Mission Trips: 10 Trips and Counting
May 14th, 2012

Pete Johnston has traveled to minister alongside AMG Guatemala 10 times in the last 12 years.   Over the years Pete has been involved in construction and painting, teaching kids at Camp Canaan, encouraging AMG Missionaries, and loving on the Guatemalan children.  Pete has shared with us some of his most memorable experiences while serving in Guatemala with AMG:

My first trip, in 2001, several men from Fellowship Bible Church built a typing classroom at the Oratorio Childcare Center; I met for the first time a little 5-year-old boy named Osman, whom we had begun sponsoring; Osman has since graduated from the program. We are now sponsoring Osman’s little sister, Rosita.

In 2002, a group of 6 men went down to do some odd jobs, but mainly to be an encouragement to the missionaries.  The most memorable part of that trip was the privilege of attending the dedication of La Iglesia de Luz y Verdad at Las Vistas.  I remember like it was yesterday that a little girl who was sitting on my lap, whose name is Helen, went forward with her friend Jamie at the invitation – we were heartbroken when we learned that Helen and Jamie already had sponsors, but I started praying for them that day. 

In 2003, a large group of teens and adults from FBC (including my wife, Inger, who was on her first trip) worked at Camp Canaan, and had the opportunity to minister to the sponsored kids who were there that week.

In 2005, Inger and I were part of a team that painted the Fourth of February project, one of the neat things that year was to reconnect with some of the kids who had been at Camp Canaan (in 2003).  The most memorable part of that trip for me was our visit to Verbena when we learned that Helen (who I met in 2002) was without a sponsor – we immediately grabbed her bio and began sponsoring her, and still do!

In 2006, Inger & I joined a team from Grand Rapids MI, and worked with them to construct a building at the Villa Laura project; it was nice to be able to spend time with other believers, and to work together for a common cause, and share our lives with one another. It was one of the Grand Rapids team members who helped me to realize that my mission field is wherever I am at any given moment.

In 2007, Inger and I were part of a team that painted the structure built by the Grand Rapids team the year before at Villa Laura; it was great to see the beginning and end of a project, and to see the AMG staff and kids there two years in a row; this team included our son, Liam, who was 14 at the time, and it opened his eyes to the body of believers outside his home and local surroundings.

In 2010, I was part of a team that painted at Verbena; our son, Ethan, had his first mission adventure that year; the most memorable part of that trip was working closely with the AMG Guatemala maintenance crew, culminating with a USA versus Guatemala soccer game that provided for a lot of trash-talking, from both sides.  That was my first exposure to Mission Adventure Team Leader, Ken Ivins, and my life will never be the same again; we also had the privileged to stay with Brian & Mary Dennett and their family for a day, and the friendship that began on that trip has only deepened since then.

In 2011, Inger and I were able to work again with Ken, and we were part of a team that painted at Las Vistas – we were mobbed by the children there every day, and several FBC members, some of whom were part of the team, sponsored kids there; hearing their voices shouting “Padrino, padrino!” while we were working was a sound I will never tire of; it was also pretty cool to work with the Wilsons, who had just moved to Guatemala 4 months before from New Hampshire (their home church is FBC).

This year, the team, which included our 13-year-old daughter Emily, worked at Verbena painting the English Department in the beginning of the week, and painted the wall and did landscaping at Las Vistas for the last three days of the week, finishing the project begun by Riverside Christian Church in February, and continued by the AMG Guatemala maintenance crew; it was another great example of God’s people coming together for a common purpose, to bring Him glory.

We have so much for which to be thankful, and we have been privileged to be a part of God’s work in Guatemala through AMG International.  It’s funny how, when you seek to be a blessing to others, you always end up being much more blessed yourself than you ever thought possible.

Serving overseas on a Mission Adventure can change your life.  You never know what God has in store for you when you follow His leading.  God wants to stretch and grow you to help grow His Kingdom and bring Him glory…don’t you want to be part of that?

Posted by Karen Farney in Mission Adventures   |  0 Comment(s)  |  Leave a Comment

Mission Trips: Mission Adventure Update
April 4th, 2012

Spring and Summer are the busiest months for the Mission Adventure department.  At the beginning of each month Pete Lafakis, Mission Adventure Coordinator, will give an update and how to pray: 

AMG Mission Adventures has had one of its busiest first quarters since its inception in the early 2000’s.  Since January there have been seven Mission Adventure teams sent to the field: One to Uganda, Two to Peru, and Four to Guatemala.  The next three months will be just as full with trips scheduled to Uganda, Peru, Guatemala, and Haiti.  

