India Photos

I’ve finally had a few moments to put some of our India photos online.  Check them out!

http://picasaweb.google.com/christina.jerrett/India#

Back from India!

Hello friends!

We arrived back from India last Friday, and it has been a whirlwind since then, trying to catch up from 2 weeks out of the country and leaving for another week tomorrow, all while recovering from jet lag.  (That’s probably why you haven’t heard from me yet…)

Anyway, we had a GREAT trip.  We took around 1300 photos in two weeks (yes, that is a ridiculous amount of pictures) that will be helpful in future recruiting and promoting for this region.

Our trip consisted of all sorts of different experiences: riding camels, avoiding cows on the highway, navigating confusing India streets in auto rickshaws and on the back of scooters, eating new foods, buying clothing without knowing the language, learning about the history and culture of the region, and making new friends!

But rather than just telling you about it, I’d rather give you a small taste of what it’s like through some of the photos we took.

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One week!

Just a short update to say… one week until we leave for India!  I’m excited!

And, some great news, I’m at about 90% of my support (still have about $300 left)!  Thanks everyone for your gifts and prayers!

Almost there! 80%!

I leave for India in two weeks, and I currently have 80% of the support I need raised!  Thanks to all of you who have given or been praying for me!  Only $600 left to raise!  (That means if 3 people gave $200, 6 people gave $100, or 12 people giving $50, I would be there!)  Check the previous post for details on how to give, and thanks for your continued prayers as I’m preparing to go.

In other news, Paul reached his goal for his 25 Day -$25 challenge! That means the beard will be coming off soon. I’m sure there will be a video of that soon.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Update on India Trip

I just wanted to send a quick update on the progress of my India trip.  Several of the things I asked you to pray for have already happened.  We have both received our visas and our plane tickets have been purchased.  We’ve also found a dSLR camera to borrow. I just got an itinerary emailed to me a few days ago, and it’s starting to set in… I’m really going to India!

So far in only a few weeks, about 59% of the support I need for this trip has either come in or has been pledged!  Thank you all so much! That means only $1,220 more remains to be raised. My goal is to reach $3,000 before June 25. Thanks for considering partnering with me in this strategic way.

To give, visit www.perspectives.org/giveonline and select my name from the “Choose a Staff Member” menu.

Or if you would prefer to give by check, make it out to USCWM – MA-210 (for IRS purposes, do NOT write my name on the check) and send it to:

U.S. Center for World Mission
Ministry Accounts
PO Box 3586
Fayetteville, AR  72702

Include a separate note that has my name and says it’s for my India trip.

GOer Group Video update

In other news, back at the USCWM, I’m working with a summer intern named Jessica, and we’re just about to start filming for the GOer Group videos tomorrow afternoon.  So far we’ve built a small sound-proof studio (ok, more like sound resisitant… you can’t soundproof a room that starts with 1inch walls and no ceiling) in a back office (Dad, thanks for teaching me how to use power tools!), put together a set, started scheduling some incredible speakers to come in for interviews, and brainstormed how to get t his valueable information to college students.  Please pray with us as we take on this huge task!

I hope you all are enjoying the first few days of summer!  Let me know what you’re up to!

Trip Dates:
June 26 – July 9

Total Trip Cost:
$3,000

Amount left to raise:
$1,220

Ways to Pray

• GOer Group Project: Pray for guidance and creativity as we start filming this week.

• Support for India: Pray that my friend and I will both be able to raise the support we need for this trip.

• Long-term Workers: Pray that this trip will help raise long-term laborers to go to this region!

India trip

I have the opportunity to go along on a vision trip next month! My friend, in preparation for eventually going long-term to this region, is taking a 2-week trip, and I’m able to go with her! We are going to a people group in India that has a very small percentage (less than 2%) of believers. There are very few workers there sharing about the kingdom of God.There are several reasons that I am going on this trip:

• To get experience in this part of the world so that I can help students better understand what life overseas will be like.
• To get stories, photos, video footage, and other resources that will be useful as we expand our media influence through Every Ethne
• To help produce resources to recruit a team to go to this unreached people group

The total cost of this trip is about $3,000. God has already provided about half in advance for this trip (which is super awesome!), so I currently need to raise about $1,500. Would you consider giving a special gift to partner with me in bringing the good news to this people group of India?

To give, visit www.perspectives.org/giveonline and select my name from the “Choose a Staff Member” menu.

