Adventure with Arbo: Exploring South Africa
See the beauty of South Africa- its people. From countryside to suburban neighborhoods, Matt takes you across this amazing country.
Radiate: Cleaning House
As the apprentices were putting together our outreach for this past Friday, they decided we were all going to be a blessing to Greg and Christa Baca. We wanted to serve the very people who have served and sacrificed so much for us and the Go family. So we packed up, headed out, and arrived at our Director’s house to clean, clean, clean. We all jumped right in- dusting, sweeping, cleaning counters, and doing some yard work that the boys facilitated. We had a lot of fun talking and enjoying each other’s company while being a blessing. To end the afternoon we all had coffee together and spent a little time with the wonderful people that pour so much of their lives into ours!
Written by Hilary Patrick
Go Geographic: Cambodia Initiative
This summer, GO International is taking a group overseas on an 18 and older mission trip to Cambodia. Although we have several different initiatives taking place while in the country, I want to highlight a particular project we’ll be doing with an orphanage based in the village of Kampong Thom. They have the capacity to house 80 children, but they currently don’t have the resources to feed that many. Usually, orphanages operate off of a monthly sponsorship program. Although sponsorship is helpful, supplying them with the means to provide for themselves would be much more effective. That’s why this summer Go International will be purchasing a farm on a 120-parcel plot of land right next to their housing complex. This farm will consist of chickens, quails, fish and mushrooms. This vital project will also lower the monthly sponsorship rate, making it much easier to have financial support.
The Math.
-On average, sponsoring an orphan for one month costs $40.
-This would make the yearly figure approximately $480.
-If the entire orphanage had sponsorship for 80 children from birth to the age of 18 that staggering cost would amount to $691,200.
The Solution.
The cost of the farm is only $12,000.
$12,000 is certainly much cheaper than $691,200.
Together, by building this farm, we provide 3 meals a day for 80 orphans at a fraction of the sponsorship cost. This farm will also be a source of revenue, resulting in it being self-funded. With a gift of $100, you can sponsor one of the land parcels and be a part of the solution by providing a way for an orphan to have shelter and food.
To apply now click here:
https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=6W2Q7FXXSZK4NC4B
To donate now click here:
https://www.easytithe.com/dl/
To join our prayer team click here:
https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=VJJETQ9MH6XB3PN6
Written by Brittany Norris
Radiate: Sand Springs Children’s Home
Sand Springs Children’s Home
Last Friday, the Go Interns headed to the Sand Springs Children’s Home to be a part of their after school program. Some children there are orphaned, and for others it’s a place of safety after school while their parents are at work.
Our group was excited to go spend time with these children who need love and attention, and the children were ecstatic to see us as well. Before we even entered the building, the children were rushing towards us, welcoming us with hugs, and slipping their small hands in ours, instantly creating bonds. As we watched their faces shine bright with smiles and laughter it encouraged us to let our inner child show and have a great time- the boys playing basketball, the girls doing gymnastics, watching movies, eating popcorn, coloring books and playing in the Jupiter Jump. It’s almost hard to believe that something as simple as sharing our Friday afternoon with these enthusiastic kids could mean so much to them. Needless to say, it was a very rewarding experience. We definitely left exhausted and satisfied knowing that they had fun, and that each child felt the love of God through the Go Interns.
Written by Hilary Patrick
Through My Eyes by Lauren Bruhn
After Christmas break
Hello! I hope that all of you readers had a restful Christmas season, ate bundles of deliciously fatty food and enjoyed time with your families- I definitely did! First off, 10 days in the office until Mystery trip, yay! The anticipation is quite overwhelming now that we are less than 3 weeks away from the trip; it seems almost unreal. This past week, we started a new series in Inspire class called “Eyes Wide Open”, and not to use such an obvious pun, but my eyes are definitely already being opened. With such a short amount of time left before we leave, I believe that it is no accident that we are talking about missions and issues that are taking place all over the world. In Hosea 4:6 God says, “My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge…” It is first knowledge that pushes people into taking action. We are definitely gaining knowledge in this core series, which is just propelling our excitement through these next few weeks and into Mystery Trip!
Through My Eyes by Lauren Bruhn
“Life is a series of seasons; unfortunately, we tend to think of it as a continuum. One season ends after the other, and it’s important that we learn how to embrace new beginnings.” This statement was made by Bob Harrison, one of the most quotable and wise men I’ve met, when he came to speak to our small group of interns. As a man who has come from conquering the business world to ministering to thousands and overcoming tragedy, he spoke from his heart, and from his life’s experiences. His genuine nature is what makes him so inspiring and we were anxious to hear each word that came from his mouth.