The next Mission Adventures short term trip is scheduled for April 15^th – 22^nd to Guatemala and will be led by Ken Ivins.  Pray for those who are participating in this ministry that God will provide, protect, and accomplish His perfect will in Guatemala and in the lives of these people.  

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Mission Trips: Join Us on an Adventure!
February 2nd, 2012

What are you going to do this year?  Join an AMG Mission Adventure team and be used by God and forever changed.  A Mission Adventure will provide you with incredible experiences and give you opportunities for personal and spiritual growth as you partner in ministry with AMG missionaries and national workers around the world. 

Here are this year’s opportunities for you to go deeper in your relationship with Christ by serving overseas:

Peru – Children’s Ministry – May 25-June 4

Join what God is doing through AMG in Peru by spending a week sharing the love of Christ with sponsored children at the two AMG Childcare Centers located in the slums of Lima, Peru.  The team will also provide much needed maintenance at the centers and minister to the children’s families through home visitation, etc.  Team members will also have the privilege of encouraging the Apon family, who oversee AMG’s childcare ministry in Lima.

Approximate Cost: $1850 – Only 9 Spots Left!

Greece – Evangelism and Camping Ministry – July 8-21

Spend two weeks ministering in Greece alongside our national workers.  During the first week the team will be working with the youth at Above the Street Evangelical Church in Larisa, Greece.  There the team will be involved in outdoor evangelistic skits, songs, testimonies, and engaging people in conversations concerning the gospel.  The second week the team will conduct a three day children’s camp at the AMG Cosmovision Center in Athens for Polish refugee children.  Also, the team will tour ancient Corinth and Athens to learn more about how these two cities influenced the writing of the New Testament.  

Approximate Cost: $3400

 Uganda –Medical & Children’s Ministry – August

Visit Uganda where you will encourage our national workers, love on our sponsored children, and share Christ with Ugandans.  This team will be involved in medical ministry at AMG Medical Clinics, visiting AMG Childcare Centers, home visits of AMG sponsored children, working at Upendo Christian Academy (AMG orphanage and school),  and serving our brothers and sisters in any way possible in the name of Christ.

Approximate Cost: $3200

Argentina – Construction & Evangelism – October 20-30

Serve alongside AMG National Worker, Pastor Jorge Ovando.  This team will help with the construction of second floor classrooms over Pastor Ovando’s church, paint the school building, be involved in street evangelism, participate in local church services, home visitation, and encourage Pastor Ovando and his ministry.

Approximate Cost: $2900

Peru – Bundles of Love – December 1-10

This Christmas join Mission Adventures on a Bundles of Love team!  Share Christ’s love at Christmas time with many needy children and their families.  Team members will share the real meaning of Christmas while helping prepare and distribute Christmas gifts called Bundles of Love to needy children and national workers sponsored through AMG. 

Approximate Cost: $2000

Guatemala – Bundles of Love – December 1-8

This Christmas join Mission Adventures on a Bundles of Love team!  Share Christ’s love at Christmas time with many needy children and their families.  Team members will share the real meaning of Christmas while helping prepare and distribute Christmas gifts called Bundles of Love to needy children and national workers sponsored through AMG. 

Approximate Cost: $1500

Interested? Here are a few things to know:

1.) Team size is limited for most trips.  This means that teams are established on a “first come, first served” basis. 

2.) Trip costs shown are the responsibility of each team member.  These costs are approximated and are subject to change based on actual purchase date of airline tickets, etc.  These are, however, a good working estimate based on past experience and current airfares.

3.) Your $100 deposit, completed application, and airfare payment are due 60 days prior to date of departure.  Your deposit is non-refundable.  Final payment in full is due 30 days prior to date of departure, unless other arrangements have been made.

4.) Accommodations for trips will be comfortable and clean.  Team members will be staying in hotels or AMG housing during their trip.

Email Pete LaFakis or Ken Ivins if you would like more information about any of these trips or the ministry of AMG Mission Adventures.  Or give us a call toll free at 1.800.251.7206 and ask for Mission Adventures.  We hope to see you on the mission field!

Posted by Karen Farney in Mission Adventures   |  0 Comment(s)  |  Leave a Comment

Mission Trips: Used by God
September 14th, 2011

Ken Ivins is one of AMG’s Mission Adventure team leaders.  He shares what God did this summer while in Uganda.

