These are pictures of the Pot Luck with Orphangae Team 2 and 3 last Friday , July 9th , 2010.

We leave tomorrow!

Wow, it's almost here.This is my first trip of this type and at some level I still cannot believe that I am actually going - much less that I am taking my son.Things have lined up well at work to allow me to go. I was afraid 3 weeks ago that that was not going to be the case but prayer and execution have prevailed.

I keep asking myself, "Am I ready for this? Has God prepared me enough? Have I prepared myself enough? Have I prepared my son enough?"Certainly I am physically prepared. I have taken new immunizations, and created a small pharmacy to take with me. I have clothes ready, travel toiletries ready, and enough fragrance-related items to attract a swarm of confused bees.

My son and I have both adjusted our diets as recommended by our teammates (thank you!), so we will limit our jet lag when we arrive. Mentally I am as ready as I can be. I have certainly travelled to many different places and experienced many different cultures. I have worked through interpreters many times also.

That said, this will be the furthest from the US that I have ever been, and it will be the most different culture from my own I have experienced. I am excited and open to the experience. I am more mentally focused on keeping my son engaged and involved in what he is experiencing. I do not want him to get overwhelmed, shut down, and lose out on the experience.

Spiritually, I have done all I can to prepare. I have prayed alone, with my son, with our family, with my small group, and with our team. While I am using the capabilities that God has given me to prepare, I know that in the end it is in His hands.

Last night, my son looked at me at said, "You are going to take care of me over there, right?" I told him that of course I am. But it reminded me of the same question I have been asking God, "You are going to take care of us, aren't you? You are going to use us and guide us, right?" I know by the calmness and peace I feel about this trip He has answered, "Yes."

Please keep us in your prayers as we start this journey! We will let you know how it progresses.

Scott Ryan

Last night over 40 people gathered (Top Left) to pray and send Team 1 Orphanage and Camp and Team 2 Camp to East Asia. It was comforting and rewarding for those going and those sending to be a part of a story bigger then each of us. As Team 1 flies tomorrow morning, our prayers cover them for the journey and the peoples and the country they will serve for the next 10 days.

What is it like to embark on a short term mission trip? Here is what our youngest team member Mitchell Ryan's answer. (Top Right - Mitchell getting packed and Bottom Right -Team 2 Camp)

"Baseball is finally done and now I am getting to think more about our trip. Baseball has been so much fun but I am kind of glad that it is over. It has been REALLY hot and we have been playing a lot of games in these tournaments.

As I think about this trip, I am not certain at all what to expect. I am kind of nervous and very excited. I have not been this far from home in my whole life. I have seen pictures and movies, so I know that it is going to be very different than the U.S.

It will be exciting to meet kids from another part of the world. It is going to be really strange that we will not speak the same language. I know that God will help us and guide us, but still it's going to be weird.

I love all sports and I hope that some of the kids there will too. I play baseball and basketball the most. Those are American sports but people play those all over the world now. I also like to play soccer, ping pong, football, kickball - really anything. I like being a part of a team, encouraging my teammates, and playing my best for my team.

Since my dad told me about this trip, I have been praying that God takes care of us as we travel and when we get there. Everything is totally new for me, so I will be relying heavily on God, my dad, and the rest of the team to lead me through this. I want to help the team as much as they help me, so I am praying that God helps me find my place on the team.

8 more days! I cannot wait!"
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This is the last day in June! We will leaving for East Asia in 9 days for Team 1 and in 16 days for Team 2.

Praise God and much gratitude to Rebekah Slattery who compiled the camp curriculum which include three virtues of faith, love and forgiveness. Most of the camp supplies are purchased for our distribution and packing/prayer party on July 7th.

Please join us in praying for the people especially the children to see our love in all we say and do. Please pray for our team's health and resilience as we will be travelling for over 28 hours, with approximately 19 hours of flight time and close to 6 hours in transit at airports. May the LORD go before us and prepare the hearts of those we touch for His Glory!

Check our picture update after our July 7th packing/prayer party.

Have a safe 4th as we remember those who sacrificed their lives to give us our independence.
May America Bless God for All He has done for our nation.

Some thoughts as I prepare...by Rebekah

"The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup: you hold my lot" Psalm 16:5

As I was reading that verse this morning in a study of the book of Esther I realized how true it is in my life right now. I chose to be a follower of Christ and He holds for me the many joys and struggles that accompany that choice. I will openly admit that my preparations for this trip have been very different than my previous experiences. I am in a totally new place in Gods plan for me and yet I have expected to have experiences from the past. Gods plan is not the same twice and He is there willing to lead me as I journey through it. I can't wait to see the lot that He has prepared for me!

