Calling all readers: I really need everyone’s input on something significant that’s been brewing in my heart.
So if you’ve been lurking reading without commenting, this is your time to come out of hiding speak up. And of course, if you usually comment, do as you normally do. And just in case it’s not 100% clear, first-time visitors are also required requested to comment.
Okay, now that we’re all on the same page…
I’d like to host a blogger mission trip to Africa.
(In case you’re unaware: My husband and I are missionaries in South Africa; we’ve been here for ten years; we run a ministry; we host mission teams.)
My vision for a blogger mission trip stems from the desire so many of us have to meet our new friends from all over the country world and at the same time do something eternally significant. So why can’t we combine those two by teaming up, traveling to Africa, and sharing the love of Christ together?
I can think of no better way I’d want to experience doing life together with any of you.
There is tons more I could say about the whats, whens, wheres, hows, and whys that are running around in my heart, but first let’s tackle the whos. I need to get a sense of how many people would even want to do something like this…
So this is where you come in. (Yes, you!)
What I want to know from you is:
- How interested are you in a blogger mission trip to Africa?
- Any specific time of year that’s best
- An ideal length of time for the trip
- Where you live
- If you can’t go, would you like to help send?
Spread the word. This is gonna be big… I can already feel it.
oh wow! you are awesome! yes you are!
im gonna email you about this…
love you alece!
By: tam on September 15, 2008
at 7:27 am
im gonna e/m about the trip. not your awesomeness. well, maybe about your awesomeness too. why not?!
By: tam on September 15, 2008
at 7:28 am
Oh my wow. This is big. Ummm…. me? Gosh … I would so be there … but practically speaking … I don’t know if I see it working into my life. Perhaps sending? I’d like to be involved. This will involve hubby too, so … we can be in prayer about that. Wow. Big.
By: annie on September 15, 2008
at 7:57 am
Could I just go … and still work and clean the house and sleep with my hubby every night too?? That would be perfect. lol.
By: annie on September 15, 2008
at 7:58 am
i would love to, love to! and i won’t even need to get on a plane:) getting leave from work will be a problem but i’ll make it happen. love this idea!
By: ripplegirl on September 15, 2008
at 8:47 am
I think I could swing this especially because I am already “close”…..I think it’s a great idea. Timing is the issue with me…..expecting a baby in April so not sure what that would look like, but definitely ready to hear more of your heart on this! :)
By: sarah on September 15, 2008
at 8:50 am
This makes my heart smile… I’m in (and I’m here!).
By: Amy on September 15, 2008
at 9:57 am
tam — lookin’ forward to that email!
annie — hubs could come too???
ripple — yes! you’re already in SA!
sarah — i hope you can come!
amers — “i’m here” made me smile!
By: alece on September 15, 2008
at 10:09 am
I will help in anyway I can! :)
By: Charlene on September 15, 2008
at 11:57 am
thanks, chardonnay!
By: alece on September 15, 2008
at 1:14 pm
Hmmm….. Might you be in need of a worship leader on this trip? Might Tam be in need of singing backup for such potential worship leader on this trip?
:)
By: mandythompson on September 15, 2008
at 2:12 pm
I’m very interested in this. I’ve wanted to plan a missions/blogging trip that would allow me to share my experiences through my blog. I can’t think of a better place to do it than a place where my heart has been for years - South Africa.
I’m really fairly flexible as far as the time of the year. I live in Indianapolis, Indiana. As far as the length of the trip, I wouldn’t want it to feel like we’re leaving just after we get there. Maybe 10 days? You would know better than I would what kind of time frames and pricing works out best for this kind of stuff.
Can’t wait to hear more.
By: bradruggles on September 15, 2008
at 2:24 pm
This just piqued my interest. But, whether or not it’s possible is something that is up for debate. For me, that is.
Might Tam need backup for the backup she’s providing Mandy?
I’m just sayin’.
By: Cindy Beall on September 15, 2008
at 2:34 pm
Cindy: I think you and I are thinking along the same lines!
By: mandythompson on September 15, 2008
at 2:39 pm
mandy — yes!! i need you both. and i do mean “need” and not “want”!
brad — would/could lisa come too!? how awesome would that be!? thanks for all the input. my thoughts on ideal length of time is 14 days total, including travel, giving 12 days in-country for ministry and other experiences…
cindy — would makes it NOT possible? anything we/i could help overcome??? because i really need you to be tam’s backup for mandy.
