Sunday, September 4, 2011

Go Conference

Recap of go conference


This story will summarize the last two action packed weeks starting from the last weekend in Charlotte to the end in Penang, Malaysia.  There was so much excitement I hope you’re ready for a fun ride on my journey to Malaysia.


            From the get go Sunday was packed with 2 Commissioning Services, a Send-Off Party, and flight out of town.  Thank you all who came out to support my ministry.  During my last weekend in Charlotte a friend, Raphael Winter, titled and filmed “The Greatest Weekend Ever”.  The video includes many interviews from friends and family, action scenes, and so much more.  This will probably be coming to you soon via you tube for your viewing pleasure.  The whole weekend was jammed full of exciting new experiences with my friends and family members. 


            After the send-off party I grabbed my bags and headed to the airport.  I believe my parents struggled to see me go but I was so excited, I could wait.  I’m still pumping adrenaline as I learn to embrace every moment and learn a great deal from these new experiences that I’m encountering with basically every breath.  I arrived in Holland after a long couple of flights without rest.


            1st day, I arrived early about 6am their time and decided I’d avoid the jetlag by not sleeping.  It worked too! =)  Right after arriving at the conference I immediately embraced the culture by playing with the kiddos on the playground before running off with some others to the pitch for a good futbol match in the rain.  This quickly turned into a mud wrestling match as we began to get to know each other.  Drenched in water and mud and without sleep or a change of clothes I began to truly feel out my 1st cross-cultural experience, (luggage lost in transition).
            It’s difficult to recap everything but to highlight a few things roommates, scenerios, and more.
            It all started with my roommates!  I had a wonderful group of guys, (no snorers).  We seemed to mesh very well together.  Later in the conference we found out why… we all took a personality survey.  We all scored high in the same category, “Harmonizer”, which basically meant we were all people pleasers.  We were all from different parts of the world too, Austria, Hungary, Germany, Tia Won, and the Netherlands.  This just goes to show how God works. 
He has continually blessed me over these past few years and will continue to so, if…
James 4:7,8, Submit yourself to God and resist the devil and will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. 
            “OM Opoly”, was done with our fellowship group, (group made of the same sex and nationality).  In the groups we ran around with a group of 9 guys amongst 300 other OMers.  The groups ran around doing events, examples, and demonstration of a Biblical story with all members of group included.  We did the last supper as I broke a banana representing the breaking of the bread and kidnapping a hostage and holding them ransom, another group had to was our feet.  They had several different stations set up to work through, spiritual, emotional, action, and many more that allowed us to bond together while having a good time. 


            Mission Possible was a great interactive scenario that prepares us for travel through immigration, customs, and security.  This scenario was done with our discovery groups, (group of people doing the same ministry as you).  The first step was receiving our visas to do our missions work; then tickets, customs, immigration, and lastly doing some relational missions work.  We had to diplomatically explain why we were traveling without giving away that our trip was for missions.  This allowed us to be prepared and to think ahead of questions that may be asked in the future when traveling. 



          I am now safely in Penang, Malaysia after 30 hours of travel and little sleep. 



Please pray for spiritual guidance, openness, and a servant’s heart
Praise, I was able to strengthen my love for prayer and reading Bible scripture.