I am so grateful to have a team of supporters that is behind me daily in prayer and giving. I can't tell you how much each little encouraging note means to me. I am treasuring them and keeping them close to remember that this is not a tiny team of 5 traveling to the other side of the planet alone, we are hundreds strong! There are people all over the world joining with us in prayer and giving daily. Men and women that I will never meet that know that in July there will be ordinary people going on an extraordinary journey for the God of the universe. It really shines a light on how big God is.

Our team planning is coming along great. We have had the opportunity to go on a retreat together and get to know each other before that 14 hour plane ride. I can't tell you how fantastic the whole team is, God did a great job picking these people! We are coming along ok financially, about half way to our goal. Every little bit we get helps in enormous ways (a gift of just $10 provides lodging for a day!)

We have also had the chance to meet with the missionaries who will be hosting us and it was great to see them again here in Alpharetta. Matt and Michelle are amazing hosts to us and when I have been with them in the past I loved spending time with there two kids Vera and Kai (who was 4 days old when I first met him in Asia). This winter they added two amazing kids to the family, Eden and Toby, who they adopted from Ethiopia. They have just arrived back in East Asia and are in the process of getting the girls enrolled in preschool. I could go on and on about this wonderful family but for now I will just ask that you keep them in your prayers as well.

If you are interested in donating to our trip you can follow the instructions below.

Thank you so much for all that you do through prayer and support.

Rebekah


How to donate:

Online
1.  going to www.goglobalX.org
2.  click on "give" in the top right corner.
3.  select "East Asia" as your country
4.  select "East Asia Children's Camp 2  07/16/10 - 07/18/10
5.  type the name of who you would like to support in the individual section

Team Building Retreat

Every group that travels together requires team building and fellowship. We will be together alot for ten days while serving in East Asia.



Our team met for the weekend of April 30th -May 2nd at Riverstone Lodge in Ellijay. The three storey lodge overlooked the Coosawanoe River. It was quiet, beautiful and affordable.



We grilled, shared stories and testimonies. As a group we learned about the host culture with Cultural Trivia (see picture). During devotion, we studied the Biblical principles and practices of a useful servant and shared experiences and contributions to the team.



Team 1's ardent basketball players shot hoops and practiced ping pong. Others preferred to play card games and "Farkle". Asian delights such as fried "whole" baby crabs, shrimp cracker, canned quail eggs, Aloe Vera drink were challenged using only chopsticks amongst the brave and adventure hearted. Except for the newly weds who got the master bedroom, everyone was divided to guys and girls quarters with group sleeping arrangements.



Our next bonding will be to have a Chinese dinner which is scheduled for May 20th, practising our chopsticks skills.



Please continue to pray with us for:

• Providential achievment in our financial support.


• The hearts of the people in East Asia to see His love through our teams.


• The logistics of camp materials and packing.


• Our team to be ready in mind, body and spirit to serve both the team and our hosts.

May God be glorified.

Michael and Joanne Justice

aka the newly weds

How do I donate?

There are 2 easy ways to donate to our trip

1. Online

--Click the Donate Now button to the right
--Under Global X Trip Information select
----Country: East Asia
----Trip: East Asia Children's Camp 1 for: Steve, Caroline, Bob, Ann Mason, Nick or Jim
----Trip: East Asia Children's Camp 2 for: Rebekah, Michael, Joanne, Mitchell or Scott
----Individual: Full name of the person you are supporting

2. By Cash or Check

--Make checks payable to North Point Ministries
--Indicate trip in the memo line
----Trip: East Asia Children's Camp 1 for: Steve, Madison, Bob, Ann Mason, Nick or Jim
----Trip: East Asia Children's Camp 2 for: Rebekah, Michael, Joanne, Mitchell or Scott
--Mail or give to the person you are supporting (if you need the address of the person you want to support let us know in the comments section and we will email it to you.)

All donations are tax deductible and any amount is greatly appreciated!

Join Us!

Thank you so much for visiting our blog. We hope that you will check back frequently as we continue on our journey.

We are two teams of 11 individuals heading off to East Asia in July of 2010 to share a little fun, faith and friendship with some children in the area. These kids are eager to learn more about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and we can't wait to share with them our love for Him and all that He means to us. We will also be building our ongoing relationship with some local partners and helping them meet their needs.

Each team will be in the country for one week (Team 1 July 9-18, Team 2 July 16-25)

Pleas pray for our team in the coming months as we prepare for this journey.
-Spiritual Readiness
-Team Unity
-Selflessness
-Good health