Packing LIst

Packing List

Luggage - Having an internal frame backpack instead of a suitcase is usually a much easier way to go. It is not a necessity, but it is much easier to carry. If you don’t have one then you may want to borrow one from a friend. Suitcases with well-working, strong, large wheels will work, too.

With our tickets, ech person can bring 3 pieces of luggage to check. But you really may only need one. We will use the extra limit we have to check bags of supplies. You can also bring one carry-on bag to take on the plane, but make sure it is small enough that they will let you carry it on. http://www.britishairways.com/travel/baggag/public/en_us?link=main_nav.

Also note that you perhaps have to hold a bag in your lap from the Johannesburg airport to Pretoria so the smaller the better.

This is a suggested packing list. Not all items are needed, nor is the list exclusive.Remember that the less that you bring, the less that you have to carry. If you can’t carry your luggage by yourself you have too much.

Here is my overall suggestion.... if you would be upset about anything you bring bring stolen, then don't bring it. We should be able to lock stuff up @ hostel and we will park within secure fences at Beam but... you never know.

Things to Keep in Mind When Packing

It is not necessary for you to bring an excessive amount of clothes (actually, please don’t). We have access to laundry service at the hostel in Pretoria. Be prepared to live in close community with others, to share and to have limited personal space. The hostel will provide bed linens and towels. But it might be worth it to pack an extra towel. They have a kitchen and any supplies needed to cook. Breakfasts are provided. We will do dinners together and pack lunches to take to BEAM centre.

It has wireless internet if you are bringing a computer. I am not sure but if its like most it should have desktop you could use for a fee and a pay phone. And as mentioned has laundry service.

Packing Tips: When packing, you will want to place all of your valuables, basic toiletries, medications & documents, etc. in your carry-on. Put an extra T-shirt and underwear in your carry-on too in case your luggage is delayed. Make sure any prescription medicine you bring is in its’ original container to avoid suspicion. In your main luggage, roll clothing and use small items to fill empty space. Use Zip Lock freezer bags around stuff that could break to prevent it from ruining everything.

[ ]Bible

[ ]Journal

[ ]Pens

[ ]a few Photos of friends and family

Toiletries (if you forget them you can buy them there)

[ ]Toothbrush, toothpaste

[ ]Deodorant

[ ]Razor, shaving cream

[ ]Shampoo, conditioner

[ ]Soap

[ ]Sunscreen/Sunglasses

[ ]Travel packages of Kleenex

[ ]Eyeglass prescription

[ ]Contacts, solution

[ ]Hand Sanitizer

[ ]Prescription Medication to last through the project (In original containers)

General Packing List for Everyone

[ ] Passport

[ ] Color Copy of Passport to give to Andy in case you lose yours

[ ] Money for time in London/souveniors/some meals

[ ] ATM Card (this is easier than bringing cash), you can also use a debit/credit card at the big grocery store in town.

[ ] Traveler's checks - some like using these for exchange over ATM. Your choise as pros & cons with each.

[ ] copy of debit/credit cards if you want

[ ] a Student ID if you have one which will give you discounts in a couple places

[ ] a pair of Tennis shoes for sports activities or dirty work

[ ] Comfortable Walking Shoes

[ ] Shower shoes (or Crocs) for community bathrooms in hostel

[ ] Small daypack/bag (could be your carry-on)

[ ] Towel and wash cloth (if you want)

[ ] batteries if needed

[ ] Camera

[ ] laptop... (I am planning to bring mine to do web updates. Anyone is free to use it too for email if you need to.)

[ ] Travel Alarm clock (battery operated)

[ ] a head lamp or small flashlight if you have it- do not go out and buy one if you don’t. We can all share.

[ ] Small travel games, cards

[ ] iPod if you'd like

[ ] Food items- snacks for plane. Don’t bring much- we have access to a lot in South Africa.

[ ] Electric Adapters (make sure its wattage matches your appliance’s wattage. Africa is the 3 prongs in the shape of a triangle)

[ ] Poncho &/or umbrella (doesn’t rain much during winter)

Clothes

South Africa will be in its winter season and it will probably be mild during the day (60s high) and get colder at night (40s low). Don’t bring a new outfit for everyday. Just expect to wear the same things multiple times. At the hostel we will have access to laundry. It can get cold at night ao, bring appropriate layers, jacket, etc. We will most likely wear pants/jeans every day so don’t bring many shorts. You won’t need a swimsuit as it will be cold though there is a pool at the hostel.

