The excitement begins...HERE!

WEEEEE!

Here we go, about to begin another whirlwind of trainings, meetings and prayer, and I am so excited about every little bit of it.  I've gotten my brochures, set up my donations page (see the link at the left, if you're interested and able to help out financially!  Just be sure to specify 'Mexico - Rayona' when you do).  My support letter is ready to go out, and I am already on a prayer plan for this trip.  I've spoken to the trip leader, and let him know that I got word, and am officially on the trip, and he says "great.  Let's chat before the group meets, because I have something in mind for you", which is really cool.  God obviously had a need, and knew that I could be used for that, and I am grateful, for whatever it may be.

Below, you will find my letter asking for support.  While finances are needed, I would appreciate your prayers even more.  This is another go round of short term missions for me, and God is truly at work!

Hello there!

I am writing you today to let you know what an exciting year 2013 will be for me.  Again, I have been invited to participate on a short term missions trip with Mountain Christian Church; this time, I’ll be off to Puebla, Mexico.  I am quite excited about this, as I truly love having the opportunity to be ‘the hands and feet of God’ by serving others not only here locally, but also globally!

From August 10 to 18, my team and I have been charged to go and help Christian Missionary Fellowship International with their outreach program on a college campus in Cholula, Puebla in Mexico.   With my personal experience of running Campus Life and Diversity Programs at my university, I hope to be able to best use my skills to reach out to the students there, and help to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.   We will participate in first week/orientation outreach, and meeting the local needs of the ministry with cleaning, organizing, and LOTS of prayer walking!

It is such an honor and privilege to go on this trip and I am humbled by the opportunity to do so.  Would you consider partnering with the team and myself on this journey?  If so, you can serve our team by praying for us, making a financial contribution, or both.  You can donate financially by going to www.mountaincc.org and clicking on ‘Online Giving’ at the top of the page.  Once there, click “Don’t Attend Mountain’, Short Term Missions, and specify Mexico/Rayona Young.  Your support, in any capacity, will be most appreciated.

I am very thankful to God for blessing me as richly as He has and am excited to use the talents He has given me to serve some very needy people in Jesus’ name.  Our Team will host a post-trip celebration soon after our return.  This will be an opportunity to share stories and photos illustrating God’s faithfulness on our trip.  I will let you know the date, time and location soon

Thank you so much for your consideration in helping me fulfill not only a personal dream, but more importantly God’s call in Puebla, Mexico.  Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

Gratefully,

Rayona 

Back at it again!

Long time no see, dear reader!

Please accept my apology for not being around more, or providing more updates from the Prague trip. I certainly hope to remedy that soon.

I am writing now because I just received news that I have been accepted onto the team going to Mexico late this summer! PRAISE GOD! After last year's trip (which was AMAZING, by the way) I knew in my heart that serving God in this way is something I want to do again and again.

After thought and a bit of logic, I figured that a one week trip would be better on my kids, as well as my job, since my position there changed. I am offered vacation time and pay, however, I cannot take 2 weeks at once again. That's quite alright though, because God had a plan for me, and where'd I'd be going...He knew all along that it would work out to His favor...and mine!

So be on the lookout for new blogs over here, with pictures, countdowns, interviews and everything else that you have come to know of me. Also, I'll be touching upon my 'ninja packing' methods, since I am really only trying to take my carry on for this trip (of course, team items won't count as a carry on, but I'm talking about my personal bag), as well as other short term missions opportunities.

 In the end, I just want to say thank you for still being around. I appreciate that you have taken an interest in whatever brought you here, and the fact that you're still around. HERE WE GO (again)!!

<3,
~yonna

MO5 "This Is Life" Video from Mountain Christian Church on Vimeo.
Here is the video that my church put together, as a sort of collage of all of the trips that were going on at once. Look closely, and you'll see a familiar face a time or two (and some bright red hair as well!). And thanks for being so patient with me. I am not only still recovering from jet lag, but also trying to process my 're-entry' back into my regular life after mission.

More photos...

Entire team...and my eyes are closed, lol

Yes, we DID actually work while we were here!

NOT Posed!  Real work here!

Discussing important things with young Miss AM

Church Youth Group Cookout

The Living Room, before

Kitchen, before

Living Room, after

Kitchen, after

Since I've been here...

About to land in Prague

Jeff (looking back) and Liz, on the jet bridge into PRG airport

The children's choir at church, singing to us in Czech

The AstronomicalClock

Statue on Charles Bridge

The Crucifixion Statue on Charles Bridge

View of Prague Castle from Charles Bridge

City of Praha/Prague from Prague Castle

Prague/Praha from Prague Castle

Prague castle guard. Stood still...but his eyes followed me.  Creepy.

Liz, trying to be still like the guard.  She couldn't stop smiling though.  Her son, Taylor, is there to the left in the green shirt.

The "Baby Tower", just outside of the Mudrik family's apartment building.

