EMBRACE the Nations ™

Radical Church

2008-08-06T23:17:00.005-04:00

This was one of the churches we attended when we were in Jaco, Costa Rica. The Knapps have been Ministering there since March 2006. The church is located in a shopping center and walking distance from our hotel. As soon as you walk into the room, you just felt a sense of comfort. We were the first few people there, along with a church from Gainsville. As service started more people began to show up. We even met people from The River. Everybody was very friendly. Service and worship was in Spanish, we didn't understood much but it was great being able to worship with them. Half of our team led children's church up stairs. We taught our lesson on David&Gallieh. The children were absolutely loving.

Victoria

Poipet

2008-08-01T01:38:00.005-04:00

I got an e-mail from the Lao family in Cambodia. They're missionaries living in the city of Poipet. We met them last year at a youth conference, LIFE2007.

Tension between Cambodia and Thailand is rising rapidly. Theres border problems around the Poipet and Preay Viheah areas. Both countries don't seem to agree to stay on their own side. Many shootings have been taking place. Fearing situation would worsen, people in Poipet have started evaccuating.

Victoria

Pastor Jon's Blog

2008-07-27T17:02:00.005-04:00

Pictures!

2008-07-26T19:54:00.007-04:00

Hi Everyone,

We took tons of pictures. Words can't describe these photos.
(Pictures are hosted at SnapFish, you might have to create an account.)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Victoria

We just got back!

2008-07-24T14:58:00.007-04:00

I am writing an update, printing pictures, mailing, and preparing a video.

We have so MUCH to share. Thank you for believing in us!

Victoria

Today is the day!

2008-07-16T02:28:00.004-04:00

The day is finally here. Have you ever planned something in the future and it just seems so far away, like it'll never happen anytime soon? Thats how I feel! It's such a shock to know that I'll be on my way in a few hours.

Please keep us in your prayers!
I just know something extraordinary is in stored.

Victoria

2008-07-15T23:34:00.009-04:00

Our flight is at 8 am, we have to be there at 6 am. The airport is about an hour away, we'll have to wake up earlier to do some last minute packing. I don't think I'll get much sleep tonight.

But thats the least of worries. I'm actually a bit nervous and kind of frightened. I can't remember the last time I've been this quiet. I'm so overwhelmed.

Today I sat in room and ask myself, what am I missing. And you see... I have everything that I need. God has provided me with LOVE, strength, hope, and a family that cares. They have shown so much concern throughout the past months. God's absolutely indescribable. When my life gets difficult, it is He that I find rest in. He is everything I want to live for. During this Missions trip I need to allow myself to step out my comfort zone.

Victoria

Countdown

2008-07-15T17:43:00.003-04:00

Only 1 day until our trip.

Help our Soldiers with your Phone

2008-07-14T23:11:00.015-04:00

This is so creative! I came across this project in Seventeen Magazine. Cell phones are frequently updated, everybody seems to always get the latest styles, and some even treat their phones with neglect. Send your cell phone in to be recycled, this will provide our troops with calling cards to call home.

Vivian & I just sent our cell phones! What's stopping you?

I want to help a soldier call home.

Victoria

Gifts for Costa Rica

2008-07-11T23:11:00.011-04:00

We went shopping for supplies today. You wouldn't believe it! We found the cutest toys for half the price. So we were able to buy twice the amount we intended to get. I'm so excited to see the expressions on the kid's faces when we give them their gifts.

Victoria

Downgrade

2008-07-09T23:37:00.009-04:00

Our goal was successfully met. Raising money with the clothing line was such an exciting adventure. Our dad drove around town to get shirts and helped deliver packages to the post office constantly. We are downgrading our store, which saves us $9.99 each month. So when you visit the store it may seem a bit smaller. No worries, you can still purchase! We are not putting an end to our project. We're finding a new purpose to support.

Victoria

Countdown

2008-07-06T20:10:00.006-04:00

Only 10 days until our trip.

We are Registered!

2008-07-05T21:08:00.003-04:00

The U.S. Embassy of San Jose sent us an e-mail and told us to register with the Department of State. My dad took less than 15 minutes to register both of us. Now we're just waiting to see if everything went through.

Victoria

2008-07-04T12:11:00.005-04:00

Happy Independence Day!

Countdown

2008-06-29T20:22:00.006-04:00

Only 16 days until our trip.

Preparation Meeting Updates

2008-06-29T18:07:00.014-04:00

What a day! Our preparation meeting lasted until 3:40pm. We covered information on our luggages to details involving crafts for the children of Jaco.

I will write in a different format so you can better understand the details!

Luggage: We are allowed one carry-on. There is a requirement of $15 to check in your first luggage and $25 for your second luggage. When Vivian and I searched our closet, we found 5 full bags of items to give away. We also would like to go out and buy little things for the people there. We all plan just to come home with our carry-on and leave everything behind.

Passport: The church made 2 copies of our passports for safety. We won't be carrying it around when we're in Costa Rica.

T-shirt: Chip came up with a really cool idea! He's going to provide us with multiple t-shirts during our trip. Each day will wear the same shirt. This will help in locating each other in a crowd. I'm just a little worried that this may be a little overwhelming to others, I don't want anybody to be uncomfortable with us.

Electronics: Theres been many situations when things have been stolen. We are going to pack as lightly as possible. Nothing valuable will be taken on the trip.

Hotel: We found who we are going to room with. Just a few of us are sleeping in a Villa.

