Update #2: flight plans and schedule

Welp, the team officially flys out in 13 days - Monday, June 28th. We will be leaving Monday afternoon, stop in Washington D.C. for about an hour layover, then fly to Joburg through the night. It's a long flight, I think at least 12 hours, but I'm not for sure on that. I think most of us will be sleeping anyway. Fortunately we will have a day of rest to adjust to the time change.

Here's a layout of our schedule for when we get there: from July 1st to the 4th, we will be at Ebenezer Farms, doing mercy ministry in the townships (aka "slums") of Jo'burg. July 5th through the 8th we will be camping at Kruger National Park (oh boy!!!) and finally, we will move into our house that we're renting on the 9th. We will spend the first couple days doing city/campus orientation, and have a leaders gathering with the Campus Outreach staff there to kick off the semester. July 12th is our first day on campus at Wits. Basically, our first 2 weeks there will consist of mercy ministry, Kruger Park, and getting settled in the house and familiar with the city, campus, and COJ staff. Then the last 5 weeks we'll be laboring on campus.

That's pretty much it...When I get there, I will be able to get online to blog at least once a week. I'll also be checking my email too, it's keburns1@mail.usi.edu. I will not be checking facebook, which is probably a good thing. That's all for now.

In Him,
Kasey

CCP video

Illegal Sex Trade in SA and the World Cup

Here's a really interesting video and article about the upcoming World Cup to be held in Johannesburg this summer. Apparently the expected amount of soccer fans to attend the World Cup has caused a rise in the sex industry - specifically for all the new "customers" expected in SA due to the Cup. This is heartbreaking - please pray that the government of SA would take action, and that God would protect the trafficked girls and women, both already involved and those that are planning to come to Joburg for the Cup. Pray that God would intervene and free the women already captive in the sex trade, and give them the hope that they need.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=5251940

First update - financial support

Well, the support goal for going to SA was $5,500. I started raising support at the end of January, and through some of my own selfish doubts, broken prayers, and His children's generosity, God graciously provided for my need. More than my need, actually...$6,025 to be exact! Yes, God provided over $500 MORE that my need! Even in my selfish, childish deserving mentality, He is so good to not only faithfully answer my prayers, but to go even further and bless me so much more! [2 Tim. 2:13]

As a team, we needed to raise about $88,000 (yikes!) because there's 16 of us total. Last I heard from our team leader, Matt Cazee, our team is at 94%! God is doing great things through this process, and growing all of us already. But a few on the team are still raising, please pray that God would continue to provide the amount needed.

The team flys out from Indy 3 weeks from tomorrow, but most of us will be heading down to Orlando Project in 2 weeks for a short visit to our brothers and sisters there, who will be sending us off soon after to Jo'burg. I'm getting so excited! Please pray for safe travels, to both OP and our flights to SA.

Thank you so much for your support, both financial and prayer - it's evident that God has heard the prayers, and moved in your hearts to give. I know He will bless you in your faithfulness to meet needs and support the advance of His Kingdom!

In the One who Saves,
Kasey