Myself and the Mudrik's daughter, A. She helped me buy my new shoes, since the salespeople didn't speak English.

J and H wanted to show off their shoes too...

H, the Mudrik's youngest child, and according to her, my new "best friend"...(I french braided her hair, and want to paint her fingernails...you would have thought I'd created cartoons or something, lol).  So cute, and a sweet girl!

Sorry I haven't written much; we've been busy, working!
More to come...stay tuned!
~yonna

We've landed!

Dobrey Den!

It is now eeeearly, Tuesday morning.  My roommate's alarm clock went off at 6am, versus my own,which goes off at 7) and of course, I can't sleep, so I thought I'd update you and let you know what's going on here.

We arrived on Saturday, after an overnight flight.  Sleeping on the plane was such a pain, and I didn't do very well at all.  However, the meal was pretty good, as were the movie/tv choices, so I made it work.  We had a SHORT layover in London...enough for the airport staff to pick us up at the gate, put us on a bus to our next terminal, then run to the next gate.  We made our connecting flight, and I proceeded to fall right asleep.

Once off of the plane,we went through customs (got that passport stamp!), went to the ATM and money exchange and waited for our bags.  Besides everyone's carry on, we all checked one bag, and checked a Rubbermaid tub full of items we were bringing over for the Mudrik family.  Praise God for friends in high places: a man that  I went to church with at the DC Regional Christian Church just happened to be on duty as a TSA agent at the departure airport, and he made sure that all of our baggage and bins got through security checkpoints together.  With all of the tools we were bringing, we thought they'd end up searching every bin, but they only had to search one.  That could have been so much worse!  But hey, if it keeps the country safe, I say CHECK THEM ALL!!

Anyway, after collecting all of the bins, we discovered that 2 bags had not been placed on the belt, so those team members went to make a claim for them.  The rest of us took pictures and video, and exchanged money (if they already hadn't).  Once we finished, we walked to the public side of the airport, outside of security, and found Marek Mudrik, who greeted us warmly, then got us in a taxi for transit to our hostel.

We made it to the hostel by 4pm, and needed to stay active so none of us would fall asleep.  Here, we are 6 hours ahead of our home time, but everyone was very tired from such a long trip over.  So Marek took us to the Rivenhill Farm, where we would be working while here.  Such an amazing place, but in need of a TON of work.  (A photo blog is in the works!).

After the tour, we came back to the hostel for dinner, then finally retired for bed.  We were beat, and had a long day planned for Sunday.

On Sunday, we had breakfast, then met the Mudrik's (including 2 of the children!),and walked to work, about a mile.  We sat in church and Marek and Elaine translated for us, since it was fully in Czech.  Strange,I couldn't understand what was being said, but I still felt the presence of God in that room.  A children's choir sang, and one of the songs the worship leaders sang was not only in English, but also one of my VERY favorite songs....and I got extremely emotional as she sang it.  We fellowshipped a bit after church, then went to lunch with the Mudrik family.  Then,we decided we wanted to go into the city and tour around for a bit.  We took the Metro (train)into the city center, and saw amazing sites...and then walked back to the cars from there, uphill.  My legs are still sore from the walk, all 9miles of it (though, at this time, the distance is still being disputed).  We returned to the hostel, had dinner,and went to bed.

I know this is a very brief description of the trip so far, and I apologize.  I have very limited internet time, and want to tell everything, but can't.  I will post a picture blog soon, and hopefully, you'll be happy to see some of the sights I was in awe of.

Next time:  out first day of work, and pictures!

Also, check THIS LINK to read what the other MO5 teams are doing on their mission trips!

CHVALA BOH...Today is the Day!

It's here.

Throughout the night, I've been half sleeping.  I'm excited!  I would wake up and begin thinking about all kinds of things, pray to myself, and hope to go back to sleep for another (short) period of time...

The Mountain On 5 movement has begun.  On Wednesday, we had a small team return from a short trip to China.  Thursday, our Southeast Asia/Yellow team took off.  Just a few hours ago, the Kenya/Green team met at church,and as I type this at 7:47am EST, they are on the plane, ready to take flight.  Both groups had a team of well wishers at church, ready to send them off with a cheer.  Tomorrow, at 4:30am, both the Mexico/Blue team, and Arizona/Green teams will be meeting at church for their send off.

Team Red/Europe meets at church today at 3pm, which honestly, is a really great time to be meeting.  The middle of the day; I can still run last minute errands, have a great breakfast, and spend time with folks I love before I go.

I am still excited.  I am hoping to feel this way all day...instead of the nervous/anxious mess that I could be.

Team Red is prepared.  We have packed.  We have prayed. We are unified and we are ready to work.

LET'S GO!

~thank you all for the support, prayer and love you have shown Team Red so far.  It is greatly appreciated.

CHVALA BOH,
(Praise God),

~yonna