This year some of my dear friends get to embark on an amazing journey to Rwanda to see the work of World Vision in the field. And they will bring back stories we all can use. As they prepare, it's our role as teammates to support, pray for, and encourage them. So, I thought this would be a great time to get to know them a little bit better! Meet Chaundra Tangi! How can we pray for you while you're on the trip? This is a bit challenging since this will be my first Vision Trip ever. I would say mostly for discernment and wisdom. I've also had some health concerns the past couple months and I pray for total health! What is something you hope to see / learn? That God would reveal to me the things I need to see to improve and expand my ministry. I'm very excited to meet my beautiful sponsored child, Jean de la Croix (and his family), while I'm there. His smile in his video is amazing so I cannot wait to see his joy in person. He is a newer sponsorship for us, and I can't wait to tell him and his family how much I love them and let them know they are a part of our family now! How did you earn this trip? I was actually prophesied over by a fellow ambassador last year and it was the fire I needed to do more. I set my word for the year- FINISH. I have had a goal of going on a trip for 7 years, and I was determined to FINISH! I had a lot of rep ID points and a lot of help, and I feel confident that my husband and I worked harder than ever and put more time into our World Vision ministry this past year than ever. How would you encourage CAs who want to go on a VT in the future? I would encourage them to get out there and to prepare themselves for the "Not Nows" they get. Know that the yesses will come! Find a mentor who has been on a trip and ask them for their best advice and practices. It's a long flight. What will you do to pass the hours on the plane? I'll Journal, blog, and probably watch a movie or two! Meet Jo Carlson! I am so blessed to be on a Vision Trip (VT) to Rwanda. My first African trip was to Zambia where our team was challenged to go as far out of our cultural realm as we have ever been. We traveled in 2008 in the midst of the HIV/AIDS crisis. While we were aware of this aspect of the VT, we were not prepared for the way people were isolated from society and also isolated from the touch and love from others. We were also not prepared for the degree of abject poverty that we saw in Africa nor for some of the cultural differences we encountered. All of the things we encountered had life-changing impact on each of us. I always say that I left my heart in Africa and now, for a week, I will be reunited with my heart and the people of a continent that I loved so much. How can we pray for you while you're on the trip? I would ask you to pray for our team both during the time leading up to our VT and our time in Rwanda. As we enter Rwanda, we want to be open, accepting and adapting to the people we encounter and not judgmental of their culture. There were a few things that caught us off guard on our first trip including that African people speak very softly and they find us rude with our loud voices. We needed to be very aware of how loud we spoke. How did you earn this trip? Each day I pray about it asking God to use me and I step out beyond my comfort zone (I am a natural introvert) to invite people to be part of one of the greatest works happening in the world. For me, I know that I have been called to be the voice for the voiceless and cry out for social justice on their behalf, as a child ambassador. It is not a once in a while volunteer position for me, but a calling. What is something you hope to see / learn? I ask myself, “Will they (the people of Rwanda) see us as representatives of WV, donors, and sponsors called by Christ to be the answer to their prayers? Or will they see us a typical American tourists?” On this VT, we want to be intense listeners and learn of people’s plight, their hopes and their dreams. I am not there as an advisor, but rather as a listener who will come home and tell their stories as they told them to me. This team represents all USA donors and WV. We want to love on them and allow them to see us as partners in their development. Also, I hope to meet my sponsored child, Anitha. She is 12 years old and loves to play soccer, so I am presenting her with a soccer ball along with a backpack and some school supplies. I do not know a lot about her other than she is classified as a single orphan living with her mother and a brother. Anitha lives in a new project, so I hope to have a long relationship with her in the upcoming years. I am asking the Lord to grant me favor and a visit with her and her mother. I will ask them questions in which I can learn more about their family and how I can pray for them. Some of my questions will include asking them about their life before WV came to their village, how things have changed for them thus far, what is the most difficult aspect of their life and what their hopes and dreams are for the future. I will also ask Anitha about school, friends and