5-17-07

So we woke up again at the break of dawn. Not to a crow again though(major foreshadowing here!)! We quickly got our stuff together and ran down to breakfast. After that we went up to Suzanne's cabin and had a time of prayer and worship. We then followed with quiet time. That was when it started to rain and we had to rush to the vehicles where our luggage had been dropped off. We got all the stuff packed and we were ready to go in no time.
So it took us nearly an hour and a half to get from Elijay to NorthPoint where we were meeting up with the BigStuf interns to have a cookout with Lanny and gang. Backyard Burger was catering (which was awesome!). Just as we were beginning to play Ninja, Lanny got us together and we ate. After a great meal, Lanny got us together and explained all about BigStuf, Journey, and the 410 Bridge. After getting about a forty minute lecture, the BigStuf gang headed to the airport and we went to StayBridge Suites, our hotel off NorthPoint parkway. Travis, Joey, and I got our own room, and the other guys got another. So began our task of downsizing our stuff to one personal bag and one carry-on. Our other checked-in bag would be a team bag. After downsizing to an awesome 32 lbs. I helped Joey along with Travis to pack all the team equipment. It was neat to be able to take Travis twice around NorthPoint. Pizza was our dinner and we began to finish packing and going over tomorrow's plans. I was able to catch a little bit of LOST. :)
Sleep was better that night, but not the best. The next day would be crazy as we began our trek to Amsterdam.

End Day Three

5/16/07

Training yesterday was long, but good. Joey and Suzanne (our leaders) did the best job I have ever seen fully explaining the culture of Kenya and what all we will and could experience. I am so excited about all the possibilities. After three hours of training it was lunch time. The food at Camp Highland is surprisingly better than the food at BigStuf's summer camp in Panama City. After lunch we played a little frisbee and football before it was time to do more training. We did a team building exercise where we got in a circle and tossed a ball, a thing of glue, and a frisbee around to three different people. Each element made it more difficult and challenging.
After that it was off to the low ropes course. It was definatly a blast riding the hummer-like military vehicle all through the mountainside. Our first initiative was my least favorite. Steel ropes connected to trees making us all go by line from one tree to another without falling. It took us forty minutes to really get the hang of it, but we did it. The next initiative was to put half of one team on one block/square of wood and then half on another. Then with a rope swing across until everyone had flipped sides. That took us a good thirty minutes. It was fun. :) Our last initiative was the Wall of Doom. That took fifteen (minutes) with great ease. After that we were worn out and ready to relax. So we went up to the high ropes course and watched the BigStuf camp interns go while we drank some h20. Soon we were on our way back to the cabins when most of the guys and Tana were dropped off to play Ultimate Frisbee with all the BigStuf guys. Fun! Then it was time for dinner. After dinner we did a time of training and then Suzanne and I gave our testimonies. I wanted to be open and uncomfortable, so I instantly raised my hand to go first out of all the campers. I wasn't detailed because I have a month to get to know all of these guys!! It felt good.
End Day Two

T.I.A. (This is Africa) Video

Here is a video that one of my pals Travis Bartlett created after coming back from the July trip. Alot of the people in the video and alot of the places you see I was at. Enjoy!
-Trent

Click to watch T.I.A. Video

5/15/07

WOW. So we already feel like a family here! We all met at North Point and then drove up to Elijay where we ate and then continued in a ton of cars to Camp Highland. We got there and I noticed all the BigStuf interns were here as well. At times we mix with them, but we mostly stick to our groups. Last night we did a few high-ropes stations...really just one because it was close to midnight. It was a freefall thing where they pull you up and you let go, drop, and then swing. It was fun. I was one of the first to go, so after I got done I sat and yakked for awhile. We then got around a bonfire, roasted marshmallows and told stories about raising money and our expectations. It was amazing to hear of all the ways God handled raising the money. After the bonfire we came back to our cabins. They are really just platforms with walls on both sides, a roof, and two open ends. I slept okay.
So now we've just got done with breakfast and about to go to training.

5/14/07

Here begins my journey to Africa
------------------------------------
It has been a year since my last entry in here. Thanks to cyberspace I am able to keep online journals called blogs. Though I am not as open as I am in here. I've missed you! Alot has happened in a year. I am no longer at Lee University. I took the spring semester off and transferred to North Georgia College. I am happy. Since I left Lee God has shown me many open doors and I have been able to walk through them. Today begins my journey to Africa. WOW. After more than seven years my wildest dreams are coming true. I am going to Africa! Today I go and meet up with my team at North Point Community Church. I am going with the 410 Bridge through BigStuf Camps. So my journey will be logged in here like the good 'ole times!

Here we go!

LOST Journal

Hey guys. I can't seem to find my journal anywhere. The last time I saw it was on July 4th. I'll keep looking!

Since I've Been Gone.

