Happy Days Are Here Again!

If you know me you know how excited I am to be returning to Africa this Thursday. My bags still need to be packed (I am a last minute kind of a packer) but everything else has fallen into place for our mission adventure that begins in three days.

Just in case you are available to come and pray with our team we will be meeting this Thursday, July 9th at the American Airlines ticket counter at 4:30 for prayer.

I cannot thank you enough for your outpouring of prayer and financial support. I am happy to report that our trip has been fully funded. (The Lord has always been faithful but sometimes this happens even while we are there or when we get back!)

We have a great team this year. And, here's a a small description of each one:

Wayne Flores- a strong leader and deacon at Castle Hills who will serve as the watchful eye that brings up the rear safely at all times and locations.

Abigail Flores- yes, that's right another Flores. (Wayne's daughter) Abigail is one of our students here at Castle Hills Church.  She is 12 a half (believe me she will appreciate me mentioning the half) and already has a long and distinguished career in children's ministry serving alongside her mom in children's ministry since she was born!

Ashlyn Bender- Ashlyn just graduated from High School and is a veteran missionary having been on numerous mission trips with our Student Ministry as well as serving on Team Zambia last year. Like Abigail she has served alongside her mom for years and will be helping as a leader in VBS in Zambia.

Brittney Krueger- (Ashlyn's friend) and a recent High School grad. Britney has also been involved with our Student Ministry activities and projects and is a leader younger students can look up to.  She has experience in sharing Christ and I cannot wait to see her sharing Jesus hut to hut.

Laura Kincaid- Every group needs a great administrative leader and Laura is ours! Laura has been a key part in all our planning and will be serving as the VBS Director in Zambia. (And she's going to keep me organized and make sure I don't lose any receipts). She also leads one of our evangelism teams in sharing Jesus hut to hut.

Helen Saul- "the brains behind the games"- Helen is a young professional who get's paid to play with kids. No, seriously- she is one of the few Recreational Therapists in the country and has been amazing in making sure that our games teach serious spiritual truth. We couldn't do it without her.

Claudia Lisenby- Claudia is somewhat new to Castle Hills but has jumped in with both feet including this trip to Africa. I had the privilege of training Claudia personally in our last semester of Share Jesus class and she has a true passion for those who do not yet know Jesus. Every trip needs a calm "team mom" and she may not know it yet but she's it!

Micah Smith- the human monkey bars! Kids just love to climb all over him. Micah is a recent High School graduate who will be attending Howard Payne University in the fall. He was on our team last year and he is a kid magnet. He's great with games and with sharing Jesus.

Rachael Heard- (Micah's friend)...just kidding. Rachael is a young professional who attends Northwest Park Baptist here in San Antonio (along with Micah). She is an amazing teacher and always helps me lead the children in music. A seasoned missionary to many overseas destinations, we're fortunate to have her on our team.

And last but certainly not least- Libbie Ligon- Her best recommendation for this mission trip was that as a young child, whenever her mom let her play at a playground she would inevitably get the kids rounded up and make them sit down while she proceeded to teach them about Jesus! She's the daughter of my dear friend and fellow pastor Greg Ligon who was himself one of my students when I used travel teaching Disciple Nows. Greg and his wife Rachel have both served on our staff here at Castle Hills in the past and Greg is now the pastor of Journey Fellowship here in San Antonio.

And then- there's ME!

God has put a unique team together and I know He is going to use us mightily as the Apostle Paul states in Colossians 1:29.

Please pray for our safety and health and mostly that we will stay surrendered to our source- Jesus.

Donnie