet.  I am so excited to see what God will do in us and through us in the next 12 days!  We are very thankful to be here!

-Mindy

The Training Has Begun

Hello... It's Savannah. And it's my turn to update you on what's going on.

The last couple days, we have enjoyed visiting Mom's college friend and her family! Thank you so much for your hospitality! Also, we were able to meet our sweet cousins for lunch (who are letting us leave our car at their house during the trip, took us to the hotel, and are picking us up from the airport upon our return). We are so thankful for everything you are doing for us!

Today, we arrived at Embassy Suites in Fort Lauderdale (picture below). I cannot believe that after all this planning and preparation, we are finally here. We are actually going to Peru! Our team greeted us in Big World Ventures' conference room (there was cheering involved), where we recieved our t-shirts, name tags, room keys, and schedules.

After crashing and getting settled in the room, we headed down to the lobby to talk to some of the people traveling with us. While there, we met the lovely Susie Shellenberger, our guest speaker for the trip. Then, we headed off to dinner at Panera Bread, just a short walk from our hotel. Tonight, Mom has leader training at 7:30.

What a day it has been. The trip is finally here! It's almost surreal... It's also a little scary. There are so many new people to meet and get to know on my team. I don't know what to expect from training. I don't know how the Peruvian people are going to react to the drama and our ministry. I also read that we are going to be going door-to-door to invite people to watch our drama. But, I realized something today. There are going to be many times on this trip where I am uncomfortable and unsure and nervous. But, how would I ever learn to trust God if I always stayed in my comfort zone?  I wouldn't. When could God work through me if I spent my whole summer sitting in my nice, comfortable Florida town with friends I've known forever, only doing things that I am 100% okay with? The answer is never. So, no matter how uncomfortable I am, God has a plan. I have no doubt he is going to work amazing things through this trip and every person on it -- especially during the awkward and uncomfortable moments. 

On Our Way Towards Peru...via the Beach

Hello, everyone!  It's Megan reporting from the Turnpike.  Don't worry, I'm not the one driving.

It took a lot to get this far, let me tell you. Packing is never fun.  Packing a suitcase for a mission trip and keeping it under 40 pounds is insanity.  It's winter in Peru, so we had to pack warmer clothes.  Also, we had to pack peanut butter for sandwiches, costumes for the drama, and other things for the Peruvian children.  This took weeks to gather and an entire day to put into suitcases.  But we did it!

Yesterday morning, we woke up early (eww) and went to the dentist, then we headed to West Palm Beach to see Mom's childhood best friend (who is super amazing).  We went out to dinner at this neat restaurant called Old Key Lime House.  Supposedly, it's the oldest waterfront restaurant in Florida.  It doesn't look very old because the outside is lime green.  Then, we played our favorite game, Dutch Blitz.  If you don't know what this game is, do yourself a favor and check it out.  Savannah and Mom's friend crushed Mom and I.  We may or may not have gone to bed very late.

I woke up this morning at 10:40 (oops).  Mom, Savannah, and I went to the beach for a couple of hours.  We walked along the water and collected shells, then Savannah and Mom built a sandcastle.

Now we're headed to Ft. Lauderdale to eat (obviously most important. Lol.) and spend the night with Mom's college friend.

-Megan

This Mission Trip is a Miracle

When we felt God’s call to sign up for this mission trip to Peru back in March, we knew it was a God-sized venture.  Raising about $9,000.00 in 2 months was something that we could not do on our own.  I remember Savannah reminding us: “If God wants us to go on this trip, He will provide the money.”  Sure enough, God had it under control.  We have been amazed and overwhelmed by the generosity of our friends and family and how God has joined gifts and money from various places to provide every penny that we need for the trip.  We are very grateful to the Lord, all of you who have been praying, and those who donated money to make this trip possible.  It really is a miracle!

In addition to fundraising, we have been busy making other preparations.  We are working on gathering items on a lengthy packing list.  (We even have to take peanut butter and jelly for our lunches.)  We just received the girls’ costume assignments for the drama production.  Megan has to bring a princess costume, and Savannah has to bring a mime costume.  (Let me just say that Megan’s assignment is more challenging than Savannah's.)  We will be shopping on Wednesday and Thursday this coming week, so we would appreciate your prayers that we will find the things that we need, efficiently and at good prices.  Yesterday, I purchased international travel health insurance for the three of us, in case we have any medical issues while we are out of the country.  God even provided a donation that I used to cover the cost. We are also looking for some things online to take to the children in Peru.  Of course, everything has to be small and light, so that they will be easy to pack in our one suitcase each.  The most important thing that we are doing to prepare for our trip is praying for God to prepare the hearts of everyone going on the trip and of the people whom we will serve in Peru.

It is hard to believe that we will be leaving home in less than 3 weeks.  From June 20 to June 24, we will be visiting a few people in South Florida.  From June 24 to June 26, we will meet in Ft. Lauderdale for leadership training.  Megan and Savannah will be able to have fun at the hotel while I am in training during these days.  All of the teens arrive on June 26 for training and drama practice.  On June 29 at 5:07pm, we will fly almost 6 hours from Ft. Lauderdale to Lima, Peru, arriving at 9:49pm.  On July 8 at 10:50pm, we will fly from Lima to Ft. Lauderdale, arriving at 5:43am on June 9 (ugh!).  We are getting more and more excited each day!

-Mindy