Catching you up…

First off to all of you that worked secretly to make this an awesome day as I turned 60 in Tanzania, thanks so much!!!! That was some good sneaking around and we won’t call this sneaking, sin! Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha Really, the cards have been so sweet and funny! I have loved it! Didn’t realize some of you were so creative!!

The team went out yesterday two ladies went scuba diving and the rest of us went snorkeling. It was a great day for the team to just relax together, have fun, get to know each other, etc. This morning we did a little shopping because that is what girls like to do for fun, too. However, all the team building and fun will end in about 30 minutes. Ha,ha,,ha,ha. Well, at least the team building part because we probably already know each other more than was intended. Ha,ha,ha The fun will continue!!! We worked this afternoon (Tuesday November 11) on final preparations for the ladies arriving tomorrow. Several of the missionary women have been with us the last two days helping us get to places. But, tomorrow even they will be able to settle in to just receiving from the LORD all that HE has for them. We can’t wait!

Please pray the following for Wednesday. Remember we are 9 hours ahead of you. 

• Pray for the team as we set up for registration and the conference room for arrival of the ladies.
• Pray for the missionary women as they prepare to leave their homes, many with husbands being left in charge of children for the 4 days and 3 nights of the retreat. (Just imagine your husband with your kids for that long, all alone and that should tell you how to pray!! Ha,ha,ha,ha)
• Pray for the conference as it begins tomorrow evening at 4:30 p.m. (8:30 a.m. Central Time in U.S.)
• Pray for the worship, the messages, the fellowship, the free time, the counseling process, and all the other things the LORD brings to your mind to pray for.

Love you all and thank you for being on this journey with us. I so desire for God to be glorified and the ladies to “find the JOY” of their purpose and journey here afresh!!!

His,

Vickie

Blog....

As I write this most of you in the U.S. are still hitting the alarm snooze button over and over. And by the time you get this it will probably be Monday there and we will be heading into Tues. If you just figured all of that out... get a life!  You have too much time on your hands. Ha,ha,ha,ha

Seriously, we are well into Sunday here. Great team meeting, prayer time and just bonding and sharing going on with the team. They are a special group of women. But then, honestly, every single team is when it goes because God is the One that directs them to such a time as this.

So far, the geckos aren't just for commercials. I have a couple that like to play on the ceiling outside my door. The hotel is nice and the women are going to absolutely love it. One of our team members was a missionary here for 17 years. You read a note from her in the blog before we left. With tears in her eyes she talked about how much the women are going to love the location of this retreat and how they would not, as missionaries, have been able to come to such a place, when she was here. Again, I can never tell you the impact your giving has on the lives of these missionary women and families to help keep them on the field of service that God has called them to.  

Monday is our outing day.  Please pray for the team to continue to bond and rest in Him as we finish the final preparations on this side.

Love you all mucho...

Vickie

We just landed in Tanzania....

It is 10:55 p.m. We are standing in the customs line. We are excited, tired, and ready to get to the hotel, get a shower and go to bed!!

Thank you for all the prayers for safe travel.

Love you all,

His,
Vickie

Arrived in Amsterdam...

The team has arrived in Amsterdam. Our flight out of Atlanta was totally full.   

Team is doing well, some have a snotty nose but I believe that is called "sinus" issues! Ha ha

I do want to say something to those of you that travel overseas a lot. What is the fascination with cheese? You have some form of it at every meal.  Just sayin’.

So we have washed our faces, brushed our teeth and grabbed a snack. We are getting ready to board our flight into Dar es Salaam.

Keep praying for the missionary women and the team. This is a great team with a lot of personality!! I mean a lot!!!

Love you all,

His,

Vickie

Couldn’t leave the country without sharing....

By the time you get this it will be about 24 hours or less before we step on our first plane towards leaving the country. However, I could not help but share 4 emails I have received in the last 24 hours.  

The first one is from a missionary that attended our retreat in Dominican Republic several years ago. (past)  

All the following are unedited.

