Mel & Tri Prepare for a Great Adventure

Most of you are already aquainted with Mel and Tri. They have a very important role of telling the travel stories of Melvin and Trisha Anderson.

This July Mel and Tri are going on a huge adventure to Mumbai, India. What's in India, you ask? Mel and Tri are going to Mumbai to visit and serve alongside those at Bombay Teen Challenge.

Bombay Teen Challenge (BTC) is a ministry that has planted a church in the Red Light District of Mumbai. There goal is to "Stop Human Trafficking"! The ministry builds relationships with the ladies, men and children who are trapped in the district and then gives them a new future. They have homes and vocational programs to give the ladies a hope.

Mel and Tri will be going to take part in the work at BTC. Mel alongside of Trisha will be going June 28 - Aug. 2, 2011 and will be leading two teams. Tri and Melvin will be joining Mel and Trisha on July 19 - Aug. 2, 2011. The purpose of going to visit BTC will be able to allow others catch the vision of BTC and to help with some of their educational needs.

Mel and Tri will be posting more about their journey to India in coming days. You can be involved in helping Mel and Tri get to India.

1. Please pray for the team as they prepare to go to visit BTC. There are 3 people going for 5 weeks, 6 people going June 28 - July 13, and 4 people going July 19 - Aug. 2. Be in prayer for our safety, health, and that we will be vessels to be used by God.

2. You can get involved financially. Mel and Tri need to raise about $7,500 to be able to both go on the trip. If you would like to be involved financially follow this link and Contribute Type is "Project." Then in project click "India:Mumbai/Chennai T031." Enter the Sum you would like to contribute. In the comments box put, Donation Towards Melvin and Trisha Anderson's Trip.

Mel and Tri are so looking forward to what God is going to do. Thank you for taking the time to read this post. We hope that you will be praying for us.

Terrible

Yes, I know I have been terrible about posting on my blog. When life gets buys it seems to be the last thing on my mind. Since my last post I have gotten married and traveled a ton for work. I will be posting more often in the coming months, because I am leading a team to Bombay Teen Challenge in India this Summer. So stay tuned for more information on the trip to India.

Interesting Time At A College in Michigan

So over the last two weeks we have made our way through Iowa, Indiana, and now in Michigan. We have been visiting the local Christian colleges in the area to let them know about internship opportunities with ANM. The first two colleges were awesome and we have some good contacts. Our third college we visited was very small, but we didn't care. I think there were like 5 buildings on the campus. So we go in the main building and their is a receptionist at a desk as you enter. So I introduce myself and let her know I would like to talk to someone in Career Services or whomever is in charge of internships. She says, "Ok...hmmm...I am not sure who you would talk to. Maybe someone in student services." I say, "While you are checking on that, I would also like to speak with someone about your missions conference." She says, "I don't think we have a missions conference." So she proceeds to pul out a sheet of all 50 phone numbers on campus. She dials a few numbers and no one answers. She says, "I am not sure where anyone is. Maybe they are in a meeting. Yes, I think they are in a meeting behind me." To which she turns around and looks behind her into a board room that is all glass and one person setting lunches out. So she decides to try one more person. This person answers and tells her something. She begins to find empty her drawer of paper and grab some business cards. I wasn't sure if she had everyone's business cards in her desk or what. She hangs the phone up and says, "I am going to give you Mike's card. He works for Building and Grounds. He knows almost everything and should be able to help you." She continues, "I can't find him right now, but you can come back later to talk to him." I only hope my face did not show my confusion and I am thankful I held in my laugh. But I replied, "Can I just leave these internship opportunities with you and I will email him." She decided that was a good idea. Then Mindy and I exited the building and began cracking up. How is the building and grounds guy going to help me post internships for students or with their missions conference??? If anyone can figure it out please let me know.

The funnier part is I came back to the place where we are staying and checked their website. There is definitely a Career Development Director on campus.

Moral of the story...talk to the building and grounds guy for any problems. Maybe he will help with homework as well.

Kansas City

Well the last few days have been spent in Kansas City. We have spent some time with a super family that have been excellent hosts. They opened their arms to us and the curriculum. It has been cool to hear their story and how God has transformed their lives.

Yesterday I had a huge treat by going to visit some family friends from when we lived in CA. The last time I had seen them was driving from CO to VA about 10 years ago. It was such a huge blessing to spend time catching up on both of our families.

Last night we went to the Culture House to a dance company show. It was so fun to see the different dances.

It has been super fun to be in KSC for the weekend. In the morning we will pack the van and journey onto Iowa. Looking forward to the adventures ahead.

On the Road

I know it has been way to long since I have blogged. I am terrible at it. I would say I will try better but I continue to say that and it does not happen. So I am just going to say that I will blog as I can.

Anyways...I am on the road again. This time for 18 days. We will be visiting Kansas City, Ottumawa, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan (a few places), and Ohio. Mindy and I are traveling to different friends of ANM to show the VBS and that we produced. It shall be fun!

We left VA yesterday and made it to Clarksville, TN. We made a few stops along the way. We visited the Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge and made a stop a Beef Jerky outlet. Any type of meat you can think of, they jerky it.

Today we will end up in Kansas City. We will see what adventurous stops we make today!!!

Little Time Off the Road

Well...for the next few weeks this girl will be staying close to home. It is a nice break to the busy season over the last few months. I have enjoyed all the travels that I have had the opportunity to make. So for a few more weeks I will be able to catch up with friends and get some work done.

I am currently planning the Silent Auction for ANM. If you have nothing to do Saturday, November 21st. You should come to Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, VA. There will be over 300 items up for sale, as well as, photo booths to get fun pictures, and international foods. Let me know if you want more information.

Have a happy day!

The team made it home from Guatemala Saturday evening. As I said in previous posts I, Trisha, co-led a trip to Hope of Life ministry in Zacapa Guatemala. The group we went with was from Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria, LA. What a great group of people! We went to Guatemala as strangers but left as family. They were some of the hardest working people that I have served with on the field. It was amazing to see the heart each of them have to serve the Lord. I think one of my most impactful things of the trip was to watch the group and see how the Lord moved in each of their lives individually.

During our eight days in Guatemala we were all stretched by the Lord to step out of our comfort zones that we have created. Whenwe went to the dump to conduct a medical clinic and feed them a hot meal, many of the group were moved to tears to see the site people live in. Others were pushed physically as they wanted to complete the construction projects to provide a source of food and income for families.

Personally, my growing moment came on Tuesday. During the trip I was able to choose which team I would serve with because one of my purposes for going was to see the ministry and different aspects so that I could lead a team to the ministry in the future. I had served with the medical and evangelism team the day before and I desired to continue. On Tuesday I woke up knowing I was supposed to go with the construction team.Humanly I had no desire to go with the construction team. I wanted to go out to the village with the other team and meet the people. But I knew without a shadow of doubt that God was telling me to go with construction. As I got ready for the day I struggled internally what choice would I make. I was justifying why I should got with the team to the village, but I kept hearing God's voice say go with construction. So before breakfast I made the choice to listen to God's voice. I got ready to serve with the construction team. When I informed a couple people I was going to go with construction they even said, "Why?, you can do that another day." I said, "No, I need to do this." I had no moment where I was like this is why I was supposed to be with construction today. And let me tell you it was HARD work and HOT, but I had the peace that I obeyed the Lord. I also was able to really get to know some of the people I was serving alongside of.

To close God really moved during the trip. I may post some more stories because they flow. If you would like to see more picturesclick here. Thank you for your prayers and support!