Connect
Global Village Trips
  • About Global Village Trips
    • FAQs
  • Contact Me
    • Prayers
  • Team Members Only
    • Team Members
    • What to Bring
    • Staying Healthy
  • Blog

Global Village Blog

Read updates on my Global Village trips and the mission of Habitat for Humanity

Email me

Every Prayer Matters

6/3/2015

 
For the past week or so leading up to our Global Village trip to Guatemala, I have posted prayers for myself and my team on my social media channels. I've received as many positive engagements from friends that are standing with us in prayer as I have lost connections with those who may have been offended by my prayer posts.

Yesterday I said I would explain why my daily prayer posts are so important. Each prayer is tailored the way they are because there are genuine concerns and needs.

Traveling outside of the U.S. carries risks, even when you are an experienced traveler.
We take as many necessary precautions as we can and we equip our teams with resources to help make their trip as rewarding and safe as possible, however, no matter how much you plan, sometimes things happen. Our prayers for safety aren't just random posts to flood social news feeds to make us look holy and righteous or earn us sympathy points.

During my first visit to Guatemala back in 2013, I was walking into our hotel lobby in Quetzaltenango when a gentleman I did not know or recognize called me by name. I was curious about how he knew me and of course, I was shocked. He explained that he knew my name and recognized my face because his cousin in Guatemala City emailed him my picture and said I would be in Quetzaltenango building houses. Keep in mind that I don't know anyone who lives in Guatemala City. This total stranger knew my name, my business in the country and had received my photo by his relative - someone I've never seen or heard of in my life.

That incident really showed how small social media makes the world. As a Global Village team leader, my recruiting efforts for volunteers for my teams span five continents as we try to diversify our group and connect with as many people as possible who are interested in helping us build homes, community and hope.

This guy wasn't a threat to us that day but he did give me something to think about. We never know what the intentions of others are, but we plan for the worst and pray for the best. (Disney got it right with "It's a small world after all.")

I believe in the power of prayer and that it goes before us, gives us wisdom and discernment and is the invisible shield that covers us from dangers and threats seen and unseen. It's like our spiritual passport, giving us access to protection, provision and positioning as we serve in the mission field.

Serving on a missions trip transforms the heart.
Over the years, my Global Village teams have been comprised of volunteers who know and serve God and even those who do not. On our trips, we do not evangelize or proselytize, but I want to be sensitive to the beliefs  and spiritual needs of my teammates.

Also, we set aside time during our trip to share in Devotions as a team. My desire is to always say and do what brings glory to God while communicating our mission of helping build a better world.

Every prayer matters and is appreciated. Thank you to all who prayed and continue to lift up our mission in prayer.
I believe in the power of prayer and that it goes before us, gives us wisdom and discernment and is the invisible shield that covers us from dangers and threats seen and unseen.
Picture

How to travel and make a difference at the same timeĀ 

4/25/2015

 
Picture
Habitat for Humanity's Global Village program sends volunteers on build projects around the world. I'm blessed to be one of the many trained and qualified team leaders stationed in America to recruit for and lead these projects. The region closest to my heart is Latin America. Since 2012, I've served in Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Bolivia with volunteer teams that have helped build five homes. In June, I'm leading another team to journey back to Guatemala. This trip is very special to me because I have a sponsored child with Compassion International, a Christian nonprofit organization that helps release children from poverty, that lives in the area where my team will build. My hope is to see him at the end of the build project and show him photos and talk to him about the work of our Habitat volunteers in his country.

During our Global Village trip, we will get our hands dirty on the work site, meet the families in need of a safe, decent and affordable home, and immerse ourselves in the Guatemalan culture. No experience is required to join my team. I've partnered with volunteers who have never been on a construction site, have never heard of Habitat for Humanity and have never traveled outside of the United States. That's the beauty of a Global Village team - everyone comes from various backgrounds and have different interests, skillsets and travel experiences, yet we come together as a family to help those in need. 

Our partner families are always so grateful for our help.The most rewarding part of our trips, in my opinion, has been to see the faces of the families at the end of the week and stand for a photo in front of their home. Many times, the home was not complete because the work is done by hand and can be a slow process, but there is always progress that can be seen. Our Habitat affiliate staff members are great about sharing updates with us on the progression of the home and will even send us photos of the family in their home once it is finished. It's exciting to see because they're one step closer to a brighter future in a safe home that they can raise their children in.  

