What a day!

Wow!  Today was amazing.  I finished packing and cleaning my room.  I can’t believe my sophomore year is over.  It was sad and exciting at the same time.  My parents arrived just before 1 and we went to eat a quick Chinese lunch with several friends.  They surprised me with an “end of the year” present:  my visa for the trip!  Yep – it arrived!!!!

When we got home (after a 3 hour trip-ugh), we unloaded everything then my mom and I went to get our hair cut…and shopping at Wal-Mart for things I need for the trip.

So far I have about half of my support.  Gifts are coming in and it is so encouraging to read some of the notes enclosed. 

I can’t believe I leave in just 1 day!  Here’s some facts:

~It is estimated that we’ll be sharing the Gospel with over 4400 kids through our volleyball exhibition games.  What an amazing opportunity.

~We’ll be partnering with a Methodist missionary, Sue Givens, and some Christian youth from the school that she works in.

~With each volleyball “presentation”, the youth will do a skit, we’ll play volleyball, share our testimonies and the gospel will be presented.

~We’ll be in more than 6 school, working with a church and working at an orphanage.

~It’s fall, going into winter there and it’s in the same time zone as Florida.

~It’s a 24 hour trip (Ft. Myers, Miami, San Jose Costa Rica, Lima Peru then Asunción) to get there.

~Our team of 8 has been whittled down to 5 girls.  We are going to have to work even harder in the games.

~Volleyball is the 2nd favorite sport in Paraguay.  Our presentation will be given to kids of all ages, 1st grade on up to 12th.

~The trip’s leader has posted our itinerary on the trip’s blog HERE.  It’s an intensive schedule!  Pray for strength and no injuries for the team.  Pray for the kids who will hear the gospel and the ministry that’ll be doing the follow up after we are gone.

I can’t wait to experience the Paraguayan culture and try the food.  I love new cultures & different foods!

Thank you to all of you who have given so far!  And thank you for your prayers.  God is already answering prayers (my visa came in time for me to go!!!).  I’m so excited to see what God is going to do in the next 2 weeks.

I’ll do my best to post some pictures and keep you informed via this blog.  Check the team’s blog, too, for updates.