Prayer Night

On Sunday, June 12th, our group was blessed by friends and family who attended our prayer night send off gathering.  We started the night with a little information about Guatemala presented by Jenny Long and individual team member introductions by the funny Charlie Moore. 

Next, Sabrina Joseph interviewed 3 members of the Watersedge group who just got back from Guatemala a few weeks ago.  They were able to offer advice on what to bring, what to expect, and they shared their own Godly moments from the trip.  I think I can speak for the team by saying, we are all so excited about the trip after hearing all the ways that God is moving there.

The last part of the night was spent in prayer.  We had a group prayer where Amanda was in the middle surrounded by the team who were then surrounded by our loved ones.  Everyone in the room had their hands on another, sending out prayers for the team.  Some prayed for safety, some prayed for wisdom, others prayed for unity.  As a team, it was a power experience to share.

This was followed by individual prayer groups that consisted of 2 team members and 4-5 supporters.  It was an amazing feeling to have our friends and family pour out their love and support in prayer for our indvidual well being.  The last prayer was a group prayer for Guatemala and the people we will encounter.

Overall, the experience was touching and filled our hearts with the love of family and the love of God.  We cannot imagine a better way to start our last week of preparation.  God has big things in store for us, we can feel it.  We are all so excited for this time we have been given to do God's work. 

Meet Thomas Gibson

My name is Thomas Gibson, I’m 33 years old and I work in Human Resources for the State of Georgia. I’m originally from South Georgia but I transferred up here with my job about 6 years ago and I’ve been going to 12Stone Church for the last several years. I feel so fortunate to be involved in the Transitional Community at 12Stone, and to get to be a co-leader of one of the small groups. I know the difference that this community has made to me (by helping me get “plugged in” at 12Stone) and I want to help do the same for others who come to our church. Also, I’m very excited that I get to go on this trip with a group of people from this community and I love the team of people that God has assembled. My excitement for missions hasn’t always existed though…

I’ve grown up going to church my whole life but I never saw myself going on a mission trip. First of all, I’m probably the pickiest eater that you will ever meet in your life, so going to another country and not knowing how or what I will eat is a huge leap of faith for me. Also, in the past I’ve always let shyness (around people I don’t know) keep me from really putting myself out there. But God is definitely working to push me out of my comfort zones these days and I’m learning to trust in Him and He's proving that He will provide every thing and every skill I need.

I can honestly say that I’m really looking forward to this trip now and I’m very excited to see what God has in store for our team when we get down there. I’m excited to provide help to those in the communities where we will be working. And, I know that our goal is to help those we meet but I know that in return God is going to bless each of us and teach us things about ourselves that we’ve never known before. I personally can’t wait to find out what that might be.

Meet Amanda Lepper-Our Leader

My name is Amanda (one of 3 on the trip... we are going to have to come up with code names... I've got to think of a really cool one... and if not cool, then at least highly memorable and entertaining) and I'm 32 years old.  I teach 2nd grade and am loving my job right now as it is summer vacation.  I really do love my job the rest of the year, too.  I get to love on and build relationships with kids and pour out into them as they grow with me for almost a year.  A long time ago, years actually, God pressed into me a calling to "go" wherever He called.  I struggled to fully say "yes" to that, mostly out of fear of what exactly He would ask me to do.  I know that I have been given a gift in my job... not with inordinate amounts of money, but with chunks of time; time that I can go, teach, serve... or whatever He asks and wherever He leads.  I was extraordinarily blessed to be a part of a trip from 12Stone to Mozambique over our school's Spring Break and now get to be a part of this team to Guatemala.  I'm humbled and overjoyed by the doors God has opened when I finally said "Okay, Lord... I surrender.  Where and when?" 

I am looking forward to serving alongside these amazing people on our team.  I can't wait to get to know them more.  They have already brought tremendous joy and laughter into my life and I am looking forward to taking that joy with us and pouring it out to the people we will meet in Guatemala.  Our God had definitely given me a heart for children and I am looking forward to getting to just love them and play with them and tell them about a God who thinks they are amazing and wonderful and loves them abundantly.  I am looking forward to seeing the power of God at work.  Can't wait to see what He does; for the people we will meet, for us as a team, and for me.  Thank you in advance for your prayers.  Please pray for our safety, for things to run smoothly, for the people of Guatemala... that God is preparing our hearts, and for our team... that God will move mightily in each of our lives.  

