Comments for Alternative Missions Alumni http://amalumni.vineage.com Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:02:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.1 Comment on Share Your Alternative Missions Experience (2008) by Travis Mundy http://amalumni.vineage.com/share-your-experience/share-your-alternative-missions-experience-2008/#comment-22 Travis Mundy Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:59:55 +0000 http://amalumni.vineage.com/share-your-experience/share-your-alternative-missions-experience-2008/#comment-22 My name is Travis Mundy and I'm a Youth Director from Tucson, Arizona. Our team of 28 high school students and leaders just returned from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica after 10 full days of work and worship. I had been looking for a missions agency to go through for our next international trip and several friends and fellow youth workers dropped the Alternative Missions name my way, so I gave them a ring. Instantly I was overwhelmed by the professional-ness of AM and how they just loved on us. As we started planning the trip, they were with us every step of the way, encouraging, guiding, listening. Finally our group departed for Costa Rica, where we concentrated on repairing a school and doing VBS with the local kids. We totally had a blast. It was really hard work (especially considering the 100% humidity), but was great nonetheless. We stayed in an amazing place and were constantly surrounded by cool, loving AM folks. My only regret is wishing I could have stayed longer. Through our time there our team really grew together and in their relationship with Christ. The AM people took care of all the details (even when our of our team members hurt themselves trying to body surf) and we felt safe, relaxed and loved. I would highly recommend planning a trip through Alternative Missions. They're simply great folks. I'm hoping we can do another trip through them maybe in 2010 or so. I want to say thanks to Jeremy, Heather, Barrett and Amy and all the people we met who really changed our lives. You guys really showed God to us and to those you work with every day. My name is Travis Mundy and I’m a Youth Director from Tucson, Arizona. Our team of 28 high school students and leaders just returned from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica after 10 full days of work and worship. I had been looking for a missions agency to go through for our next international trip and several friends and fellow youth workers dropped the Alternative Missions name my way, so I gave them a ring. Instantly I was overwhelmed by the professional-ness of AM and how they just loved on us. As we started planning the trip, they were with us every step of the way, encouraging, guiding, listening.

Finally our group departed for Costa Rica, where we concentrated on repairing a school and doing VBS with the local kids. We totally had a blast. It was really hard work (especially considering the 100% humidity), but was great nonetheless. We stayed in an amazing place and were constantly surrounded by cool, loving AM folks.

My only regret is wishing I could have stayed longer. Through our time there our team really grew together and in their relationship with Christ. The AM people took care of all the details (even when our of our team members hurt themselves trying to body surf) and we felt safe, relaxed and loved.

I would highly recommend planning a trip through Alternative Missions. They’re simply great folks. I’m hoping we can do another trip through them maybe in 2010 or so. I want to say thanks to Jeremy, Heather, Barrett and Amy and all the people we met who really changed our lives. You guys really showed God to us and to those you work with every day.

]]> Comment on Share Your Alternative Missions Experience (1995 - 2007) by Valerie Vanderford http://amalumni.vineage.com/share-your-experience/share-your-experience/#comment-5 Valerie Vanderford Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:27:39 +0000 http://amalumni.vineage.com/share-your-experience/share-your-experience/#comment-5 My first exposure to AM was taking a team to Helene in 2003. It was the first mission team that our church sent and each team member was incredibly blessed by the 2 weeks spent there. I was the team leader for this mission. Our church has sent two more teams internationally and AM helped set the precedence for short term mission teams in our congregation. How and why we picked Alternative Missions and Helene is a long story, totally and completely directed by God. We started out with no money to go on the trip, but we had 13 willing and faithful servants. God abundantly blessed our plans and we ended up with money to spare (of course!)and were able to donate to other Helene projects and computers. We were particularly touched by Marjie Thompson and her unwaivering dedication to sharing God's love with the people of Helene. I stayed in contact with her until she received her crown. I still receive Joe Morris' updates and am always encouraged by his faithfulness. The entire team that was in Helene at the time (Sharon Robbins, Dulci and Tim Klassen, Dan and Ileana Fortune, Marjie Thompson, Jamera Thompson, Dawn Collier, and Joe Morris) remain on my heart as mighty warriors for the Lord. One of my favorite memories of Helene (and I have many!) has to be when one of the men on our team was asked by one of the elders to give a sermon at the evening Methodist worship service. He was almost shocked speechless, but gave a sermon that evening (his first ever!) In his message, he used the example of the roosters crowing almost around the clock. From then on, the islanders referred to him as "Rooster Man." If you are given a nickname by the locals, I think that shows acceptance. Perhaps the Lord will take us to Helene again. In the meantime, I continue to pray for the ministry and its workers. God has revealed to my husband and me that He wants us in full time missions, He just hasn't revealed where and when. I truly believe this was a seed fertilized on Helene. It began a lifetime of commitment to international missions, but also a realization that the mission field is at our doorstep. We are the church, and we will continue to share the reason for the hope that we have. To God be the glory, and may He continue to bless the work of A.M. My first exposure to AM was taking a team to Helene in 2003. It was the first mission team that our church sent and each team member was incredibly blessed by the 2 weeks spent there. I was the team leader for this mission. Our church has sent two more teams internationally and AM helped set the precedence for short term mission teams in our congregation.
How and why we picked Alternative Missions and Helene is a long story, totally and completely directed by God.
We started out with no money to go on the trip, but we had 13 willing and faithful servants. God abundantly blessed our plans and we ended up with money to spare (of course!)and were able to donate to other Helene projects and computers.
We were particularly touched by Marjie Thompson and her unwaivering dedication to sharing God’s love with the people of Helene. I stayed in contact with her until she received her crown.
I still receive Joe Morris’ updates and am always encouraged by his faithfulness.
The entire team that was in Helene at the time (Sharon Robbins, Dulci and Tim Klassen, Dan and Ileana Fortune, Marjie Thompson, Jamera Thompson, Dawn Collier, and Joe Morris) remain on my heart as mighty warriors for the Lord.

