Hey Everyone! 

It looks like I've got a couple weeks to catch up on! I didn't have wifi at my host home or the church the past few weeks so I wasn't able to blog at all. Three weeks ago we were in Asbury, West Virginia for the week. The church was right across the road from a beautiful mountain which we actually all hiked up one day during the week! On Wednesday we went to two different schools for chapels and ministered there. At one of the schools a teacher came up afterwards and told us that she was a sign language interpreter and she loved our sign language songs. It made me realize that you never know when something you do is touching someone, and they don't always tell you; you just have to go by faith. That week we finished learning "Beulah Land" and sang it for the first time, which the church loved since it was actually written right in that area of West Virginia. It was a great week and we made some wonderful memories.

Two weeks ago we were in Beckley, West Virginia for the week at a church that the ministry had never been to. On Monday we were able to go to Appalachian Bible College for a few classes with the students before and after having chapel where we sang a couple of songs. One of the classes we went to was actually their chorale class and so after singing a few songs WITH them we then sang a few of our songs FOR them. Afterwards they had a few of their groups sing for us and one of them was extremely memorable, it was an a cappella song and I think it was called "Shut de' door?" That's really just a guess, I don't really know for sure. :) Anyways, it was really neat and they had beautiful voices. On Wednesday we went to the school again and picked up a few of their staff members before driving to the New River Gorge and hiking up to the lookout point. The past few weeks and the hikes we've taken have definitely given me a deeper appreciation and love for the outdoors and the beauty of creation. There's nothing like standing on top of a mountain and looking out over everything. I was blessed with the most incredible host family in Beckley. If any of you know my sister Kailyn and her husband Cameron then you basically know what my host parents were like. They had three precious sons that I just fell in love with and it was a little bit like being home again. One of the most rewarding things of being on Encounter is getting to know so many people around the U.S. I never would have met all of these people and I never would've learned from them. One of my favorite things in host homes is when the host parents sit down and tell you their stories. Whether it's their testimony, their love story (my personal favorite), their struggles, or the lessons that they've learned from life experiences. One of the days we had a youth event for the afternoon where some people played basketball and then we all played dodgeball until dinner. Friday afternoon we went to a school where they have an after-school program where they try to teach the truths of God's Word to kids who probably won't hear it anywhere else. We helped the teachers and leaders with the kids, sang some songs, played games and had a chapel with them. I was so blessed by the kids in kids klub this week. They were excited to learn and were the most involved group that I've ever seen. I was so encouraged to see their hearts for God. One night one little boy closed in prayer and I wish I could've recorded it. The prayers of children always touch my heart but this little boy was so sincere and so open and honest that it just made me so excited to see that there are kids out there that are going to lead the next generation. There are kids out there that will stand for what's right after we're gone. 

Then this Saturday-Wednesday we were in Rustburg, Virginia for just a half-week. Sunday afternoon almost the entire team went over to the pastor's house and ate fried chicken, played lacrosse (well, the guys did), slept, and watched the March Madness game. I basically just slept. :) I had the awesome opportunity to see my cousin two times while we were in Virginia and catch up with her. It was such a blessing to see a part of home again. Saturday night we played wii sports and just dance with our host family, which was a complete blast. :) We finally had a pretty normal schedule during the day on Monday-Wednesday with classes and rehearsal again. Thursday morning (today) we are traveling back home to Harrisburg, PA for almost the rest of the time until we leave for Africa on April 20th. There is just one half-week that we will be at a church about an hour and a half away, but the rest of the time we will be at our home base again. Currently we are at the side of the road waiting for triple A to come and fix a blown tire on the bus. We were looking at arriving at around 4, but seeing as it's 3:15 and we are 3 hours from the camp (from a normal car's point of view, not a big caravan) we are looking at being there around 8 tonight. But it's been an adventure for our last long road trip of the year and something we won't forget. :) 

Please continue to pray as the ministry still needs some finances to cover some areas of ministry while we are in Africa and a few of us are still raising the funds to cover our trips. 

Thank you all for your continued prayer and support! This year continues to be an incredible experience and blessing to me. 

In Christ,

Anna