Team Orange

There are a total of ten students and five staff on our DTS. For outreach we will be splitting into two teams. We spilt for two reasons, one being that fifteen people is to many to be traveling around villages with, and two, because we can reach more people. 

We prayed a lot as staff about how we should split the teams and came to the conclusion that its best to have God pick the teams :) So we gave each team a Color. Chris and I were Orange and Duane and Becky (our married couple) were Green (One of our staff isn't going on outreach with us). Then we told the students to pray about what color to pick. We didn't tell them what staff was what color and they weren't allowed to talk about it or tell anyone what they had gotten. They were to write their color down with their name and put it in a box. 

At the end of the week we pulled all the papers out and announced the teams. Team Orange ended up with four students and team green got six students. 

The teams were definitely hand picked by God! I really feel like the people who's personalities work best together were put together. Also Orange team needed to be smaller, cause we will be traveling a lot more and going into small villages. 

That said, I would like to introduce you to my amazing team Orange!

I'll start with our lovely ladies.

First up, coming in at 5 foot 2 is my amazing co-leader Christina! 

Chris is absolutely incredible! She's a country bumpkin from New York that loves India, being creative, and Jesus. She can always make me laugh! Chris has such a heart for God and is such a servant leader! She has been a great roll model for me and been teaching me how to lead the way Jesus leads. I've been so blessed to have her! I really look forward to leading this outreach with her! 

Up next, coming in with a beautiful smile is Teresa (T-bomb)!

Teresa is super sweet! She is a Floridan who definitely does not like snow, but chooses to have a good attitude about it anyways. She loves music and has an amazing singing voice! Teresa has a kind spirit and loves God with all her heart! Her desire is to serve him in anyway she can. Teresa is very sensible and will be able to keep all the rest of us crazy kids from killing ourselves :) She makes me smile!

Then last for the Ladies is the one and only Elisabeth!

Elisabeth is an awesome young lady of God! She's from Washington and absolutely loves cooking, worshipping, and adventure! Its always a good time when Elisabeth's around. She's always so cheerful and always spreads her mood to others! She has a special gift for intercession. Elisabeth is also super organized and responsible! I'm really excited about having another organizer around! She Couldn't imagine the team without her!

Now for the Guys...

Coming all the way from Canada we have Andrew!

Andrew is our crazy Canadian who is always up for a good time! Everyone loves picking on him, and if he didn't dish it right back I might feel sorry for him. I'm pretty sure everyone makes fun of him cause they're just jealous though :). He brings heaps of joy to our team! He earnestly pursues God daily and adds so much to our team! I don't know what we would do if we didn't have an "eh" here and there every once and awhile.

And last, but definitely not least is Matthew!

Matt is "Normally Awesome!" He also said to say that he's hot and muscular too haha! He's from Montana and loves everything involving snow! He also really likes golf. Matt is often the life of the party and when him and Andrew are together, no one is ever bored. He has a super amazing heart and is totally on fire for God! He's gonna be a really awesome leader and I'm super glad to have him on my team! Oh and I'm sure his muscles will come in handy too :) 

Prayer Around the Fire

Just keep swimming...

Week seven of lecture phase is drawing to an end. I can't believe how fast time is flying by! The last few weeks have been both powerful and somewhat challenging. The "honeymoon" phase is over and our students are really starting to feel the strain of pressing in so hard for so long. Now is when their true desire for God is coming out. They are having to decide whether or not they want to continue pursuing God whole heartedly despite the fact that they are tired, people are getting on their nerves, they're homesick, and having to deal with other distractions that life has a habit of throwing at us. We all have our bad days, but for the most part everyone has been doing an amazing job of choosing to have good attitudes and being helpful even when they don't feel like it. I am so super proud of them all! They have proven themselves to be incredible men and women of God! My heart is just bursting with love for them and I feel so blessed to be able to be their leader!

Prayer points

1. Pray that we would all continue learning what it truly means to die to ourselves and live for Christ.

2. The students (and Staff) where given the opportunity to stay in India for an extra three months to work with our English teaching ministry. Some of them have decided to stay and some are still seeking God in it. Please pray that they would have clarification on what they are supposed to do.

3. Pray for energy, motivation, and good attitudes for everyone, staff and students.

4. Pray for health. Cold season is definitely here and trying to focus and have a good attitude is ten times harder when you're sick!

Thank you all so much for your prayers! Blessings on you!

In Christ
Naomi Joy