Games: Everyday we are going to have an activity to reach out to children which can also affect our relationship with their parents. We practiced making balloon dogs, giraffes, and lions. Let's just say that we still need some more practice...
We're also making power bracelets, giving them a photo of themselves on hearts, making puppets, face painting, dodgeball, tag, kickball, and a few more games.

Laundry: Handwashed.

Safety: No matter where you go, groups of 3.

Cultural shock: Things will be alot different and problably a little unusual. Courtesy is very important.

Our Youth Pastor ended the meeting with an assignment. He wanted us to share the reason why we are doing this, why we are going, and what we're afraid of?

"Go with the strength you have."

Victoria

I'm going to finish the update and it'll be mailed tomorrow morning.

U.S. Embassy

2008-06-26T00:33:00.008-04:00

My dad suggested that I'd send an e-mail to the U.S. Embassy of San Jose. This is just to inform them of our stay and in case of any emergencies.

Victoria

Mail will be delivered soon.

2008-06-26T00:24:00.004-04:00

You might be wondering why you haven't recieved an update in the mail. I just realized that we are having a preparation meeting this Sunday June 29,2008. There we will recieved specific detail and full instructions of what we will do in Jaco. So, I ask that you wait until we attend the meeting before we send out updates. We want you to know every little information.

I look forward to mailing everybody personal letters.
Take care!

Victoria

Please pray for our Grandparents.

2008-06-23T21:26:00.005-04:00

Hi,

Yesterday afternoon my mom made a phone call to a friend. They use to live up Connecticut with us. But soon moved to Florida about 3 years after we moved here. We call them grandpa and grandma because it was always a polite thing to do. But when I really think about it... they've been so kind. We were always invited for lunch and they even held a mini Christmas party for my sisters and I. Even though their not my actual grandparents, I'm more than happy to say they are.

My mom was sad after the phone call. She found out that Grandpa is diagnose with terminal cancer. When somebody tells you, somebody in their family is ill. You also feel sad about the situation but it doesn't really touch you... Finding out that he has cancer has really shakened me. Grandma is also struggling. She has diabetes and found out that it has affected her leg. She will have to amputate her leg in the future. To make things easier, they now have a nurse assisting them at the house.

I just ask that you'd take sometime to pray for them.
I'm going to write a handwritten letter. If you'd like to say a few words, don't hesitate. Knowing that somebody is by your side is such a nice feeling.

Victoria

They live 5 hours away and my mom is too worried to drive that far. I do hope she'll change her mind.

Less than a month.

2008-06-20T17:47:00.005-04:00

Well, I'm happy to say that we only have 26 days until we leave for Jaco. It's so soon! We did raise two-thirds of our goal, our church offered to pay a third. The church has done alot already and we still have members who has not yet reached their goals, so we are going to continue our fundraising. Thank you for your help.

I know that some people may not have computer access to our blog or typically don't use one. I am personally going to write an update and it will be mailed Monday morning. You'll problably recieve no later than Thursday.

Good Night,
Victoria

Phil Wickham

2008-06-15T22:50:00.015-04:00

Myriam and I went to Status Discovery Church to see Phil Wickham perform. I don't regularly attend the church there but knowing Phil would be there was quite comforting. He led worship for the night. Listening to his CD is nothing like hearing it live. Myriam nudged me at the end of the night to catch him before he leaves. I didn't think I'd have another chance to meet him, so I'm sure I literally dashed to the front of the stage to talk to him. We had a small conversation and surprisingly, he was really friendly. Phil has also been on a missions trip to Costa Rica and he sounded happy to help us with our project.

I guess I don't have to mail him his shirt after all.

Victoria

Coming Soon!

2008-06-14T19:48:00.020-04:00

Got some really cool stuff from California. We understand that somethings in the store is a little above some friend's budget, so we're going to add more affordable items. Everything that is made will continue to go towards our Missions Trip.

We bought plastic peace signs, necklaces will be made out of them. We also found these really cute Chinese patterned(we thought this can remind you of China, another nation) pocket mirrors. Our logo will be printed on. We are taking no credit for making the pocket mirrors. The logo will be on it just like our t-shirts. We spent our money very wisely on everything.

Theres only one printing frame right now. And its hard to work around one frame while trying to make new designs. I have decided to build my own frames to screen print with. I'll be going to Home Depot on Sunday or Monday to buy wood and super strong glue to attach the silk to the wood. And finally, theres no more black ink. This is a little harder to get because no store around our area sells the kind we use. Tubelite sells a special ink that requires a heater. I did find a website that sells the ink but I don't have a credit card.

Well that's all for right now, wish me luck. PEACE.

Vivian

San Francisco

2008-06-13T03:38:00.009-04:00

I'm reflecting on yesterday and I feel a little upset. I notice the actions I took did not define who I am. When we were in San Francisco, I ran into a homeless guy. He sat at a table in a courtyard by himself. He was reading a newspaper, with a small size fries, laughing, and talking to himself. I passed by him... but I did absolutely nothing.

I felt like I could have helped him in some way.

Downtown Orlando has alot of men and women who doesn't have homes. I hope I can help in some way.

Victoria

We're back from California!

2008-06-12T23:07:00.027-04:00

We reached Florida an hour early today. I notice that plane rides are nice for the first 20 minutes then it gets very exhausting. Here's some pictures of California. I hope my future involves traveling, it's so nice to see what goes on outside my home.

Victoria

Preparation Meeting

2008-06-08T02:34:00.004-04:00

Gayle just sent an email informing us about our upcoming missions meeting. It's going to be pretty long because we are going to prepare and experience some things we will do in Costa Rica. This meeting will not take place until June 29th.

Victoria