Meeting #2

Ham Jambo mimi Rafiki!
Yesterday team Tanzania had our second meeting and it was lots of fun and full of good energy!
As a group we got to play a few team building games. One was we each had to put our feet in a yarn circle for 7seconds at the same time. As the circle got smaller and smaller and smaller we had to get close and personal with each other like linking arms, or hugging each other. Whatever it took we jumped in to do it! It was great to know that everyone was willing to just jump in and go for it! It also revealed special leadership skills in some! Very cool experiment.
It was nice getting to spend some time with the other team members, i am especially excited that Rachel, she is my friend that is returning as well this year, i am excited that she is on the team. I realize it would be very hard to cope by myself if she wasn't on the team.
I am already seeing personal conflicts and struggles within myself on this return trip, i knew they would eventually fester through but i am also learning to accept this trip as a new and fresh experience which is extremely difficult because there have already been so many changes both there and in my own heart. It is amazing to me how much a year has changed me as a person, as a student and as a woman of God.
I extremely excited for this team though, i see how God is slowly training thier hearts for this trip and its hard to sit down and be quite at times! I mean if you look at it, ive spent the last 9 or so months telling everyone about my trip, making a large scrapbook and stareing at pictures and memorys, its hard to now be quite and let them experince Africa on thier own, yet as a team. Hmmm this look like a good opertunity to put this into somthing perductive! Ill have to think on that one :)
Hope everyones have a great Week, as of now its time for me to get back to Homework!
Ninakupenda wewe

Support Letter 2009

Dearest friends and family,

This year of 2008 has been incredibly diverse in comparison to all other years I have experienced! As many of you know I am now halfway through my second year at William Jessup University studying International Psychology, I am also highly considering a second concentration in Child Psychology! This summer I took a trip to Kigoma, Tanzania in East Africa and it was an experience that has permanently altered my life in the sweetest of ways. Since returning from Tanzania I have had a difficult time adjusting to my newly expanded worldview (for those who do not know this term, it is defined as our view of the world created from our own personal experience). It has been a difficult 7 months, but completely worth while! Here are just a few of the exciting events I’ve been able to participate in since returning in June!

The week following my return I spent the remainder of the summer serving as a youth intern at Twin Oaks Southern Baptist Church in Citrus Heights with an amazing youth group! The day that I finished there I literally went straight to school for leadership training. This year I am an Orientation Assistant and I have had so much fun with my group of new students, we call ourselves the KIX Crew (Keeping It Extreme). This group has been such a blessing to my transition back into school and life in America. Once school began life became ridiculously busy for me; 6 classes, plus choir, leadership, and my on-campus job. All together I know I only survived by the grace of God. Despite my crazy schedule, there were a few other great opportunities that opened up for me! I had the pleasure at serving with Youth with a Mission YWAM in San Francisco though my school. We took a weekend outreach team to serve on the “tenderloin” and despite my nervousness, it was an amazing experience. My favorite part I must share; one of our outreaches was to go to Golden Gate Park with an extra lunch and eat with the homeless. As my group searched for someone to eat with, a man came up to our group trying to sell us drugs. We declined and asked if he and his friend would like to eat lunch with us, instantly they accepted our offer. I started talking to the man and found out that he was from the Republic of Congo. Not only did I get to speak with him in Swahili, but also in French!!! We all shared a great lunch together, but it made me sad to that this man was stuck in San Fran, addicted to a horrible drug and lifestyle.

it is amazing to me how much diversity of culture there is right here in America! In the past few months I have also had the pleasure of being acquainted with a young woman named Susan who recently arrived here from Kenya! My dad met her at work and got us in contact, we became fast friends and I have fallen in love with the wonderful family she is staying with. They have welcomed me to their home many times. These new friends have been helping me with Kiswahili, the language also spoke in Tanzania and comforted me as I long to return.

Last year once I returned home from my three weeks in Tanzania I had a lot of people asking me if I would return the next summer. I told them that if I had the opportunity I would and to my great surprise I have been faced with, yet again, another incredible opportunity to return to Kigoma! I can not describe in words how incredible this return trip will be for both me and my friends in Tanzania. Typically when people leave from mission trips, no matter how much they promise to keep in contact most do not follow through. Knowing this fact breaks my heart even more. I do not want to be tourist to Tanzania; I want to be a servant of the Lord’s people there. However, in order to do this I will need a lot of help! In one of my Intercultural classes we learned about a special type of missionary that is needed just as much as those who actually leave to interact with people, they are called senders. Missions would cease to exist without the various types of senders who: prepare, pray, organize, support financially, and do many other necessary and impactful works! I have written to ask if all of you will be my senders (for some again) this year? J

We will depart for a 3 week trip to Kigoma, TZ on May 18, 2009. The cost is $4,000 this year, higher then last year. Fortunately I am finished with shots and a passport, but honestly I am in need of a lot of prayer, encouragement, and financial aid! With this letter I have sent a small magnet to represent and reminder of this trip. The shape is of the continent of Africa, as you may also notice there is a small butterfly placed inside of it upon the location of Tanzania. This butterfly is a symbol to me of my trip last year, no matter how calm, chaotic, uncomfortable, or sweet the times felt, peace and literally a butterfly were present! I ask that when you see this colorful magnate you will remember me and my team from William Jessup University and pray for us before, during, and after we return from Tanzania.

Thank you for your time and I send my blessings to you and your family this new year of 2009!

Napenda, (love)

Michelle Renée Ross

Support Info

Hey Denise!!!
Thank you so much for all your hard work! You are amazing :D

The questions are:
Name: Michelle Ross
Class: Sophmore
Major: Psychology Major with Emphasis of ICS
Amount needing to raise: $4,000

Why are you excited about Tanzania?
This year i will be returning to Kigoma, Tanzania, which in it self is the most exciting event! Aside from that fun fact i am grateful and overwhelmed with the chance to be with all my wonderful friends there who i miss so dearly. I am excited for this team of amazing people, most of which have never been! Out of everything, I am excited to serve Gods children, and grow deeper in my faith with Him. :)

Prayer Requests?
That God will provide financially. That i will adjust well to my new team, and experience. For a great reunion with my friends from TZ, and emotional and spiritual peace!
Praise, that God is using me in this beautiful place again to deepen our faith, and further His kingdom!