One of my favorite memories of Helene (and I have many!) has to be when one of the men on our team was asked by one of the elders to give a sermon at the evening Methodist worship service. He was almost shocked speechless, but gave a sermon that evening (his first ever!) In his message, he used the example of the roosters crowing almost around the clock. From then on, the islanders referred to him as “Rooster Man.” If you are given a nickname by the locals, I think that shows acceptance.

Perhaps the Lord will take us to Helene again. In the meantime, I continue to pray for the ministry and its workers.
God has revealed to my husband and me that He wants us in full time missions, He just hasn’t revealed where and when. I truly believe this was a seed fertilized on Helene. It began a lifetime of commitment to international missions, but also a realization that the mission field is at our doorstep. We are the church, and we will continue to share the reason for the hope that we have. To God be the glory, and may He continue to bless the work of A.M.

]]> Comment on Share Your Alternative Missions Experience (1995 - 2007) by Cheryl Ong http://amalumni.vineage.com/share-your-experience/share-your-experience/#comment-4 Cheryl Ong Wed, 14 Nov 2007 03:34:48 +0000 http://amalumni.vineage.com/share-your-experience/share-your-experience/#comment-4 In the early 90's I worked with Tom Hackett in Mexico under the YWAM umbrella coordinating short term outreaches. Years later, after I returned to the U.S. and got married Tom asked if my new husband and I would like to help pioneer a new project in Helene, Honduras. This was the summer of 1996. What an incredible adventure (and quite a marriage builder!). We bushwacked our way thru the jungles, cleared the raw land and started the initial foundation work for the future ministry buildings, and even raised a few walls the old fashion way (lots of sweat and grunting). We got to intimately know the people on Helene and grew to love them as Christ loves us. 10 years later I had the blessed opportunity to return to Helene. I remember getting off of the boat and was astounded at how much had changed in 10 years! Beautiful ministry buildings and even an English school. Many of my old friends-islanders-were still there, it was quite a reunion! I had the joy of being in charge of meals for some 65 outreach team members and staff. One of my favorite memories is being a health educator, and knowing how important it is to keep a visiting team healthy in a hot and tropical environment, I sought out creative ways to integrate fruits and vegetables into their diets (the teams were mostly teens, and we all know that their food of choice isn't necessarily vegetables!). To this day I am reminded by others about my "peas in the spagetti". Well, they ate it, even though I was teased about it everafter. In 2004 we moved to Arizona, partial with the motivation to work alongside the A.M. Home Team staff there. (I was going thru missionary withdrawals and wanted to be involved somehow.) I assisted in the coordination of some of the outreach teams, was involved a bit with A.M.U.and even had the opportunity to host a couple of outreaches to Mexico and Honduras. In 2005 some personal health issues forced me to quit but I still read the weekly posts and pray for the A.M. "family" around the world. Now we live in New Mexico and just off of the beaten path thru El Paso, Texas - so if anyone is passing through, make sure you stop by and visit. Mi casa es su casa. In the early 90’s I worked with Tom Hackett in Mexico under the YWAM umbrella coordinating short term outreaches. Years later, after I returned to the U.S. and got married Tom asked if my new husband and I would like to help pioneer a new project in Helene, Honduras. This was the summer of 1996. What an incredible adventure (and quite a marriage builder!). We bushwacked our way thru the jungles, cleared the raw land and started the initial foundation work for the future ministry buildings, and even raised a few walls the old fashion way (lots of sweat and grunting). We got to intimately know the people on Helene and grew to love them as Christ loves us. 10 years later I had the blessed opportunity to return to Helene. I remember getting off of the boat and was astounded at how much had changed in 10 years! Beautiful ministry buildings and even an English school. Many of my old friends-islanders-were still there, it was quite a reunion! I had the joy of being in charge of meals for some 65 outreach team members and staff. One of my favorite memories is being a health educator, and knowing how important it is to keep a visiting team healthy in a hot and tropical environment, I sought out creative ways to integrate fruits and vegetables into their diets (the teams were mostly teens, and we all know that their food of choice isn’t necessarily vegetables!). To this day I am reminded by others about my “peas in the spagetti”. Well, they ate it, even though I was teased about it everafter.

