How to Donate

For those who don't know and would like to donate this is how:

A) Step 1: Go to www.experiencemission.org and click on the Donate link located in the top navigation bar.
Step 2: Select the large Sponsor a Volunteer box.
Step 3: Select one of the two options to Sign In.
Step 4: Complete the Sponsor a Volunteer process. (You will need my User Id which is NHIL1002.)

B) Order a toque, crocheted item or one of the many other crafts I'm making to help raise money.

C) Donate your stuff you no longer need to my garage sale which will be on May 4th at Northside Bible Fellowship Church (2911 Edmonton Trail NE, Calgary, AB)

D) Ask me to Babysit

If you have any questions just send me an email at naomi.hills1@gmail.com

Another Day, Another Post

3. What makes you think God is calling you on this trip?

If I could answer this question in one word it would be peace, but I'll expand on that. I know that God is calling me to go on this trip because I feel peace when ever I think about going. The first response I usually get when I tell people I'm going to South Africa is "be careful." South Africa is known as a dangerous place. I was told that Johannesburg airport is ranked as the most dangerous airport in the world, I don't know if this is true but I find that I'm not afraid either way. I've heard my 'horror' stories about South Africa. I've heard about how people will slice open your backpack and take your things or just kill you for your backpack. I've heard how if you stop at a red light there is a high chance that you'll be car jacked and so many other stories. But I don't feel any fear about going. I feel complete peace. When ever someone mentions a story like that I simply think well if that happens to me it's God's will. I know that I'm meant to go on this trip because of the peace I feel in this decision.

4.  What will you be doing for the three months that you will be in South Africa?

To be honest, I couldn't tell you. This program does has a set schedule. The goal of the Immersion Program is to develop leaders who ask the hard questions about God, themselves and humankind. As cultural lines become blurred and authentic friendships are formed, they hope that every team member will get a clearer picture of Gods unique purpose for their life and how they should live out this mission in a way that serves others. In other words for three months I will be serving others. Whether that means getting involved in children's ministries or building a house we will be there to do it. We will move from community to community and serve them in what ever way we can. This is one of the things I loved about this program because I believe that God will take us to amazing places because we're letting Him lead, not a set schedule.
 

The First of Many

I find this a little weird writing about stuff in my life that anyone can read. I mean I'm used to writing letters where I know who I'm writing to so I can be silly or sarcastic and I know they'll understand it even if it's on paper. I guess what I'm trying to say is bear with me in these next few months as I get excited about my trip and eventually go on it and that I find it weird to be writing to no one and everyone at the same time. Throughout these months I plan to answer two questions with each post (so I can acutely have something to talk about) but once I'm in South Africa I'll probably foprget the questions and just tell you what's happening. So, question 1...

1. What is worrying you the most about this trip?

Well, there is always fear of the unknown so that’s a minor worry right now, e.g. what will it be like, who will be on my team and other factors like that that I'm in the dark about. Another worry is the danger of the country, many people have warned me about the crime rates of South Africa but I trust that God will keep me safe or teach me something when I'm in danger. A more major concern is money; with only 75 days until $1400 is due for the missions trip little pockets of doubt are beginning to pop up in my mind about if I will be able to raise enough. I'm always amazing at the generosity of people. I know that I'll have support and have had support. But I also feel like this is going to be a lot more work than the past mission trips. I'm not complaining, I'm willing to put in the work to be able to go, but it's a lot of money to raise. You see the $7000 is the cost I have to pay the organization, it doesn't include my flight to and from New York (where I'll be flying out of and into before and after the trip) vaccinations and other things that I'll need to take with me. So that's a...well not really a worry but more of a concern. Needless to say a lot of prayer is going into and has gone into this trip. I know that if God wants me on this trip , which I feel he truly does, the money will come.

2. Why this trip?

I knew that I wanted to take a year off before jumping back into school. I also knew that in this year off I wanted to go on a long term mission trip so I started looking around. First I looked at the well-known organizations, such as YWAM and OM, but none of them really fit. Either they would start before I turned 18, which is the required age for most long term missions, the date wouldn't work or I wouldn't like the program. I then started Googling mission trips and I came across a few great organizations, one of them being Experience Missions. Slowly after reading into the organizations and getting more info I had it narrowed down to Experience Missions and one other trip. After praying about it for a while I felt that Experience Missions was the trip the I was being called to, I then applied and after an interview I was accepted. So to answer the question I choose this trip because it fit with what I wanted to do, I didn't just want to go into 'the field' each day and come out I wanted to be immersed in the culture and this program lets me do that.

Okay, two questions down! I'll be sure to continue to answer questions and update you on my progress in the coming months before I leave for South Africa. If you have any specific question just comment below and I will try to answer them.