http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org Aaryn Phillips - First Year Missionary en-us Sat, 5 Jul 2008 15:56:28 GMT 30 http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=123philippines http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=123philippines    Well, I have survived another training camp.  It was is WAY better on the flip side.  I've decided that being a leader is probably the best thing ever.  It probably has a lot to do with the great staff that I have been able to work along side this week, but also the HUGE blessing that God has given me by my INCREDIBLE team.  From different stuff, God has made our team a small one.  I am co-leading with my friend Matt and we have three participants: Ansley, T Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=getting-ready http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=getting-ready So, time at home, for now is quickly coming to a close! I have to be at staff training for my Philippines trip a week from today!!! I'm getting pretty excited about it.  I dont really want to pack...and I haven't even begun, but it's cool.  I may just end up throwing a bunch of stuff in my bags and hoping its good enough:) I survived Africa for 9 months, I can do this for a few weeks!   Being at home has been a really good thing for me.  I've spent most of my time down in F Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=life http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=life   Well, it's now been about 2 1/2 weeks since I've been in America.  I think that I am finally starting to get used to life here.  I mean, I'm just now figuring out that the blinker is on the left side of the car and not the right.  For about the first two weeks, whenever I wanted to turn, the windshield wipers went off instead:)  I think I have it under control now. BUT I still order "tap water with ice" at Restaurants...not sure when that habit will break.  Probab Mon, 2 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=home-again-home-again http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=home-again-home-again    Well, I'm home! I've actually been home since last Friday, but I haven't been ready to sit down and write a blog yet! Plus I haven't really be "home" anyways.   I survived the longest flight of my life and arrived home on Friday morning.  My mom picked me up from the airport, brought me home, and then I had to run a bunch of errands to keep me awake.  Jet lag is awful!  Saturday morning my family and I left for Orlando to take a few days for me to spend with Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=one-day http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=one-day   I have ONE day left in Jbay (oh my gosh, that rhymes). That is out of control.  I never thought this time would come, but it's here.  I have to be a little honest and say that I am really excited to be in America for a while.  I need the break. AND the unlimited Dr. Pepper;)  Sorry it has been a while since my last post.  We have been out of town for Debrief.  To close out the year, we headed to Cape Town for 5 days to tour the city and begin to process what Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=craziness http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=craziness   Well, its two weeks and counting.  Soon I will be home. I can't even believe it. I keep telling myself that its almost over, but my heart refuses to believe it.  This past week has been pretty difficult for me for a couple different reasons. I'll do my best to put it all into words for you.   First, I am totally exhausted.  My heart is just ready to rest. My body is ready to rest.  I just need some down time.  As it gets closer to the end, the more I hav Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=i-dont-have-a-good-title-name-sorry http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=i-dont-have-a-good-title-name-sorry   I can't believe another week is gone.  I think as the days go by, time keeps going by faster.  This time in four weeks I will be at home with my parents. CRAZY!  As much as I am getting excited to see friends and family, the idea of this time of my life being over is really sad!  I mean, don't get me wrong, I think that I'm ready to have some of my own space, but just the thought of leaving this place and these people just makes me so sad.  This time in my life is Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=just-kidding http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=just-kidding So, according to my last blog, I was headed to Lesotho this past Saturday. Well, our plans got changed. Again. But that is the beauty of being a missionary.  You never know whats going to happen. God likes to keep you on your toes!  I wanted to see Lesotho, but its a total blessing that we decided to stay here. God has been moving a ton this week.   First, I went and visited Mercia on Monday because she was sick.  As we were talking to her and filling her in on our plans Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=cape-town http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=cape-town   I think I have found my new favorite city.  That has to be Cape Town.  It just is amazing.  Beautiful scenery.  Big City. What else could a girl want?  The past week we were given a "spring break" so a group of us made some plans and headed to Cape Town for the week.  It was a much needed break.  It was just nice to go and be in a different place to enjoy God's creation but also to just rest.  Here are a few pictures from the week.Katie and I the ni Fri, 4 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=time-flies http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=time-flies   Sorry it has been so long since I've updated this thing.  I feel like I lose track of time so quickly here.  So I will do my best in updating you of what's been going on in the past couple of weeks.   The clinic has been awesome.  Each day we are able to do more tasks and assist the Sisters more.  It's so great.  I think that we are finally starting to see just a little fruit from all the hard work.  