Meet Suzanne Ward & Courtney Rowe

My name is Suzanne Ward and I am from Raleigh, NC (born and raised…that is a rarity in our parts!) My husband, Wes, and I have been married for 11 amazing years, and we have two children, our daughter Taylor (7) and our son, Will (4). They keep us on our toes and really are the coolest kids- we are blessed!  I work as a freelance public relations consultant and I am also very involved at our church, Grace Community, in the children's ministry program. I have had the pleasure of going on several mission trips through my church (to Mexico and Jamaica), but this will be my first time to Africa and my first time doing mission work in orphanages.

About two years ago, God placed the vulnerable of the world on my heart. It seemed like everything I was reading and through conversations I kept having, God was preparing my heart to step out of my comfort zone. I felt I was being called to serve in a way that would take me to a new level of dependence and trust in the Lord.  As a mom of two small children, I wasn't sure exactly what that would look like or what I would be capable of, but I kept listening for God's voice and vision for my life. And here I am…headed to Africa this summer!

God has aroused compassion in me in recent years, and the decision to go to Africa has led me to a place where I have to trust God for support, for safety, and for success. I am humbled to go and love on the children of Ethiopia, and strongly feel that every child should have the opportunity to hear about Jesus and be shown His love.

The best part about me going to Africa is that Jesus is using ME! I am not the perfect Christian. I don't always know what to say or how to quote scripture at just the right time. And I sin. But He is still using me. And for that, I am grateful and humbled. I know my heart will never be the same.

 Hi! I am Courtney. Born and raised in the great state of North Carolina, child of God since the age of 13, wife to Ron for 14 years, and mom to three wonderful and crazy kids: Anna (9), Ryan (6), Leah (4). I have always wanted to go on some sort of mission trip but figured that wasn't really an option for me during this season of life with young children. And besides, I told God when it was time, I would go anywhere but Africa. Hahaha! So of course I was very surprised when I felt God calling to me go on this trip at this time to…Africa. I went to several people for council, hoping they would talk me out of it and tell me I was crazy, but instead they each were very encouraging and told me to GO! God has been so gracious to confirm over and over that it is His will for me to be on this trip to Ethiopia.

Prior to this happening, I couldn't have told you one thing about Ethiopia, its people, its poverty, or the orphan crisis there. I am learning so much about the richness of these people and their culture and am so excited to share the love of Christ with the precious children that we encounter there.  I have never been outside of the United States and am nervous about leaving home and my family for 10 days, but I am confident that God is going to do a great work and I am thankful He is allowing me to be a part of it.

Meet Jennifer Lane & Shannon Mathis

My name is Shannon Mathis and I am from Raleigh, North Carolina. I am 22 years old. Growing up, my youth group was very mission-minded. I had the opportunity to really see how to do missions, each with their own unique goal, at a considerably young age. Having been a part of three church planting missions in the U.S. and one church planting/orphan outreach mission in Jamaica, I developed the cognizance of our lost world and the need for Christians to say “yes” to God. My life since high school has not taken the road I would have expected it to, but then again, when is God’s plan ever what we expect? After a few semesters of college I was married at 19, went straight into working full time, and bought my first home. I am still perusing a degree in dental hygiene, and with my husband being a nurse, we talk often about doing medical missions together in the future. Some have asked the question, “Why do you think God has called you to Ethiopia?" My answer never seems to satisfy how I would like it to sound, but the truth is this: I don’t know. God doesn’t just use the highly educated or the well traveled. God can and WILL use anyone or anything to carry Jesus’ testimony throughout the world in order to build His Kingdom in Heaven.