what she wants to be when she grows up. These things will give me knowledge on how to pray for the family and to encourage the mom through my letter writing with her and Anitha. How would you encourage CAs who want to go on a VT in the future? Know that you need to go on a VT. Each of us, as we speak with donors, talks about what we know from what we have gleaned about WV and the work that is done. We also talk about our sponsored child. But imagine how your voice would change if you could talk, first hand, about the people you have met-- sharing their stories and the work that you have seen WV doing in the field. It adds power and credibility to your story when you are able to tell donors you have seen it first hand. If you have apprehension about traveling to the field, talk to Megan or one of us who have had the experience. We can expel all your fears. I am excited to travel with you on a future VT and hear about how it changes you. It's a long flight. What will you do to pass the hours on the plane? I sleep while listening to music, talk to people next to me to find out about their lives and tell them about WV and the work we are doing, stretch my legs by the bathroom area and visit with people stretching their legs, and watch movies. I even seek out my fellow travelers and connect with them. Meet Javy Diaz! How can we pray for you while you're on the trip? For our team's safety, for our hearts to be prepared to let darkness in and light out, and for our receiving in-country team to receive peace and encouragement. What is something you hope to see / learn? The power of reconciliation. How did you earn this trip? I play a mean game of Double Dutch. For more clarification on this, check out this post! How would you encourage CAs who want to go on a VT in the future? At the root of sponsorship is relationship. Your relationship with God, your own sponsored child, your leadership team and other child ambassadors, and ultimately your potential sponsor. Invest in relationships, you'll reap results. Are you meeting a sponsored child there? Yes, I will. Although I don't know much about them because I haven't officially begun my sponsorship. My hope is that they would feel loved, accepted & understood. It's a long flight. What will you do to pass the hours on the plane? Pray, read, sleep, connect with the team & other passengers. Anyone on a plane to or from Rwanda will have a receptive ear to sponsorship ;) Meet Melodee Miller! How can we pray for you while you're on the trip? Pray my heart will be broken more by what breaks the heart of God, but then also pray I see the hope only He can bring. Pray my eyes are open to how God is moving in Rwanda and what that means for the rest of the work we are doing throughout the world. Pray I come home with a refreshed and new found passion for helping the least of these. And pray I do well being away from my kids and husband for so long and that they’ll be fine without me! What is something you hope to see / learn? I hope to see and learn how the rebuilding and healing process has been happening since the Rwandan genocide. I hope to learn stories of how the people have overcome difficulties so I can bring the stories back and share them with others. How did you earn this trip? It was a combination of things. Many of the sponsorships that happened over the year were through one on one interaction with friends and family in person and on social media. I also had a table at a couple local farmers' markets and women’s events in which I was able to connect sponsors with children. I volunteered at most of the artist events so I was able to earn points that way, too. And my church did a refugee Sunday where people signed up to be refugee responders. How would you encourage CAs who want to go on a VT in the future? If you want to do it, go for it! I decided last year at conference, after hearing the stories of those who went on the most recent VT at the time, that I wanted to go on the next one. I prayed a lot and then just put myself out there! With God’s help, you can do it! He’ll show you the opportunities in your area. Are you meeting a sponsored child there? Yes, I am! His name is Paterne and he is 7 years old. I just started sponsoring him in preparation for this trip. The only thing I know about him right now is that he has the same birthday as my daughter and he is SO cute! I’m nervous and excited to meet him. I really have no idea what it’s going to be like! I hope to connect with him through a little game or drawing together. I hope through our interactions that he feels and knows that he is loved and cared for. And I hope his family knows how important and loved they are too! It's a long flight. What will you do to pass the hours on the plane? Read, sleep, pray, work on crossword puzzles, maybe get a little writing in on a project I’m working on, and talk with everyone on the trip! Meet Laura Walls (but you already know her from all of her beautiful work here on the blog) How can we pray for you while you're on the trip? Please pray for my family while I'm away - that they