“The real success to life is to enjoy the season you are in, but always prepare for the next,” he said. Unexpected things happen weather tragic or beautiful, but through the good and bad seasons, God is speaking to us. Everything we do is preparing us for the future. Bob also said something that I think is so important in today’s society, since we live in a culture where planning ahead is so crucial. “We need to learn to pause, take a step back, and truly enjoy the season that God has placed us in.” It is definitely an art to master the balance that Bob spoke of, but once we can do this, I believe we will be able to further enjoy the lives we have been given.
Through My Eyes by Lauren Bruhn
Lately I have been taking time to ponder Hebrews 11:1 – “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.” Last summer I had a lot of time to be alone and to really concentrate on God’s voice and His vision for what was coming up in my life. One of the things I spent time contemplating was Africa. For as far back as I can remember, I had always wanted to go to Africa and work in an orphanage, but I knew there was a difference between wanting to go and being called to go. So this past summer I asked God if that desire was from Him. His answer? Yes. Just yes, which you’d think would make me rejoice, but it freaked me out. When? Where? What? How? All these questions were running through my mind constantly.
Fortunately, God is an extremely faithful God, and just as a loving father takes care of his children, God takes care of us. I just returned home from my first trip to Africa on Mystery Trip 2011! Sometimes we aren’t sure of the answers to the, “When, where, what, how,” and that’s ok. God just wants us to follow our dreams and trust in Him. Once we trust Him, things seem to happen so quickly and we don’t know how it all worked out. Whether it’s waiting patiently over time or it happens in the blink of an eye, taking steps of faith always feels uncomfortable, but sacrificing that comfort is worth having your dreams come true.
Adventure with Arbo – In Africa
Discover South Africa through Matt’s eyes as he shows you some of the incredible sights of this beautiful nation.
Through My Eyes by Lauren Bruhn
So, it’s Thursday and usually guest speaker day, but today we did something a bit different. After worship, we gathered around the conference table and two of our staff members, Katie and Gabby, handed each of us a piece of paper that was titled: “My 2011 New Years Letter”. They both shared about how writing down your dreams and goals will motivate you to actually fulfill those dreams or goals. One statistic shows that people who take the time to write their goals down are 80% more likely to achieve them. So each of us set aside some time and found a cozy, quiet spot to pray and think about what dreams we want to fulfill this year. We also thought about what goals we have been pushing aside that we want to face this year too.
When I started writing that letter to myself, things started to pour out of my heart that I didn’t even know were there. My soul opened up to the possibilities. Thomas Edison stated, “The value of an idea lies in the using of it.”
So, some encouragement for each of you- Dream! Pray about the goals that need to be accomplished this year for you personally, because the world needs your ideas!
Go Geographic: Finished Water Project!
What if there was something that was so vital to your existence that it actually comprised seventy percent of your being? What if that one thing that played such a significant role in your survival was the one thing that was most likely to kill you? That’s the reality for one in six people worldwide that have to go everyday without clean drinking water. Sadly, over 1.1 billion people on earth have to face this harsh realization.
Just off the coast of Panama there is a tribe of people that inhabit the San Blas Islands, called the Kuna Indians. Although they are surrounded by the beautiful Caribbean Sea, they suffer from a lack of clean drinking water. As a result, early infant death and widespread disease among the Kunas has become normality for them. This is where we came in. We shared the love of Christ with these people by organizing a water project for them and meeting a very real need in their lives. Matthew Arbo, a Go Intern, who led the Water Project team, reflects on their time in the islands.
“After riding for over an hour through the Caribbean sea and down a long narrow river leading into the jungle, our team unloaded the small dugout canoes with all the supplies and water we needed for the next few days. As a team of Americans, we began our 10-mile trek through jungle terrain in the 98-degree weather. The next few hours was intense with the load we were carrying, but I was accompanied by these encouraging thoughts as we walked through the thick brush: ‘I imagine this is hardly any type of struggle compared to the lives these Kunas have lived, deep in the Jungle with no fresh water, no convenient stores, and no access to medical care.’ I then realized what blessed lives we have lived.”
Several hours later the team arrived at their work site.
“We had prepared every thing from site operation to maintenance, as well as training others in our place to take over once we left. We then built the solar-powered water filtration system that was able to provide clean drinking and bathing water on a consistent basis for 300 Kunas. The people of the San Blas Islands couldn’t have appreciated it more. Upon the end of our visit, the Kuna’s tribal Chiefs presented us with gifts- hand carved, miniature replicas of the life size oars they use to row their canoes on the islands. As we were handed the gifts, the Chiefs expressed their gratitude, stating how rare it is for people to pick up everything and leave their country to help a community, expecting nothing in return. They told us they couldn’t give us anything that could compare to what we’d given them, but the truth is; we’ve been given so much as Americans and as Christians. How can we not allow that blessing to overflow to those so much less fortunate than us? This is truly our mandate.”
By the team going and meeting a physical need of theirs and demonstrating the love of Christ, we reached the Kunas in a real and relevant way. By expressing the gospel with our works and words, we were able to make a lasting impact on the San Blas islands.
Written by Brittany Norris