Hey everyone!
I've had about 2 weeks to adjust back to life here. It's not that easy, and jet lag is a killer. Starting this week I will begin to post journal entries and pictures on my blog. I'm in the process of creating a book and getting it published about my journey to Africa. In it will be more pictures and more detail of the trip. The book will be available in either hardback ($30) or softback ($20)and should be ready by this holiday season. It is sort of a fundraiser to help me go back to Africa as well as some other mission trips I want to go on. If you are interested in purchasing a book from me, please contact me at castingmycrown@hotmail.com.

Here in Africa!

Hey everyone!
This is the same message that I sent by email!
Africa has been amazing so far! I cannot begin to express and explain all the experiences and feelings I have had. I don't have much time, so this message will be real short. I am in a cyber cafe (Dagit Cyber Cafe) in Nairobi. It is awesome here. We just got to Nairobi from Karatina yesterday. It is totally opposite here. Karatina was very rural and here it is very city like. Last night we were at a Java House in the very rich district of Nairobi. It felt like I was in Destin, FL. I had Pollo Quesidilla and a side of chips (fries) a Coke, and an iced latte. I was in heaven. It was great to have some American food for the first time in a long time! Karatina was awesome. I had a great week there. I was in the market one day cleaning shoes with a guy named Andrew when I fell and severly sprained my ankle. It is still very swollen and very very bruised, but all I can do is elevate it at night and keep it wrapped all day. There was no ice in Karatina. I am able to walk though. In two days I will be doing a 6 hour hike up a volcano, so I am doing my best to get it better. I don't want to reveal to much yet, but we saw a goat get butchered. WOW. A guy did it in his front yard like it was perfectly normal. Cut the neck open, blood goes everywhere.....yeah. And the kids just sat in front of us. The goat was good. Oh, and I went to some waterfalls the other day.
So much is happening!!!! I am going camping in two days as well. The people are so nice!
I love you guys!
-Trent

Gone!

Trip Itenerary

Tentative Itinerary
Atlanta-May14-May17
May 14-meet in Atlanta and head to Camp Highland
May 15-training at Camp Highland
May 16-drive back to Atlanta/ cookout out at Lanny Donohos
May 17-fly to Kenya!
May 18-arrive in Kenya-sleep at Ufungamano
Karatina-May 19-May 27
May 19-drive to Karatina/meet the Antioch students that night
May 20-church at Antioch Baptist/team meetings
May 21-May 26-ministry in Karatina-sports camp, children’s home,
visits to people’s houses, market place ministry
Stay @Starbucks hotel each night
May 27-church in Karagota/say goodbye to Karatina/drive to Nairobi
CCRC/Nairobi May 28-June 8
May 28-rest, debrief, laundry, email day/lunch at Java in Nairobi
May 29-visit Christ Compassion Rehibilitation Center in Joska
May 30- June 1-camping with Nairobi Journey Students
June 2-8-ministry in Nairobi-working in slums, feeding program,
visiting
HIV/AIDS patients, hanging out with college students,
children’s home,
Journey program at the University
June 8- we will do Journey Program/SURPRISE!
Team Time June 9-June 11
June 9- Naikuru Park/Stay at Simba Lodge
June 10-debrief/fly home
June11- arrive in Atlanta

Approved!

So yesterday I ran a few checks down to BigStuf and met Suzanne. My trip is paid for! But don't worry for those of you who can and want to still help. I have put in way over $600 into shots, medicine, passport fees, ect. If you feel the need to give still, which I am so so so so so thankful and in awe at all the people that have help me in my dream and journey to Africa. It is surreal. It makes me feel so special to know that you guys have got my back!
Love!
-Trent

The Dog-Gone Slow Passport Services!

So today I decided to check to see where the heck my passport is since I am leaving in less than 12 days. So I spent about 30 min. waiting for a representative that told me that it is in New Orleans. They processed my processing fee all the way at the beginning of March and they didn't find 8 weeks to send it to me? So they are extraditing (sp?) it today so that I will hopefully get my passport in the next 7 days.
(Bites Nails)
-Trent

Feeling Nothing at all Like Donald Trump

(Sent by email today)
Hello One and All!
I am about 14 days out from heading to Africa and I need your help! Some of you guys have already helped me out tremendously financially. I cannot thank you guys enough for the money and prayers you have given me. If you have not sent help financially, don't think it is too late. Our group has almost reached our $72,000 goal, but we still need $29,000 more dollars. I am halfway to my goal of $3,600. I have made $1,645. I have to have $3,600 to my leader Suzanne Barber on Monday May 7th. Please help many in any way possible. I have attached my personal letter that I sent to 40 of you guys. In there it talks about my dream to go to Africa (now about to be fulfilled) and how God has taken me places I have never gone before in my Journey. Please check out my blog at: http://www.trentsbigstufjourney.blogspot.com. There you'll be able to see my preparations and see what I experience during and after the trip. This is a trip of a lifetime, and a serious dream of mine.