I'm Jennifer Lane from Amarillo, Texas.  I have been married to my husband James for 17 years, and we have three biological children.  My daughter Lucy is 15, my son Andrew is 11, and my son Gabe is 4.  I have homeschooled Lucy and Andrew for many years.  Our family serves the Lord at an inner-city children's ministry called Citychurch.  My husband James has gone on four mission trips to several countries in Africa.  God used his trip in January of 2013 in South Sudan to call our family to adoption.  We are now on the waiting list with America World Adoption Agency in their Ethiopia program.  We have requested a little boy between the ages of three and seven.  We anxiously wait for the day that we can add him to our family.  We truly enjoy serving at Citychurch, and we love the ministry that we are able to be a part of.  Citychurch is committed to the principle that God has a purpose for every child regardless of their geographical location, financial status, religious affiliation, race, or culture.  We are doing our best to try to transform the disadvantaged neighborhoods of Amarillo by affecting the lives of children.  During the summer, we use bicycles to deliver hundreds of free lunches to disadvantaged children in Amarillo.  Citychurch also has free day camp Bible clubs four days a week during the summer and weekly Bible clubs after-school during the school year.  My husband and I really enjoy riding our bicycles to deliver lunches and teaching Bible clubs at Citychurch.  I am very excited about this mission trip to Ethiopia with AWAA ACT.  This is my first international mission trip and my first trip to Africa.  The goal of our team is to make the orphans we meet feel loved and special.  I feel honored to be able to share the love of Christ with the children we will encounter.  I am happy that God is using me this time of waiting in our adoption journey.  God is showing me how deeply He loves orphans and His plan to provide for them.

Meet Angie Hudgins & Janelle Kennedy

My name is Angie Hudgins. I am first and foremost a child of God. I am also a wife, a mother, and a teacher. I have been married to my husband, Darrin, for 18 years. We have 3 children, ages 16, 14, and 11.  I have served as a public school elementary music teacher for 18 years. I have a love for music and I enjoy sharing that with children.

Several years ago God placed Africa on my heart. I wasn't sure of the reason then and still am not completely sure now. However, I knew if I ever had an opportunity to serve on a mission team to Africa, I would go. In late 2013 a friend shared with me that she was leading a mission trip to Ethiopia. I knew that was the opportunity I had been waiting for.

I am headed to Ethiopia in August of this year, 2014. I hope to share my love of music and my love for Jesus with the children there. I am sure God has a bigger plan than that for this trip though. While I don't know His plan, I go in obedience and eagerly await the blessings He has in store!

My name is Janelle Kennedy and I have been married to my terrific husband Brian for 15 years!  He is an unbelievable dad and a super supportive husband.  We have three amazing children: Taylor (11), Madison (9), & Makenna (5).  I am so blessed to be a mom to these children.  I have participated in a few local mission/ outreaches but never did I imagine traveling to Africa to go a missions trip. I have always had a love for children.  I was blessed with the opportunity to teach secondary mathematics for 10 years before I became a full time mom.  When Cindy first mentioned the trip, I had only know her for about a month.  I remember thinking,"Wow, you go girl!"  God saw through my nervousness and anxiety and called me to go on the trip about 3 months later.  I am so excited to see how God is going to use me on this trip and I can't wait to see how our whole family is changed for the better!!!!

Meet Barry, Shelly and Libbie Wilson

We are Barry and Shelly Wilson from Amarillo, Texas.  We are proud parents to Libbie (12), Ally (8), and Grady (6).  

Our love for Ethiopia began in the summer of 2012 when, by God's leading, our family started the process of adopting from the country.  As we began to educate ourselves on the country of Ethiopia in general, and the orphan crisis specifically, we fell more in love with Ethiopia and grew more heartbroken for the children there.  Earlier this year, as the wait times for adoption started to lengthen, we prayerfully asked God what we could do, or how we could be involved, during this adoption wait time.  As an answer to prayer, He led us to this mission trip.  What a great opportunity to spread the love of Jesus with those whom God has placed on our hearts to care for.  We are extremely excited that Libbie will be traveling on the trip as well.  Our desire as a family is to serve, and we are humbled by the love that Libbie has for those less fortunate, and the passion she has for spreading the Gospel.  Ethiopia, here we come!