South Africa... Here We Come!!!

****THE PHOTOGENX GROUP****

Last night we were treated to an amazing dessert! We got to dress up and hang out with the whole group... we had a blast. I think the greatest part of the night was when we got to pray for Susie as she heads to Germany to launch A Voice for the Voiceless there. We prayed for her in English, German, Spanish, Norwegian and Korean over the phone. It is such a sweet blessing to have a diverse group of people! They have found such a special place in my heart as we have been on an incredible journey together with the Lord.


TEAM SOUTH AFRICA!!!!!!!!!!!

Part of the reason for our get together last night was to find out where we are going on outreach. We were all so excited to find out where we are going and with whom. 16 of us are going to be going to South Africa for all 3 months. We are looking forward to getting to travel around South Africa and seeing what ministry opportunities the Lord opens up. We will be finding out more detailed infrormation within the next few weeks about the outreach.



Please be praying for...

• unity in our outreach group as we pray about what our our outreach is going to look like
• our group to have an increasing heart for the African people
• strength in our teams going to Panama, Cuba and a few more locations that are still undecided
• a continued growth in our walks with the Lord, especially in this lecture phase

The Epidemic

AIDS STATISTICS:

• 6,171 children were orphaned yesterday by AIDS (4-22-09)



• 70 percent of the total world HIV-positive population is in Sub-Saharan Africa



• less than 10 percent of HIV-positive children in need of treatment are being treated.



• Africa alone has 12 million AIDS orphans



• 1/3 of those infected by AIDS are between 15-24



• Every day 1,500 children worldwide become infected with HIV



• Every 14 seconds a child is orphaned by AIDS.
  

WHY DOES IT EFFECT THE POOR SO MUCH?

• Lack of prevention education



• Prevalence of environmental diseases



• High cost of treatment



• Other factors of poverty (poor health facilities, communication and transportation difficulties and unstable governments)

Please Pray!!!

Our PhotogenX group has been doing a lot of research about different social issues such as human trafficking, AIDS, abortion, child prostitution, infanticide, the list goes on. If these things grieve our hearts, how much more do they grieve our Lord's heart? We have the opportunity in this Discipleship Training School to learn more abouth these issues, pray about them, and pray about what we can do to help. The problems are so big, the task to see them changed is daunting. So we are challenged to not only pray for them as a whole but to find out what God wants us to do specifically. Please be in prayer as 50 people with a heart to GO are seeking His guidance. Imagine the impact this number could have! Please pray that the Lord will use thier heart for Jesus and their talents in photography to the greatest degree.

My Address

Today we have a meeting about outreach and hopefully I will have more information on the outreach location(s). YAY!!!


For those of you who have been asking about my address and I have totally been slacking...

Amanda Smith
University of the Nations - PhotogenX DTS
75-5851 Kuakini Hwy. #430
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

:)

Settled In

There are so many incredible things about being here on the base. The sense of ohana (family) is one of the sweetest things I have found so far. There is a comfort in this place that encourages deep growth in people's relationship with Jesus. The worship is so amazing! Here is worship in the Ohana Court...

The classes we take have been amazing so far. We have new topics each week that we are taught on in morning classes. The goal of these classes and topics

is to deepen our walk with the Lord and learning how to apply our faith practically. The first week we went in depth about how God is always speaking and wants to speak to us... it's just a matter of us listening. We don't only learn about how to listen, but we practice it continually. This last week we talked about sin and the reality of how it effects our lives. In dealing with sin in the biblical manner, it has been encouraging a godly fear in all of us that is essential in our faith.

The afternoons are spent doing photography... WOOHOO!!! This part has been so great because we have been learning not just more about our cameras and photography but also how to use it in ministry. We have been learning about issues around the world that have been impacted in great part by using photography. We will get the opportunity to use our cameras as a tool when we are on outreach. We do have one outreach location that is fairly set in stone at this point. That location is Panama, and chances are we will be in other locations in Central America as well, but those are not as sure yet :).

Raising Awareness...

At Home in Hawaii

Aloha everyone!

It's official... I got to the University of the Nations campus 2 days ago! I am actually kind of at a loss for words to describe it all so far. I feel blessed beyond belief to be here. To see all the prayers I have lifted, regarding this place, fulfilled in my sitting here now. It is such an incredible testimony of our Lord's faithfulness! I look forward to seeing what our Lord has in store.

Last night, I got the opportunity to worship the Lord with people from approximately 50 different countries. It was incredible to share such an expression, with people from all over the world, all worshipping the same God in their own way. Not only in worship, but in daily life, its so great to learn to interact with others of different cultures in a God fearing environment. I don't think I have ever heard so many different languages and accents in my entire life! Haha, it is really neat!

I share a dorm room with 7 other girls, luckily it is a big room :). I have finally gotten to see the amazingly huge cockroaches everyone raves about... they are SICK! I can honestly say I don't think I have ever seen one before I came here. Rumor has it they don't have boundries such as not entering your bed, drawers and such. I'm just waiting for the day I wake my roommates because one is on me... please pray that does not happen!

Thank you all so much for your sweet encouragement and prayers. It is so encouraging to know my friends and family are backing me so faithfully. Since there is continual need, your prayers for these specific issues would be so greatly appreciated. :)

• To go into this DTS with an openness to whatever the Lord has in store. Especially the most challenging things.


• That the Lord would continue to prepare the hearts of those who we will be ministering to, both on the island and on outreach.


• That the group of people I will be linked with, would work well together and that we would be an effective team.

Here is a link to the website for PhotoGenX for those of you who want more info on what PhotoGenX is...http://www.uofnkona.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=174&Itemid=126

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support!