By: alece on September 15, 2008
at 2:48 pm
Alece - It would be totally awesome if Lisa and I could both go for sure but it would be pretty tough to pull off between 2 weeks of my parents watching the kids and the cost of both of our trips.
We’ve already talked about getting me on a trip in the next year or two. Lisa would definitely be jealous and want to go but agrees that it would be best for just me to go for now until the kids get older.
That is…unless this turns out to be a bloggers GIRLS trip (which it’s looking like so far)! Tell me you have some guys who are interested too? :-)
By: bradruggles on September 15, 2008
at 3:02 pm
brad, i totally understand. and i’m sincerely hoping that more guys want to get involved in this too. my intention is not for this to be a girls-only experience.
By: alece on September 15, 2008
at 3:05 pm
very cool idea!!! Love it!
By: moweezle on September 15, 2008
at 3:21 pm
this would be AWESOME!!!!! cathi and i have been talking about wanting to do this for quite some time.
we would really need to do it when cathi graduates from grad school. i would love to experience winter in south africa!!!! i think 2-3 weeks would be awesome & of course we live in cleveland, ohio and i think cathi and i would definitely be interested!!!
By: mark on September 15, 2008
at 3:53 pm
mark, when does cathi finish????
By: alece on September 15, 2008
at 4:00 pm
*deepbreath*
I’m so excited you decided to post about this! :D
My heart screams “I’m there! I’m there!”
My circumstances scream “hold on missy!”
LOL!
For me, it would depend on time of year, how much advance notice (to arrange for childcare for that long…whether I’d send them to my moms or not), cost, and whether or not I could find a doctor to give me a tranquilizer for that flight. And I would come alone I’m sure. I don’t think this would be up Jake’s alley. That and it would be mucho expensive for both of us. Although I would love love love for him to come too.
*sigh* Why do things have to be so complicated and expensive?! ;-)
love you. lots!
By: Brandy on September 15, 2008
at 4:31 pm
How exciting! Great idea.
By: @ngie on September 15, 2008
at 4:31 pm
That last part I didn’t mean to sound like a pity party. I meant why does it have to be so complicated to do something so good? Ya know? It would be awesome if all of who wanted to go could just say “yes! I’m there tomorrow!” ya know? ;-) Could you IMAGINE all that we could do if it were that easy?
Also, I have to echo Annie’s second comment. I was sadly giggling with her. ;-)
By: Brandy on September 15, 2008
at 4:34 pm
brandy — what time of year would be best for you and how much advance notice would you prefer? you mentioned those 2 things being factors, so i’m curious what is ideal for you. and i agree — wish things were THAT EASY!
By: alece on September 15, 2008
at 4:44 pm
I would definitely be interested as you get plans together. 10 days would probably be best for me and probably in the spring. I live just south of Detroit, MI.
This sounds like a great idea.
By: Julie on September 15, 2008
at 4:47 pm
so glad you’re game, julie!
By: alece on September 15, 2008
at 4:48 pm
I am so there…
Hmmm fall is the best…
I can’t sing though.. No worship leading here..
Need a good volunteer coordinator??
Need lots and lots of notice to plan this journey..
I live in SAN DIEGO… where I went to the beach this morning…. .89 coffee in hand.
OH YEA– Love you Muchess.. dutchess.
Miss you!!
By: Heidi on September 15, 2008
at 4:55 pm
aaaah! i’m hearing winter, spring, and fall already in just these few comments. it’s going to be so hard to narrow down a time that will work for everyone!
“lots and lots of notice to plan” — how much lead-time are you thinking would be ideal for you for fundraising etc??
volunteer coordinator? you’re hired!
(i can’t wait till you are HERE!)
By: alece on September 15, 2008
at 4:57 pm
If I want to fundraise for my trip and someone else’s (since that will be my mission).
8 months to a year would be nice.
I’ll start today…. I’ll give up Reeses pieces.. :)
I’m hired.. YAHOO!!! the easist job interview,
By: Heidi on September 15, 2008
at 5:02 pm
Is easier for me to get to Africa than America - i’m just sayin ;-)
as long as i can dig up the finances two weeks sounds awesome - and i don’t have a ‘preferred’ season - if that’s a help?
