Holy Land Trip (Cairo Photos)

Holy Land Trip (Day One in Cairo)

Wednesday, March 11, was our first full day in Cairo, Egypt, and it was a hectic one!
First off, Cairo is a major city and one of the largest in the world. The streets are always crowded and driving is very Darwinistic (survival of the fittest).
Its history goes back thousands of years. We were able to see some of that history today.
In the morning, we went to Old Cairo and saw some significant religious sites.
We saw some of the early Coptic (early Egyptian Christians) churches in Egypt including the “Hanging Church,” built over the bastians of a Roman gate.
We also visited the Ben Ezra Synagogue where tradition holds that the baby Moses was pulled from the Nile and raised in the Pharaoh’s palace.
Among the other significant places we saw today was a church built over a place where it is believed Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus lived for a time when the family fled Herod in Israel.
After we left Old Cairo, we went for a lunch a beautiful city park called El Azhar Park.
Things got interesting as our group tried crossing a major highway to get to the park entrance. Remember Egyptian drivers do not stop for anything.
A few squealing tires and dirty looks later, we made it across. I’m happy to report no one was injured.
Following our lunch, we made an all-too-quick visit of the Egyptian Museum. The museum has the largest and finest collection of ancient Egyptian history. There is also one wing dedicated to King Tutankhamon alone. The detail and artwork that was done 4,000-5,000 years ago by the Egyptians blew me away!
Following the museum, we hustled over to the Great Pyramids & Sphnix for a light and sound show. The show used lasers and lights on the pyramids to tell more about the history of several Pharaohs and Kingdoms.
We will be going back to the Pyramids tomorrow for a longer visit followed by a dinner cruise on the Nile River. It should be great.
I’m sorry, but there are no pictures today; however, I’ll try my best to post some tomorrow.
The internet access at the hotel (the Amarante Pyramids Hotel) is not free here so I’m trying to manage my time the best I can.


God bless,
Greg Herriford

Holy Land Trip (More Amsterdam Photos)

Holy Land Trip (Arrival in Egypt)

After 30 hours of travel, we're finally here in Cairo, Egypt.
We arrived early this morning (Wednesday, March 11th). After we reached our hotel and unpacked, it was nearly 5 am local time before we went to bed. Most of us were back up and ready for breakfast today by 9 am.
I'm writing to you this morning, but am still a little weary from all the travel.

Today's sightseeing includes a tour of old Cairo and a trip to an Egyptian Museum.

Our team of 40+ left from Lexington, KY, on Monday, March 9th. Our flight left Louisville for Detriot on Monday evening and we then traveled through the night to Amsterdam.

We took a tour of the city of Amsterdam yesterday (Tuesday, March 10th).
The tour included visiting a farm where cheese and wooden shoes are made, a boat ride on some the city's many canals as well as a tour of the house where Anne Frank's family hid from the Nazis during WWII.

It was a good time and some pictures from the day can be found below.
God bless and I'll keep you posted.

In Him,
Greg Herriford

Haiti Mission Journey (Feb 05-15, 2009)

Our first Mission Journey of 2009 took place February 5-15. Chuck Perry led a group to Haiti working with Kendell & Yvrose Johnson and the Dufailly Christian Church.
Kendell was part of our 1st-ever Mission Journey team in 1985 (to Haiti). He fell in love with Haiti and later returned as a full-time missionary.
Also on the team were Donnie Campbell (Lawrenceburg, KY) and Chuck Bullock (Richmond, KY).
While there, the team helped with constructing a nice 18’ x 24’ block church building. The church had been meeting in a 21’ x 14’ tin shed. The team also helped with a VBS for the children in the afternoon and Chuck Perry held a week-long revival at night.
About the team, Kendell said, "Short-term missionaries have many different talents and bring a burst of energy that encourages people on the mission field. Not only can building projects can be done at a very fast pace, but it is also great to see the VBS and revival meetings with great teaching and preaching."
He went on to say, "More hands and feet on the job make a lighter load for everyone involved. The fellowship is great and the laughter and joy as we work together is wonderful. Thanks for the team who worked on the church building for the Dufailly Christian Church in Haiti. Thanks again for the encouragement!"
We hope to have a 2nd group travel to Haiti this July. Contact Teen Mission, USA, if you would be interested in going.
-- Greg Herriford (Teen Mission, USA, & Mission Journeys)

Teen Mission Notes (January, 2009)

The New Year of 2009 is off to a fast start.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve had some strange weather here in Central KY. Late January/early February saw ice and snow come our way, causing delays and leaving many without power for days.
We were blessed to have power at home and work all but for a few hours.
Warmer temperatures have since melted the ice and snow. However, we’ve had some very high winds this week that has caused more damage to our area.

I officially began in my new role as the Executive Director of Teen Mission, USA, Inc, on January 1, 2009.
Ken’s new role as Founder/Director of Outreach will see him involved in his usual teaching/speaking roles and assisting in Mission Journeys, but also in development and fundraising as well.
I’ve been well-trained for the new role, handling more and more responsibilities over the past 2-3 years.
It feels a little strange, though, after being the associate since 1995, but overall it’s been good so far.

Ken, Leonard, Chuck and I were able to attend the Kentucky Ministers Retreat on January 12-13, 2009, at General Butler State Park (Carrollton, KY). This annual event is a great time to get away and recharge. Bob Russell (former minister @ Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY) led the main sessions. This year's retreat was a really good one and I was blessed by being there.

We had some planning and prayer time for the new year of 2009 with the entire Teen Mission staff on Thursday, January 22nd. That went very well.

Things are moving along quickly with the 2009 Mission Journeys. Our first team of the year left of Thursday, February 5th for Haiti. Our annual Coordinators Retreat (where we train the leaders of our short-term mission teams) was held that same day at First Church of Christ (Burlington, KY). The Coordinators Retreat was supposed to be held on Thursday, January 29th. However, it was postponed due to several inches ice, snow and freezing rain.

Besides the Mission Journeys, we’re preparing for making a new VBS/Camp mission DVD and getting schedules and plans made for our summer interns.

Spring will be here before you know it.

THANKS again for your prayers, support and encouragement. With the economy still in a major slide, we face many financial challenges. We know God is faithful, though, and will provide through His people!

In Him,
Greg Herriford (Teen Mission, USA)

2009 Mission Journeys

Even though we’re not far into the New Year, the 2009 Mission Journeys are already well underway.
Back in October, a newsletter was mailed out to over 7,000 churches and individuals. Since then, we’ve been hearing back from several people interested in taking part. We're looking to have 30-35 trips and around 550 participants.

This year’s theme is “Heroes,” playing off the popular NBC TV series with the same name.
The TV show features characters with supernatural powers doing larger-than-life acts of heroism.
However, we hope to encourage folks to stretch their faith through the Mission Journeys and be a hero to someone else in the name of Lord, Jesus Christ.
Doing this may involve a simple act like giving a needy child a much-needed hug or loving those who society does not love.

As we now head toward the end of January, things are really starting to pick up with the 2009 edition of Mission Journeys.

Our annual Coordinator’s Retreat will be held on Thursday, January 29th at First Church of Christ (Burlington, KY). This meeting is to help train those leading one of our Mission Journeys. The items covered are critical for those leading short-term mission trips for Teen Mission, USA.

Also, the first mission trip of the year is only a few weeks away.
Our own Chuck Perry will be leading a group to Haiti (February 05-14) working with Kendell & Yvrose Johnson and the Dufailly Christian Mission. Kendell was part of our 1st-ever Mission Journey team in 1985 (to Haiti). He fell in love with Haiti and later returned as a full-time missionary.
Our team plans on helping with the construction of a new church building for the Dufailly Christian Church, which began in May, 2004, as a result of the mission work of Kendell & Yvrose.
The church currently meets in a 21’ x 14’ tin shed, but the team plans on helping construct a nice 18’ x 24’ block building.
While there, the team will also do a VBS for several hundred children in the afternoon and hold a week-long revival at night.

There’s still room for you on to join a team or project in 2009!
Let us know what kind of location you had in mind and we can work with your dates, matching you up with one of our partner communities.
Visit the Mission Journeys web site at http://www.missionjourneys.org/ to see our current 2009 trip list. That will give you a better idea of what communities/locations we’re working in.

In Him,
Greg Herriford (Teen Mission, USA)