Here is how you can help me reach my goal:
1. Give me a call at 678-779-6406 and tell me to drive and pick up a check.
2. Call and tell me you will UPS or mail it to BigStuf Thurs. (Fri. morning at latest).
3. Can send a money order.
4. Can give spare change (any would help)
5. TAX RETURNS! :)

If you can send a check or cash send it to:
Big Stuf Camps
35 Old Canton Street
Alpharetta, GA 30004
ATTN: Journey
(On the memo line only write JOURNEY! If I didn't send you a letter please also put in the envelope a piece of paper with my name on it!)

Call me any time of the day if you have any questions or want to hear me explain why I am going to Africa and what we will be doing!

Love you guys and Thanks for all the support so far!
-Trent

14 Days?!

I can't believe I am 14 days away from leaving. I go to train on the 14,15, and 16th, and then we fly out on the 17th. I have started to get everything together and with work and all the stuff going on at church, life has been CRAZY(but in a good way!). Thanks to so many of you who have donated to my trip. It is never too late to send financial help (I still need it).

Love you guys!
-Trent

A New Decade.

So it is great to be twenty! I was ready to get out of the teenage years, not that it was bad, but it was time. God has great plans for me, and I think this decade is going to blow my mind. And to begin it, I am going to Africa...WOW! It is about 3 weeks until I go and I am getting more and more excited/anxious as the days draw near. I am about halfway to my $3,600 goal. I still have a ways to go, but so many of you guys have been gracious. It is not too late to help me out financially. I need money in by May 6th. I've been trying to figure out how to prepare for a trip this monumental, but really, there is no way. So I've decided to just be me...no more and no less. That is what God wants. He doesn't want me faking my faith. He wants the authentic Trent. I am not the best Christian. I don't ready the Bible every day. There are days I don't talk to God. I struggle with my self image. I worry ALOT. I get stressed easily. But I love God. I trust Him more each day. I love unconditionally. I am optimistic in the most pessimistic places. I am easily WOWed. I smile constantly. I dance all the time. I laugh. I listen. I know when to be still. That is me. No more and no less. And I give it to God knowing He can and will use it all more than I ever could.

:)
-Trent

I Guess this is Goodbye...

One of my great friends died last night on her way home to Arkansas. She fell asleep at the wheel. It hurts to hear stuff like that. It really does feel like a wave hits you and you don't cry, you sob. Danaea was the most determined girl I have EVER known. She had everything together and was thankful for it. She loved Ukraine. She loved her family. She loved us, her friends. She was optimistic. She encouraged me...in fact, her last words to me were encouragement for me going to Africa. "It will be a life-changing experience for you Trent" she said. I know it will. This trip will be dedicated to you Danaea. I love you and I will miss you.

April's Here!

WOW. I am about 5 weeks out from heading over to Africa. I think I am still in shock. With shots down and all my medical stuff going to insurance to hopefully get reimbursed, I am waiting for my passport to get in. I have been reading up on Kenya and of course the good 'ole Bible. I am frusterated as to what I should be reading and how I should be preparing. Praying? Yes. More? Heck, yes. But how can I get myself more prepared? Suggestions are good.. You can leave an anonymous comment with advice. I guess I am sort of scared because I don't think I am the best Christian. I look at some of these other people going, and I am all like "WOW! It seems they are so much of a better Christian than I am". Maybe being me is all that God is asking...He can handle the rest.

Thanks to those of you who have sent in support. I am starting to get updates and we have still a long way to go!

-Trent

Passport Health Visit

Ow.Ow.Ow. Yellow Fever is starting to hurt. :(
I got Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Yellow Fever, and my last dose of Polio today. Plus I got some Malaria Pills, insect repellant, sunscreen and other meds.
A little bit sore at the moment, but I think I can get through it. ;)
-Trent

Memo Line Questions

Some people are asking about the memo line on checks. You can write JOURNEY on the memo line or nothing at all. This is for tax-deductible purposes.

Tomorrow I go to get some shots :(

-Trent

Less than 50 Days!

The countdown is on! Less than 50 Days now before my Journey begins! I will be posting updates here before and after my trip. We will have one day for email throughout the trip and I will inform you of it so you can know when to check for an update. So I start off with my first journal entry. It's very honest of where I am at in life right now, and I will be honest in my entries. This is real stuff I am preparing for, and it ain't easy to bear.
Thanks for all your encouragement and help as I prepare!
-Trent

March 02, 2007
So here begins my journey with BigStuf’s Journey program. I am a little over two months away from leaving the United States and heading to Kenya, Africa. WOW! Since 7th grade I have been dreaming of this and now my dream has finally come true! I am so nervous, anxious, scared, excited. What lies ahead? I totally feel unworthy and unprepared. I’ve been patient with God for the past few months as he has stirred things around in my life, and all those times I have prayed and wished for open doors, He is opening so many! I guess you could say I’ve doubted Him. Sometimes I don’t think He will do what I ask Him to do. And now I am ashamed at how little I have trusted Him and believed in Him over the past weeks. Well, here’s the biggest open door yet…and I am stepping through it.
-Trent

Coming Soon!

Thanks for visiting my BigStuf Jounrey Blog. I will post everything that happens before, during, and after my Journey to Africa. You can check out the first post 50 days prior to my departure on May 14!
- Trent