New Blog Site!!!

Hey guys! Sorry that we are switching the blog site to another location. We decided that since we are going to be Student Life Coordinators for GoED that we should be a little more legit by being connected to their website. This way we can keep up with family, friends, and everyone who supported us--,but also we will be apart of advertising for GoED ....which is job security. ha. Anyways, check it out. Leave some comments!
www.go-ed.org/jordonleah
We'll see you there!

Want to know more about GOED?? Well of course!

We thought we would post this... we actually got this information from the GoED website (www.go-ed.org). Jordon and I are very passionate about the program we thought we would post some stellar information. Empowering and disciplining the next generation is crucial. I feel what is written below can explain a little more about this program and how awesome it is....

  Go ED. is a study abroad program that partners with international relief and development organizations across the globe. We believe that in order to end the spiritual and physical hunger plaguing the world, we must first begin by transforming ourselves. 

The Go ED. initiative provides opportunities for enquiring individuals to begin their personal quest of spiritual and personal transformation through Jesus Christ. Our vision is to own and ultimately end poverty, by transforming lives through cultural engagement. It is not our intention to merely provide temporary relief or transient awareness; rather, it's our desire to leave a lasting legacy by preparing and empowering future generations to make meaningful contributions in the fight to stop all forms of human poverty. 

We operate in some of the most poverty-stricken regions of the world, firm in our belief that light, beauty and hope continue to thrive in these hard places, and that they offer profound lessons to those who are willing to learn. 


Go ED.'s semester study abroad program incorporates the best of pedagogical practice, curriculum design and spiritual development. They have been created to nurture transformational development within the self - to engage hands, heads and hearts as a unified whole and foster meaningful change through physical action and spiritual growth. 

Go ED. seeks to promote and to provoke individual transformation through five program components: 



1. Cross-cultural learning environments
•

               2. Rigorous and relevant curriculum taught by qualified academics


3. Supervised field practicum

4. Shared life in international community accompanied by field-

    experienced staff


5. Guided Christian spiritual formation to enhance the experience of 

    the journey undertaken. 

And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Once again, we are responding God’s calling. We are uprooting our feet to be planted in Rwanda, Africa. We have accepted a one-year commitment, to be Student Life Coordinators for a Christian study abroad program called GoED. We are accepting it as a non-paid position in hopes that we will be supported through the ministry in the future. GoED is the same study abroad program we were a part of two years ago as students and now we will be leading it. GoED gives us the unique opportunity to minister to American college students in this life-changing discipleship program while serving in the Rwandan community.

We will be guiding students through a series called

“Owning Poverty” which main focus is enabling students to face real world issues in a holistic and biblical mindset. Our prayer is that students who take part in this program will respond to Christ empty handed knowing that only through Him can we be truly satisfied. Also, we will be working with students and community leaders gaining hands on experience in community development. This is not a task that we take lightly, nor can we do alone. God continues to humble us by placing us in situations that we feel inadequate, but then continues to remind us that only through Him we can offer anything of any worth. So, humbly we ask if you would graciously be apart in this ministry through financial support and prayer.

Fortunately, we are blessed in many aspects of this opportunity.This ministry will cover our housing, insurance, food, and activities that we do with the students. Leaving only the day to day expenses, personal transportation, and plane flights. We have a rough estimate of about 200 people giving a one time gift of 50 dollars.

Mostly though, more than ever, we are asking for your commitment in prayer for this cause. We cannot

communicate how thankful we are to have supportive family and friends throughout the years, we recognize that when the body of Christ joins in His purpose we are

unshakeable.

www.go-ed.org

This is the day I married my best friend

May 23, 2009::: I said I do to the one I love so dearly. I have never felted so loved walking down the isle. I remember holding my daddy's hand looking at all the faces of friends and family...My breath was taken away with emotion and excitement! I had the time of my life. Thank you to everyone. I thought I would post a few Photos of the wedding. Fortunately, Jordon and I were blessed to have

two very talented photographers to capture this unforgettable day! The Photos below are taken from Zach Fry (I will post Alecs photos soon). Zach Fry is one of Jordon and I great friends from college. Actually, our wedding was the first wedding he shot... he did an AMAZING job. I could never thank him enough. He is truly talented. If you would like you are more about this stud of a photographer, you are welcome to check out his blog at::: http://zachandlaurafry.blogspot.com/...

::Starting from Left to right: Michael (Leah's Brother) Brandon (Jordon's oldest Brother) Payten (Best friend from High School) Corey (Jordon's Best Man and older brother) and Cody (Best friend From College)

::I Always wanted it to rain on my wedding day.
::Oh, Michael! You is a stud and a great brother. And Amanda thank you for being a great Best woman. Thank you for also being my florist--Yhe flowers were beautiful! ::

::getting ready!!!!

:: Cousin Philip

Ok, there are too many great photos.... I could upload all night long! Thank you Zach for doing such a great job on our wedding. It is truly appreciated!

More of the hosue!

Here are some more pictures of the house! I dont know why they did not get on the last post! :)

This is our NEW house!

Ok we have been blessed beyond we can imagine! This our new house! dont worry we are just renting! it is right on the lake by Branson Landing. Jordon will be moving in during Christmas break and i will stay with my wonderful roommate, lindsay cooper here on campus! but ill be over a lot to do my laundry for FREE!!!!
Our house will always be open, so please come visit!
Sorry i dont have picture of all the house but here is a few. the stuff you see the the photos are not all ours. but you can at least get an idea!

