More On Africa

Our team from Grace Church left on Tuesday and were scheduled to arrive in the city of Bangui in the Central African Republic this morning at 5:30. Today they will rest up and visit the Orphan Welcome Center that we provided some of the dedication and security cost for. They will then begin their tour tomorrow of the schools for orphans that we as a ministry fully support. They will be in Africa through Thursday, Feb 12th and then will be spending Feb 13th and 14th in Paris before flying back home to Lititz on Feb 15th.

The team members pictured above are as follows:

Back row (left to right):

Matt McElravy, who is our worship Arts Director (see my note below)
Doug Kegarise, who is our Director of Student Ministries
Marlin Weaver, former missionary in France now on staff here at Grace
John Kegarise, who is chairman of our Elder Board
Mike McCracken, who is the chairman of our Mission Team

(**MY NOTE – did you notice Matt’s eyes? The boy simply cannot have a picture taken of him without squinting. Is that some kind of psychological thing or what?)

Seated (left to right):

Brenda Miller, who is our Early Childhood Director
Joan McCracken, who is on our Mission Team

Some of the things the team will do with the orphans include:

Balloon animals (they’ve never seen these before)
Playing games
Telling Bible stories through interpreters
Coloring pages with crayons (they’ve never seen crayons!!!)
Giving them gifts including soccer balls and toothbrushes
Sharing photos of their families and lives in America
Providing special meals for them

Specific things to pray for regarding this team include:

Safety and smooth transitions in travel (trains, planes and automobiles)
That they would be an encouragement to the orphans & their teachers
For physical and spiritual protection
For unity with the team through many travels and difficult situations
For their families at home while they are gone