While I am gone

I can only send two emails the whole summer, so when I am gone I can not update this webpage. But I am going to ask my dad to post a part of the email I send my family on this page. If you want to have a more regular update, someone from the trip will be given the job of journal keeper and will be posting them on http://www.urbana.org/feat.trek.2006.cfm?recordid=784 . So please check it out.

What's going to happen

Today I was talking to one of my friends from school and I told him that I was nervous not for going but for how God wants to change me. I know God will be like "Hey Heather, while you're here, we need to work on this...It's not alligned with my will." He then told me that I need to just let God do hiw work and I chuckled, because it is true, and replyed "I think I can do that I mean I listened when he told me to go to Bangladesh right?"
I am no longer nervous or worried about the travel, just about how God is going to work on me. For I am the clay, with all it's impurities, and he is the potter.
Another friend from school and I had coffee. She is going to teach for two years in Turkey, so please keep her in your prayers. She said that what God is going to be doing is doing surgery on me. He is going to tear me open, painful, and take out things that are not of him and purify thing that have become dirty. I can imagine and she said that this will be a painful process, but at the same time I know I will be overjoyed as he does this. Kind of like an Ouch with a Cheer of joy.
Please keep this in your prayers beacuse I know that I am nowhere near perfect and I know that this will take a while, even beyond the trip.

How things worked out

God has worked out all the logistical things and for this I am overjoyed. I have all the things I need for the trip, given I still need to pack them in my duffel bag and suit case, but at least I have them. Also I have the whole trip paid for and I have all my shots and air fare paid for as well. Once again thank you for being faithful in what God has called you to do, supporting in prayer and financially. It is amazing to now look back at God's timing and how he used all these diffent moments and conversations to glorify his name and provide for my trip. This past month, since I have gotten home from school, has flown by....wow I am leaving on Monday.

Catch up time (What God has been doing)

I want to start by saying sorry that it had been forever since I have posted. It's crazy to think that I am leaving so soon. The time has just flown by. I fly out on Monday to LAX. This is all thanks to those who supported me financially. Thank you all for doing that. Tell someone that I say to to give you a hug from me. Also thank you for your prayers. God has started to use this trip to plant seeds in people and friends lives. I am hoping that this will be a door or rather a conversation starter for myself as well as many other people. I was touched to hear that one of my friends from school has been more bold in sharing her faith this summer at work because she has used my going as a spring board into the conversation. God has already used this trip and I have not even left yet. God has been working on my heart and mind. I am really excited for what else he has in store for me. God has provided for me in all ways and this is truly a blessing.

Bangladesh facts:

> Religious Groups Muslims 88.3% Hindus 10.5%
Buddhists 0.6% Christians 0.3%
> Population 150 Million (26 times the population of Wisconsin)
> Area 147,570 Sq. Km. (about the same size as Wisconsin)
GLOBAL URBAN TREK 2006
Dhaka, Bangladesh
INTERVARSITY
Dhaka is a busy center of government and commerce and attracts
students from all over the country. Recently identifi ed as the world’s most
polluted city, the government is struggling to manage the traffi c and
provide adequate housing facilities for its growing population of 11 million
people. While in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the team will experience exposure
to God’s people enduring the hardships of: poverty, unemployment,
malnutrition, illness, spiritual oppression, physical handicaps, prostitution,
injustice, etc.
Our Work:
> Developing friendships, cultural exchange
> Teaching English and computers skills
> Going on prayer walks, leading Bible studies, leading and
participating in worship
> Education teaching opportunities, teaching Sunday school,
Playing with children
> Medical Clinics for mothers, children, Leprosy and TB
> Vocational Trade School - Mechanical or electrical engineer students
> Orphanage visits
> Connecting with IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students)
college students in the local fellowship.
> We will ultimately remain open to see how God wants to use
our gifts and talents for His glory!
While at our ministry partner location we will have small group prayer,
daily devotions as well as relationship building time with our Bangladeshi
friends. Each location will offer new and exciting challenges as well as
opportunities to serve, learn and grow in grace and faith. There will be one
Trek staff assigned to each site as well as IFES staff and students.
Please pray with us as we embark on this adventure with the Bengali
people that God has made!

Bangladesh Schedule

Student Itinerary and Prayer Calendar for Dhaka TREK

June 19th
Arrive in California

June 20th
Early morning departure for Manila, Philippines flying
through Taipei with other TREK students

June 26th
Depart Manila, Philippines flying through Singapore to
Dhaka, Bangladesh

June 26 - July 28
· Visit & minister at some various locations around Metro Dhaka which
may include:
· Mirpur
1 Old Dhaka
2 Mohammadpur
3 Banani
4 Farmgate
5 Cox's Bazaar

July 13th to July 16th Mid Trek Retreat - possibly visiting Cox's Bazaar,
Bangladesh

July 29th Depart Dhaka, Bangladesh and fly through Singapore to Manila,
Philippines

August 4th Depart Manila, Philippines and to return to California