It's a life-changing experience that can make the journey home bittersweet. We leave our partner families behind, along with the structure that we toiled over for five days. We leave behind a piece of our hearts, but we take with us the assurance that we have helped make a tangible difference in this world. We've given a family hope and helped build a community, but we learned so much about how others live and how we can be better family members, neighbors and citizens when we return to our communities. 

I invite you to consider joining my team to Guatemala. Travel with a purpose. You can truly have the best of both worlds by exploring a different country while making a difference at the same time. This build can be your next step to make the world a better place to live.

~Tammie

Made to Serve

4/4/2015

 
You sometimes hear people say a person was "made to" do a certain thing because they have a gift or talent that comes naturally and leaves a lasting impact. "She was made to sing;” "he was made to dance,” or he or she "was made for an opportunity like this.” Even the Bible says in Romans 12:6: "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” So why is it that when people like myself are called to serve or give outside of the United States, we are met with opposition? 

I did an informal survey on my private Facebook page and asked my friends who serve, or would like to serve internationally, what kind of negative responses they receive from people they know. Here are a few of those answers:

1    “There are people here that need ministering to. Why don't you work with ____ (gives a local option)?”

2    “You may never return to the U.S. If I were you, I wouldn't go to a foreign country.”

3    “Why would you fly halfway around the world to work in that heat and stay in a tent? Will you even have a toilet? Will they even have any edible food there?”

4    “Wouldn't you rather go to the beach for your vacation?”

5    “You know they don't take showers over there, right?”

6    “Why are you going there? We have enough to do here. You could use the money for plane fare to help people here.”

7    “Why do you have to pay for a trip to go and help others? The church should.” 

8    “Aren't you afraid of getting killed?”

As a Global Village team leader, I can't tell you how many times I've received the same or very similar feedback from people, even family members. It used to make me furious; you can't compare poverty in the United States with poverty in a developing country. I wondered what was driving this type of reaction. What is it? Fear? Selfishness? Pride? Lack of compassion? Jealousy?

Over time, the Holy Spirit has helped me understand what exactly the script above means in this situation. How weird would it be to try to convince a poet that words were useless, and they could do other things like draw or paint? Why would you tell a songstress to quiet her voice and instead only use a musical instrument? And for those of us who have a passion – a calling and a purpose – ingrained in the very fabric of our being, to serve and minister to the needs of those less fortunate…why tell us there are others closer to home that could use our service more than people in other nations?

I know for a fact that the majority of people who responded to my question serve in their local communities, particularly through their church. I too have been an active part of Outreach Ministries (in the local churches around the country) that my family has been members of. It's never a question for me if I can, or if I should serve locally. That's a given. My question to myself every year is, "what country will I serve in this coming summer and in what capacity?" This type of service is in addition to local service in our communities.

I want to take a moment and break down what I believe is an issue with each of the eight statements above and give insight from my perspective.

1    We know there are people locally that need ministering to. When you are a Christian, your life is ministry. Whether at home, work or play, your actions and words towards others are a part of your ministry. With seven billion people in the world, there is need everywhere and there will always be a need to serve and give to those in need. We are not limited to only our communities, our states, our regions and our country.

2    I can't speak for anyone else, but I know that God doesn't give me the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. We have no control of when our lives will end. I can just as easily be killed in a car accident at home. If I worried each day about how I may die, I wouldn't be able to leave the house. I would be frozen in anxiety and thus, waste a life that could be filled with purpose because it was driven by faith.

3    If you recall, after the massive earthquake in Haiti in January 2011, thousands of people lost their lives. According to Habitat for Humanity's website, "The earthquake damaged nearly 190,000 houses in Haiti, of which 105,000 were completely destroyed. Of the more than 2 million affected survivors, approximately 172,000 are still displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration." Approximately 172,000 are still displaced four years later and many of those are still living in tent camps. That means pregnant women, children, the disabled and the elderly have lived in this form of inadequate shelter for almost five years. There are toddlers in Haiti who have lived their entire lives in a tent. I think I can manage to sleep in one for a week in a little heat if I had to. The hard part is coming home and getting back in my comfy bed with my central air and heat, clean running water, and porcelain toilet that flushes, after having to leave behind people in a country who don't have the option. Does every culture of people want these types of conveniences? No. Depending on where you travel to, that is their way of life and we have no desire to change their culture to match ours. Habitat's mission seeks to put God's love into action by building homes, community and hope, and doing that in partnership with these families. Safe, decent and affordable shelter in developing countries is very different from our standards in America, but our vision is still that everyone will have a DECENT place to live and that means whatever "DECENT" looks like in their culture.