Dear Vicki

I read your updated and sense

excitement and enthusiasm for your 

Desire to bring the Tanzania women  

A big "dose of Pure Joy"!

  I'm excited for them - surprises

And love - a bundle of joy from you

And your team!

Peace and love of Jesus go 

With you, Cindy Darnell

The second one is from a team member that traveled with us several years ago. (past)

Hi, Vickie.

I am looking forward to reading all of the updates from the Tanzania trip!

I will be praying for great health, rest (when it's needed and possible, lol), energy, and the Holy Spirit's guidance as you minister to the ladies.

Can't wait to go again someday!

Love ya!

The third one is from a Missionary that will be attending the retreat in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She was reading the blog post that came out this week. (present)

I'm only reading this blog post today, but Oct 27 was my birthday, what a gift to see all of us are sponsored to go! Thank you kind and generous people. I am a little nervous about going as this will be my first time away from my family, but I am also praying that God will really use it to bless and encourage me in our ministry here. 

I can't thank you enough. A couple of weeks ago, I thought, "They won't come... ebola" It is so far away from us and it is completely true that if God wanted this trip to not go ahead, it wouldn't be going ahead. Safari njema ladies, I can't wait to be fellowshipping with you this time next week. 

And the finally the fourth that comes from a team member that will be joining us from the first time. But, while she is joining us for the first time it isn’t her first trip to Dar es Tanzania. She and her husband were missionaries there for many years even though they have been stateside for some time. (present)

Hello Sisters in Christ,

               I am so EXCITED to be a part of this awesome journey with you!  I know I haven’t met any of you, (except our fearless leader Vickie—whom I adore already!!) but your names are so familiar to me as I have been lifting each of you in prayer! I know God has a purpose for allowing me this wonderful opportunity to share with you in this life-changing experience. I can’t wait to meet each of you in person and to be able to love on each one of those missionary women!!! Of course, I am so sorry for the circumstances in which I am able to participate, but I know God has Julie in the palm of His hand, and He had this planned before the beginning of time. Thank you, Vickie, for allowing God to work through you to put this team together! As I am packing, I am asking God to help each of us to be His instruments in Tanzania—and all along the way! I will be stepping on “home ground” and I can’t adequately express to you the love and passion I have for that country, the people groups and the ones He has called to minister there!!! May God be with each of you in your last minute preparations and may He pave the way smoothly for each of us to meet in Atlanta!!! YAY!!! Only 2 more nights and we board the plane for a mission of a lifetime!!!!!! Until then, “He ONLY is my Rock and my salvation; He is my defense: I SHALL NOT BE MOVED.” (Psalm 62:6)!!!

BLESSINGS,

Jerry Anne Pevey

For those of you that give so graciously to this ministry through all means to be involved I just wanted you to hear what God is up to as we get ready to leave. There are just 4 out of several emails we get and things we hear from people. I wanted you to have a taste of the fruit of your partnership!

As we go forward only God knows what He plans to bring forth from this retreat. But, whatever it is to Him be the Glory forever and ever!!! (Future)

Love you all,

His,

Vickie

Tanzania Crossing the Finish Line....

Well, the final packing takes place tonight and tomorrow night for Tanzania. The team is ready and the joy and excitement is really sweet. I have had random emails, calls and texts from some of the team members this past 5-7 days and it is pretty funny! I have also heard from several of the missionary women that are very excited too!

Yes, we are Going to Tanzania!!! We began this journey so long ago with all of you coming along beside us. Can't wait to see as God is lifted on High and Glorified by the diligent prayer, giving, gifting and going that is involved in this particular trip. Please know that everyone of you is on this trip with us as you have diligently walked beside us in so many ways during the preparation.  

We leave this Friday November 7th and return on the evening of November 16th. 

Pray, Pray, Pray.......

If you would like to receive the daily blog while we are on this trip to your email you can follow the directions below. Love you... The next time you hear from me we will probably be in Amsterdam switching planes to head on in to Dar es Salaam.

Love you all,

His,

Vickie

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