Go Alumni Shout Outs!

When we started the Go Internship and Submerge programs we had no idea what amazing friendships would be formed.  Now, almost ten years later our amazing alumni are spread across the world doing incredible things.  At Go we believe that life should be celebrated; so take a moment and see what is happening in just a few lives of the Go Alumni around the world.

Congratulations to Jeff and Kaitly Pelt as they welcome Baby Liam into the world! Jeff and Kait met at Go back in 2007.  They were married several years later.  We are so happy for them and their new little one!

Our very own Anna Brown was engaged this week to her fiance Tyler Humphries. We wish them all the best as they start their exciting new life together!  We think you guys should consider a destination wedding... Ecuador perhaps? ;-) 

In just a few days; Angela Pangburn will walk down the aisle and say “I do”  to David Baker. Angie is now an Aussie native but is home for a few weeks in Tulsa for all the wedding festivities. 

We couldn’t be more proud of the joint partnership of the Unruh and Pelt families.  Together, they founded Hoot Owl Coffee.  Their “Give a Hoot” program donates a pound of coffee to a local food bank with every pound of coffee purchased. The best part? They just got their delicious coffee into Whole Foods in Tulsa!  

No matter where they are in the world or what they are doing we love ALL of our Go Alumni and are so thankful for the time that we shared together.

If you are interested in serving overseas we invite you to "SUBMERGE" a multi month South American experience that combines mission projects, creativity, and classroom training. To read more about the program log onto: http://www.gointernational.tv/submerge.

Where are they now?

faces forever

     People. They are everywhere, we are constantly surrounded by the hustle and bustle of people. When you wait in line at the grocery store or when you are crammed up against a stranger on a Nicaraguan bus, you are always seeing people. Seeing another life, a person who has dreams, family, beliefs, problems and a story; but we do not always stop to listen or take the time to meet them. What changes that? One moment. Once you have one moment with someone, that means something to you, they are hard to forget. Once you hear someone’s story or even just their laugh, you can remember it forever. 

I want to be one of those people that meets people. I want to find out what their dream is, where they came from, why they think the way the do. I live for those moments of connection. I live here in Nicaragua, everyday trying to make a connection with a kid or someone I meet so that I can tell them about Jesus or just lend them a helping hand. I love those moments that stick with you forever.

I had one of these encounters when i went to Haiti with GoInternational.tv back in February of last year. I met this boy at an orphanage and we did not speak much but words were not necessary. We played and laughed all day long. I could never forget that laugh. Thankfully my friend was around to capture a picture of us with one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen. I treasure that picture because it takes me back to that moment. Today I was bored and searching through instagram and I saw that one of my friends liked a photo.. it just looked like a cute kid so I clicked on it. It was him. This friend was a friend of a friend who had also gone to the same orphanage in Haiti (it’s a small world after all, its a small, small world) How crazy is that? She posted a picture of my friend, Pushaun at the CAD orphanage in Haiti. Oh it made my heart so happy to see that he is doing well! I was flooded with memories of how we laughed together and how he held my hand outside the bus for almost 5 minutes before we drove a way. I will remember this boy for the rest of my life and I hope to create so many more of those moments with the people that I see all around me.

Here is the picture she posted:

isn’t he beautiful? how could I ever forget that face?!

Here is a picture I took with him a year and a half ago:

^goodness, that picture takes me right back to that day. I was so upset that Dave (Go International's Project Director) was making me leave. I just wanted to laugh with him for as long as possible. My heart is happy. I am so thankful that in my random Instagram scrolling I found that picture. :)

To read more about Jessica and her adventures in Nicaragua click here.  

My Time in Submerge: By Lauren Bruhn

It is difficult to find a few words to accurately depict one of the most tremendous adventures of my life.  Submerge was exactly that, an adventure of a lifetime. Now that I’m back in the States, I find it harder adjusting to “normal” life than it was adjusting to life in South America. There is something so harmonious about the lifestyle of Ecuadorians that, even with the language barrier, you instantly feel at home. The way people unabashedly embrace one another is an art they have mastered and a large portion of the world has forgotten.

Sadly, generosity is something we usually have to talk ourselves into, but these extraordinary people welcome you with open arms without giving it a second thought. An adventure awaits you--whether it’s the beauty of the people and the striking scenery you will encounter everyday, youʼre hiking one of the mountains that surround the city, maneuvering your way through the markets, or learning how to salsa from the locals.

One of the most important lessons I have learned in the last three months is to value experiences that you know will cause you to struggle, because those are the experiences that are worth pursuing. It is a struggle living and ministering with a small group of people.  It is a struggle adjusting your habits to a foreign culture. It is a struggle experiencing the horror of poverty and disease.  It is difficult, but it is worth it.

No amount of words could even begin to prepare you for the things that are waiting for you in Ecuador, but I can guarantee you unparalleled adventure, lifelong friendships, creativity, and memories you will never forget.

I can guarantee you won’t return home the same.  You will be stronger, wiser, and more aware of what you crave from life.  You will begin to live in a way where your thoughts about others far outnumber your thoughts about yourself and discover, it is the only way to live.

To find out more about Submerge and how you can be involved CLICK HERE. 

To view photos of Lauren and other Submerge members CLICK HERE.