Meet Angie Bogen

My name is Angie Bogen and I am 33 years young and live in Lawrenceville, GA with my 'child', Miller.  I grew up in Minnesota and chose to become a southern transplant about 11 years ago.  I love living in the south but unfortunately just can't shake that MN accent!  I am the Assistant Event Director for the reThink Group (aka Orange Conference) ~ which is a Christian non-profit that specializes in uniting the church and family thru resources that we produce.  I am blessed to work with an amazing group of people that show a creative passion for God's daily purpose. 

I am so excited to visit the people of Guatemala!  I cannot wait to love on all the babies & kiddos and open my heart to their needs.  I love to serve others and make people smile so I feel like I will be able to contribute a positive spirit to the team.  I would say I am a bubbly and outgoing person that tries to make the best out of every situation ~ good or bad.  So, I am hoping I can show the beautiful people of Guatemala how much they are loved by us and by God.  I also love to sing ~ usually alone in the shower or the car where I can belt it out!  I just hope it doesn't scare them away for joining us in worship :)

Please pray for our team during our journey.  Pray that God will open our hearts to whatever he has in store for us.  Pray that he will give us strength, comfort & encouragement in fulfilling His plan.  Pray that he will bring us safely back home with our hearts full of love, joy & peace. 

Meet Brandy Fields

A little bit about myself..  I am Brandy Fields.  I am 35 years old and live in Buford, Georgia.  I never thought I would be living back in the town I grew up.  However, God has a great sense of humor.  I recently moved back to the States after living abroad for the past six years.  God said it was time to go back and sit still for awhile (I'm not sure how well I am at this sitting thing).  So, here I am.  I've been teaching health/pe for the past 11 years.  I've traveled alot in the last six years.  The Lord blessed me with an amazing opportunity to see the world.  The one thing I absolutely love about traveling is to meet the locals and to experience the culture.  There is nothing like getting to know other people and seeing how the rest of the world lives.  No matter if your time in another country is short, you quickly get to see how you can form relationships.  Relationship is all what God wants us to have with Him. I'm looking forward to sharing that with the people of Guatemala. 

A big reason I want to go on this mission trip, I really enjoy serving others.  I've been trying to figure out how to serve others and serve them well..  I'm hoping that I will be able to do that on this trip, whether it is building a home, handing out shoes, or simply sharing my testimony about the Lord.  I can't wait.

A funny fact about myself..for those who know me absolutely know that I'm not shy at all.  However, when I was a child my mom entered me into a beauty pagent.  The only thing I had to do was to walk out on the stage and turn around.  BUT...I was so shy I couldn't do it.

Meet Sabrina Joseph

My name is Sabrina Joseph. Im 27 years old and live in Snellville, Ga where I have lived the majority of my life.  I love the water, playing guitar and spending time with close friends and family. I graduated in 2009 from Georgia State University with a Bachelors in Managerial Science. I wholeheartedly believed I would be going straight into the corporate world out of college, but God had other plans for me. I never believed I would be called into ministry, but here I am currently working at 12Stone Church. I work with the Redemptive Arts team to help program, produce and coordinate Sunday services and worship events. I LOVE MY JOB and find out more and more everyday that I am right where I am supposed to be! 

I desire to give all of myself to follow Jesus. To sacrifice the comfort and security of my life to serve and risk everything to know Him and love His people. That is why I decided to embark on the journey to Guatemala this summer. We will never embrace the full life He has for us if we aren't willing to step out in faith and trust His greater purposes and plan for our lives and the world.

I will bring energy, joy and a heart for prayer and worship to the team. Cant wait to build deeper community and invest myself in the lives of friends and strangers over the days there. Please pray for a supernatural peace, ability to live present in the moment, and courage to risk vulnerability and invest in the lives of others. I hope to leave having encountered Jesus and knowing Him in a deeper way.

Meet Jennifer Brown

My name is Jennifer Brown and I live in Gainesville, Ga where I was born and raised! I have a Bachelors in Fine Arts with a concentration in Photography from Georgia State University. Right now I feel a huge calling on my heart to “Go Love” on people. Already this year I have traveled to Haiti and now I get to love on the people in Guatemala. I’m excited to see all the amazing things that God has prepared for us on this trip. Besides bringing my rad sense of humor and punk rock attitude…I’m sure I’ll be capturing every moment of this trip with my mac-daddy camera! Did I mention I will be bringing sarcasm to our group, too?!

My prayer request is that God will keep our team safe and open our hearts and minds to the people of Guatemala so we’re able to do His work!