Suggested clothes:

It is also not smart to bring extra attention to yourself especially with crime there. No need to impress anyone this summer. :)

[ ] socks

[ ] underwear

[ ] jeans/pants

[ ] clothes to wear at Beam – for playing sports with kids, helping clean, serving meals, etc. You will most likely get dirty. You could bring clothes to wear that you can leave for BEAM at the end of project, but you don’t have to.

[ ] clothes to wear on around Pretoria. We will be in Hatfield area near University of Pretoria. Students wear pants/jeans on campus. It feels similar to being in the States.

[ ] warm PJs

[ ] 1 set of clothes to for morning runs, etc.

[ ] jacket/fleece for night

[ ] shirts that can easily layer (thin long sleeved, etc)

[ ] a stocking hat and light gloves if you get cold easily. Could be nice to have at nights. It is chilly in the evenings and in the mornings.

Suggestion: You may not want to bring anything clothing that you are super attached to. Be prepared to be flexible with weather and what we are doing. If we have to be smelly, or wear the same stuff over and over, then we can all do it together!

Medications

Please be sure to bring any medications that you normally use and enough for an entire time. There is a grocery store close where we can get all the basic stuff like cold medicine, pain relievers, shampoo, etc

Kayla & Cassie and Team

Kayla Daake (on the left) and Cassie Weber  have just recently graduated from Fairview High School.  Cassie writes about her and her friend, "I am 18 and Kayla will be 18 in August. I have been active in playing basketball and soccer in high school and will continue to play soccer in college. I am going to a school in Davenport, Iowa called St. Ambrose, where I am planning to study occupational therapy. Kayla played golf throughout high school and went to state this year. She plans on continuing her studies at CSU and plans to major in child psychology."

"We are both very excited about this opportunity to go and serve in South Africa. We feel like we’ve really been led to go on this trip and we know that it will drastically change our lives and outlook on this world. We are so excited that we get to share this experience as friends, but we are just as excited to be sharing this experience with such an amazing group of people.  We feel so fortunate to have this opportunity and we hope we use it to its fullest."

Team
I thought since we are highlighting friends and friends who I would speak a little about team.  Most of us may have been apart of some team (though I am not sure how many of us went to State like Kayla!) in our lives.  A few weeks ago, I saw team lived out in a great way.  At Luke's last soccer game he didn't want to play.  But his teammates came over and encouraged him to join them.  Quite frankly he wasn't the best player but they communicated that they wanted him and needed him to join them because he was a part of their team.

The last night before he went to the cross, Jesus prayed for the disciples and for even us as we would believe through their testimony. His prayer, recorded in John 17, is about being a part of a team or better yet, unity.   It's a wild prayer because He asks that we would be one as He is one with the Father.  And that this unity would be a witness to the world.  Later Paul  writes how as members of one united body, we each have unique contributions and how in turn we should have equal concern for one another.

Its sad to think that actually that's the opposite witness the church has often been to the world.  We are by nature divisive and tend to hunker down in our own camps.  We are quick to pass judgment on one another.  We allow truth (or our perception of truth) to divide and not unite.  We don't go seek out people like Luke's team did and say 'come and join us because we need you'.  

This summer we have a great opportunity to come together as one.  On one hand its obvious we are different as we span a wide range of ages and experiences.  I am sure we have different gifts, personalities, musical tastes, perceptions on life, political beliefs, etc.  But we have the opportunity to be united on one front... Jesus... both serving Him and serving others in His name. If our purpose is to focus on Jesus and on those we serve, we are a team and we can learn to appreciate our unique gifts in a way that brings glory to Him.   And as a team focusing on Jesus let's live in light of the fact that none of us are on the team as a mistake.  we all have been called to go together and we can learn from one another.

Jeanine & Reminder of Flights

Jeanine Coressel is our latest profile.  Jeanine has been instrumental in working on some of the fun details of our trip including getting a donation of 200 Crocs for the kids.

