Zambia

In my effort to update my blog I have not really known how to write a blog about our trip to Zambia. It's just hard to put those 14 days into words. This was a trip that definitely got under my skin and probably one of the best trips that I have been on. While I am tempted to just type up my whole journal I will spare you that and just give you a few highlights (some pictures will follow in another blog):

* I was good to me to be so far away from the western world that I am used to and to feel like a minority everywhere I went

* It was humbling to meet Pastor Charles and his wife Margaret, two amazing people of God who have sacrificed much in their lives to advance the kingdom of God and to make an impact on the children of Twapia

* It was an amazing experience to ring in the new year by participating in an all night worship service. I can honestly say that I have never praised God on New Years for allowing me to see another year pass. Our friends in Zambia were overjoyed that God allowed them to see 2009 and the sang and danced together in celebration.

* I'm used to going on missions trips and hanging out with the children and people who are the worst of. But the children who live at Hope house orphanage and those who attend Hope community school are doing so well because of the ways that hope ministries is offering them resources. They are healthy, clothed, getting a meal, and very loved. This is wonderful to see and left me with an incredible sense of hope.

* I also got to experience a bit of London during one of our layovers, something that I've always wanted to do.

* I realized how far money really can go and how much extra money we in America have...simple but so true

* I loved my team and I appreciated their willingness to go deep together on this trip, we had many rich times together and I was challenged by their thoughts and ideas. Love them!

Ok I could go on but the truth is that I'm still processing it all. But it was an amazing cross cultural experience and I was honored to catch a glimpse of how God is working in Zambia and raising up faithful people who serve him there.

Here is the letter that I wrote to my supporters after we got back:

Hello Friends-
We have been back from Zambia for 2 weeks now and I’m still trying to wrap my brain around all that happened on our trip. As those who sponsored me, I wanted to fill you in on some of things that we did and experienced while we were in Zambia. Our time there was split between hanging out with the orphans that live at Hope House, running a clinic for the students at Hope Community School, and working on the new orphanage building. Throughout the entire 2 weeks we had the opportunity to become friends with many of the Zambians who run Hope Ministries and who devote so much of their lives to helping these orphans. It was inspiring to see how many things they have been able to do to help the orphans and the students at the school. The team of people that they have working at the orphanage, and school are passionate people who want nothing more than to encourage and equip the orphans there. It was an honor to meet them and offer them some help for the weeks that we were there.
Here’s an idea of what we were able to help them with while we were there:
Hope House has 14 orphans and 2 house moms that live in the current orphanage. But they are only a few months away from completing the new orphanage! Having this new house will allow them to have 30 orphans. While we were there we were able to buy all the wire that they needed to wire the house and we were able to help them install the wiring. They are all excited about the new orphanage and the home that it will offer for these orphans.
Hope Community School started a new semester while we were there and we were able to join them for their opening day. One of the things that they have been able to start at the school is a meal program for all the students. We learned that for most of these students this is the only meal that they will get in a day. On our first day there we helped serve the meal and then got a chance to meet all the students. The rest of our time at the school was spent offering a clinic for all the students. By the end of the week we were able to see 300 students.
I am excited about what is happening in Zambia because of Hope Ministries and supporters like you. Thank you so much for supporting me and this trip. If you would like to learn more about what is happening in Zambia because of Hope Ministries you can go to the Spark Ventures website. You can also learn more about sponsoring one of the students at the school if you would like another way to be involved.
I really can’t believe that this trip is over, it seemed to go so fast and there were so many rich experiences packed into our 2 weeks there. But I am thankful for the chance to go and will continue to think and process this trip for quite sometime.

Thanks Again!
Angie
www.sparkventures.org

Family Portraits

Last year we gave my parents a portrait session for our family. We weren't able to actually have the session until this year but the results were well worth the wait. 

I have no idea why this picture of Michele is so much smaller

Christmas

One of the best things about being a student still is that I have so much time off for Christmas! I was home in Colorado for about 2 weeks this year and Ben, Michele, and Chloe were able to come home for several weeks too. We had a great time all together and I think that this was one of our most relaxing Christmas' ever! Aunt Carol, Laura, Landon and Liz all made the trip to Colorado as well. It was great to be all be together!

Wysocki siblings opening gifts at Gma and Gpa's

White Elephant gifts with the Blue Hair families

Ben wrapped gifts all day on Christmas Eve...what a guy!

