This is a MODERATED Forum. Your post may have to be approved before it is posted. In order to post a new topic, you must be registered and logged in. The links to register or log in are at the bottom of any page on this website. Although we often allow controversial topics to be posted, we urge you to follow the spirit of Matthew 5:23-25, Matthew 18:15-22, and Ephesians 4:29-32. We reserve the right to remove posts we feel are offensive.
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
| Author |
| |
Messages |
Sort: |
|
| Virginia Guevara (guest) |
|
Posted:01/16/2007 10:04 PM |
|
Have you ever felt called to step out and serve in a life-changing way? Have you ever had the call of Africa on your heart? If you’re reading this, my guess is that the Lord has already placed the desire in your heart, but you simply haven’t had a way to get connected.
I’ve been fortunate to go and serve in South Africa for the past 3 summers. Each time, a part of my heart has remained there. I frequently have days when the Lord brings back memories of what I saw, who we met, how it felt to be there, and he reminds me how meaningful it’s been to serve in such an awesome way --- in a place that so desperately needs help.
Last summer, we went to a children’s orphanage where we helped build a girls dormitory, extend their school and church buildings and participate in the sponsorship of a wonderful couple and their "family" of orphans.
This July, please consider volunteering with a small group traveling back to Swaziland to support the orphanage and the surrounding community. We will be working on their facility so they can continue to take in children who are either orphaned, abused or neglected, or kids who don’t have family to care for them due to poverty and illness.
A couple of key things regarding this mission trip. The trip is 10 days (July 18 - July 28). The cost to participate is about $3500.00 (which includes your expenses - airfare, meals, hotel, transportation, safari excursion, etc.) As a group, we will try to do some fund raising and we’ll look for other ways to help raise support.
When I first made the commitment to take this mission trip a few years ago, I knew that God had big plans for my life – and he has big plans for you, too. All he’s waiting on is for you to take the first step of faith to pursue what he has in store for you.
After we returned from Swaziland last summer, I remember hearing my husband describe his experience to some of our friends. The one thing that stood out the most for me is when he said, “I went to Africa to work and serve, to be a blessing to those at the orphanage, to help make an impact and a difference in their lives. What I didn’t expect is that the exact opposite happened. I was the one who had the most impactful experience of my life! What a blessing all the people were and what a difference it made on my life. I can honestly say that I’m a changed person.”
In closing, I mentioned earlier that a part of my heart remained in Africa. But, the more important thing is that Africa will always remain in MY heart. Every person should experience this type of life changing event - you will never be the same.
Please feel free to look at the Heart For Africa website -- www.heartforafrica.org You can see pictures, read testimonials, and review the FAQs which will give you more info on their programs. What you will see is mostly information on the "Garden" projects, but what we will work on is their "orphanage" projects or H.O.P.E. trips. (I do not work for their organization; I'm just an active volunteer who wants to help :-)
If you are interested, please contact me and I can give you more information. I'm hoping to get a group of 20-30 volunteers to go this summer and I’m hoping for people (men and women) of all ages and with all kinds of skills and backgrounds. In the next few weeks, we will be coordinating a kick-off meeting at BRCC to start the plans in motion. Hope to see you there.
Contact info:
Virginia Guevara, phone: 210-240-7010, email: virginia_vbg@yahoo.com -- website: www.heartforafrica.org
|
|
| Virginia Guevara (guest) |
|
Posted:01/23/2007 7:34 AM |
|
Hi again...
Just wanted to let you know that we will have an informational meeting at BRCC on Jan 31st @ 6pm in PL5. A posting will be in this week's bulletin.
Hope to see you there.
|
|
|
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
ActiveForums 3.0
|
|