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Kayla Balangue

May 28 2025
0

Update #11 Central America C

By | 2025 Teams, Central America C

Hola amigos y familia,


Today was a very eventful day for our team. We started off the morning by visiting the local elementary school where we got to teach the children a lesson about the love of God. This lesson was followed by an art project which will help remind them of how much Jesus loved them. After that, we played a few rounds of Red Light, Green Light and Duck Duck, Goose with them before heading back to Lunch. Then we went to take the molds off from the pilas that were constructed yesterday. It’s wonderful to see the great work of Just One’s scholars and staff and the contribution they are making to the community.

After this, we went back to Just One where Ellie S. taught a lesson on how to build a strong team with a fun illustration of building a balloon tower. These skills were then put to the test when we later gathered at the local field and played a competitive game of soccer (or as they call it here, futball). This game was full of laughs, some falls and a couple of goals scored by our very own Bella. We hope to be able to play again before we leave!!
Lots of love to all,
Danielle

May 28 2025
2

Update #6 East Africa

By | 2025 Teams, East Africa

Hey,

We had another full day here in East Africa with the girls! It such a blessing to be here.

We started the morning with breakfast and the fruit here continues to amaze me. The bananas are seriously the best I have ever had. I am not usually a big banana person but I might be changing my mind.

After breakfast some Courage House graduates led devotions with us. They shared about love and the power of forgiveness and gave us some really heartfelt testimonies. It was such a great way to start the day off.

Our first visit was to Courage House 1 where we spent the morning with the younger girls. We danced a lot, played sports, made bracelets, and just had so much fun. They have so much energy and joy and it is so contagious.

Later we headed to Courage House 2 and had lunch with the older girls. They are so kind and welcoming. A few of them tried to teach me Swahili which was very humbling. I am slowly picking up a few words and I love learning from them. We played Uno, Go Fish, and Connect 4 and had some really good conversations in between. There English was really good!

One of my favorite moments today was the Bible study Cheyenne led in Matthew 6 about worry and anxiety. It was so grounding and brought a lot of peace to me. It reminded me to slow down and trust that God is already in the details which was something I really needed to hear.

We also had a small unexpected moment when we held a little funeral for a stray cat that had passed. We even played Taps for it. It is funny how the random moments can bring people together.

Dinner was fish, coconut rice, carrots, cucumbers, and the best Coca-Cola I have ever had. I do not know what it is but it tastes less artificial and more of a richer taste here.

There is just something about this place and these people that makes every moment feel meaningful. I am learning so much not just from what we are doing but from who we are with. I am so thankful to be here.

Much love,

Ellie and the East Africa 🙂

May 27 2025
8

Update #2 Southern Africa

By | 2025 Teams, Southern Africa

Officially our first day of camp! We all got up around 7am to start our day. The kids got off the bus around 8, and we greeted them while they were guided to their dorms to drop off their belongings. 

The kids eventually joined us in the dining hall, and we got to serve them breakfast. Before they ate, the local leaders led them in a song of prayer before they enjoyed their meals, and it was a beautiful thing to witness. The amount of gratefulness and joy radiating from the children is astonishing.

After we ate, we had a team debrief to go over the schedule, got put into our leadership teams, and headed out to the grass. We were able to meet some of the kids, and our wonderful Teagan got to teach them some cool dance moves!

We split up the children in teams of 15 (red, green, blue and purple) and we started the day with a lesson and worship. Our local leaders took lead on today, and they introduced the Parable of the Sower to the kids. Today’s theme was “Following Jesus”, and what it means to hide His words in your heart, just like Psalm 119:11 tells us to do. The kids are attempting to learn verses every day, so we took some time studying Psalm 119:11 and answering any questions they might have.

The day was filled with musical chairs, water balloon hot potato, arts and crafts, water relay races and so much more! A lot of us got to hang out with the kids during free time, playing basketball, soccer, volleyball, and just getting to know them. The joy and energy the children have is contagious. 

We ended the night with a great meal, a little bit of worship, and a great bed time story for the kids. Tomorrow will be just as fun!

~Natalie

May 27 2025
2

Update #7 Central America B

By | 2025 Teams, Central America B

God has shown himself to us and the individuals whose houses we have visited, in wonderful and miraculous ways. He has brought this group to the doorsteps of families that needed the love and comfort of God. Healing families, bringing hope and peace to the broken heart and the lost. It has been a great blessing to walk this journey and do Gods will with these amazing and unique individuals and have brought them here for a purpose. God is truly working in this place and I pray that the last few days of this trip are as fruitful and beautiful as the last few days have been.

-Joel

May 27 2025
2

Update #1 Southern Africa

By | 2025 Teams, Southern Africa

After two ten hour flights, we stayed in the Johannesburg, South Africa airport for the night on Sunday. 

We hung out in the airport, most of us trying to catch up on some sleep before our next flight at 6am. 

We all woke up together around 3:45am and played games before our flight. We boarded our flight and set off for final country around 6:30am! We were all extremely exhausted from the changing time zones and were ready to get to the site. 

The flight was only an hour and half long so we spent most of it talking, sleeping, and watching the beautiful sunrise! 

We made it through customs and met up with Glen, and the rest of the Hands of Hope team. The drive to the compound was incredible! 

My excitement and readiness to serve really grew in just the first hour meeting the team, riding in the van, and seeing all the amazing nature of this country. 

We all really began to connect with Hellen and her sweet baby girl on the drive too. 

Once we arrived to the compound, we unloaded some things, ate breakfast, and gathered with the team. We learned from Garikai, the national director, and Glen, the founder, about the culture and history of this country and the organization as a whole. We were fighting to keep our eyes open, as there’s a 9 hour time difference, but it was all worth it. 

