My team will be flying to Katmandu on September 28. We'll spend two weeks in Katmandu and a village on the Indian border before taking a train to Kolkata on October 12. We'll spend six weeks working in Kolkata through a ministry of YWAM Perth called Mega Cities. Each year, Mega Cities picks a city of several million to concentrate evangelistic efforts on, sending several waves of outreach teams into every part of the city to minister to practical and spiritual needs. Our team will be arriving on the heels of several other missionary waves, and I'm excited to continue the work that has been established there throughout the last several months. On November 26, our team will fly from Kolkata to Bangkok, spending three weeks in the city before returning to Perth on December 12.
It's going to be a crazy busy time of ministering in some of the neediest parts of the world. The Priceless DTS will be focusing on combating sex-trafficking and ministering to exploited women as well as evangelism, building projects, supporting local missionaries, and lending a hand wherever we can help. I'm so excited to be a part of bringing God's justice to the nations, and I couldn't have picked a better group of people to do it with. I know I've already introduced you to my awesome Priceless team briefly, but I'd like you to get a better idea of who I'll be serving with for the next three months. Here's our team picture and a brief bio of each member of Team Awesome!
David Dex Delgado is the taller half of our leadership team, as well as the only male Priceless DTS staff member. He hails from Los Angeles, California, which explains his tendency to use the word "epic" to describe everything from childhood memories to potato salad. The fact that he chooses to spend his Friday nights watching a "Cinderella Story" with a gaggle of angst-ridden teenage girls makes him one of the most thoughtful people I've ever met. He's always ready to encourage you with a well-thought word, has a voice that could literally melt butter, and puts Sriracha sauce on everything.
Samantha (not Sam) McQueen is our other team leader, as well as my ever-gracious housemate, one-on-one, and small group leader. From Alberta, Canada, she's a lone Canadian in a sea of smack-talking Americans. She is incredibly wise, always speaking the truth with love. She's so patient with our non-stop ridiculousness, is a queen of organization, and leads with authority and grace. Hilarious without even trying, she delivers perfect dead-pan jokes and then acts surprised when we all burst out laughing. Hey Samantha, "where'd the cheese go?"
Tessa Noble is one of two kiwis in our group, and possibly the most hilarious person to ever walk the planet. She's the queen of pop-culture references, quoting entire Hilary Duff movies with a perfect American accent. She's amazingly loyal, a true friend who's always eager to make you a cup of tea and have "a wee chat." She cares about people, is an amazing listener, a giver of wise advice, and one of the only people who ever laughs at my jokes. Oh, and her eyes are the color of the sea after a storm ;).
Jennifer Wamsley claims to be from Pekin, Illinois, but we all know she's just Jenny from the block. A down-to-earth diva, there's so much more to her than meets the eye. She shifts from hilarious alter-ego "LaShonka" to philosophical soul-searcher with an ease that always impresses me. She loves people, and has an amazing ability to make you laugh and think at the same time. She's a taker of many selfies, has great taste in music, is always immaculately dressed, and has a knack for making any situation, including cleaning toilets, into a dance party.
Ariane Jean Pascal Paviani comes from Detroit, Michigan by way of Paris, France. My bunkmate for life, Ari is a master of all things technology. She's extremely observant, noticing both bad camera angles and the feelings of those around her. She's always ready to give you a hug, ask a penetrating question, and offer thoughtful advice. She can start a conversation with anyone, gets things done with amazing speed and efficiency, and wears snap pants better than Zac Efron.
Tabitha Mabus hails from my hometown of Galax, Virginia and has been my friend for many years. A talented musician, thoughtful writer, and gifted artist, Tabitha is one of the most dedicated people I know, approaching everything with a single-minded intensity that always inspires me. She's a joy to talk to, delivering both godly insight and well-timed sarcasm with equal precision. Always dignified, patient, and kind, she knows how to value people, and I can't think of a better person to travel halfway around the world with.
To complete our team is the oldest, but not necessarily most mature, member of Team Awesome, Mark Jackson of somewhere in New Zealand. A true theologian, Mark listens to sermons for fun, enjoys discussing the differences between holiness and sanctification, and draws timelines of 2 Kings in his free time. He's incredibly thoughtful, whether he's lending you his jacket or planning your birthday scavenger hunt, he's constantly serving people in practical ways.
Well that's Team Awesome for you! I've already grown so close to each member of our team and I can't wait to spend the next three months getting even closer. Please pray for us as departure time gets closer and throughout our time on outreach. In addition, our DTS is in need of about $23,000 in outreach fees. If you feel led to support us, you can make a credit card donation to ‘Priceless DTS Asia Outreach Team’ on the YWAM Perth website, ywamperth.org.au. Thank you so much for taking the time to get to know us!
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