About 5 years ago, I entered Covenant Bank of Rock Spring, Georgia.  Not a very impressive bank, as a matter of fact, the offices were located in a temporary trailer.  I was entering as a salesman and was greeted very kindly.  Who knew that 5 years later, a mission trip I was going to take would be connected to that encounter?   God did, and I am confident that is why He took me to that bank that day. 

Please let me walk you through the story…  Eventually that bank grew and now is located in a building that I call the “Taj Mahal” of Rock Spring.  I visited them every week for 2 years, and was not extremely successful as a salesman.  However, God had placed me there to meet Penny and Autumn.  Penny and I would talk about this and that, and then I would try to see if she had any need for printed goods, and she would graciously let me know that she had no need of anything.  Eventually, one day I stopped by, and she had a need.  It had nothing to do with printed items.  It had nothing to do with why I thought I was there.  She needed a word of encouragement and a moment of prayer from a “stranger” whom God placed in front of her desk.  God used His body to minister to His body. 

The work didn’t stop there, shortly after this encounter; I began working at AMG International leading short term trips.  I told Penny and Autumn that I would keep in touch, and like many of my regular “customers” that I visited with weekly, they asked me to be faithful to share what God was doing. 

On my first trip as a group leader, I went to Uganda.  I came back with pictures and stories to tell.  Penny and Autumn were excited listeners and were enthusiastic to hear my reports.  Penny was so excited that she asked if she could sponsor a child in Uganda.   Penny and Stanley (her husband) began to support Marjorie for $28 a month, which isn’t always easy for people on a fixed income with medical bills and problems.  Faithfully Penny would ask about Marjorie – When will you see her again?  What items could she send to her? Would I take pictures of her when I see her?  As pictures and letters came and went, Penny would always greet me with a smile when I would visit her.

Last month, I finally returned to Uganda.  I had not been there in 2 years, but I was looking forward to meeting one little girl, Marjorie.  Finally the day arrived and we were going to Marjorie’s child care center.  As I arrived, I was greeted by a man I had spent a week with in Uganda the first time I came – we had painted side by side at the Bugong Childcare Center.  I greeted him with a hug and found out that Marjorie was his daughter.  What are the chances?  Marjorie was a beautiful little girl.  I talked with her, asked her questions, and learned about her and her family.  Most importantly, though, I introduced her to Penny.  No, Penny could not come on the trip with me, but via pictures and stories, I was able to introduce a 9 year old girl to a loving couple that prayed for her daily, supported her monthly, and longed to help her be successful in life. 

Yeah, I’m not much of an emotional person, but as I talked with her and told her about Stanley and Penny, I couldn’t help but get choked up about the fact that God brought them together through me, a failed salesman.  God used me to impact lives on both sides of the ocean, and it was not my greatness, my ability, my professionalism that allowed me to be used by Him.  Rather, He used me like He used a rock to drop Goliath, a donkey to correct a prophet, a rod to bring water from a rock, etc.  Like a tool of the master I was able to be used.

Thank God for His faithfulness and willingness to allow us to be blessed by Him.

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Mission Trips: New Faces in Mission Adventures
June 14th, 2011

Each year the number of teams traveling to serve overseas with AMG International grows.  The Lord has brought AMG two part-time team leaders to help lead and disciple the many short terms teams that serve along AMG, John Pace and Richard Hetzel. 

John Pace began serving with AMG on Mission Adventure short-term team to Greece from his home church, First Baptist Atlanta, in 2002. Since then, John has served on AMG teams in Greece, Peru, Italy, Guatemala, and Mexico. John has also served as an AMG Crossings Intern in Greece and in Mexico. In 2011, John officially joined our stateside missions staff as a part-time Mission Adventure Team leader. John’s focus will be primarily working with teams out of First Baptist Atlanta but will also help lead other teams as the need arises. John is also a very capable computer software writer and is helping AMG upgrade our Child Sponsorship software to make our systems more efficient.

As a staff member at Silverdale Baptist Academy, Richard began leading short-term teams to serve with AMG in Peru in 2007. Each summer following this first trip, Richard coordinated and led a new group to serve with AMG. Each year, the groups have served in Peru with the exception of going to Guatemala one year. In 2011, Richard is leading two teams to Peru. He also joined AMG’s stateside missions staff as a part-time team leader in 2011.   Richard has a real heart to disciple young people and one day he and his wife Crista, hope to serve in missions full-time.

We are exciting to see Mission Adventures grow and we look forward to the many lives these two men will impact as they lead short-term teams.  Please keep them in your prayers.

Posted by Karen Farney in Mission Adventures   |  0 Comment(s)  |  Leave a Comment