We have 2 week, 3 week, 4 week, and 5 week trips all over the world! Locations include Philippines, Peru, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Bolivia, Cameroon, Jamaica, Mexico, Costa Rica, Romania, Nicaragua, Haiti, Scotland, and many more!
Check us out at http://adventures.org and you know how to do the rest! We also have a special code just for alumni (that's all of you who've been on an Ambassador trip before). If you enter it when you apply, it'll waive your application fee.
After months, and weeks, and days of preparation, we are finally here in the Dominican. We got our first glimse of this beautiful country out of the plane windows. For me, that was when I realized that the dream had become a reality. That night we got on the bus and drove 2 hours to Azua, the community where we will be serving. This culture is a bit confusing at times; Dominicans take pride in there apperance and always look clean and presentable even thought the house in which they live may be nothing more that 4 concrete walls and a tin roof. Our hosts are the nicest, most most hospitable people I have ever met. The majority of us are staying with pastor Rau'l and his family and the rest are close by the church members houses.
These past couple of days have been humbling. As we walk through the poorer"streets" of Azuato get to the ministry sites we see malnurished children and dogs and hard working people. Despite all of this, the morale of most locals is high and the church members are so devoted and excited about God.
For the weekend we headed back to Santo Damingo, in a loud and smiling, fun filled bus for a youth convention. All the youth in Rau'ls church plus us spent the weekend eating amazing dominican food, singing praise songs in 2 languages and putting on a yrad sale that will help fund the constuction center next to the the house we stayed at. This house was older, but so beautiful. Some of us felt that our team was the most spoiled AIM team ever. I prefer to call spending time with cute kids in a bigh house with a pool a BLESSING.
God has already shown us so much and I can't wait to see what He will do through our ministries. We are teaching English lessons 3 times a wek, VBS twice a week and have preformed out drama/ mime once so far....it's going to be big. We have already started to build relationships, and through these we can share Jesus.
As far as individuals: Hannah has been an encouragement, Natalia a caregiver, Jake has made important decisions, Amanda has experienced new things, Besty used her talents for God's glory, Derek has built genuine relationships with the locals, Anika has been a blessing to the kids, Erin has been a prayer warrior, April has persevered, Esther, has been our wisdom, Christina has been our joy, Haley has been a servant, Katie has been a leader, Kameryn has shown compassion, and Sean has been a true leader and protector. Please keep lifiting us up in prayer and we will see you all soon
There is a stark difference between the "christians" in America, and the christians here in the Dominican Republic. Here, the people are genuine about their faith, not to say that all christians in America are not genuine about their faith, but here they take it to a whole new level. They have so much less, yet they are so much more grateful for what they do have. Our team can see their genuine hearts in how hospitable and friendly the people are, and also their worship. I have never expirenced such an uplifiting, energetic time of worship with God, except since we have been here.
Our whole team has grown in the Lord and He isn't done working yet. Even though we are out of our element, everyone has really stepped up and let God work in them. Please keep us in your prayers.
We received a call from the team and they have safely arrived in the Dominican Republic. Everyone is doing well and the team is very excited about beginning their ministry in the DR.
Today was
our first full day at training camp, and there was an air in the way that
things came about, full of anticipation and willingness for the Lord to move
mountains in the team for the Dominican Republic.
Last night as we introduced ourselves, we got a chance to share what our goals
and prayers were for the trip, and in a crazy way (that only God could orchestrate)
the team shared hearts with each other and set a really high bar of trust in
each other right off the bat. Then today we had our first sessions and some
team builders in which we got to know each other more and learned respect for
one another. So thank you all who were praying for us so that these great
conversations could happen.
As for
prayer requests, please be praying for unity: that we may start building strong
friendships and also further our intimacy with our Lord and Savior. Testimonies
start tonight, so please cover us in your prayers, that the works that God has
done and is doing in our lives may be encouraging to the team and provide
support for team members going through similar struggles.
We have some last minute things to clear up for all of you as you are packing and getting ready to head on out. Some things might be different from what has been in the past and what might have been communicated to you earlier.
1. BAGGAGE REGULATIONS FOR YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Airlines are constantly changing their regulations and sometimes it's tough to keep up on what airline charges and what airlines don't for their baggage. We checked with the airline for your international travel and the following is allowed:
Peru and Guatemala Teams
ONLY ONE CHECKED BAG NOT EXCEEDING 50LBS!
Swaziland, Dominican and Ireland Teams
2 Checked bags allowed, not exceeding 50 lbs each.
2. PACKING LIST
Many of you have been asking about a packing list. It's all listed out in your handbook on pages 19-21. Please refer to it for everything you need to bring with you.
3. PACKING
We are asking you to pack in either one or two suitcases. Your domestic flight may only allow you one suitcase. Space is limited during training camp and any bags you don't need during training camp can be stored away until you leave, but there will be limited access to it. It would be good if you only had one bag or backpack during camp. Clothes will get dirty and sweaty, so don't wear things to camp which you won't mind getting dirty (if it rains, Georgia red mud doesn't like to come out of clothes).
Pack as light as you can but bring as many supplies as you can. You don't need to have a personal bag and a ministry bag, they can be mixed into one. We want you to bring ministry supplies, but don't want you to spend extra money to get the bag here or there. (If you can't get a jar of peanut butter in you won't go hungry).
Hey everyone my name is Jake O'Brien and i am 16 and going into my junior year in high school. I was born and raised in Grand Rapids MI with 3 other siblings. I have two brothers who are 23 and 10 and I have one sister who is 20. I also have two cats and a dog that I love very much. I enjoy playing many sports for fun and my favorite thing to do is ride my bike. Also I love Jesus, animals, music and enjoy playing the piano but most of all I just like to chill with my friends. I look foward to meeting all of you and I hope this trip is a blessing on my life as well as all of yours.
My expectations....I am going to have to say that I have very high expectations of/for this trip. And not in a bad way. I think that God is going to do alot, and I think that we should expect him to do alot. One thing you can pray for about me, is that I need to be changed back into the person God wants me to be. I have strayed from Him since my missions trip last year, but I want to change back into who He wants me to be. Permenantly.
I am so excited to meet my team and get to know you guys. This is going to be such an awesome time&experience. See everyone Friday!!!
