Meet the Language Team!
Meet a group of people whose passion for communicating God's love and truth has led them to a significant investment: language school! They will be in Chiapas, Mexico for a month studying Spanish and engaging in ministry that will force them to practice their new skills. Pray for them as they take this next big step! If you would like to help them financially, use the link at the bottom of the page. Language trip dates: Jan 23-Feb 23, 2010.
Daniel Cavanaugh
Director of Operations, Vision 4 Living Ministries / Global Encounters Team Leader
I am so excited at what the Lord is doing in the next chapter of my life. This year, I had the opportunity to lead mission trips to Mexico and Colombia. The Lord keeps opening doors of opportunity to return on short-term mission trips to South and Central America. My last trip, Mexico, was my fifth trip to a Spanish-speaking country in a year and a half. We all know that the U.S. is quickly growing in its population of Spanish-speaking residents. With that said, it is my desire and vision to be able to not only reach the U.S. but continents with the Gospel. After much thought and prayer, the Lord is pressing on my heart the great need to learn Spanish in order to be able to pursue the calling of reaching the world for Christ. With so many Spanish speaking people in our "backyard," the Lord is bringing the world to us. Please pray that I would walk in His grace in this new adventure.
Amy Cook
Global Encounters Website Manager
Attending a Spanish language school has been on my "impossible dreams" list for years! Since my early teens, I have sensed God's call to work as a missionary in the area of Bible translation for people groups that don’t have God's Word in their own language. However, many of these groups are located within predominantly Spanish-speaking countries. In high school I took two years of Spanish, which was great for giving me a basic foundation, but I lacked opportunity to really immerse myself in intensive study. As I have traveled with Global Encounters, I've realized over and over how much I need Spanish in order to build personal relationships and share the Gospel with those I encounter. I am so excited as I watch my “impossible dream” become a reality, knowing that it will open more doors to reach the “ends of the world.”
Steven Curry
Global Encounters Team Leader
In 2009 I went on three GE mission trips. After each one I felt a stronger and stronger pull toward missions. After my first trip (Colombia) I thought how cool it would be to attend language school in a Spanish-speaking country. I spoke some Spanish already, but now had a desire to learn language skills that would bring glory to Christ and allow me to minister to more people. It wasn't until after my last trip (Chiapas) that I really felt God tugging at my heart to return and pursue missions for a longer period of time in that area of Mexico. This language trip I see as a twofold fulfillment, not to just learn Spanish, but also to explore the possibilities of remaining in Chiapas for a greater period of time and ministering with the skills God has allowed me to learn in the last ten years. I know for sure that God has led me to participate in the language trip, I'm still seeking His final direction regarding long-term plans. I would love your prayer support as I seek God's direction for my life this coming January.
Katie Deibler
Global Encounters Team Member, Peru 2009
Five years of Spanish classes later and I can finally speak Spanish! . . . Well, somewhat. I have always enjoyed learning to understand and speak Spanish, but oftentimes I lacked motivation to study. Last summer I was privileged to travel with Global Encounters to Peru for three weeks. It was a fantastic trip! When it came to talking with the people, though, there was still a barrier - language. Times when we lacked translators really pushed me by forcing me to speak Spanish, but those were some of my favorite moments of the entire trip. Focusing back on where I live, there is a huge population of Hispanics, but again, language bars me from communicating effectively with them. Peru reminded me of why I want to learn Spanish: to communicate with the Spanish-speaking population and help serve them better, whether just a short conversation in their own language or a deeper conversation about Christ's work on the cross.
Adrian DeVall
Global Encounters Team Member, Romania '05, Australia/New Zealand '06, Argentina '08, Peru '09
My love for missions began when I was very young! I loved hearing stories from the missionaries who visited my church... and wondered if that was what God would have for my future. I began traveling with Elizabeth and Global Encounters in 2005. Fours years, five countries, and many prayers later, I know for sure that the Lord has called me long-term to missions. I first heard about the Language School trip while I was in Peru this past summer. I wasn't sure at first if this was what I wanted to do - Spanish is a language that I have never wanted to learn.... but His ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not my thoughts (Is. 55:8). After praying about it and God confirming through my mom and both of my bosses, I know that this is God's next step for me. I can't wait to see how He will provide for this trip and where this step is going to lead in serving the Lord!
Elizabeth Fox
Director of Operations, Global Encounters
After three years of leading mission teams to Spanish-speaking locations, I love the people in Latin America. I also love the people on my teams. It's one of my greatest thrills to introduce others to the joys of ministry in a foreign country. Throughout the last three years, there has been one big barrier to effectiveness though: language! How can you share your heart, share the Gospel, or even order lunch for the team if you don't speak Spanish? I have been working on learning Spanish, but I'm at a point where I need concentrated instruction and practice if I'm going to really communicate. That's where language school comes in for me! My goal is that I will be able to talk on a heart level with those I serve in Latin America and also be able to handle the logistics and ministry arrangements for future teams working with contacts who only speak Spanish.
Ruth Fox
Medical Student / Global Encounters Team Member, Romania '04 & '05, Peru '07 & '09, Ecuador '08
Ever since I can remember, I knew that God was calling me to be a missionary. I have now been on five short-term mission trips, and I definitely feel that the Lord wants me in South America. The medical conditions of these third world countries are appalling. Currently, I’m going to school to acquire medical training to use on the mission field. I see medicine as a way to open doors so that not only can physical needs be met but spiritual ones as well. Going to language school is taking one more step toward the ultimate dream that God has given me.If you would like to be a part of equipping these team members for future effective service on the mission field you can donate toward their expenses. All of them are investing significant personal resources of time and money to pursue their goal of serving the Lord. They could use some help making it happen! The cost, including flights, housing, food, transportation, and language school, is about $2000 per person.Click here to donate to the language team project: