Africa Day 6 (July 8)
Today was interesting. We drove to another town for a different orphanage. On the way we broke down twice with flat tires. We were late and it was an interesting day! The orphanage we went to was older than most, like teenagers. They were so shy and opened up when we started singing and dancing. The Holy Spirit was alive and moving. It was a very good day.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Africa day 5 (July 7)
Africa Day 5 (July 7)
Today we went to Kimasagra again! The kids were so precious! Love them! I played a little bit of volleyball with the older kids and it was so awesome to just have fun and play with them. Not only do we get to show these children the love of God but we have gotten to learn the culture too! So far God has really shown me the power of prayer, and the importance of fervent, never ceasing prayer! Thank you everyone who has been praying for me throughout this journey! Love Yall!
Today we went to Kimasagra again! The kids were so precious! Love them! I played a little bit of volleyball with the older kids and it was so awesome to just have fun and play with them. Not only do we get to show these children the love of God but we have gotten to learn the culture too! So far God has really shown me the power of prayer, and the importance of fervent, never ceasing prayer! Thank you everyone who has been praying for me throughout this journey! Love Yall!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Africa Day 4 (July 6) Rwanda
Africa Day 4 (July 6) Rwanda
Today was an emotionally rough day! Because of the way that the orphanage was set up we were only allowed to come for the second half of the day to play with the kids, so we stared out our day at the Rwandan Genocide Museum. We were able to learn about the culture and reason for why there are so many orphans in Rwanda. The genocide happened in 1994 which stunned me that something like this happened so recent. Another thing that blew my mind was that the UN did nothing to stop it! It was crazy to see all of the violence and destruction of lives!
Later that day we went to the orphanage called Kimisagara. These children had this Joy that is unexplainable. They ran up to us a hugged us like crazy! They wanted to be loved on! All of this got me thinking how much i take a hug from my momma and daddy for granite. I can hug my parents whenever I want and these kids don't have mommies and daddies to hug them. The need here is overwhelming. there are 50-80 kids and only 10 beds. Everyone who doesn't have a bed has to sleep on the floor. Today as a group we decided to buy 40 beds for them with the extra money we had as a team.
After Dinner every night we have a little debriefing time to talk about whatever God did in our hearts throughout the day! We started talking about how overwhelmed we were by everything. Gina is so filled by the spirit and she is so wise and has such great advice, her and Jason both do! The need of the people here is too great for us to change, there will always be poverty. We will never change Africa but the goal in this whole trip is to let Africa change us. They are in need of food, water, shelter, but the one thing they do have is Jesus and the Joy of the Lord. So really what more could you really need! Their faith is so much stronger than ours because these people have to completely rely on God for each and everything. We don't have that because of the self sufficient world we live in back at home! Gina was also talking about God's plan for us. We always try to figure our what is God's Will for my life, God's will for your life is right here right now. We are not promised another day so we are called to live each and everyday for him. He may call you to live in Africa or He may not! You can still have a heart for it back in the states by giving time, money and prayers each and everyday.
Also most of our team is made up of unmarried women. Gina was telling all of us how important it is to pray for our future husband, that God plan for his life and his plan for you life will line up. That you will both have a heart for missions and serving God's people. Not only that but that He will make it obvious who your husband is when the time is right. Gina has so much wisdom from the Lord! I can't wait to learn even more from her this week.
I am so happy that the Lord brought me here and is using everyone around me to teach me more about Himself!!
Today was an emotionally rough day! Because of the way that the orphanage was set up we were only allowed to come for the second half of the day to play with the kids, so we stared out our day at the Rwandan Genocide Museum. We were able to learn about the culture and reason for why there are so many orphans in Rwanda. The genocide happened in 1994 which stunned me that something like this happened so recent. Another thing that blew my mind was that the UN did nothing to stop it! It was crazy to see all of the violence and destruction of lives!
Later that day we went to the orphanage called Kimisagara. These children had this Joy that is unexplainable. They ran up to us a hugged us like crazy! They wanted to be loved on! All of this got me thinking how much i take a hug from my momma and daddy for granite. I can hug my parents whenever I want and these kids don't have mommies and daddies to hug them. The need here is overwhelming. there are 50-80 kids and only 10 beds. Everyone who doesn't have a bed has to sleep on the floor. Today as a group we decided to buy 40 beds for them with the extra money we had as a team.
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| The 40 mattresses our team was able to purchase for the kiddos! |
Also most of our team is made up of unmarried women. Gina was telling all of us how important it is to pray for our future husband, that God plan for his life and his plan for you life will line up. That you will both have a heart for missions and serving God's people. Not only that but that He will make it obvious who your husband is when the time is right. Gina has so much wisdom from the Lord! I can't wait to learn even more from her this week.
I am so happy that the Lord brought me here and is using everyone around me to teach me more about Himself!!