In 2004 we moved to Arizona, partial with the motivation to work alongside the A.M. Home Team staff there. (I was going thru missionary withdrawals and wanted to be involved somehow.) I assisted in the coordination of some of the outreach teams, was involved a bit with A.M.U.and even had the opportunity to host a couple of outreaches to Mexico and Honduras. In 2005 some personal health issues forced me to quit but I still read the weekly posts and pray for the A.M. “family” around the world. Now we live in New Mexico and just off of the beaten path thru El Paso, Texas - so if anyone is passing through, make sure you stop by and visit. Mi casa es su casa.

]]> Comment on Share Your Alternative Missions Experience (1995 - 2007) by jeremy http://amalumni.vineage.com/share-your-experience/share-your-experience/#comment-3 jeremy Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:07:33 +0000 http://amalumni.vineage.com/share-your-experience/share-your-experience/#comment-3 My adventure with Alternative Missions began in 1992 during an outreach to Mazatlan, Mexico with Tom Hackett and the folks from YWAM. During this outreach we worked in Marmol, Los Zapotes and other small villages near the city of Mazatlan. We slept in an old building that was half filled with sand and infested with every kind of critter imaginable. We got from point A to point B, (barely) using an old Suburban that had lived 3 lifetimes in its few short years. We performed dramas, shared our testimonies and invited people to give their hearts to the Lord... it was an awesome experience and it drove me to pursue a lifetime with Alternative Missions. I led several outreaches once Alternative Missions began in 1995 and in 1997 I hoped in a van along with Mark and Bonnie and drove from Seattle to Honduras. Along the way we stopped in Mazatlan for an outreach at Carnaval. We worked in Guadalajara, Mexico City, Puerto Escondido and Guatemala. In Antigua we worked with a team during semana santa. It was there that I assisted in delivering a baby, (I'm not a trained medical professional). We reached our final destination, the island of Roatan, 2 months following our departure from Seattle. What an experience. I spent a year living and working in Helene, helping to build the medical and dental facility AM operates there. I even met my wife during a short term outreach that year in Helene. Following 1997, my wife and I led several outreaches for AM before returning to Helene full time in 2001. From Helene we assisted the Ruarks in the West End of Roatan and then left for Guadalajara where we attended language school. Once school was complete we moved to Puerto Escondido where we worked with Ronne Jones and Principios Eternos as Alternative Missions staff for a year. During that year I found myself sick with Typhoid and Hep A and needed to return to the states. Once we were back in the states, Melissa, (my wife) and I began working with Alternative Missions on the administrative side of the fence. During my time working at the "home office" I helped to establish the ministry in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. Today I am the assistant director of Alternative Missions and work in multiple areas of our ministry. God is good and the journey he has brought me on with Alternative Missions has been incredible. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything! My adventure with Alternative Missions began in 1992 during an outreach to Mazatlan, Mexico with Tom Hackett and the folks from YWAM. During this outreach we worked in Marmol, Los Zapotes and other small villages near the city of Mazatlan. We slept in an old building that was half filled with sand and infested with every kind of critter imaginable. We got from point A to point B, (barely) using an old Suburban that had lived 3 lifetimes in its few short years. We performed dramas, shared our testimonies and invited people to give their hearts to the Lord… it was an awesome experience and it drove me to pursue a lifetime with Alternative Missions.

