Meet the Team!

I would like you to meet the eight amazing people going to Africa with me in September:

 Josh (Connecticut) has a teachable heart and a mentor's spirit. His sincerity is best demonstrated by the way he communicates with children. He is a gentle giant: strong and dependable, yet tenderly understanding. His listening ear has earned him the position of unofficial psychiatrist. Josh is a Bethany night-guard and a member of the lawn crew.

Tim (Minnesota) is a natural leader. His heart and mind are steady and attentive to the Word and the Spirit. His sobriety does not deter him from exuberant joyfulness; instead, they serve to highlight each other. Tim worked in the Bethany kitchen and now serves as a student-mentor.

Alan (North Dakota) is a thinker. He tests all things for theological and historical accuracy and likes to be prepared. He also has a sensitivity that few take time to see. He is willing and eager to use his gifts to glorify the Lord and edify others. Alan works in the Bethany Prayer Room and is enrolled in the Montessori teacher training program.

Carrie (Ohio)is an encourager. She doesn't just call out a person's qualities; she draws them out. She expresses genuine interest in people by taking time to listen. Her love and communication with God is tangible and unbeguiling. Carrie works in the Bethany kitchen.

Kayla (Alberta, CAN) has the heart of God. Her voice swells with compassion and conviction as she speaks truth to her sisters. She is grieved most when people cannot see their own value and identity in Christ. Kayla worked with me in the Student Resource Center last year and is currently a student-mentor.

KJ (Michigan) is a challenger. She calls others to analyze themselves and their motives. Her heart overflows with affection and loves even when it's hard. She builds others up with simple gestures of kindness. KJ works in the Bethany kitchen.

 

Cheyanne (Texas) is a prayer warrior. She possesses an unbridled passion to see His kingdom come. Her love of culture and interest in language makes her a versatile asset to God's mission force. Cheyanne was my roommate last year. She works on the cleaning crew and is enrolled in the Montessori teacher training program.

Andria is a solid rock. She keeps others firmly grounded while allowing the Holy Spirit to move. She approaches new things slowly and objectively, testing them carefully. She is intimately aware of the power of God and the power of His love. Andria is the maintenance secretary at Bethany.

     We're a motley crew, but decidedly complementary. Our first unofficial team meeting was a planning meeting for the first official one. After Tim opened us in prayer, it took us about thirty seconds to schedule a meeting that fit into all eight of our schedules. Praise the Lord! I'm excited to see the team chemistry already at work and look forward to growing closer as a team in the coming months.

     Please pray for us. Team placements are subject to change, depending on several factors. We hope and trust that those changes will be few and for the better. Also pray that we would embrace the culture. Each of our personalities contain traits that may conflict with the African way of life. One of mine is punctuality. As they say, "In America, you have clocks. In Africa, we have time."