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Africa Day 2/3 (July 4/5)
Africa Day 2/3 (July 4/5)
So both of these days ran together. It feels like just one really long day! the time change (7+hours) wasn't as hard to get used to as I thought it would be, probably because we were so tired the entire time by the time we got into bed we were ready to sleep even though it was only 1:30 in the afternoon at home! The 13 hour plane ride was miserable, i am not looking forward to the 17 hour plane ride home! At dinner tonight I tried this type of fruit called tomato fruit. to eat it you slice it like a tomato then suck out the insides that look like a pomegranate. It was well interesting! we headed back to the guest house we were staying and found out the wifi password. I was able to skype my mom for a little bit! It was good to talk to her! I absoutly can't wait for our first day of ministry tomorrow!!
So both of these days ran together. It feels like just one really long day! the time change (7+hours) wasn't as hard to get used to as I thought it would be, probably because we were so tired the entire time by the time we got into bed we were ready to sleep even though it was only 1:30 in the afternoon at home! The 13 hour plane ride was miserable, i am not looking forward to the 17 hour plane ride home! At dinner tonight I tried this type of fruit called tomato fruit. to eat it you slice it like a tomato then suck out the insides that look like a pomegranate. It was well interesting! we headed back to the guest house we were staying and found out the wifi password. I was able to skype my mom for a little bit! It was good to talk to her! I absoutly can't wait for our first day of ministry tomorrow!!
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| Beginning of the long plane ride with Annsley and Katie!!!! |
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| End of the long plane ride, we were so exhausted! |
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| African Sunrise from the plane! How Great is Our God! |
Africa Day 1 (July 3)
Africa Day 1 (July 3)
Today we packed up all our stuff and headed to Atlanta!! Annsley and I were meeting Katie Acker at Atlanta. She is 21 and goes to Belhaven University but her parents live in Alabama and she has been home for the summer. Our plane buddy was easy to find because we all had on our VO (visiting orphans) T-Shirts on! The three of us hit it off right away! The flight was easy and once we landed in DC we had to find Gina and Jason Root (our amazing team leaders). We went to the hotel and checked in a just hung out while the rest of the team flew in from all over the United States. It was really cool to meet everybody today! Can't wait to see what the next few weeks has in store!
Today we packed up all our stuff and headed to Atlanta!! Annsley and I were meeting Katie Acker at Atlanta. She is 21 and goes to Belhaven University but her parents live in Alabama and she has been home for the summer. Our plane buddy was easy to find because we all had on our VO (visiting orphans) T-Shirts on! The three of us hit it off right away! The flight was easy and once we landed in DC we had to find Gina and Jason Root (our amazing team leaders). We went to the hotel and checked in a just hung out while the rest of the team flew in from all over the United States. It was really cool to meet everybody today! Can't wait to see what the next few weeks has in store!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Beyond Excited
Wow! Tomorrow is the day! I cannot believe how fast things have fallen into place! Annsley and I both want to personally thank every single person who has helped us get to this point here through Prayer, Finances, and Donations. We both appreciate your support!
This road to get here has not been a completely smooth one. Many members on our team have experienced various types of spiritual warfare. Our team leaders have said many times before, "We do not pray that God makes our journey easy, but instead we pray He makes us STRONG!"
We continue to ask for fervent prayer that the Lord makes us strong and can use each and everyone of us in incredible ways over the next few weeks. Pray that the Holy Spirit fills us and we seek guidance from Him. So often we underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit which does not allow us to fully show others God. Pray for our families back home to have a peace that only the Lord can give. I can't imagine how hard it must be for our parents to send their sixteen year old daughters to Africa.
We have no idea how much internet access we will have so we don't know how often we will be able to blog. I know I am planning to write everything down and type it all up when I get home for all of you guys because if we do have internet it will be extremely limited.
Thank you for all the Prayer and Support! Love You Bunches!!!!
Madison Aulner
This road to get here has not been a completely smooth one. Many members on our team have experienced various types of spiritual warfare. Our team leaders have said many times before, "We do not pray that God makes our journey easy, but instead we pray He makes us STRONG!"
We continue to ask for fervent prayer that the Lord makes us strong and can use each and everyone of us in incredible ways over the next few weeks. Pray that the Holy Spirit fills us and we seek guidance from Him. So often we underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit which does not allow us to fully show others God. Pray for our families back home to have a peace that only the Lord can give. I can't imagine how hard it must be for our parents to send their sixteen year old daughters to Africa.
We have no idea how much internet access we will have so we don't know how often we will be able to blog. I know I am planning to write everything down and type it all up when I get home for all of you guys because if we do have internet it will be extremely limited.
Thank you for all the Prayer and Support! Love You Bunches!!!!
Madison Aulner
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Fully Funded
I am so sorry I haven't blogged in a long time!!! I have been incredibly busy. I am 100% fully funded! Praise God! Since last blog post I have been to Haiti and Chrysalis (a youth version of Emmaus). The Lord has taught me so much I cannot even begin to put it into words. I am so ready for this Trip. I am a little bit overwhelmed with all that has to be done. Please keep praying! Love all of you so much!
Madison
Madison
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