We ate lunch all together and continued to learn. We had a little bit of downtime before heading to the house of one of the local pastors connected to the organization. We ate a delicious local dinner, including sadza. We even got to draw water from a well deep underground! It was super cool!!

We were all pretty exhausted and ready for bed, despite it only being 7:30pm. Returning to the compound we met up quickly as a team before heading to bed. It was an incredible day!

~Olivia

May 27 2025
1

Team Southeast Asia A is back home!

By | 2025 Teams, Southeast Asia A

After another long travel day, the Southeast Asia A has made it safely back to Sacramento around 11:45pm on May 27th. They are exhausted but their hearts are full of joy and sweet memories! Join us in praying for them now as they settle back into home life as they may experience some reverse culture shock. Pray for them to have the space to process all that they saw and did on this trip, to reflect well on how the Lord showed up for them, used them, and revealed more of himself to them.

Don’t forget to check in on a team member, and ask them about their experiences in country! They have lots of stories to tell and need their loved ones to listen as they process. 🙂

May 26 2025
0

Team Western Europe is back home!

By | 2025 Teams, Western Europe

After two weeks in Western Europe, immersing themselves in new rhythms of daily ministry and prayer, the team is finally home safe and sound, arriving back in Sacramento around 8:30pm on May 27th. The team learned more about community and how to love people from all walks of life like Jesus did, more than they ever expected. They had encounters with people that were truly orchestrated by the Lord and they learned how to listen to his voice when ministering to people.

Now that they’re home, pray for them to continue to lean into the Holy Spirit’s leading as they process the trip and adjust to new rhythms at home. Don’t forget to ask a team member about their trip, and take the time to listen to the stories they have to tell. 🙂

May 26 2025
5

Team Southern Africa has arrived safely in country!

By | 2025 Teams, Southern Africa

After what I believe is the longest travel day of any GO team this summer, the Southern Africa team finally made it to their destination! They had 2 very long flights, a very long layover, and one smaller flight before finally making it safe and sound. Join us in praying for them as they start their two weeks ministering! Pray that they would remain healthy, energized, and listening to how the Holy Spirit is leading them. We will update again soon!

May 26 2025
0

Update #10 Central America C

By | 2025 Teams, Central America C

Holaaaaa! Today was a long but amazing day!
We started off the day by planning a little birthday surprise for Mauricio, one of the Just One staff. He turned 23 today! Once we had everything ready, we headed to breakfast. We normally get a “Plato típico” which is a typical plate of the country. It comes with casamiento (beans and rice together), eggs, cheese, plantains, and crema. So yummy! We then headed back to our hotel room to get the signs and surprise him before he picked us up. We got to Just One’s building to decorate for both Pastor Mizael’s and Mauricio’s birthday. Rebekah and Danielle worked in the library while the rest of us headed off to building pilas. Today’s pila home was a hike! We had to walk through 2 steep hills to and from the house. We went thru lots of grass, trees, and even crossed a creek to get to the home. Since we all know the process of making pilas by now, we were able to help more. Putting the molds together, greasing them, and mixing concrete. The view we had was awesome. We finished our first pila and headed to our second and final one of the day. It’s so fun working together with the team and the Just One scholars + staff. Being here feels like I’m home. Everyone is so welcoming and loving. It feels like we have known each other forever! We then headed back to the Just One building and had lunch. Today Ms. Linda, Ms. Sonia, and Matias made “enchiladas” they are pretty much tostadas as we know them in Mexico/California; they were so yummy. We then headed to the Just One library and helped where we could. Today, Danielle gave a lesson on portraits. We all drew our partner or in my case, I drew a random person. It was so fun to see the scholars have fun and express their drawing talents while others laughed hard at their own art. We then had game time/free time with the scholars. I played volleyball with some scholars, Ellie, and Bella. We then headed back to the hotel and Erin and I attempted to go swimming but the water was TOO COLD! We just chatted for a bit before having dinner and hanging out as a team. So excited for what tomorrow holds and the new experience we get to have. I am in love with this place and I do not want to go home anytime soon. I’m so blessed to be here and serve alongside these amazing people.
-Con amor, Ely Q

May 26 2025
3

Update #5 East Africa

By | 2025 Teams, East Africa

Jambo Jambo from Carolina! Coming at you with an update from today’s adventure!
We started our day bright and early at 5:30 AM to pack and head to the airport. After a quick breakfast (shoutout to the fantastic pineapple I had!), we were nearly on our way when one of our team members realized her camera was missing. We prayed about it and praise God we found it in the van at the very last moment!
Once we were through the airport and settled in, I treated myself to some local snacks: caramel chocolate nut ice cream and Pringles made with only four ingredients. Let me tell you they were so much better than the ones back home!
After a safe and short flight, we were picked up by some seriously cool safari style vehicles labeled “TOTOTA.” The ride to the hotel was incredible we passed cows, goats, and amazing local vendors selling handmade goods.
When we arrived, we were welcomed with a delicious lunch of cilantro garlic soup and fresh bread. Later we had the incredible opportunity to visit the house and meet the girls a powerful and humbling experience.
We ended the day with a dinner of tacos fresh avocado and chips at a location that was… shhhheeeessshhhh absolutely stunning. Finally we gathered back at the hotel for team time filled with worship, prayer, and deep connection.
What has touched me most so far on this trip is 100% the quality of the people and the richness of our conversations there are never ending topics that last till 3am and meaningful exchanges that fill my heart. I absolutely love the locals and how they live life through the lens of doing what you love. Their words and presence bring me such comfort. I feel so at peace and incredibly thankful to be here.

Signing out Bogey