Weather lookout

Thursday was the start of Summer and a perfect warm day and we have all packed a lot of warm clothes because it is Winter in South Africa. It will be very cold where we are going. One good way to follow us when the blog is not updated might be to take a look at the weather. Brrrrr!

Johannesburg (June 24-26): Weather
Cape Town (June 26-29): Weather
Johannesburg (June 30-July 3): Weather
Namibia (July 3-7): Weather

Bar-b-que and last team meeting

The next time we all meet will be at 4:30am at LAX on Saturday morning.

Here is a picture of the team.


From left to right (Matthew, Lynne, Wood, Monica, (Kylie - Mike's daughter), Mike, Lailani, Heather, Kristy, Alan)

This was at Mike's house where we went over the last of the business, plane tickets, itinerary, separating the last of the donations and craft supplies, and practicing a couple of songs. In Africa everyone sings and they expect you to sing as well so we are at least ready when called.

All Things Are Possible

Only a few days before we leave. We saw the most amazing movie last night. God is awesome for giving us that movie through Netflix the week before we leave.

Facing The Giants
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809738431/info

God works a miracle through every one of these young high school football players and their coach. They lose the first three games of the season and have had a losing season for six years. The coach is already prayerful but changes the focus of the team to be thankful for His glory no matter if they win or lose. It makes a huge difference in their attitude and they begin to win while obstacles and miracles are working all around them.

At the end, the coach asks each of the boys in the locker room, "Is there anything that God can't do?" They each say "No coach. Nothing".

I'm inspired. If we have to sit for 14 days on the LAX tarmac waiting for the plane to take off I'm going to praise God's glory. If we touch the lives of thousands I'm going to praise Him just the same. He is awesome!

I don't think that ruined the movie, you should still rent it if you get a chance.

On team 2 I witnessed a number of miracles and I can only sit in awe and hope that I get to see his awesome hand in action again. I am truly blessed to be selected for this trip with this team.

Wood

Team Meeting

We had one of our last meetings last night. The trip is fast approaching and we are working out last minute details and long planned events. Things seem to be moving smoothly, but there are also side currents that tend to distract and cause anxiety.

We have no plans to use them at this point, but just in case we have prepared a "Choose To Wait" program and a VBS by splitting the team into two teams of 4. This has worked in the past when we have taught Choose To Wait. When you invite a large number of 8th-12th grade kids to a "Choose To Wait" program they invariably bring all their younger siblings. On our first trips we were not prepared for this, but now we have a VBS program ready for the younger kids so no one feels left out.

We split up the donations and everyone filled large duffle which we will carry with us.

The meeting went later than many of the other meetings, but I think we were all enjoying the time together. This is a great team with a lot of synergy.

OC International

Last night we had a team meeting and met with Barbosa from OC International. Barbosa has worked in Mazambique for 20 years. We will be visiting OC International in Johannesburg July 1 - 3 and are very excited to work with them. They have an amazing organization.

Introductory Slideshow

Kristy created a slideshow video to introduce us and to describe the goals of our upcoming trip. You can look at it here.

http://www.esnips.com/web/RockHarborAfricaFiles/

Travel schedule

Our travel schedule has solidified enough that I can at least post our itenerary here.

Leave June 23 from LAX
June 24 - July 26 arrive in Johannesburg, working with Hein Van Wyk and Hope For Africa
June 26 visit the Apartheid Museum and fly to Cape Town, working with Bridges of Hope
June 29-July1 return to Johannesburg, working with Hein Van Wyk and Hope For Africa
July 1 - July 3 work with OC International in Johannesburg
July 4 - July 7 work in Rehoboth, Namibia.
July 7 return home

New Core Team Selected

RockHarbor has selected a new team of leaders to scout and lead the next several Africa trips. First on the agenda will be to find a new partner in Namibia. The team will visit and work with the new partner this summer. Then we will build new teams to take back to Africa later in the year.

The new team consists of the following people.

Alan Freedman
Heather Mason
Kristy Blankenship
Lailanie Cruz
Lynne Fishel
Matthew Peyton
Monica Harter
Wood Harter

We are actively looking for a new partner in Rehoboth, Namibia. If you know any possible partners or have any guidance, please contact us wood - at - side8 . com. We are also considering other partners in southern Africa. Please contact us if you think there might be a fit betweeen RockHarbor and your organization.