Day 1/2

Today was the ultimate traveling day! I've never been on a plane for so long, or switched planes as many times as I did today. We flew out from Kansas City, after a very wet downpour drenched us as a goodbye from kansas. This flight took us to Minneapolis, and then from there, we flew over the vast atlantic to Amsterdam, which is in Holland (for those of you who don't know). Then, we got on a packed flight to Ghana! Overall, we did around 22 hours of traveling/waiting, and when arriving in Ghana, we throuoghly smelled like airplane and B.O. The temperature coming into Ghana was amazingly warm! It was like Florida weather, and on the decent, Seth and I took bets as to what the temperature would be. I said 80 and Seth said 85. Well, it turned out to be a whopping 84 plus humidity, and this is just the temperature at night! I can't even imagine how hot it is going to be tomorrow in the sun! Ghana, from what we could gather in the darkness we arrived in, is a very interesting country. It has it's own unique smell and the people are very friendly! The streets of Accra (the capitol city and the city we flew into) were filled with street vendors, people who were just trying to make a living. It was interesting to pass by in our van packed full of people and have them be wiling to just come up to the van to try and sell us something. As we were driving, I sat next to the window and got to get a good view of what Ghana looks like at night, and what its people are like. As I was sitting there, I got a sudden longing to just be with these people and share my love of Christ with them, be it through preaching or just hanging out with them. I can't wait until tomorrow to go out and be with these amazing people God has created! We'll see what these next two weeks have to offer...
<3 Kim <3

April 29, 2009 - departure

We will be taking off on our journey in about an hour. It doesn't even seem like it could possibly be here for real. We just prayed over the India team as they set out on their journey and we will do the same shortly. We will post as soon as we can once we get in to Accra, Ghana! We spent the last couple days getting REALLY close as a team. And by really close, I mean played the human knot for two hours straight. We have no fear of invading one another's personal space or smelling each other's sweat.
Love and prayers.

Jake (wow he's good looking)

*As a side note to start off, my blog must ALWAYS be read with an English accent because that is how I am speaking during the trip.

For those who don't know me, I'm Jake Bowser from New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I am lactose intolerant. I am a Junior/eligibility and Sophmore/academically and I play golf at SC. I love my family and God is pretty cool. I am very excited about the trip to Ghana. I hear there are golf courses in Ghana and I know, for a fact, that there are going to be people there that need Jesus! I also like to organize my shirts and underwear in color starting with blue and ascending in alphabetical order in my drawers. Not really but that would be great and I am going to start when I return to the Commonwealth. I am going to try and not get swine flu because I hear it can kill you. But I am go out looking for typhoid fever! That was a joke...haha. I am very excited to meet the people and introduce Christ to those who do not know Him as their Lord and Savior.

Marty's Life

Hi! I'm Marty! We're headed to AFRICA!!! How crazy is that?
This has been my first year at Sterling (after attending K-State for 3 years) and I've loved being a part of this team as we've prepared for Ghana.
In March I proposed to the most amazing woman in the world (JAEL!!)!!, so if you think of it, pray that we both would find complete satisfaction and fulfillment in Him over the next 2+ weeks as we can't talk like we're used to. (We're used to long distance, just not THIS long of distance!!)
I love S'mores Pop-Tarts and Dr Pepper, although not usually at the same time... Oh, and Nutty Bars. And Tacos. Oh man, I LOVE TACOS!
I don't know if there's much else to say. I guess we'll keep you updated as we go along!! IT'S GOING TO BE AN INCREDIBLE RIDE!!!

cheyn on a plane

HELLLLLO friends! It is now officially April 29, which basically means that I'm going to Africa TODAY! holla. Oh goodness, I am so incredibly excited! I just finished up my Sophomore year here at Sterling and I am a Christian Ministries (youth) major! I'm not really sure what I want to do with that, but basically I just want to share Jesus with the beautiful people that the Lord created. I love Africa, I've never been there but I love it already. I don't think I can say it enough, I am pumped! The Lord has truly blessed me with this opportunity and I cannot wait to see what He has in store for me and my fabulous team! I love Jesus, my family, laughing, the sky, people, quotes from children, tie-dye, rapping, cat jokes, cheesy potatoes, being ridiculous, swedish fish, westmister woods, bracelets, flip-flop tan lines, and my team. Basically, I could write a whole novel but seeing as though we leave in a couple of hours and I'm not completely done packing, I should go work on that! Thank you soooooo much for your love and support!

keep the states real for me!
-christina (also known as cheyney, cheyn, cheynsaw, soulcheyn, cheyncheyn)

ps. i love you mom and papa

Going, Going, Ghana!