God is finally showing us just a little something Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=sitting http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=sitting   This week I did a lot of fasting.  My main goal was to really pray for my ministry here, what the next step is for me after this program, and also just sitting with God more.  My soul needed it.  It yearned for some intimate time with the Lord.  It's hard to find some intimate times with the Lord when you live with 20 Americans, but this week was great.  I got to take the time I would normally be eating, and just sit at the feet of God, like in Luke when Jesus goe Sun, 9 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=graduation http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=graduation    Yes, I have graduated again!!! But not from school this time.  For the past four weeks, the three of us at the clinic have been taking HIV/AIDS counseling classes at the clinic.  This past Thursday, we had our "graduation" and received certificates that allows us to do some counseling in the clinic and around the township for the HIV/AIDS virus.  I was pretty excited about the certificate, but I'm really thankful for the course and all that I learned.  It really Sat, 1 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=join-the-awakening-discipleship-missions http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=join-the-awakening-discipleship-missions Awaken to the Adventure Disciples aren't born; they're made. It's a process that takes time, discipline, and God. In reality, it looks more like waking up than attending a class. As part of The Awakening, you can undergo a discipleship program like no other, experiencing four months of intense training in another country to prepare you for the ministry that awaits you for the rest of the year.Join The Awakening Your mornings will be spent in training and your afternoons Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=the-clinic http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=the-clinic    This week has been great.  Its hard to decide exactly what to blog about so I will just give you a brief overview:)  Well, the clinic this week has been great.  Its nice to finally see some fruit from our labor as more relationships develop with not only the patients but also the staff.  Each of them have a special place in my heart and I love being there...even if its draining sometimes.  Katie, Hill, and I have committed to join Mercia, a worker at the cli Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=dr-bill-and-carol http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=dr-bill-and-carol    Tonight was a blast.  Seriously, I think I have fallen in love with Dr. Bill and his wife.  Dr. Bill is the clinic psychologist where I do ministry and since I've known him, he's not only taught me how to counsel HIV/AIDS patients, but also just how to love people.  He immediately took us in at the clinic, and each day he takes the time to talk to us.  He tells us stories of his crazy past, but also the life lessons he's gathered through out the years.  He h Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=do-to-the-least-of-these http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=do-to-the-least-of-these   Seriously, this has probably been the best week I've had since I've been in Africa...or maybe I should just rephrase that and say that this week was a perfect picture of why I'm here.  I'm not saying that because my week started out by watching the Superbowl in the middle of the night and watching the Giants beat the Patriots, but because this week I heard the voice of the Lord everywhere.  I followed His lead and cared for the least of these.  That is when life all makes s Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=crazy-week http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=crazy-week   This has been an amazing week. I am now wishing I would have been blogging all week so I wouldn't forget everything that has gone on, but somehow I lost time...or forgot!? Anyways, I'm going to attempt to do a quick overview on everything, so bear with me.  I'll try and make it short and sweet.Yookie:  My week started off with my friend Yookie, who is the hip hop dance instructor at the gym, coming over and sharing his testimony with our team.  It was totally unreal.  Sat, 2 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=back http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=back Annnnnd I'm back.  Its nice. I arrived back in South Africa on Tuesday night.  It was probably the longest flight I have ever been on!  It was nice that it was direct...but I didn't realize how horrible a 16 hr flight can be!  It's really good to be back.  It's been great to catch up with the team and get settled in for the next four months!  Just talking with each person on my team, God has some HUGE things planned this semester for us.  I'm really excited a Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=come-let-us-adore-him http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=come-let-us-adore-him Come Let Us Adore Him.That small tiny phrase just keeps ringing in my head. Come Let us Adore Him. Christ the King.  I have to tell you, this phrase just keeps playing over and over and over again in my head.  Come Let Us Adore Him.I love today.  I love the fact that I get to celebrate and COME to adore the birth of my Savior.  I love the fact that today is the day I can really celebrate that I have been redeemed.  I can celebrate the fact that I am no longer stuck livin Tue, 25 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=home1 http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=home1     I can't believe it...I am in the U.S. of A!  I think that getting here was probably the longest two days of my life, but it was totally worth it.  It's so refreshing to be here and just rest and begin to process everything from this semester.  Although I have to be honest, jet lag is kicking my tail.  