The 12:7 Team

Tomorrow we head off for St Kitts and Nevis! The adventure officially begins.
But before we go, I think I'll show you who the team are, so that you know their names and faces.

Absolu Kesner from Haiti

AJ Fry from the USA

Alan Hernandez from Mexico

Carlos Jimenez from Mexico

Chennice McLean from Scotland

Erika Chaves from Costa Rica

Estela Reza from the USA

Hellen Herrera Ortega from Costa Rica

Janary Suyat from the Philippines 

Lynda Woolford from Guyana

Maura Narvaez from Nicaragua

And me!

So that's our team, about to embark on our mission in Mesoamerica. Please pray for us, and if you would like to pray for the team by names, now you know them. :)

Saving the world, one toilet at a time

As a team building exercise, we were split into three teams, and sent to the shops to buy bathroom cleaning tools. Then we were told to walk around the neighbourhood, knocking on people’s doors and asking to clean their bathroom. What an interesting challenge we had been given!

So off we went – AJ, Maura and I. I was surprised at how polite these Panamanians were compared to Australians! Most Aussies would close the door on you, say some not-to-be-repeated words, or not open the door in the first place! But these people, although rejecting our cleaning offer, were polite and even interested in what we were doing.

And so it was around 6 houses in, that we knocked on a door and an elderly Catholic woman answered. She ushered us in, sat us down and asked us what our story was. Her husband was also there, eyeing us off suspiciously. We told her that we were here to serve, in whatever way she needed. Although asking "Why" numerous times, she eventually agreed.

The lady showed us into a room which was a complete mess. She told us that she made floral arrangements for church, and that she hadn't cleaned everything up yet. So off we went! After almost cleaning the whole room, the lady came back - and her attitude towards us had changed. She brought us drinks and snacks, and then sat us down and told us we could stay as long as we wanted.

So here's the bit that I know God was apart of. The lady brought a picture of a man climbing Everest, and told us that it was her son, and today was the 7th anniversary of his death. What a hard day for her, but I totally believe we were there to bless her. "Someone sent you here today", she said, as we asked to pray for her. She asked us to continue to pray for her that she would feel peace. But the one thing she said to us before we left, was "Jesus came to my house today."

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)

Me llamo Danielle

Hello everybody!
My name is Danielle, and I'm from Perth in Western Australia.
Don't know where that is? I took the liberty of opening paint and circling it for you on this map!

I'm 18 turning 19 this year, and have the most lovely family in the whole wide world. There's Mum, Dad, Nathan (16) and Josh (11). Awwwww look at them - aren't they adorable? :D

In a nutshell, I love God with my whole heart, and love my church, family, friends and coffee! My favourite thing to is to just spend quality time with the people I love, and I also to serve in my church. I am part of the children's ministry there which is amazing (!), and I also teach at a Bible study which is run for students who are living in Australia who want to learn English.

But why am I writing this blog you may ask.
Well, I have just embarked on a mission in Mesoamerica (Central America and the Caribbean) - I am part of a project called 12:7 Serve. This project is based on Romans 12:7, "If your gift is serving others, serve them well". Hence the name of the blog! It is also a play on words because the project involves 12 youth serving in 7 locations in Mesoamerica. We will be serving from now until the end of July, so for 5 months and a bit.

So, the 7 locations we will be serving in are:
1. St Kitts and Nevis
2. Haiti
3. Dominican Republic
4. North Mexico
5. South Mexico
6. El Salvador
7. Panama (We also train here before St Kitts and Nevis)

So that's my story!
Will keep you updated in the days ahead.
But for all of you readers in Australia, Mesoamerica and perhaps from around the world, thankyou thankyou thankyou for supporting me in 12:7 Serve!

On the journey,
Dani