Or if you would prefer to give by check, make it out to:
USCWM – MA-210 (for IRS purposes, do NOT write my name on the check) and send it to:

U.S. Center for World Mission
Ministry Accounts
PO Box 3586
Fayetteville, AR  72702

Include a separate note that has my name and says it’s for my India trip.

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Trip Dates:
June 26 – July 9

Total Trip Cost:
$3,000

Amount left to raise:
$1,500

Ways to Pray

• Long-term workers: Pray for long-term workers to go to this people group

• Logistics and Safety: Pray for smooth travel and safety for us as two single girls traveling internationally.

• Creation of Materials: Pray for creativity and productivity for the recruiting materials we want to produce. Pray that we can find a dSLR camera to take with us so we can take high quality photos.

Teaching a class

I’m heading to Columbia for the weekend/first part of next week! I’ll be teaching at the senior ICS seminar class on Tuesday morning. Pray for me, that I can gather my thoughts and finish my lesson plan on the way! I’ve been trying for a couple of days to pull everything together, but true to form, I’m going to have to put some finishing touches on it before Tuesday.

Looking forward to seeing old friends!

Wedding, 2010 resolution, Columbia

Just a short update to say I’ve been having a wonderful time in Columbia.  It’s been great to reunite with friends and catch up on everyone’s lives.  The wedding on Saturday was beautiful, and I’m excited for Michelle and Seth as they start their life together.  :)

Be praying tomorrow, it’s the first Goer group in Fayetteville at 6:30am!

Also, if missed it, my New Year’s resolution for 2010 was to take a photo every day.  So far I have successfully done that, and they are all located on my photo blog, xina marie photography.  Check it out for a view through my lens every day.

So how is everybody doing?  Drop me a comment and let me know you’re reading and what’s new with you!

Columbia tomorrow!

Hello!
I just wanted to give you all a short update on some of the neat things that are happening this month.

• In the morning I’m flying to Columbia, SC. I’ll be catching up with supporters and friends there for a week (Feb. 3-10). I’ll also have the opportunity strengthen networks and help get the XPLORE book to people who will use it!
  • Please pray for a safe, encouraging trip, and that God will show up in unexpected ways!
• On Tuesday, Feb. 9, we’ll be having our first GOer group in Fayetteville. This is a place where students who are planning to serve as cross-cultural goers for 1 or more years can process through many of the issues and struggles involved. We’ll be meeting at 6:30am on Tuesday mornings for the rest of the semester.
  • Pray God will bring the right students to this group.
  • Please pray this will be an encouraging place of accountability for these students.
  • Pray for the Every Ethne staff as we organize the logistics, plan speakers, etc., that we can be a resource and mentor to these students. (And pray that we’ll all be awake at 6:30am! :) )
• Tuesday, Feb. 25 is the Collegiate Day of Prayer. Join with others across the country as we pray for America’s college campuses. http://www.collegiatedayofprayer.org. Invite your friends to join with you and take some time out this day to pray!

I hope you all are doing well. If you have the chance, please drop me a line and let me know if there’s any ways I can be praying for you.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Ice, Goer Groups, and Columbia

Well, due to pending inclement weather, Perspectives class has been cancelled for tonight.  It’s sad, but at least everybody will be safe.  Although, being from Wisconsin, cancelling things for weather before it even starts icing is weird to me. :)

The picture is from last year’s record breaking (and tree/roof/powerline breaking…) ice storm.  I was actually in Fayetteville for it in between Texas and Wisconsin.  It was definitely crazy.  So, we’re all hoping that doesn’t happen again this year.

We’ve got some really exciting things going on with Every Ethne these days.  We’re currently a Goer Group for students at the UofA.  It will be held Tuesday mornings at 6:30 am (yikes!  I hope I can get up for that!), and is for students that are serious about going as a cross-cultural goer for a year or more after graduation.  We’re going to cover all sorts of training topics, as well as provide a place of like-minded encouragement for students while they’re in school. Super exciting stuff.  The first one is scheduled for Feb. 9.

And speaking of February, I’m actually headed Columbia, SC again!  A supporter of mine is getting married, so I figured it would be a good time to connect with other friends and supporters.  If you’re in the Columbia area, I’ll be there Feb. 4-9!  Let me know if you’d like to hang out, and I’ll schedule you in!