You have questions? I have answers!!!

There are many questions that come up when I tell people that I will be living in Africa for a semester. So here are some answers for many of those common questions. 

Beautiful Swaziland landscape

Where Are You Going?

South Africa, Swaziland, and Mozambique. We will live in each country for one month.

When do you leave and return?

I leave for training camp Monday August 26th and return Tuesday November 26th (two days before Thanksgiving).

What is training camp?

The first few days of the trip will be spent in Atlanta, GA. This is a time for my team to get to know each other and to get ready spiritually, emotionally, and physically for our trip. A lot of growth happens in these few days and we really get prepared to be fully immersed into the African way of life. 

What is Adventures In Missions (AIM)?

Adventures in Missions is an interdenominational missions organization that focuses on discipleship. They emphasize prayer and relationships in their work amongst the poor.

Since AIM was established in 1989, they  have taken over 100,000 people into the mission field, some for as short as a week and others for as long as a year or longer. In several places around the world they minister year-round to "the least of these".  AIM believes that by giving people the opportunity to hold orphans, bring hope to the hopeless, and pray for the sick, lives are transformed.

AIM seeks to disciple as Jesus did; their vision is that God would use them to raise up a generation of radically committed disciples of Jesus Christ.

Are you going to school while you are there?

No, I am not but when I return I will start classes again at Illinois Valley Community College to continue my education.

How much and what do you have to pack?

We are allowed a 50 lb backing-packing pack and then a carry on which will serve as my day backpack. In those packs I have to fit A LOT of stuff like: A week’s worth of clothing (7 shirts, 4 long skirts, 1 pair of jeans, 1 sweatshirt, and a raincoat), 3 pairs of shoes, sleeping bag, travel pillow, headlamp, bible, journal, camera, quick-dry towel, tent, sleeping pad, toiletries, sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer, adapter,  malaria meds…you get the picture, I think. Basically, a lot of stuff in a very small space haha.

*If you would like to donate any items towards my trip please contact me and I will give you a list.

Can you receive packages or letters?

Sadly no, because it takes months for mail to get to Africa (if it even does get there).

Will you have internet?

Yes, but it will be limited and it may be very slow. My team will have a blog while we are there and you can read many updates on there. I will also be able to email my family back home.  It is estimated that I will probably get internet about once a week but that isn't a guarantee.

What will you eat?

Pap and Beans

This will vary on where we are. We may have the opportunity to prepare our own meals or we may live with a host who will cook for us. More than likely we will be eating a lot of pap (pronounced like pop) and beans. Pap is made from maize corn meal and water. It looks a lot like mashed potatoes but doesn't taste nearly as good. And hopefully we will be eating a lot of fresh fruits and veggies but we won’t know until we get there. 

Where will you sleep?

Huts in Swaziland

This will vary as well. We will not know until we get there but we will be sleeping in our tents for part of the trip. The other part we may live in a hut with a host family, live in a hut on our own, stay in a church, or something else. The possibilities for this are endless and I am excited for the adventure!

Who are you going with?

I will be going with a team of about 15 college aged kids plus a few leaders. My teammates are from all over the place and the first time we meet will be at training camp.

Will you have free time?

Yes, we will be living there like regular people and just like everyone else there will be time for us to do things other than ministry. We will have time to go grocery shopping, do laundry, go on a walk, and return emails. There will also be a few times when we can do “fun” things. This may include a safari, going to the beach, bungee jumping, and much more.

What will you do?

Passing out clothing to hundreds of people

While we are there our ministry will change depending on our location. AIM believes that ministry is a way of life, not just a daily assignment to complete. AIM sets up ministry options before we arrive, but a lot of our ministry is determined by asking the Lord what He is calling us to do specifically. Our team may see a need that AIM doesn't even know exists and AIM wants us to have the freedom to do something about that need! But more specifically we may be teaching English, working at care-points (a place for locals to get free food), working with orphans, doing hospital/hospice visits, planting churches, hosting clothing distributions, door to door evangelizing, and so much more. One of my favorite things about AIM is that they focus a lot on relationships. Ministry isn't limited to only feeding starving children but it could just be forming a relationship our translator or a vendor at the market. Poor and starving kids are not the only ones that need Jesus, EVERYONE NEEDS JESUS!

Why go overseas?

Feeding a baby in Swaziland

This is a very common question I get because many people get very defensive about America.  I 100% agree that people here in the U.S. need help but I do believe that different people are called to serve in different places. The places I am going have hardly any resources for people to get help from. There aren't homeless shelters, food stamps, or foster care. Many of these people have not received a quality education. Their government tells them that if you have sex with a young virgin you will get rid of AIDS (how ridiculous because that just makes the problem worse!)  I think with the amazing education I have been blessed with I can share that knowledge with others and then they can share it with future generations.

I love my home town, state, and country but right now God is calling me to make my home somewhere else.  He’s calling me to love these people, reach out, and show them Jesus. 



What are you most excited about? 
Honestly??? Everything! I know that is pretty broad but it's true. 
I'm excited for my relationship with God to grow. 

I'm excited to gain a new family. 
I'm excited to play with children hours on end. 
I'm excited to to learn about the different cultures. 
I am excited to live uncomfortably.
I'm excited to build relationships with the people I meet. 
I'm excited to pray with AIDS patients. 
I'm excited to pray over a poor family. 
I'm excited to live in a tent. 
I'm excited to eat different food. 
I'm excited for fat cakes (seriously best dessert ever!)
I'm excited to NOT shower. 
I'm excited to smell.
I'm excited to be sick.
I'm excited to see tragedy. 
I'm excited to see brokenness. 
I'm excited to be broken. 
I'm excited to be stretched. 
I'm excited to be blessed and bless others. 
...

The list is endless

I can't choose one thing because without one of those things another couldn't happen. And without any of those things this experience wouldn't be worth it. So, I am incredibly excited for even those awful times. Even when I am barfing on the side of the road and on a bus from eating a pear washed in African water (this happened to  me last year haha.) And even in those awful disgusting moments there is always something God is teaching me.

Please keep praying for my team and each individual we encounter!  

If you have any other questions about my trip please feel free to facebook or e-mail me. 

And again, there are many items that I still need to purchase and I would love any donations that you would like to give. I will also accept borrowed or used items. 

Thank you to everyone who has all ready donated items towards my trip! It means the world to me and this trip would not be possible if it weren't for people like you! 

katherineleipold@yahoo.com