Hello from Gainesville, Georgia!

First, I want to share how thankful I am to each of you for the prayers and the financial support. I raised over 95% of my funds, and I'm overwhelmed by your generosity. Wow. Thank you.

I flew out of Boise on Sunday, 1/12, and met my team at the Atlanta Airport. I was anxious as I did not know a single person, but within hours, I already felt a connection with so many. These are my people!!!!

We've spent the last 12 days bonding as a squad (13 of us on our team and another 30+ on other squads) and growing deeper in our faith. We also had several "drills/real-life scenarios" to experience what it would be like if we lost our luggage, had to walk miles with our luggage, or tried to evangelize on the busy and often overwhelming streets (that was interesting). We also practiced evangelizing at the local mall.

This was the day we walked over a mile with all of our luggage as practice.

Making fast friends - God is soooo good!

My squad keeps saying how we feel like we've always known each other. We're only 10 days in, and I consider them family (I'll show you the sleeping arrangements, and it will probably make more sense.)

About 50 of us are sleeping on the floor at training camp. We sleep pretty well.

We fly out this coming Saturday, 1/25, with two very long flights (one is 13 hours and one is 8 hours). And oh! I should tell you that the location of my trip changed, and we are now headed to Eswatini and South Africa instead of Kenya and Uganda. Everything works out for a reason, and I'm just as excited. Did you know the average life expectancy is 29 years old in Eswatini and that 40% of the population are orphans because of Aids? Wow.

Please pray for safety during our long travel weekend and that my team and I adjust quickly once we settle in. We could also use your prayers for health over the next few days while traveling. Thank you for partnering with me on this journey. I can't wait to share more and to see what God has in store for us.

Love, Ella