Introducing Laura and Aunt Carol to Chedd's...yum

Lovely Larson Ladies working in the kitchen

Christmas Morning breakfast

A little DDR on Christmas Eve after our movie...I think that Laura and Sophie look more like sisters than cousins

Michael, Brittany, Mich, Ben, Janelle, & Dave at the Blue Hair party

I love Ben's face in this one

The Blue Hair Group picture, it just wouldn't be Christmas without this party with these families. All we are missing are the Cuthbertson kids

Sophie's favorite b-day present

Decorating the Christmas Tree in one of Mom's Christmas sweaters

A Fall of Firsts

Like I said, "hold on" because we are going back a few months. So back we go to October when I was honored to help officiate the wedding of my friends Will and Carin. The wedding was at Carin's parents home and was one of the most beautiful fall weddings I have ever seen. It was a great experience to be able to pray over them and help them as they took their vows. The best was being able to pronounce them married. 

Another first for me last fall was my trip to the top of the arch in St. Louis. This first was made possible by my dear fake sister Tate who is from St. Louis and who I met there for Thanksgiving. It was great getting to spend Thanksgiving with the Tate's, the Poshak's, and the Van Rossum's. You'll have to just believe me that they were all there though because I only have pictures to document our trip to the arch:) 

back in action

If you check my blog you may have thought that I died or dropped of the face of the earth or something...don't worry, I'm still here. I've just really failed in my blogging these past few months. As one person so lovingly pointed out, "Angie, you have to blog sometime soon or people aren't going to read it anymore". 

The problem now is that a lot of life has happened since October and I'm pretty sure that I won't do it justice as I tell you about it. I couldn't be more grateful for the times that I have had with family and friends, it's really been a super full few months.

So hang on and enjoy the next few blogs as I try and fill in some of the missing gaps on here...

Time Flies

I catch myself thinking "I can't believe it's October" a lot these days. I know it's somewhat cliche but I really can't believe that we are here. Seriously, October?!?! This semester has been incredibly busy and that tends to lead to time flying by. I wouldn't recommend this pace of living though but it is what it is for me right now. I'm finding that I don't like saying that I'm stressed though because that seems to imply that I'm not happy. Well maybe my definitions are off but I'm definitely happy but just trying to not spill anything off of my very fully plate. God has given me many open doors to experience ministry and to stretch myself and for that I'm thankful. It has also felt really good to be here for a 3rd year. A few weeks ago when I walked into someones house to watch the "Office" premiere and was greeted by a group of 20 or so students that I know and that I love doing life with here. And I realized that none of them were students that I had known from CBC, and I thought "Hmm, when did that happen?" That is just one example of how gracious God has been to me this year as I feel like I have found my rhythm here and that I have built a life for myself...there were days that I thought that would never happen. So now in the midst of a crazy schedule I'm just trying to soak it all up before I graduate and have to move again (that's a whole different blog for a different day!)

Here are a few highlights of my life the past few weeks...

In the past week I  have managed to fit in a few really great shows like Sigur Ros, Ray LaMontagne, and Aaron Espe. All of these shows just reminded me how great it is to experience bands and musicians who are all about the music. Don't get me wrong, I love shows with great production too but I have really enjoyed sitting through these musical experiences and taking it all in without the hype and showmanship that sometimes comes with some acts. This is a pic from Sigur Ros...globes, nice...

One of my favorite parts of fall is homecoming and the NP homecoming BlocParty! Our chapel planning team has helped out for the past 2 years by making sno-cones, popcorn, and cotton candy. There are tons of people who come from the neighborhood and there are always lots of great friends that come back for the weekend.

And my days with these two are never boring. It's fun to see how they are growing up and becoming funnier every week! Hanging out with Kyle and Ellie is always a nice break from homework.

Zambia or Bust

My newest adventure to report is a trip to Zambia that I'll be taking Dec 27th - Jan 10th! For the past few years North Park has sent a team there every December and May to partner with Hope Ministries. I have always been intrigued by this trip but never seriously considered going. Then the combination of several things rolling around in my head and the prompting of some people around here pushed me to fill out the application and see what would happen. And after a few weeks I found out that I was chosen to be apart of the team and go on this trip.  

I'm mostly excited, but a little nervous for this adventure. I'm excited to not be a leader and to get to participate. I'm excited to meet new people who are going. I'm excited to get out off of this continent and see how God is working in other contexts. I'm nervous for what God needs to mess up in me. I'm excited to see Tom, Aaron, Rox, and Amanda (NP grads who are living there now) I'm excited because I have no idea what to expect...

For more info on our trip check out the North Park Global Partnerships Website