"Always on the go, that’s me," Jeanine writes.  "Only in the past it was following my son to his hockey games, daughter to Westernaires or volleyball.. Then they grew up, got married and it is just me.  But God is awesome.  He knows our hearts, our desires, our loves, and when we open our hearts to be used by Him.  He fulfills our every one.  Jer 29:11 says, 'For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord….' "

"The ride has been amazing...at 47 I was lead to Cornerstone Church.  My heart has always been to serve.  Shortly thereafter, He blessed me with a job in the Cornerstone office...one that I LOVE dearly.  I got involved with teaching and a few other things at the church.  And as time went on I watched my son & his now wife travel to SE Asia in His service twice & then move to the Seattle area to start a Youth ministry at a new church.  I watched my daughter & her now husband... serve through the Youth ministry and prepare for possible ministry in another country as well.   I have been so proud of them, and I really wanted to join them in serving in another way, a way maybe not so cozy and safe.  I tried to stay satisfied for all God was using me for.  Tried to focus on Hebrews 13:5: 'be content with what you have'.    

Then, one Sunday morning I woke from a dream where I was surrounded by little African children, the pastor on the radio was speaking on how badly missionaries were needed in Africa.. So I asked the Lord, 'are you really wanting to use me in Africa?'  I was unsure..so I asked that if I was meant to go… that I would see Andy & Robin at service that morning.  We attend 1^st service and I hardly every saw them there.  [Andy: this is because we are always late. And because if we come to 2nd service, Jack & Drew get Jeanine as the teacher for their class!]  Then at service, not only did I see Andy & Robin, they sat  2 rows in front of us…   The Lord allowed me to start serving locally & now is taking me on a trip to Africa to serve His children and His people in  His name… God is awesome!"

Just a reminder that I have to buy tickets tomorrow (May 27th), so if you are not in, call me immediately.

Flight Details
JUN 27 (except Cox's who leave on day later) - British Airways  218  leaves DEN @ 8:15 pm.  
JUN 28 Arrive LON @ 12:15 pm     Depart BA 55 @ 7:05 pm
JUN 29 Arrive JNB @ 6:55 am

British Airways is a partner with American Airlines so if you area frequent flier member with them you can accumulate miles.   

Plan on meeting at Group check-in for British Airways by 5:15 PM on June 27th.  This will give us plenty of time to check in and grab a meal if need be.

Dupras Family and Attiude of Christ III

The Dupras family is our 2nd family highlight. 

From left to right is Brian, Isaac, Charlie and Anne.   About why she believes the Lord is leading her family to go,  Anne writes, "When the opportunity to go to Africa came up at church, my heart jumped at the chance to serve 'the least of these' with my family. We have received a free gift to live our lives here on earth as children of God. I can live my life for Jesus because of the love that He has given me in my heart for others. I’m excited to see how God will change my heart, and the hearts of my boys."

Brian goes on to share:"(Ours) is a typical suburban story, with all the trappings of middle class living. It’s been all too easy for me to immerse myself in unimportant things, growing insensitive to God’s gentle guiding, setting a sedentary precedent for my family along the way. Preparing for this trip has forced me to take notice — to pray to God simply that he’ll open my eyes, my ears, my mind and my heart so that I can hear his call. He is doing this, and though I still find myself fighting to stay in old habits. I trust the Lord will coach me and my family back to an active spiritual lifestyle. Pray that God will shape me and mold me as spiritual leader of my family".

Attitude of Christ III

The 3rd S Attitude after Surrender and Service is in Philippians 2:5-11 is one most of us whether rather not face.  It's Sacrifice.  Jesus didn't just surrender his position in heaven to come to earth.  He didn't just take the form of a lowly servant.  He came to die and to die the most excruciating death imaginable - death on a cross.  (In fact the word excruciating from the Latin meaning 'from the cross'.)  Jesus' attitude was an attitude of choosing to die.. of sacrifice.

I think too often I am guilty of making missions seems like an adventure to those I want to mobilize.  And it is.  There are a lot of cool experiences from being on mission especially when you leave the comforts of Suburban America and are forced to experience the way most of the world lives.  But really its a call to 'come and die'.  Sacrificially serving among the least of these involves a death.  Even if it doesn't involve martyrdom,  (and with my family and you joining me I am not wishing this), its death.  It's a death to self.  It's entering there pain and suffering.  It's choosing to experience the death and pain they face daily of injustice, poverty, AIDs and heartache. It's a death to what I want or I think I need.  It's choosing to die for others' gain. It's a death for the Lord and His Kingdom.    

