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
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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