It's time to meet my team! I asked each of the team
members to send me a short blurb about what year and major that they are in,
why they want to go to Israel, a verse that God has spoken to them through, and
a random fact (or two or three).
First up: Our Team Leaders!
Matt Wakutz
Year: 2
- A year of university and a year of Bible college prior to TWU
Major: Nursing
Why Israel? "Tough
question. I feel I have been placed into this team to be shaped and grow in God
more. Israel is a place where conflict has always been, and as inadequate as I
may feel as a young university student, we are children of the Father of
lights, and we are drawn to these places of darkness in order that they 'shine
like the day.' I am oddly excited to see the security barrier, and to see the
work our God does past a simple concrete wall."
Verse: "Even
the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness
is as light with you." - Psalm 139:12 (ESV)
Random Fact: "I
once went to Europe with very little money and ended up working in a small town
in northern Italy for 3 months, it was amazing!"
What our team has learned about Matt in
the last couple of months: Matt really loves coffee. Matt
lives in an apartment with three other guys, and one should definitely check to
see whose milk is whose before pouring it into their tea... (be aware of the
guy who drinks milk straight out of the carton... yuck). Matt does not like
cats (and has now learned that it does not go well to joke about this in front
of Carly). Matt is from Vernon. Matt loves God and God has been teaching him
about the power of prayer.
Chiantelle Rey
Year: 3
Major: Pre-Dentistry... "striving for a BSc
in Biology with a concentration in Psychology OR potentially a BA in
Psychology rather than just a concentration but we'll see where God takes
me."
Why Israel? "I was born in Saudi Arabia and as I
grew up I've always wanted to go back to the Middle East to know more about
everything that has been happening and has happened since I left at the age of
2. Its' different learning and understanding something through books, lectures,
and even through other people who know a lot about it or have been there in
comparison to going there yourself or experiencing things yourself by being
totally immersed in it. Growing up, I've always felt the need to do
extraordinary things in the most ordinary ways. No matter how big or small they
are, I feel the most fulfilled when I'm able to serve anyone in any way
possible. I've always know that along with everyone else, I've been equipped by
God to do many things and even though I'm still in the process of fully
understanding what they are, I'm super excited to see how God works in the
lives of people in places like Israel. I'm excited to serve those who need to be served whether they know they need it or not and in
anyway possible. I'm excited to see transformation, growth, gifts and
talents be discovered and nourished, and to build bridges in myself, the team,
and in the lives of the people we encounter."
Verse: "If you have faith, nothing is impossible for
you." - Matthew 17:20. For this trip: "Wherever you set foot you will
be on the land I have given you." - Joshua 1:3
Random Facts: " I think - actually, scratch that
because I KNOW I am overall a pretty random person. If we get a chance to meet
and at least spend a day together, I think you'll fully understand too because
there are way too many to list."
What our team has learned about Chiantelle in the last few
months: Chiantelle LOVES food. Chiantelle also LOVES pandas (her phone case has
a panda face on it). Chiantelle's dream job is to be a wedding and
events planner (think of the movie "The Wedding Planner"). Chiantelle's middle name is her mother's maiden name. Chiantelle
has a very crazy schedule but is also very organized and seems to handle it all
with the utmost grace. Chiantelle cares deeply about our team and our wellbeing
and often asks if we have prayer requests.
Stay tuned to get to know the rest of this amazing
team!
Carly