would be healthy, safe, and happy. Also for good health and safety for the team while we're gone. What is something you hope to see / learn? I'm hoping to learn and understand more about the genocide and healing process in Rwanda as well as the impact of World Vision's work for the children and communities there. I'm also looking forward to learning more about the culture and hearing the stories that people share! How did you earn this trip? This past year, I had a Hope Sunday at a church, had many friends decide to sponsor, and volunteered at a few World Vision Artist events. I might have had more things, too, but those are the ones I remember right now. How would you encourage CAs who want to go on a VT in the future? Pray that the Lord will help you to be faithful, creative, and bold in sharing about the needs of the kids. Be patient. It took me a couple of years of reaching out and planting seeds to really build up this ministry. Sometimes it just takes time for those seeds to grow and become fruitful! And also take initiative. Very, very few opportunities have ever landed in my lap. Most of the time, I've needed to pray and seek opportunities and places to share. Are you meeting a sponsored child there? I'm so very excited to meet little Jean Marie! She's 7 years old and close to my daughter's age. My kids picked her out because they fell in love with her joyful smile! She has three brothers - which is pretty close to mirroring our family with our four boys and one girl! My hopes? I hope she likes me! ;) And I hope to have fun playing with her and learning whatever I can about her family life and the ways that World Vision is helping them. It's a long flight. What will you do to pass the hours on the plane? Oh, goodness. I'm so looking forward to the time to read, write, and soak up the quiet time! I might watch a foreign film or two. In short, I'll try to do all the things that, as a mom of five, I seldom find the chance to do at home! ;) I also love the chance to talk with people - especially when it is another child ambassador!!! Meet Merrill Swenke! How can we pray for you while you're on the trip? Please pray that the team will stay focused, be present, and listen/learn while we are there! I pray that each of us are able to come back and share stories with the CA team, friends and family, churches, and all potential sponsors! Also, I would ask for prayers for my parent-- that they will stay healthy and that there are no medical emergencies while I am gone. What is something you hope to see / learn? I want to learn about how healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation took place after the horrible genocide. Also, I want to learn about the various WV programs that are being utilized to help the communities become self-sufficient. How did you earn this trip? I earned this trip by getting individuals to sponsor children, to become Refugee Responders, and through booking the Experience Truck at churches. How would you encourage CAs who want to go on a VT in the future? Set goals and set aside time to work on WV each week. Decide where your focus is going to be (e.g. friends/family, churches, festivals/craft fairs, WV 6K, etc. ) then follow through with your plan! If CAs need help, advice, or encouragement they need to connect with their leaders! Your leaders are here to help you reach your goals! Are you meeting a sponsored child there? Yes, I am meeting my newest sponsored girl, Madelene. She is 11 years old and is being raised by an adoptive family. She has one brother and two sisters. I don’t know what happened to her parents. Madelene loves ball games and is in school. She has been waiting for a sponsor for 3 years. It's a long flight. What will you do to pass the hours on the plane? I read a lot and watch movies Meet Dee Billing! How can we pray for you while you're on the trip? As always I want to SEE all that God has for me to see, feel, and understand! Please pray that I can do this! What is something you hope to see / learn? When I pray for my sponsored children it makes them so real when I can visualize where they live-- what they look like in real time, if you will. It helps me to know their parents, siblings, to see in my memory what their surroundings look like. To see all that ”belongs to them” and to learn their story and how WV is important to them is important to me and my ministry as a CA! How did you earn this trip? Making phone calls to churches, speaking to pastors, speaking about WV to congregations-- both to sponsor children and on behalf of the urgent refugee situation. Also, I attended concerts at which WV opportunities were presented. I worked to facilitate sponsorship for folks at these events. Also, I always ask! I say, “I am a volunteer Child Ambassador with World Vision… here is a little boy (or girl)… would you like to change his life?” I find I get an enthusiastic and positive response when I give just one choice! When I ask and the response is “no” I thank them saying, "I always ask!” (If my family is with me they tend to groan when they hear me start!) How