Just wondering… could you use any second-hand tractors over there? ( no promises but it’s an idea i have)
love the thought of a bloggers mission - does that mean we’d be teaching natives how to blog?? ;-)
<B
By: lovewillbringustogether on September 15, 2008
at 5:20 pm
okay I am SO GLAD Heidi said a year first because that is what I was thinking too. Seriously.
By: Brandy on September 15, 2008
at 5:22 pm
@Brandy
I need to be realistic… although it’s driving me nuts.. I wanna be there tomorrow. just sayin…
By: Heidi on September 15, 2008
at 5:25 pm
heidi — i love your heart to fundraise to help someone else go. (still waiting to hear all your thoughts on that, by the way!)
mr. love — if by “teaching natives how to blog” you mean “connecting people to christ” — absolutely! ha! and… i’m glad you’re interested in joining. AND… YES! we could most certainly use second-hand tractors… what’s up?!?!
By: alece on September 15, 2008
at 5:31 pm
Being retired and living on a fix income traveling is the one thing I have had to eliminate from my budget.
It is a great idea and I will be with you in spirit whenever you guys decide to go.
By: edfromct on September 15, 2008
at 7:31 pm
well alece…ive been talking to you about this for 3 years now…I still want to come out there…
By: klampert on September 15, 2008
at 7:53 pm
As for the season, I saw some pictures on your thrive africa blog and— does it snow there!? I am such a sissy in the cold. But then I thought about the poor people in that cold… We could do something for them. (i’m sure you do already, but maybe we could help…)
By: ripplegirl on September 15, 2008
at 8:09 pm
ed — thanks for being supportive even though you can’t come!
joel — so you’d be up for a trip like this???
ripple — yes, we do get snow… so our winter (june-august) would not be the most ideal to come! (cold + no central heating = very cold. all the time.)
By: alece on September 15, 2008
at 8:35 pm
I’d definitely be up for it! Not sure how possible it would be depending on the time of year because of my internship…but we will see.
I’d pretty much be happy with any amount of time I could get in South Africa.
I’m from the Pacific Northwest…Seattle…the home of Starbucks & Microsoft.
But I would still love to help fundraise if I can’t go.
By: mandie on September 15, 2008
at 8:58 pm
mmm… starbucks!!! i was up in seattle in may; i love it up there. oh yeah - we were talking about you coming HERE. glad you’re interested!!!
By: alece on September 15, 2008
at 9:14 pm
@Mandy… how could you help fundraise?? what would be your idea??
Starbuks…. alece is dreaming of her chai right about now.
By: Heidi on September 15, 2008
at 9:39 pm
yes! and a pumpkin spice latte…
By: alece on September 15, 2008
at 10:00 pm
mmm pumpkin spice….
By: Heidi on September 15, 2008
at 10:07 pm
I am getting more and more and more excited about this the more I think about out.
Wishing …. hard.
By: annie on September 15, 2008
at 10:37 pm
“The more I think about out??”
Honestly, my fingers do things on their own. No lie.
The more I think about it/
By: annie on September 15, 2008
at 10:38 pm
really?! me, too!!!!!
By: alece on September 15, 2008
at 10:38 pm
I’m being obedient and posting a comment. :)
How interested are you in a blogger mission trip to Africa? - Ummm.. I’m intersted in a missions trip to Africa, but not necessarily around the blogging world. Sorry people.
Any specific time of year that’s best - whenever flights are cheapest!
An ideal length of time for the trip - 10days
Where you live - SF, CA
If you can’t go, would you like to help send? - :)
We’d still love to plan a trip with some friends and come like we were trying to do earlier.. we got pregnant right when we were pulling things together. It’s still my hope that we’ll re-get things together after this 2nd baby. :)
By: gracierose on September 16, 2008
at 12:33 am
that last comment was by Leah M… not gracie.. I guess I’m still logged into my niece’s blog. Sorry!
By: gracierose on September 16, 2008
at 12:34 am
ok I am out of town and dont have time to read these comments, i wish i did! I really want to go, I would only go if I can bring Conrad, I will have to work on Dan to let us leave the country. Two weeks is a good length and anytime of year is fine. Love you! I am in MI staying with my Grandma till thursday. bye
By: faithstart on September 16, 2008
at 2:59 am
I want to come whole heartedly….. but realistically thinking, it is at least two years out that I would need to plan. Why? Because I am nearing the 3rd trimester of my pregnancy and then I will be nursing the baby until she reaches the age of 12 months at least, but possibly longer since I nursed Abbie until she was 19 months. And then there is finances, I would also need to plan finances. Oh, and actually get a PASSPORT! Which is exciting in itself!!! But, I am seriously planning to come whether with the bloggers or not.
