Details!

Hey everyone!

I finally have some details that I can share with you on my trip to Egypt! I leave super early on June 7th (6:30?) after a two day orientation in New Wilmington. I still haven't met everyone I'm traveling with so this will be awesome! Our first three days in Egypt will be transition days where we will have the opportunity to become adjusted to the culture and the food and be tourists. After this we are off! My first week I will be coaching soccer at a sports camp where we will focus on core values such as trust and endurance. The second two weeks will be spent at various conferences in Cairo and Alexandria. Next we will be off to the red Sea for two weeks? (I am so excited about this) and then we will end our time in Egypt helping with a talents camp in Cairo. If you know me this is not good; the talents they want help with include acting and singing and arts related areas.... haha I'll do my best.

I am getting really excited by this trip, but I am still just overwhelmed with everything going on right now. I do however have faith that there is a plan in all the confusion and that everything will turn out.

Oh! Not that I am awesome at responding to texts and e-mails and writing on here, but my communication in Egypt will be very limited. I will not have a central address where things can be mailed, and I may only have access to computers and the internet about once a week. I will do my best to keep everybody posted, but... it will be an adventure!

Thanks,

Alex

Hollywood!

Hey!

I was placed this week! I will be serving my year with YAV in Hollywood CA. I am so excited about this. I really don't completely understand why, but I know this is the right place. I will be living on Gregory Ave., just a few blocks away from the Paramount Studios and Hollywood Blvd. It seems like an awesome neighborhood. I'll be living with other volunteers in duplexes behind an active community center. I am so excited to meet the neighbors and become integrated into this neighborhood. I will have opportunities to practice and improve my Spanish, attend the youth Bible Studies, tutor, and may even be able to work with Young Life. I will also be working with a Hollywood based ministry four days a week. I have not been matched yet, but am praying for opportunities in health. I will also be getting involved with a local church in Hollywood. I will visit different churches for my first 6-8 weeks, then find one where I can become involved.

I'm afraid I don't have much of an Egypt update. I still don't have many details on the trip. I will be coaching soccer at a camp, and well... I don't know what else yet. Details will be coming soon (We leave in three weeks; they have to!)

Thanks for all your support!

-Alex

Crazy

Hey Everyone!

My life has been pretty crazy lately. In just the past few weeks some major changes have taken place. I learned that my previous summer plans to travel and do mission work in Puerto Rico through the New Wilmington Mission Conference had fallen through and that I am instead serving in Egypt for six weeks. This is overwhelming, surprising, and exciting all at the same time. I know nothing about the language, culture or religion, but am trusting that there will be something for me to do. My team still does not know exactly where we will be staying or how we will be serving. This is definitely a lesson in patience and trust. I will be leaving for Egypt in less than a month now!

More recently, I have been completing the interview process to spend a year in service as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) through the Presbyterian Church. This is my reason for starting this blog. I will soon be placed in either Hollywood, California or Miami, Florida. Ironically, I hate heat (I love the Western PA weather!) and after visiting both places on different trips, swore that I would never live in LA or the state of Florida. God has some sense of humor! Both locations are absolutely incredible, and have so much to offer. (Check them out yourself at http://www.doornetwork.org/) In both cities I will living with other Christian volunteers in the program, have an opportunity to speak and improve my Spanish on a daily basis, and serve in a health clinic for the impoverished from the community. I am so excited! This is such an incredible opportunity for me, and gives me time to pray and discern where my life is taking me. I will be using this blog to keep you all updated on my year of service, and where it takes me.

I do however need help. As much as I hate to be dependent on others, I am asking for support for this year of service. I need all of your prayers and support; I will be far from home. I also need to raise $6,5oo for my year of service, and if possible, I would love your help.

Thank you so much!

-Alex Davis