I had been planning for Africa since November.  I started a countdown on my phone with over 200 days until I left for the trip.  I fundraised over $5,000.  I bought “missions” clothes.  I took a month off of work.  Then I went.   And it was wonderful in every single way.  I experienced God in ways I never have before, and felt his love stronger than ever.  He gave me such peace about knowing that that was where I was supposed to be.  I poured everything I had into the kids and community we were working with, and He renewed me every...

Hello beautiful child of God! My name is Skyler. This summer God took me on an amazing adventure to Swaziland. We hung out, talked, played, laughed and even cried. Now by “we,” yes I mean me and God, but I also mean my teammates, the Swazi people, the Swazi kids, and the AIM staff. If you would’ve asked me a few years ago if I knew where Swaziland is, I would’ve asked if that is even a real place? Now, I can tell you it’s in South Africa but even more importantly, it’s in Gods heart and His hands. Never in my life have I seen a place so full of God. He...

It might not be the best picture… but it’s proof that the last team has landed and are back from their 4 weeks in Swaziland! There’s nothing better than Chick Fil A … for a welcome home meal!

Growing up I did not experience, nor really relate to, most girls my age. I was brought up in different cultures, and exposed to many diverse nationalities and types of people. My family lived in Seoul, South Korea and Beijing, China- traveling to different corners of the world while abroad. I guess you could say that at a young age the Lord set a small spark of fire in me that was just yearning to be apart of a grand adventure. As my family ventured from country to country, the Lord slowly revealed to me that travel and understanding/ relating to people were my passions, and that excitement...

This trip has taught me so many things, how to shower in less than two minutes, how to do laundry in a sink, and most importantly, how I want to go about living my life for Christ when I get back.   I start freshman year seven days after I get back to the States. The transition is going to be very difficult. High school is crazy and it can be hard to stay strong in your faith. However, God has revealed to me how I should grow in my faith and stay strong throughout the next year. Ultimately, this can be done through a missions minded life.   Short term mission trips are amazing, life...

“First’s are hard. First day of pre-k First breakup. First time driving. First broken bone. They’re hard because you don’t know what to expect. This is my first mission trip, and in all honesty, I had no idea what to expect. It was also my first time out of the country. The only person I knew coming into this was Maddie H. I’ve never been away from home for this long, never seen this much of the world, never seen God work in these kinds of ways. And let me tell you – it’s overwhelming. But it’s an AMAZING “first.” I’ve done short,...