No one likes death.  If they do something wring.  Death is not the way it should be.  we would rather live.  Jesus faced that same struggle in the garden.  No one wants to drink the bitter cup.  But as God calls us 'to come and die', we in turn experience life, resurrected life, real life.  We are stripped to a point of dependency.  We identify with Christ and come to understand Him in a new way. We are exalted to a new place in His presence.  

Come and die... so others can live... so we can live.

Kristen and the Attitude of Christ Part II

Kristin Paben, pictured with Kyle her husband of 3 years, is from Kearney, Nebraska.   Kristen is a preschool teacher  and she and Kyle do a lot of babysitting for children in their cul-de-sac.  "Some days I truly believe the children think this is their second home and come over whenever they want, sometimes two or three times a day (thankfully, they almost always ring the doorbell).  The children are truly a blessing to us, we love them all." 

While Kristen has never gone on a missions trip out of the country, she believes it is to Africa the Lord has called her.  "About a year ago God put a passion in my heart for African children.  I knew that someday I would be going on a missions there, I just didn’t know when.  Then, in February we were sitting in church listening to the announcements and the Lord spoke very clearly to me and told me that He wanted me to go to Africa.  At that point I began to argue with him saying I didn’t know of anyone that was going and besides that it would be expensive.  The Lord told me that he would provide the funds, I just needed to get myself there.  After about a minute or so of arguing I surrendered and said 'ok'.  At that precise moment our pastor started talking about a Congo trip. After I investigated that trip the Lord closed the door.  To be honest I was a little frustrated because I didn’t know what the Lord wanted me to do." 

"A week after that Kyle threw me a surprise birthday party of which all my good friends could come.   I was venting to a friend about my frustrations of going to Africa.  A few days after that she called me up and told me about Beam Africa.  It sounded perfect, exactly what I was looking for.  Then the Lord closed the door (or so I thought) on this trip because in the beginning there were too many people signed up.  Then there preceded to be two more Africa trips that I could choose to be apart of, one of which Kyle could go to help build houses.  I prayed about it and I really felt like the Lord wasn’t calling me to those trips either.  I spent a whole weekend arguing with God and being frustrated with him.  I didn’t know if I had missed my chance or didn’t listen to him right.  I really thought that Beam was where the Lord was going to send me.  Then on a Sunday in church I again laid everything down at the Lord’s feet and surrendered everything to him.  It was the next day that Andy called me up and said that there was an opening for me on the trip." 

After going through all of that I realized a few things.  One, I learned to trust in the Lord that he really did have plans for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me.  The Lord was guiding my feet the entire way, he does have perfect timing.  I also realized why he allowed me to have so many different options available to go to Africa.  To be honest it has truly been a struggle for me to always put the Lord before Kyle.  It is through this mission I have really had to choose and it wasn’t exactly easy to do.  I realized that the Lord was asking me not to just go on a mission to help his children, it was more than that.  God was asking me if I was willing to leave everything and everyone, including Kyle behind to follow Him.  It’s as simple as that, was I willing to follow him no matter what the cost?  To that question, I have nothing to say but absolutely, no matter what, no matter where."

"This is for sure the mission the Lord wanted me to be a part of.  To be able to give love to the children, not just my love but the Lords unfailing love.  I can honestly say that there isn’t anything else that comes to my mind that would be better than being a beacon of light for Him to His beloved children."

Attitude of Christ - Servant
Continuing in Philippians 2, Paul writes that Jesus took the humble position of a slave or a servant.  To follow Christ means taking this same attitude.  I find it interesting that there are three scenes in the New Testament where the disciples begin debating about who is the greatest among them.  Every time its right after Jesus says that he is going to the cross.  Like are they jockeying for position?  And who does this in Jesus' presence?  It would be like arguing with someone who is a better basketball player while standing in the presence of LeBron James.

One of these scenes happened the last night before Jesus was arrested.  It's found in Luke 22.  Jesus had just led them in the passover meal and points out that one would betray Him.  Then they start this debate.  Jesus answers, "Boys... in this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves."

Jesus is one who serves.  he's like a waiter at a fancy banquet that wears black and tries not to draw attention to Himself.  And yet He is the most important.  he came to serve and not be served even though He desires to be served!