I cannot get my sleep schedule back to normal for the life of me...so hopefully I will figure it out soon.  I hate being this exhausted.  I also hav Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=debrief http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=debrief     Well, I think that this is going to be my final blog from Africa for this semester.  I can't believe that this semester is already over.  Time has flown by, and I can't believe all that has gone on in just three months.  The past four days we have been on debrief.  We went about three hours west of here to a place called Victoria Bay.  It was absolutely beautiful.  Driving there brought back some great memories of driving the PCH highway in Califo Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=good-times http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=good-times     This week has been amazing.  I couldn't have asked for a better week.  God has been moving, that's for sure!      This past week AIM flew in a couple of speakers to do a leadership seminar here for all of the Africa FYMs.  I have to be honest, at first I wasn't too sure about it, but it has been awesome for me.  God pushed me in not only what I thought a good leader should be and look like, but also how he wants to push me in my leadersh Thu, 6 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=smile http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=smile    It has been a crazy week!  First off, Thanksgiving was amazing...well as good as it could be being away from my family.  The twenty of us had a great time enjoying each other's company and great food.  As usual, we ate WAY too much and had to lay down for awhile after dinner to give our stomachs a break.  Thankfully we all cooked our own dishes so we had some great tastes from America!    This past weekend we were given off to rest or travel.  Of Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=happy-early-thanksgiving http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=happy-early-thanksgiving     Well, I think that this past weekend was absolutely amazing! Since Friday is my off day, a group of us girls headed to the mall to hang out and see a movie.  It was cut a little short because of a power outage. In the mall. In Africa. It was different, but still a good time to get a little bit of a break.  On Saturday, we had a surprise trip to a Lion Park not too far from where we are.  It was awesome.  The lions are amazing, and we saw the cutest little b Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=keep-on-truckin http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=keep-on-truckin   What can I update from the past week??  Well, to start off from the last time I posted, I got really sick. Again.  Only this time I got the stomach flu. So frustrating.  I was down from last Thursday until Sunday.  So I was able to start off this week some what healthy.  But continue to pray for health for our team, its seems to be going around.  And from my recent experience, the stomach flu is NOT fun.  So pretty much my weekend consisted of laying aro Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=time-is-flying-by http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=time-is-flying-by Man, time is flying by.  I feel like every time I blink, another week goes by.  Before I know it, I'll be home for Christmas.  Just at 5 weeks.  Crazy!  I think it's a good thing though.  It'll be a good breakI mean, I do miss some things from the states.  I think my top three are: Dr. Pepper, Chik-fil-a, and some darn good Mexican food.  That is of course on top of my friends and family☺   This week at the Joshua Project was great.  The Lo Thu, 8 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=oh-brother-james http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=oh-brother-james    I know that I have spent most of my posts updating y'all on what I'm doing and where I'm at physically, but I thought that I should do a short update on how I'm REALLY doingif that makes any sense?? I was trying to think of one word that would really describe my spiritual state at the moment and I could only think of one word: overwhelmed.  I am overwhelmed in my spirit.  I have come to the point in my walk where the Lord is ready to take me deeper.  He's ready to tak Fri, 2 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=i-can-breathe http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=i-can-breathe    This week has been hard.  Not gonna lie.  First of all...I had to chose my ministries.  I did it.  And I'm happy with my choice!  As of now...I am working with The Joshua Project two days a week.  The Joshua Project is a ministry located on the fringe of the township and focuses on the street kids here in Jbay.  Its an amazing ministry that really has a strong focus on not just being a place for the kids to hang out, but making a point in trying to Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=a-for-real-update http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=a-for-real-update   Ok, sorry for the quick and random post earlier.  Free dinner was on the line...and being a missionary now, thats a HUGE thing. Oh, and good news, we totally won so I believe we will be redeeming our free meal this Friday night at the Sunflower.  I'll let ya know how it goes!  We are finally settling in to Jbay.  Is absolutely beautiful.  Its way cooler than I was anticipating. Our house is a 10 minute walk from the beach and downtown and about a 5 to 7 minute wal Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=jbay http://aarynphillips.myadventures.org/?filename=jbay    We are finally in Jbay.  And it only took us a long 14 hours.  BUT we are here. Awesome.  Its absolutely wonderful.  Our house is amazing.  We have a veiw of the water from our porch. What else could you want??  Yesterday was our first day here in Jbay, so we just went and checked out a church in the morning, had some free time in the afternoon to finish unpacking, and went to a local college service last night.  I loved every minute of it.  Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT