What's been going on?

So, what have we been up to? Two words: Training and fundraising!

Our team meets once a week for a couple of hours to do a life story, prayer together, learn zulu, sing some South African praise songs, learn about the country's history, plan fundraisers and to simply enjoy each other. I always really look forward to this time. Seriously, these people are great and it has become one of the highlights of my week! 

As far as fundraising things we have done... 

- Support letters: It's pretty well known that this is where the majority of our funding comes from and we cannot thank people enough for their donations. I have come to under that there are multiple parts to a  "missions team". Some people are physically called to go, while other people are called to support through prayer and finances. Both are equally important and I thank those of you who have committed to donate, prayer and simply read about what we are doing. THANK YOU!

-Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt: This was a great kick off to the fundraising events. We partnered with a new frozen yogurt shop and advertised to the student body that would receive 20% of the purchase. It was such an encouragement to see how many students came out to support our team. It really made me feel loved and hopeful by the great turnout. 

- Headbands, scarves, Cake balls and other baked goods: Our team sat on Cougar Walk (The "quad" area at APU) for a couple of hours a day for two weeks and sold a variety of fabrics that made for great head band and scarves. We also baked up a storm of cookies, brownies, puppy chow (aka muddy buddies) and cake balls. It was a big hit and, again, felt very supported by our friends.         

- Baby sitting: Last Saturday we were able to partner with Foothill Church in Glendora where they let us use their facilities so we could watch some kids. We did our best to advertise to local churches and the APU faculty, however there were very little responses. So, the day of, we weren't thinking too positively. We had five kids show up (a total of three families) and really did have a blast playing with them. When the parents came to pick up their kids we were SHOCKED with the huge donations that we received and considered the day a much bigger success than we anticipated. 

                                    

- America's Funniest Home Videos: We're looking forward to anothe

r fundraising opportunity where we get paid $16 per person to go watch a TV show taping of America's Funniest Home Videos on April 19th. W

e are hoping to get 50 people to join us! 

So, we honestly have been pretty busy working out all of these fundraising events. It takes a lot of out of you. But God really has provided. 

                                                                                               

We were also able to go on a retreat at a camp ground called Rancho La Sherpa in Santa Barbra, CA. The retreat was February 13-16. We were able to laugh together, pray together and really get to know each other and feel more comfortable with each other. There were sessions that talked about spiritual ware

, the importance of being culturally a

ware, spiritual gifts and so many other issues that challenged us as a team. 

One of the most memorable things we did was something called "The Broken Bread Meal". The whole weekend we ate so much, definitely more than normal. But the last night we walked into the main room and were served one bowl of this green corn meal "soupy paste". It was a moving night that really put into perspective how eating is such a communal ritual we partake in three times a day, while other people in other countries eat as a form of surviving and can barely eat once a day. 

That weekend really bonded us and, in my opinion, energized us to become as equipped as we could for the six weeks we will spend in South Africa. 

More to come...

Meet the team!

Jennifer Brueckner: (CO-LEADER): Jr: Psychology: Long Beach, CA

We studied abroad together and she became one of my closest friends. I think we really compliment each other as leaders. I like to call her "gentle Jen" and I'm "demolition Dayna"!  I am very privileged to lead with her and she has already taught me so much and been a true friend.

Allie Salyer: Freshmen: Sociology

San Diego, CA

I like to call her "Sassy Allie". She is the youngest on the team and offers such great perspective. She has been to South Africa twice, Uganda and the Dominican Republic.  Her room in the freshmen dorm has beautiful pictures of African children that would seriously capture your heart and make you never want to let them go.

Rory Todd: Junior: Communications: Whittier, CA

One thing you have to know about the guys on our team is that they are all hilarious. Rory definitely has a contagious and encouraging personality that really makes people brighten up. Rory decided to do a medical experiment involving anti-inflammatory drugs in order to pay for his down deposit for the trip. We're glad he's still alive after being injected with needles and stuff for three days. 

Nicole Hammer: Jr: Psychology: Forest Falls, CA

This girl is known for her "thinking" face on our team! We always laugh because she has this very pensive and thoughtful look to her. It's cute!  Nicole has such a gentle spirit and is always willing to volunteer. This is really going to be a huge gift that will be a blessing when we're in South Africa. She adds balance to the team and will be someone that we can all count on. 