Putting the Icing on the Cake
Talk about on HUGE adventure! We just cannot believe that it is already over, what an incredible blessing it has been to be able to study not only the culture, but also the lifestyle of another country! We became part of the countries that we lived in and those places and people will always hold a huge part in hearts and in our daily lives. It really is insane the amount of times this experience pops up in conversations. Also, the lessons that we have learned from it have changed us as individuals and has obviously played a huge part in the people that Jesus Christ is molding us to be! We faced stuggles, laughed endlessly, cried in sorrow and in happieness, have seen God's miraculous hand move an entire nation from genocide to justice and forgiveness and have in our own hearts been convicted and refreshed by the beauty of many African people. We cannot begin to justly describe the emmense transformation that has taken place in our lives. This was not the "Typical" missions trip, but rather a time to focus on where God has us on our journey with Him and a glance into the direction that He is leading us! We gained wisdom that can be used in any area of our life no matter where God places us in the future!

Speaking about the subject of "us", as many of you know, Leah and I are now engaged! I know that all of you are sitting on the edge of your seats to hear how I asked! Well...here it goes! From before the time that we left to Africa I had planned to ask Leah to marry me! From the first time that we went to Africa I told myself that if Leah and I ever had the chance to return that was where I wanted to purpose! I bought a diamond ring prior to leaving for Africa and purposely left it in the States in hope that I wouldn't lose it or have it stolen! I had it all planned out. I wanted to ask her at an orphanage and have all the kids help me! I told a couple students from the Go-Ed Study Abroad program my plan and asked if they could help out as well. Whenever we arrived in Uganda, our house parents told us of an orphanage that we would be going to alot! Ironically, the name of the orpanage was The Jordan House Orphanage! I knew from the moment that I heard that, that this was the place I always wanted; and it was! Leah and I gained a huge relationship with the children and the orphanage parents knowing most by name! At the end of the four months, when Leah and I were getting ready to leave in a week, I decided it was time! A few weeks prior I went to the orphanage and brought some computer paper and crayons! I wrote one letter of "Will you marry me?" on each page. I told the kids what I wanted to do and asked if they could help! They said "yes" and each one of them colored a letter the way they wanted and wrote their names on the back of the paper! Also, I told them the song that I wanted them to sing to us right before I asked her. -Fast forward a week- ( "the" engagement) I asked my Go-Ed friends to leave early with my Video Recorder, camera and the papers! They arrived at the orphanage about an hour before Leah and Me. She had no idea! We finally arrived and the kids were singing and dancing. Leah and I joined in and after two songs they sang the song that I asked them to sing. Meanwhile, they were each holding a papers in their hands. Leah did not even catch on! During the song, I turned to Leah holding her hand and said. " Leah there was actually another reason why I brought you here today! I wanted to bring you here because this is a place where both of our passions and desires lie. God gave us a heart to work with children and people that are impoverished and because of that I felt this would be the most perfect place to ask!" Still having no idea she responded, "oh, yeah?!" Then I told her that I had the children help me out a bit and by that time the song had just finished and the children flipped the papers to the other side and Leah read, "will you marry me?" She looked back at me and by that time I was on one knee and I asked with all the excitement swelled inside my heart " Leah will you marry me?" Then she screamed "YES, of course"! It was the most perfect moment! Here is a picture of that!

Of course, she began to cry and the children began to dance around us! We had so much fun with all of it!

So now here we are back into the norm, Branson, Missouri! Living the same type of life with all the same people and trying to figure out exactly where we stand in the middle of all this! Alot of things have changed with Leah and I! Many of our ideas have been transformed and, as funny as it is, alot of the ways that we interact with people even has changed! I remember the first week when we returned, Leah and I had to go renew our liscence and when I had to interact with the people there at the office I was so nervous because I had lost much of that type of interaction. It has been a very interesting adjusting back, but we are doing just fine! There is not much left that I can think to say, but I will end by sharing with you a little bit of what we learned in the four months we were gone.

Leah reading her Bible!

Prior to leaving, Leah and I both agreed that our ideas of poverty were very similar; hunger, no shelter, no money, (you know) the child that has nothing and sits on the streets begging for food or money. Well, because of this semester our idea has been brodened! No longer do we define poverty upon the appearance of a situation, but now we understand that it lies in each one of us! Africa, India and many other developing countries are given the title of being poor because it is very obvious to the eye that they are suffering! But I would like to challenge everyone that is reading this blog to look below the surface. Not all forms of poverty are that obvious. People are stuggling with mental poverties, spiritual poverty, social poverty and etc. And if their needs are not being met their poverty will only get deeper! As cleishe as it may sound, Jesus Christ is the only cure for ALL poverties! There is not a doctor, councelor, or enough money to cure even the most obvious of poverties! It must start with us recognizing the Great physician, Jesus Christ!

Picture of Jordon holding baby Jordan at the Jordan House orphanage!

I want to end by thanking every person who helped with support and also spent time to pray for Leah and I! We are both very excited to see where we will end up! And If any person has any questions or comments about anything! Please, just ask or write us at: jordonleah@yahoo.com ! We would love to respond to them!

Have a GREAT day and God Bless!