I am in Michigan… forgot to add.
By: Anna on September 16, 2008
at 6:02 am
gracie/leah — :) thanks for being obedient. i’ll email you about you bringing a group out. i understand that not everyone engages in the blogging community like i do.
faith — thanks for your input… have a good visit.
anna — i like hearing that determination in your voice! :-)
By: alece on September 16, 2008
at 10:17 am
Just so I am not “lurking” … (which made me laugh out loud!) …
What a great idea to get bloggers there ! IMO, if they catch the Thrive vision and develop a love for the people and a passion for the ministry, they will add to your voice and help spread the word. (Not to mention, that friends in blogging world will get a chance to meet and worship together. How cool is that?)
I would love to visit Thrive one day as part of a mission team. Right now, I feel led to be a sender …
By: roo's mom on September 16, 2008
at 3:41 pm
jean — yes! there would be that huge benefit for thrive — one we need right now!!! thanks for committing to being a sender!
By: alece on September 16, 2008
at 3:44 pm
okay. First let me say that My husband and I really REALLY want to do it. Drew said the only problem might be that he may never want to come home. :)
Ideal length of trip for us would be one to two weeks. And to save up all the cash needed and get passports I would need at least a year.
Would this a family-friendly trip? (ie how would it be for us to bring our 8 and 5 year olds?) Or would his be better suited for adults only?
I was reading that jun-aug is not ideal for climate reasons. This is slightly a bummer, because that would be the best time for me: if we are leaving our kids with someone, it would be much more difficult during the school year due to transportation to/from school… if we are bringing kids with us and he trip was sometime sep-jun, they would have to miss a lot of school, UNLESS it was a christmas-time thing. WHICH I would be up for…
Oh! and we live in Deroit, Michigan
By: Amy Ellison on September 16, 2008
at 6:55 pm
What a great time for a first post on the g&g blog!
I think a mission trip to Thrive Africa would be great anytime!
Next summer would be great for me. My wife has the summers off.
An ideal length of time for the trip would be two weeks.
We live in Iowa
This would totally depend on fund raising on my part as my family of three doesn’t have much money to spare. I am heading off to Mazatlan tomorrow for a medical mission and will see where that takes me. I have a feeling that raising funds will begin shortly after returning.
I would also love to scope out the ability to be apart of Thrive Africa for longer than two weeks. Thrive Africa rocks and is a great program!! May God bless the efforts and process of this blogger mission trip and enlarge the territory of those who are chosen.
Peace!
By: Cameron on September 16, 2008
at 8:21 pm
The thought of traveling to Africa makes me want to puke. Do you think that’s God? Ha ha. Amy knows a bit of my story with this. For the past couple of years I’ve been openly saying, “I don’t want God to send me to Africa” so what do you suppose God will do? Every time I’ve told God not to make me do something He’s gone right ahead and made me do it. I really should quit telling God what to do, huh ;)
So Cam is totally into this, as you can see from his post. My biggest hurdle is trusting God for provision and safety (especially with traveling). I have a hard time justifying spending money on a trip rather than putting toward adopting a child, which is on my heart but not Cam’s!
So here we are, two lovers of Jesus, married with two very different hearts. I pray one day God will merge them into very similar hearts so we’d better know what we should do for His kingdom.
And on goes my struggle…
I love that you are doing this and impacting so many lives - not just in South Africa but across the globe. I deeply admire you and what you do.
By: Stacey D on September 16, 2008
at 8:36 pm
Alece, I would love to go back to SA and work with you guys! Unfortunately, the timing is not right for us. I can definitely commit to being a sender though!
By: April on September 16, 2008
at 9:26 pm
amy – you raise some good thoughts about kids/no kids… i’ve been trying to get a good gauge for where people’s thoughts are in that regard. it’s tricky because i know i won’t be able to accommodate every need. i’m a little overwhelmed with even thinking “what’s next?” in the planning stages!
cameron and stacey — seems like you’re on the cusp of some great dialogue together. praying for wisdom and direction for you as you seek God about what’s next.
april — thanks for committing to be a sender. we need people like YOU!
By: alece on September 16, 2008
at 9:32 pm
Can I get in on that action?