would you encourage CAs who want to go on a VT in the future? For me, I don’t want to think about getting just one child sponsored. I always make myself think in a large number. This makes me look for opportunities WV offers such as: the Promise Pack opportunity as a service project, or speaking on behalf of Refugee children, and so many other opportunities WV offers to us. Are you meeting a sponsored child there? Yes, I am meeting Diane! She and I have the same first name! Diane is 12 years old, has 3 sisters, lives with her struggling parents, and likes school-- especially foreign languages. Diane likes to play ball games and is in satisfactory health. It's a long flight. What will you do to pass the hours on the plane? I tend to enjoy napping on flights, reading, and conversation. Meet Wendy Hemphill! How can we pray for you while you're on the trip? That I could transition quickly into a very different environment. Adjust to food. I keep telling myself...think "camping". What is something you hope to see / learn? I hope to be able to relate, and connect heart to heart with moms, teachers, health care folk. I hope that the juvenile part of my heart would be activated and ready to play. :) How did you earn this trip? This trip was earned with a lot of One on Ones, but I especially worked hard in LOTS of Artist Events and one Experience Truck opportunity. How would you encourage CAs who want to go on a VT in the future? Keep planting seeds, letting everyone you get to chat with know about the amazing opportunity found in sponsorship. They will be back to see you when they are ready. Let people in your zone know that you are the World Vision guy/gal. Check the Artist Events and GO....bring a friend with you. It's a wonderful experience. Are you meeting a sponsored child there? YES. My Janviere is a 13 yr old girl. She has 1 brother, 3 sisters...so that's a good sized family. She likes math. Special people like math. I look forward to just loving her. My husband may send me with a math book. :) What will you do to pass the hours on the plane? Good question. Looks like two 8 hour flights just to get there. I'm hoping to sleep as we will be flying through the night. I will read and play games and maybe watch a movie. I'm not a huge talker at the end of a day. With a dozen veteran CAs on this flight, I think they will find every potential sponsor trapped in that plane, before I find the bathroom. Meet Vicki Casper!
How can we pray for you while you're on the trip? Please pray that this vision trip is a holy experience for us together. Pray that it will be a time of peaceful focus for our team-- that we won't be distracted by anything else going on in the world or back home. Please pray for my family as I am away. My Mom just finished chemo treatments and needs extra support-- which I typically offer. Pray that my family will be able to step in with grace and care while I'm away. What is something you hope to see / learn? This is my second trip to Rwanda. I first visited eight years ago and, of all of the places to see in the world, Rwanda is in my top 3. I'm so excited to return! I never thought I would be able to. I look forward to seeing the progress that's been made since my last visit. And I look forward to seeing again how the people of this country have worked together to overcome. On my last visit I saw how much these people love God-- their spiritual wealth is great! But they have so little when it comes to worldly wealth. I think they are some of the most beautiful people I've ever met and I so look forward to being with them again. How did you earn this trip? I ask anyone and everyone to sponsor. For me this was a really tough year. There were so many no's. But I kept asking. One on one on one. How would you encourage CAs who want to go on a VT in the future? PRAY. Pray over your ministry. Pray for God to show you who to talk to. Pray for the children who you have picture folders to find sponsors for. And keep asking for HIM. Be bold. Be strong. Make an effort every single day. Remember Joshua 1:9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Are you meeting a sponsored child there? Yes! And the coolest part is I've been sponsoring him for awhile! Whenever World Vision sends CAs on a vision trip they give us the opportunity to pick out a child from the country we're visiting to sponsor. But I have sponsored Noa for about three years. I love the country of Rwanda so much that I always sponsor a child from there. Noa is 15 years old and he wants to be a doctor! I'm so excited to meet him face to face; to encourage him in his dream; to know him in his own land; to be able to meet and love his family. I am so looking forward to our visit! What will you do to pass the hours on the plane? I'm good at passing hours on a plane (I'm a flight attendant, so I'm no stranger to long hours in air)! I watch movies, news, and TV shows. I also sleep. I'm patient and understand that we're up there for a while, so I try to make the most of it. Comments are closed.
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