Biography:

Donovan is a PhD candidate at Miami University in Oxford, OH who is studying short term mission trips in an educational context. He grew up as a missionary kid in Johannesburg, South Africa until he was 16 years old. He and his wife Jocelyn live in Cincinnati, OH and are preparing for work in a cross-cultural setting. He is very excited to be heading back to South Africa to lead this year's team!

Biography:

Aaron is a senior who is studying Physical Education at Bethel University and student teaching at Northdale Middle School. He also coaches girls hockey at South St. Paul High School and enjoys waking up each morning and trying to have a positive influence on his students. He is extremely excited for the upcoming trip to Africa, how God is going to work through us, and how the people on this trip and the people in Africa will sharpen him in his relationship with the Lord. It is his hope and prayer that through the strength and power of Jesus we will have a positive impact on the people we encounter through this trip.

Biography:

Damaris is a junior at Northwestern College. She is studying Psychology and hopes to be involved in some kind of vocational ministry after she graduates. She is the daughter of a missionary family and spent her high school years in Kenya. Her time overseas helped her develop an intense passion for loving and caring for those living with HIV/AIDS and she is looking forward to returning to African soil for the first time since coming back to the States for college.

Biography:

Jeana is a senior at Bethel University who is majoring in Psychology. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in counseling. Over the past year God has been developing a passion inside of her to serve in Africa and specifically with individuals whose lives are tragically affected by HIV/AIDS. She is most looking forward to intentionally building personal relationships with the people of South Africa and showing them the love, compassion, and mercy of Christ to the best of her ability, while at the same time striving to meet a practical need that is essential for a family’s survival.

Biography:

Kent is a junior at Bethel University studying Business Marketing. He is so excited to explore a different area of the world and to see how God plans to use our team to serve the people in Africa. Kent can't wait for the opportunity to do everything from building the house to interacting with the children to leading a VBS and is excited to see what kind of impact we can make by sharing God's love.

Biography:

Leah is a senior Communication Studies major at the University of Minnesota. Serving in Africa is something that God has been placing on her heart for the past two years and she is so excited for this opportunity! She can't wait to meet and work with the children in the orphanage, but she is also excited to be involved in the building project because a new home is something tangible that will be a blessing to a family for years to come.

Biography:

Leah is a Nutrition major at the University of Minnesota who loves chocolate cake. She is in her fifth year of school and hopes to graduate soon (not this year though)! She is especially excited to go to South Africa to learn about new places and cultures. She enjoys working with kids and can't wait for the opportunity to serve others in a new and interesting environment.

Biography:

Lindsay is a junior at the University of Minnesota and she is studying Agricultural Education and Sustainability. God has been steadily developing a passion for service within her during her college years and she wants to learn more about serving those affected and/or infected by HIV/AIDS. She loves working with children and is especially excited to meet the orphans, both at GGA and in the community. She is also excited for the opportunity to build a house, which she hopes will serve as a continual reminder of God's love for those who live there.

Biography:

Matt is a Biblical and Theological Studies major at Bethel University who is currently in his senior year. One of the biggest reasons he decided to go on this trip was because he wanted to be involved in a missions trip that pays attention to the necessary balance between the spiritual needs and the physical/practical needs of the community. He is excited to be able to contribute to the peoples' lives with the home we will be building and he also is excited to see the lessons God has waiting for us to be learned during our stay in South Africa, which he hopes will continue to help him as he leaves college and makes his transition into the real world!

Biography:

Ryan is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and currently serves as a caregiver for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Twin Cities. He is presently undergoing a 9-month training program in Christian counseling at his church and has a passion for helping people overcome personal struggles and experience growth in their ability to follow Christ more fully. He is especially excited for the opportunities that we will have, through our youth program and VBS, to teach the children at the orphanage about God's love for them.