By: kristiapplesauce on September 17, 2008
at 3:37 pm
uhhh…. YEAH!
By: alece on September 17, 2008
at 3:59 pm
Listening…
By: Roxanne Kristina on September 17, 2008
at 6:03 pm
OH WOW…I’ll be def watching for more on this…….oh wow!!!! :)
By: Kari on September 17, 2008
at 6:38 pm
listening and watching?!
sounds promising!
By: alece on September 17, 2008
at 9:08 pm
Hi Alece,
I’m Roxanne Kristina’s childhood-sister-girlfriend. Make sense? :0) Grew up with Roxx, “adopted” each other’s fam’s and all that.
Anyway, just wanted you to know I am a full time teacher so I do not do much if any commenting, however, I do check in on blogs (inc. yours).
I’m with Roxx - I’ll be listening. Also watching as Kari put it.
In Him,
Beth
By: Beth on September 17, 2008
at 9:56 pm
beth, thanks for sneaking in a comment now! and i’ll be curious to hear your thoughts after you’re done listening and watching…
By: alece on September 17, 2008
at 9:58 pm
Alece…I want to try and come…can I sit on the plane with Heidi. I am in Northern California. I think a year would be good to plan budget and collect the money needed. I would need a figure to know how much I need though.
I could co coordinate…Or just talk alot…Or do whatever you need.
By: Theresa on September 19, 2008
at 1:20 am
What an awesome idea! I would love to…not sure I could though launching a church right now and all. Wow–I would so love to be there!
By: Rindy Walton on September 19, 2008
at 1:56 am
visit you from time to time. No “buts” here.
can’t commit to a trip at this point….your kitty can explain what we are doing in our home with God. OH how awesome it would be there with all the Kitties…. I am so sad that I can’t be there….unless the Kitties are all together for a couple of years :)
don’t know what I can do to help send someone, I will be listening to God and looking for more info from you and Amy-Kitty
By: jane on September 20, 2008
at 3:13 am
theresa — i’m sure heidi would love to sit by you on the flight! i’m glad to hear you’re “in”!
rindy — we’ll keep you posted and see what happens!
jane — thanks for listening to Him and seeing how you could help send…
By: alece on September 20, 2008
at 7:20 pm
This is a FANTASTIC idea, Alece!!! :) I don’t know if you read/heard about the ones that Compassion International has done and is doing soon? They had great success…I know I started supporting a little boy from Uganda because of that blogger trip.
I’m def interested but I work and I’m not sure how it would fit in…but I’m totally keeping posted! I live in MD…I would say idea trip time would be maybe 5-7 days? I don’t know just a thought. Long enough to get a GLIMPSE of life there…short enough to fit into work/family schedules. Anyways, WHOOHOO!! :D
By: Kari on September 20, 2008
at 11:31 pm
oh p.s. LOVE the new header pict….adorable!!!! xoxo
By: Kari on September 20, 2008
at 11:31 pm
kari - i’d heard about the compassion trip last year (or was it earlier this year???) - i didn’t know they had another one in the works.
i definitely know that a trip like this could be beneficial to thrive africa — and i feel like it could be a huge answer to prayer in that regard.
thanks for your thoughts!
By: alece on September 21, 2008
at 11:28 am
Alece … something is brewing over here …. get excited. Okay. Well, within reason. :)
By: annie on September 25, 2008
at 6:20 am
Just wanted to say, I am still excited about this! The idea of being on a missions trip anywhere is crazy exciting to me… and I am totally in love with Thrive…. I have looked the website over and dreamed of being there beside you Alece and I just can’t stand it, the excitement is too much! :D
By: Anna on September 25, 2008
at 3:12 pm
Wow Alece…this is great. Details! I’ll be praying about this, there is another couple who pastor a church in Eugene that talk about little else than going to Africa….this would be wonderful!
By: 1godsgal on September 27, 2008
at 3:10 pm
i’m excited to see the comments continue streaming in about this…
By: alece on September 30, 2008
at 11:36 pm
the stegalls are so IN!!!!
By: cathi stegall on October 1, 2008
at 4:32 pm
too bad you can’t see my happy dance!
By: alece on October 1, 2008
at 6:12 pm
[...] about missions, adventures, where God has called me, and how that looks. Little did I know, that this post had been written a couple of weeks ago and that a follow-up post would be written for me to [...]
By: Thrive Africa « B’ahava on October 2, 2008
at 1:54 pm