Hi! My name is Jaclyn Coxwell and I'm from Orange Park, Florida. In the fall I will start my senior year at Sterling College, where I am an Applied Mathematics major and Art minor. This will be my first mission trip and I am so excited to go to Ghana. Just a few years ago I never could have even imagined this day, but in the past 2 years God has transformed my life in ways I cannot even begin to describe. I love the Lord with all my heart, and I can't wait to see lives changed in Ghana. I really have a heart for Africa and I know our team will do amazing things there. Thanks to everyone who has supported my trip both with donations and with prayer:)

Seth in Ghana-read it!

I'm Seth Swihart and I love people. I'm a senior football player here at Sterling College. I'm an Elementary Education major because God has given me a passion to work with kids. I am super excited to works with the youngsters in Ghana. My prayer is that we as a team have a profound impact on the children there. I can't wait to see the windows God opens for us, and to watch His love be spread to the villages.
I love hunting and fishing and being with friends. I enjoy building friendships and meeting new people. I hope to teach upper elementary and coach football and wrestling. I'm super excited and anxious about the trip.
Our thanks will never be enough to those of you who have supported us on our journey, whether that be financial or prayer. We ask that you continue to pray for us as we are over seas working in the villages!

Matt's Bio

It is difficult to describe my excitement for this trip. I have yet to travel to Africa, and from what we have heard, Africa is an experience like no other. I am an english & secondary education major who will hopefully be graduating in two years. I really do not want to get Typhoid fever.

Emily's Background

What up yo, my name is Emily Kennedy and I'm from Cushing, Oklahoma. I am a Sterling College student earning a degree in elementary education. I hate animals. I like music. I have been to Mexico on a missions trip with my church last year. This is great. Ummm. What else should I put? I love Whitney Houston! I like to sing. Well, I love to sing I guess. I like having other people type for me. Ummm. I like sports. *Smacks lips* I hate snakes. Uhhhmmm. I have a huge family and we hug.

Kim Kenton

I like to be called Kim, and I have just finished my third year here at Sterling College. Born and raised in San Diego, California, Kansas was an interesting and unique choice for me in going to college. And I don't regret the choice for a second! It has been an awesome experience, filled with fun and growth in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Each day, I find myself growing and walking more and more in Him. This mission trip to Ghana is the first one I have ever been on. Going to Kansas for college is the farthest East I have ever traveled, so this will be a completely new experience. I don't even know what to expect! But I am so thankful to be going, and am equally as thankful for all of those who have supported me financially and with prayer! Because of you guys, I am able to go to Ghana! I am so excited and don't even know what to expect! There will be lots of stories, both hilarious and spiritually amazing, to share when I get back.
Anyway, a little more random stuff about me is that I like the color pink, love sushi, and going to the beach with the sun, though my whiteness would never have given that away. Can't wait to go to Ghana! See you when I get back!! <3

Melshine's Life

My nickname: Melshine. My role: team leader. My excitement level for going to Ghana: RIDICULOUS! I have never been so excited to travel somewhere in my entire life. I love going new places and meeting new people, but my anticipation for heading to Africa is unlike anything I have experienced. My heart belongs to Nicaragua, and it will probably stay there, but I am stoked about visiting a new continent.
I just graduated from Sterling College with a degree in Communications and Christian Ministries with an emphasis in missions. I love being with people, especially the Ghana mission team! I also love photography, grapefruit juice, and playing the human knot game (kind of). I hate apathy, injustice, and boredom.
I will be at Westminster Woods after Ghana and then will be headed back to Sterling to work as a Resident Director!
Thanks for your love and prayers,
Mel

The Nathan West Story

Hello! My name is Nathan West just like the title says. I currently hail from the great Sterling College in Sterling, KS, but for the next two weeks I will reside in Ghana, Africa! It will sure be a far stretch from what I've grown up with in Oklahoma City, OK, but I am excited and grateful for the team that I am going with. Besides the fact that I've just completed my first year of college, I can't wait to be a blessing to God and others, and hopefully be blessed in return. I look forward to being used by God to do great things and gain a better understanding of his love for all people. While I will miss my family, friends, and the comfortable life back home, I know for a fact that this will be one mission trip that I won't soon forget and will look back on it as growing closer to God!

The Excitement Builds

We just received the 'Itinerary Briefing' from Global Infusions of more specifics concerning our trip to Ghana. WOW! When the Lord opens doors and works, He does so powerfully and mightily. This looks to be a crazy, exciting, AWESOME 2 weeks!

That's just a brief tasting. The whole team hasn't seen the itinerary briefing yet, so after they do we'll share more of our joy with you! So check back soon for the WHOLE story!

-Marty