I led several outreaches once Alternative Missions began in 1995 and in 1997 I hoped in a van along with Mark and Bonnie and drove from Seattle to Honduras. Along the way we stopped in Mazatlan for an outreach at Carnaval. We worked in Guadalajara, Mexico City, Puerto Escondido and Guatemala. In Antigua we worked with a team during semana santa. It was there that I assisted in delivering a baby, (I’m not a trained medical professional). We reached our final destination, the island of Roatan, 2 months following our departure from Seattle. What an experience. I spent a year living and working in Helene, helping to build the medical and dental facility AM operates there. I even met my wife during a short term outreach that year in Helene.

Following 1997, my wife and I led several outreaches for AM before returning to Helene full time in 2001. From Helene we assisted the Ruarks in the West End of Roatan and then left for Guadalajara where we attended language school. Once school was complete we moved to Puerto Escondido where we worked with Ronne Jones and Principios Eternos as Alternative Missions staff for a year. During that year I found myself sick with Typhoid and Hep A and needed to return to the states.

Once we were back in the states, Melissa, (my wife) and I began working with Alternative Missions on the administrative side of the fence. During my time working at the “home office” I helped to establish the ministry in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. Today I am the assistant director of Alternative Missions and work in multiple areas of our ministry.

God is good and the journey he has brought me on with Alternative Missions has been incredible. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything!

]]> Comment on Share Your Alternative Missions Experience (1995 - 2007) by Greg Ruark http://amalumni.vineage.com/share-your-experience/share-your-experience/#comment-2 Greg Ruark Sun, 14 Oct 2007 18:09:54 +0000 http://amalumni.vineage.com/share-your-experience/share-your-experience/#comment-2 Greg & Angela Ruark: March 2000: Alternative Missions' Missions Training School - Helene October 2000 - August 2007: founded the West End Ministry on Roatan, Honduras as part of A.M. and eventually stepped out as an independent ministry after the first two years and went on to start the International Worship Center of Roatan. Our first two years on Roatan we worked closely with A.M. transitioning small short-term missionary teams to Helene upon their arrival to Roatan by providing lodging in West End. Under A.M.'s guidance and nurture the West End Ministry matured to a valid ministry presence on Roatan offering children and adult Bible studies, worship, and, eventually a church service in English whose target people group consisted of expatriates living on Roatan from all over the world. Our experience was made possible by the vision of Alternative Missions and many faithful donors who supported us. Our faith was tested, but we learned a valuable life-lesson to 'think outside the box' as Tom Hackett would say. Understandably, Alternative Missions may not be for everyone. HOWEVER! A.M. has every tool and opportunity to launch just about any kind of missions outreach one could dream of (as they did with us). We will forever be grateful to God and thankful for Alternative Missions and the 'outside the box' thinking that truly enabled a dynamic and valid missions outreach whose impact is still evident on Roatan! The staff of A.M. past and present are considered even today to be some of our closest comrades in the work of missions ministry. Our lives will truly never be the same. Greg & Angela Ruark:

March 2000: Alternative Missions’ Missions Training School - Helene

October 2000 - August 2007: founded the West End Ministry on Roatan, Honduras as part of A.M. and eventually stepped out as an independent ministry after the first two years and went on to start the International Worship Center of Roatan.

Our first two years on Roatan we worked closely with A.M. transitioning small short-term missionary teams to Helene upon their arrival to Roatan by providing lodging in West End.

Under A.M.’s guidance and nurture the West End Ministry matured to a valid ministry presence on Roatan offering children and adult Bible studies, worship, and, eventually a church service in English whose target people group consisted of expatriates living on Roatan from all over the world.

Our experience was made possible by the vision of Alternative Missions and many faithful donors who supported us. Our faith was tested, but we learned a valuable life-lesson to ‘think outside the box’ as Tom Hackett would say.

Understandably, Alternative Missions may not be for everyone. HOWEVER! A.M. has every tool and opportunity to launch just about any kind of missions outreach one could dream of (as they did with us).

We will forever be grateful to God and thankful for Alternative Missions and the ‘outside the box’ thinking that truly enabled a dynamic and valid missions outreach whose impact is still evident on Roatan!

The staff of A.M. past and present are considered even today to be some of our closest comrades in the work of missions ministry. Our lives will truly never be the same.

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