Reminders

Today I'm really missing Indonesia, my team, and especially my little friend Ambre! I was super homesick the day I met Ambre, but his smile and kind heart reminded of the real reason I was there! It's the little things that really make the biggest impact on your life! Forever missing the experiences I had this summer! 
‪#‎IndonesianAtHeart‬    #NTP52

Children Around the World

Oh, the joys of knowing and loving children from different places in the world❤ This is Naam and Biw. Please pray for these two and the children at Grace house in Thailand where I stayed over the summer. These children are the future of Thailand. Please pray for them to grow strong in the Lord.

-Alyssa
2015 Thai Dorm Team

Quotes from the Heart: The Ones God Uses

How has your perception of a missionary & mission work changed as a result of this summer?

I always thought missions was for those with a specific skill set. They needed to be at a certain spiritual level, have some authority- the perfect Christian which obviously is non-existent. Now, I realize Christ calls the broken, the hurt, and the weak to lead, to be strong, to be the lights of the world.

-Jamie
P52 Detroit

Quotes from the Heart: Storms of Life & Laundry

What was the funniest thing that happened to you this summer?

After taking a few hours to wash all our clothes (by hand) then as soon as we hung them out to dry... a storm came through and they all got soaked and were blown down the mountain into the mud. Storms like this were a part of daily life... we learned to just wash them again & move on through our day.

-Bohol, Philippines

Quotes from the Heart: Stand Firm

In what ways has God changed you through this experience?

God has shown me the lostness of this world. How I am obliged & honored to carry His name to those who need it. He has also showed me how He can work through me in anyway He sees fit. I'm not a person who gets in front of people & talks. It's not comfortable... but that was my whole summer. That's how we shared our stories. So, God had to give me courage to do this. I pray that when God asks me to stand in front of people & testify to His name that I will stand firm & not waiver.

Quotes from the Heart: The Unexpected

How did this past summer compare/contrast

to your expectations?

My expectations were completely different than what my team did this summer, but in a good way. I came in thinking that my team and I would spend the summer playing basketball all the time, but we also did construction and held Bible studies. I also didn't  realize that God was going to change me as much as he did. It can be frustrating when circumstances don't go according to our plans. This summer showed me that it is better not to let expectations get in the way of what God has planned. Instead, be ready for the unexpected.

Re-building/painting school buildings damaged by recent typhoon

 

Quotes from the Heart: Lessons Learned

In what ways has God changed you through

this experience?

 
Where do I begin with this question? 

• First, my heart is changed for the people of Cebu, Philippines. 
• I have realized that God did not choose me to be one of his children just to stand on the outside looking in, but to go in to spread his Word and be a vessel for Him. 
• God has changed my whole mindset on being his servant. I still don't know exactly what that looks like for my future, but He has made that much clear.  
• My attitude has also changed in understanding the needs around me, not just in the Philippines, but also at home.  
• God has changed my prayer life and is teaching me how to study His Word while before I had been just going through the motions. These are just a few of the lessons I have learned.

Quotes from the Heart: Advice for future teams

What is some advice you have for future teams?

Immerse yourself into the community and culture of where you are for the summer; the people are much more open and friendly when they realize that you love them and care about their language and culture. Be willing to change plans at the last minute even if you don't want to because you never know what the Lord is doing around you!