Serving invites us to identify with Jesus.  To live and minister the way he did.  To be willing to not draw attention to ourselves.  To serve even if no one notices.  To not lord it over but get down on the level of those in need.  To consider others more important than ourselves.

Shakespeare (or was it Christopher Marlowe) "that all the world's stage and all the men and women are merely players." But in the Kingdom, perhaps it should be "all the world is a stage and we are merely stagehands and Jesus is the main player."

McCullough's and the Attitude of Christ - part 1

McCullough's

We will start the team introductions with our family.  (Mostly because I keep forgetting to ask everyone to send me a pic and little 'get-to-know-you' info.)  Clockwise from me in the back you have: me, Robin, Luke, Drew and Jack.  Luke will turn 7 the day we arrive in South Africa while Jack & Drew will celebrate their 4th birthdays on July 29th.

Actually today is Robin & my 9th anniversary.  A couple of years ago I posed a question to Robin: "If you could do anything in the world what would you do?"   Without hesitation Robin answered, "I'd run an orphanage." 

I never knew.  Another pivotal point for me was two summers ago I read to Luke an email from our CCC team in South Africa.  They had spent the day on a safari and were going to Beam the next day.   As I read my friend Bekah's email about the kids they were going to serve at Beam, Luke with tears in his eyes asked why these kids had no parents.  I had never seen his compassionate heart and it touched me deeply.

These two events set me on a journey to better understand my wife's heart, my son's heart and God's heart for the poor.   Maybe God was leading us as a family to do something about the plight of orphans and systemic poverty.  So a few months later, I went to South Africa with a group from CCC and served at Beam as we had a Christmas party for these kids.  I knew right then I needed to return and bring others with me.  So I helped organize another trip through Cornerstone Church last summer.  That trip was not only about leading a team to serve but really considering if I could bring my family with me.  When I returned I told Robin that I'd for us to considering coming back in 2009 as a family.

I am really looking for an opportunity to serve together as a family.  I want us as a family to connect with God's heart for the poor and learn more about Christ as we sacrificially serve.

The Attitude of Christ

The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 2 about how we are to live together in this community of followers of Jesus.  In verses 5 and following, he says we are to have the attitude of Christ and he lays out what this attitude is like.

Attitude of Surrender

Jesus, though He was God, became a human being.  And not just any human, he surrendered to the point to being a person who lived on the fringes.  he placed himself in a place of being dependent on others.  Consider as you raise support that Jesus, who owned it all, was supported in ministry.  When he needed to pay the temple tax, he couldn't even reach in his pocket and pull out a coin.  He had to borrow a boat to preach from and a donkey to ride.  When he needed to feed 5000, he had to borrow a little boy's lunch to preform the miracle.  He had no home.  He had nothing.

Jesus didn't just preach good news to the poor, he became poor and bring to the poor.  he didn't just come to comfort those who mourn and bind up the brokenhearted, he became a man of sorrows and acquainted with much grief as he comforted us and bound up our broken hearts.  He became like one of us to minister to us.  He surrendered and became like the least of these to minister to the least of these.   This is what he calls us to do: sell our possessions give to the poor (apply that however he leads) take up our cross and follow Him.   We are to live a life of surrender.

Other Two S's - To be Continued

Rather than make an even longer post than it already is, I am gonna continue in the next post with the other two attitudes from this passage.   For now, consider what it means to surrender.  Consider what it means to not just serve the poor from a position of poor or wealth but to actually become poor to reach the poor.  To put ourselves in their shoes (or lack thereof.)  To surrender as we relate to one another and consider others more important than ourselves.  To give up...  to say "Here I am Lord, Send me.  Use Me.  Let me be an Instrument of your love and mercy."

Join Us!

Imagine spending time in the most important and influential country in all of Africa. A country where wealth and wide-spread poverty are next-door neighbors. A country that is experiencing one of the most severe AIDS epidemics in the world. A country still healing from the very turbulent and racist past of Apartheid. A country rich in diversity with 11 official languages and cultures. Africa’s greatest hope is the gospel of redemption brought through Jesus alone. Africa’s hope is South Africa. Consider being a part of exploring a beautiful landscape and pursuing what it means to believe God for redemption in South Africa.