Dane Miklaus: Jr: Athletic Training: Sacramento, CA

Yep, we have another funny one. Although Dane knows how to make people laugh and his spunk is pretty charming, he knows how to go deep. He is always looking for ways to push himself, push the team and get the most out of things. At the end of Dane's interview we asked if he had any questions for us, he pulled out a whole notebook full. We knew we wanted him! :) 

Cynthia Siguenza: Jr: Biochemistry: Glendora, CA

She has goals and sets them. Her discipline will be huge for our team. She has a very soothing presence that is just comfortable to be around. She wants to be a doctor and will be taking the MCAT shortly after she gets back from South Africa. She even stayed up late after intense days of training during our retreat in order to study. I wish I had her discipline. 

Erin Channing: Jr: Cinema and Broadcast Arts: Yorba Linda, CA

Her contagious laugh and smile will really benefit the team when times get hard. She likes to have fun and her joy will be infectious. She was our first interview and wore yellow, like the sun, and it was apparent she was so willing to serve God. Erin is my neighbor this year and I have really enjoyed getting to know her. 

Sarah Wesley: Sr: Sociology: Sacramento, CA

Sarah went to South Africa last summer with another APU mission team and absolutely fell in love with the country. She is one of those people you just need a on team. I knew Sarah wanted to go back some day, but it was so random when I asked Sarah "Why don't you come?" She had no good reason to say no, and now look where we are! She is graduating in May and we'll be staying the whole summer together in South Africa. 

Cale Erickson: Jr: Cinema Broadcast Arts: Modesto, CA

He was definitely the missing piece to our team. Jen and I originally picked a team of nine, but for some reason, as cheesy as it sounds, we were missing something. When Cale came along, we knew that his gentle heart and ability to love and serve wholeheartedly was exactly what we needed. Cale is great with kids and is always willing to serve without complaining. 

   

So that's the team. I've felt this for a while now, and I know it will hold true... I do not think there are any other people that could have been on this team. During the interview process, Jen and I were so torn by who to pick and how would we know if this is what God wanted? We had to constantly stay in prayer and asked him to make it as clear to us as possible. Our team really did fall into place. It has been great training with them so far, and it'll be a huge honor and blessing to serve God alongside these people in South Africa. 

Sanibonani South Africa

Sanibonani South Africa- Hello South Africa!

Although this journey is well underway, this is the beginning of my blog, and the best way I think I can bring you all along on this adventure. I have a lot to catch you up on!!! 

Where to begin? I'll start back 6 months ago in October 2008. At Azusa Pacific University, there is an Office of World Missions (OWM) who sends out about 20 "Focus International" teams of students all around the world. I have never been apart of a Focus International team but one day I was praying and God really put it on my heart to seek out this office to start a new team to go to South Africa and work at a work cite where the study abroad semester spends time. I also really felt God saying to talk to Jennifer Brueckner to see if she would be interested in helping me propose the team and co-leading it with me. When I talked to her about it briefly one day after chapel, I could tell she could see my excitement and was definitely on board with the same energy and enthusiasm. 

After Jen an I were on the same page, it was a roller coaster to get the trip approved. OWM had never sent a Focus International team to the ministry site we were proposing, WALK IN THE LIGHT, and to be honest, after meeting with someone from the office, they kind of shut down the idea because, at the time, they were already thinking of sending two teams to South Africa, and three would be too many. 

Now, for those of you who really know me... I don't take "no" very easily. Off course I kept nagging on them and sent as many e-mails as I could to get administration on board with this idea. Jen and I worked on the proposal for the work cite, and when I went to turn it in to OWM, the person looked at me really confused and had the look on his face like, "Didn't I already tell you no?"

So needless to say, my constant nagging as a child and always asking "why?" paid off... Thank mom and dad!!! :) It really did take a long time to get the trip approved and for Jen and I to be approved as a co-leader team, but God taught me a lot about perseverance through that time and to really hold strong to His words. Countless times I was told "No Dayna, this trip isn't going to happen", and it really made me doubt the fact that God had laid this on my heart. However, it took a lot of prayer and deliberation to discern (from many people) that this IS what God wanted. 

So... That brings you up to date about how this whole process began. I really do feel, and have not doubted since, that this is a place where God wants APU to go and for me to go back to. Although I am co-leading a team of 9 other people, I feel like this is a very individual journey for me and God, where He is going to continue to mold me into the person that He has equipped me to be. 

Sanibonani South Africa!