Hello readers! This is the first official post on Christiania Youth’s new blog. The purpose of this blog (as you may have read on the “About Us” page) is first and foremost to keep a log of our mission trips so people back home can read about our adventures. This blog was originally created to serve as a means for communication while 14 youth and adults embark on a mission trip to Tanzania, Africa which starts on July 30, 2008. I hope that the posts we do on this blog while we are away will keep us connected to our congregation and include our friends and families in on our journey. Because if it weren’t for the people in our community, this trip would not be possible.
In addition to serving as a trip log, this blog will also serve as a way to stay connected in community while we live our daily lives. It is my goal to do periodic posts authored by myself and others that will engage youth and adults in contemplation and discussion around a number of topics. But don’t get me wrong, this is not one of those serious, intellectual blogs that speaks only of important issues and news. This is supposed to be fun!
SO, here’s how it works. Blog posts will be displayed on the front page with the most recent post at the top (scroll down to see previous posts). If you feel so compelled to leave a comment or ask a question about the post (which is encouraged), you can do so by clicking on the comment link at the bottom of the post. Comments will be a way for us to discuss the blog post with each other or just a way to say hello–you can leave as many as you want. As you may also notice, there is a chat section on the right side of the page. This is a place where you can leave messages in an ongoing conversation with all those who visit this blog. You do not have to log in to leave a message–just type what you want to say in the text box and press enter! If you want to put your name on it instead of the generic one, you can change it in the space below where you type that says “edit nickname.”
I think that about covers it. If there are questions, leave a comment and I’ll try to answer them!
†peace.
Elizabeth
Hi Cathy and Abbie:
I hope you arrived safe and sound and enjoyed your short visit in New York. I’m so anxious to see the first “blog” and your impression when you reach your destination. Just wanted you to know you’re on my mind.
Love,
Mom Reichmuth
Bwana Yesu Asifiwe!
I will be praying for your Safari Njema. This is an exciting time for all of you as you meet and learn from our Tanzanian brothers and sisters. This trip will make an enormous impact on all of your lives of faith and service. I hope for you God’s blessings. I wait with great anticipation for your stories.
I am greatly indebted to someone in the group who will give a hug to Richard and Dorothy Lubawa for me!
Salama
Pastor Dave
Just checking to see how this thing works!
We just wanted to send a note of Good-Bye & God speed to Savanna Anderson and her group. May your trip to Tanzania be blessed, as you share God’s word with others!
Love, Aunt Melanie & Family
Hello all,
Glad to hear that the trip is going great so far, you guys packed quite a bit into yesterday! It may be the only time that some of you will ever see those sites so I’m glad you did! It has been raining all morning here, but I’m glad, we sure needed it.
Pastor Nancy, thank you for letting Savanna use your phone to call home, I felt much better just knowing she got there o.k.!
Look forward to your next posting Elizabeth!
Love, Kristie
Savanna,
I forgot to mention, Candice lost 3 teeth yesterday!!!! She pulled all of them out within 1 hour. We told her she better leave some in there so she can eat!
that’s all for now.
Love,
Mom
P.S. If you see any collector spoons could you pick her up one please?
good luck in africa you have only been gone for one day and we already miss you. love and kisses to all and many prayers to you i will be anxiously waiting to hear how you are doing love, prayers, and many kisses lol have fun abbie and cathy miss you grandma and grandpa
Thinking and praying for you and all the experiences to come. (I left a comment on the first blog message too),
Anxious to hear more when you are able.
Love;
Tia
Brian and Senja!
We put Megan on the airplane to Guatemala at 3:00am this morning! As we pray for her mission team we will praying for yours! Senja, at our send-off dinner one of the parents prayed that the student’s stomachs would love the food in Guatemala – I’m praying that yours will love the food in Africa!!
Love you!
Dave and Mary
Hi all – I LOVED the blog about your first visit to Ihemi – it’s just amazing isn’t it? Have you ever felt such energy and love in a room full of people you’ve never met? You are in great hands with Pastor Kimbavala (tell him Gordie and Kirsten say “Uff Dah”) and the rest of the gang there in Ihemi.
We’re so glad your trip is off to a great start – and that you got to stop and have a little lunch safari. Seeing that first giraffe or whatever it was is pretty darn incredible.
Safe travels – may God continue to watch you and bless you with great friends, new experiences and a new way of feeing the spirit.
Gordie & Kirsten Storlie
PS: please, if you visit the Diocese, say a special hi to Pastor Imelda Kissava for us, she is a very special friend of ours (ask her about the bike)
Good morning Savanna & all,
Well, I guess it’s NOT morning there is it?! It’s hard for me to get use to when we write these comments in the morning, your day is actually almost done! When I am at home, I am constantly checking for new postings. Thank GOD and Elizabeth for this site, I really think I would go crazy without it! It has been so interesting to hear what you are experiencing over there. Savanna, I was so worried about you coming back 10 lbs. lighter. From reading the blog, I am pretty sure that will not happen. Sounds like you all are being fed pretty well!
On Sat. we went to a restaurant and when they asked how many in our group, I automatically said 5! Dad had to correct me and say 4. We are really missing you, but are so happy for all of you that you are experiencing another corner of our world.
Everyone at church yesterday was asking about all of you and Pastor Dave said a prayer for you.
Classic Car Sunday went really well, we did about as many hot dogs & root beer floats as last year. We had a few more cars though, last year they had 11 and this year there were 17!
I better go, this is getting a little long.
Lots of love,
Mom
P.S. Your schedule for school came!
Hello all you world trekkers!!
I can hardly wait for you to get back and hear you tell of your once in a life time experiences!! I am Savanna Anderson’s Aunt from Underwood, Minnesota. We have just gotten back from the Blackhills of South Dakota, but it doesn’t compare to the trip you guys on!! Be safe in your travels, but take it all in. We leave tomorrow again for a 5-day camping event at We-Fest, a country music festival which we have attended for 18 years now. Savanna, I hope you take lots of pictures and I will make a special trip down to see you later so you can tell me all about it. May the Lord protect you and bring you home safely. Thanks for all the “good things” you are doing for the Africian people!!!
Love, Vickey Goeden
hello to all of you just wanted to say hi and to let you know you are all in our prayers. so how has the weather been. it is sure nice being able to keep in touch this way. Well gotta run take lots of pictures and have fun Jenna are you at least trying the food?
Habari!
Please have a discussion about leading a worship service sharing your expereinces in Word and song, along with an adult forum. I think sometime in September would be good excluding Rally Day and the 21st. Even in October could be a posiblity.
Asante
Pastor Dave
Hi gang!!!!!!
Everything sounds like fun we wish we were there!!!!!!!
Yes that was the Bachmans…The husband was killed and the wife Barb Bachman is in critical condition…..if you want me to keep you posted on her condition I can. Just let me know……
Sounds like your having alot better food then expected….
Takle care and God Bless!
Deb and Linzey MIschke
Hi everyone!!!!
Let me know in a short bleep if you got my last msg ??? I don’t know if Im doing this correctly……I guess Mrs. Bachman is improving from critical condition….keep them in your prayers!!!!
Cathleen we had a fire in Kris’s back yard Sat. night and got Mr. Chris out…also the 3 IG kids send their love….
Hello to all.
Deb and Linzey