Maranatha has been carefully monitoring the situation in Mexico in regard to The Ultimate Workout. The recent outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus (commonly known as the swine-flu)has caused doubt about the safety of travel to Mexico in July. Some families have been very worried about going there, others have not. There aren’t many reliable facts right now about how long it will last. In order to form all the careful plans required for a mission project of this magnitude, it is important to make a decision immediately about the location for Ultimate Workout. Because of these factors, Maranatha has made the decision to move The Ultimate Workout 19 project to Ecuador. The project will take place during the original dates, July 14-27, 2009 in Puyo, Ecuador. As far the original project for building 6 churches goes, Maranatha has not yet released updated information on what the new project assignment calls for. I do know that we will be assisting in constructing a Seventh-Day Adventist school which will aid in teaching both local chilren and adults in the skills of reading of writing. Of course.... also spreading the word of God!
At the time of submitting my application, I thought of ways of how to prepare for this trip. I prayed and asked God to give me the knowledge and patience I need to be a leader for his works as well as to the prepare me mentally, physically, and spiritually for this trip.
Physically Prepared! - Think about it... You will be building a church or school... You will be lifting and laying blocks. You will need some muscle for this trip! Being a senior in high school with the priviledge to go off for lunch, I have gotten really REALLY lazy eating out almost every day. P.E. isn't a requirement and with "senioritis" always whispering in my ear, I havent been getting any daily exercise. Well in preperation for this trip, for the past two weeks, I have been making it a top priority to run a mile every day and hit the weight room to get back into shape! Now I must admit I haven't made it everyyyy single day, but the minimum is 3 days a week where I will run 1 mile and then hit the weight room with intensive floor and weight excercises to.... well.. get some muscle! whoo!
Mentally Prepared! - Mentally prepared? What... I have to go to a psychologist to prepare for this trip?! Of course not! But think again... You will not just be going to Ecuador for a vacation. There is no luxury hotel or fancy beaches with all you can eat buffets. You will be in a shaggy, dirt roaded village, where people live in houses made of straw and sometimes dung! For church, people gather in a simple wooden structure that looks like it could fall with just a push of our pinky. The people where you will be are poor. They do not speak your language and may not have basic needed items to live day to day. It is just like those poor biographies you see on poor countries on TV. Only you will be living there for two weeks! You use a solar shower (Google it..) and probably only get to take one every 2 or 3 days! You will be challenged and put in an environment where you are not used to. There is no toilet. There is no comfy bed to sleep in or a big screen tv to watch the Lakers game on. NOTHING. This will take mental preparation. Having an open mind and being put in situations where you are totally uncomfortable with living situations is soemthing to look forward to. You are also with a bunch of teenagers you don't even know. No cell phones no parents... NOTHING... i think I'll stop here....
Spiritually Prepared! - You are going here to help spread the Word of God to the surrounding villagers. You are here where everyone looks up to you being the christian and yes... even being the "American!". In order to teach The Word, You must know The Word. Therefore, although reading of the bible has always been a daily routine, I have thoroughly been studying the bible and praying to have the spiritual stamina needed for this trip.
So you see, this trip calls to be prepared in 3 big ways. I have already began preparing in these three categories and ask you to pray for me and for those of you who don't pray, well.. send your good luck charms on me :] All will help in my preparations for going to Ecuador as part of Ultimate Workout 19. These, are my 'Next-Steps'.
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