Last weekend I spent Friday evening and half the day Saturday with the majority of the team of people that will be working in Malawi together this summer. Several of the team members I know from growing up at Landmark and I am excited about getting to know new people as well.
Phyllis and her daughter Robyn Collins will be leaving in just three weeks to spend two months in Malawi. Phyllis is a teacher who has a great love for the people she's met over there in the past and has relationships with. She is looking forward to seeing everyone again. Phyllis's husband, Ken, will be going along with our group on June 27.
I met Taylor and Betsy Pendergrass, a couple from Jackson, TN. This is their first mission trip, also. They are also leaving their three children to make the trip. Betsy mentioned something in one of our meetings that rang true for me: leaving our children for two weeks is nothing when you consider we are going to show love and support for children who have lost their mommies and daddies. Share the love!
I also met Joe Donaldson and his daughter, Kathryn, who opened up their lakehouse to all of us for the retreat. This is the first mission trip for each of them. They will be a lot of fun to work with - they are enthusiastic about the mission and have a lot to add to the team.
I shared a bunkbed with Christina, a Malawiaan who is currently a college student in Montgomery. Christina provided a lot of insight into the language and culture of Malawi and helped us understand what to expect. She is a sweetheart and I wish she was going on the trip with us!
Last, but not least, Wes Gunn, the team leader, and his wife, Amanda were there. I have known Wes for 20 years (Wow!) and they are now family since my mom is married to Wes's dad. Wes is the Missions Minister at Landmark Church and is making his 8th? trip to Malawi. Wes has everything so organized - it will really help the team be more effective and allow us to stay focused on the people we are there to love and help.
Several other critical team members will be joining us there and hopefully I can share information about those team members later.
I am really looking forward to spending more time getting to know the team - it's a very impressive group of people with huge hearts for what we are doing.
6 comments:
Just dropping you a note to let you know I am reading. :)
I wish you all the best in your efforts! I will be praying for the whole team!
You never cease to surpise and impress us! We'll be thinking of you.
I am so impressed with your excitement for helping the hurting. There is so much to be done everywhere. God bless you in your efforts.
Hey girl!! How exciting and rewarding this trip will be for you and everyone involved! Erika forwarded your email to me, and I want you to know that I will be praying for you and about your trip. And I will be keeping up with everything on your blog. Good luck with everything!
Summer, I am Kathryn's mother. I am so excited for this adventure for her. She teaches 9th grade Sunday School at our church, Vaughn Forest, and we are all praying for this mission trip. We have members currently in Brazil, India and Russia on mission trips. Thank you for this site as it helps the mom at home know more about this wonderful ministry. lisd
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