4    I'm a southern girl so I LOVE the beach! I currently live in Kansas and I'm afraid of how I will act in public when I finally get my feet in some sand and cool gulf water. Yes, I would love to go to beach, and I still can, but I'm just making a decision that if I will travel internationally, there has to be a component of my trip that involves serving in some capacity. 

5    There are people in America that have access to clean water and soap that don't take showers, or at least do them well. What's that got to do with meeting their natural and spiritual needs? Next.

6    When God places something in your heart and you know that this is part of His purpose and plan for your life, you know that He always provides every need you have to accomplish it. The price of the plane ticket is nothing compared to impacting someone’s life on a mission trip or the riches of God's kingdom. Many times when we impact one life, whether local or not, it can change the path of a family's legacy for generations. Like I said before, most of my friends who I know have a heart for global missions are also very active in their local communities as well. It's not always money that people need. There are some things that money can't buy. Just watch the evening news. Sadly, we see rich and famous people in America committing suicide. All the money in the world can't fill the voids that some people have in their lives.

7    One of the things I hear from partner families or affiliate staff members every time I lead a team on a Habitat for Humanity Global Village trip, is how surprised they are that Americans will pay a trip fee, buy a plane ticket, take off from work, leave their families and travel to a country and build a home with a stranger. What sounds silly to some of our fellow Americans actually gives hope and shines light in the lives of people we may never see in person again. The church - the Body of Christ - isn't obligated to pay for mission trips. Of course, I wouldn't join a church that didn't believe or support global missions because I know that is one of the things that God commands us to do, but I don't expect my church to fully cover a mission’s trip. I did complete a grant application with my church in Americus, GA for my first Global Village trip and they supported me with a $1,000 donation. That was a blessing! However, if God leads me to do a mission trip, I don't need or expect the church to fully fund it. 

8    Traveling to a foreign country can be dangerous. On our Global Village trips, we ensure the safety of our volunteers by partnering with affiliates that are headquartered in the country and they coordinate our lodging, meal and transportation. Traveling on a Habitat for Humanity GV team is one of the safest ways to be a part of a mission trip. Habitat is very good about recognizing if there are any potential threats in a country, and will actually discontinue trips to a nation that could be unsafe for their teams. This leads me back to point #2. You can't live your life in fear. I mean really, I could choose not to fly in a plane within the U.S. ever again for fear of it crashing or disappearing, or look at the statistics for homicides in New Orleans or Chicago and choose not to visit those cities again. I would miss out on a lot of interesting, historic attractions, exquisite cuisine and gorgeous views for fear of being killed.

We all have our gifts and our passions. We're uniquely and divinely-created. Let us share our gifts in the way they were intended and not try to limit them to certain people out of fear, anger, selfishness or jealousy - whatever the issue may be. When we support each other in living our lives with purpose and meaning, we build a better world. Let the singers sing their songs. Let the poets write their scripts, whether the words rhyme or not. Let the musicians play their instruments in tune and in time. Allow the teachers to teach and the prophets to prophesy. Give those called to serve your blessings, whether they serve in their neighborhood in Atlanta or a village in Guatemala. Let the servers serve and remember that some of us are just "made to" go to the nations.

NOTE: The views expressed on this site are my own and not those of Habitat for Humanity or its staff.
When we support each other in using our individual gifts to live lives with purpose and meaning, we build a better world. - Tammie Ferguson, Global Village team leader
Picture

TESTIMONIAL: "I no longer take access to clean water and plumbing for granted"

3/3/2015

 
GV team to Bolivia
Our Global Village team to Bolivia with our partner family and their home. (Meriem is the radiant smiling face in the red shirt.)
I remember our first conversation. I received her information from a fellow staff member at Habitat for Humanity International and learned that she was interested in joining my Global Village team to Bolivia. She was unsure if she could raise the funds to make the trip and a bit nervous about traveling out of the country alone.  

I realized during that phone call that Meriem had energy. She had drive. Most importantly, she was passionate about the mission of Habitat and helping families have a safe, decent and affordable place to live. I knew she could raise the money for her trip fee and airfare and make it to Cochabamba in spite of her fears...and she did!

Recently I asked Meriem to reflect on her journey as a Habitat for Humanity international volunteer for my blog. 

Meriem, use three words to describe yourself: Three words I would use to describe me are brave, positive and resourceful. I definitely agree with that!

Explain why you wanted to join our Global Village team to Bolivia: The reason I joined the GV team to Bolivia is because I wanted to do my part in continuing Habitat’s mission on a global level. I wanted to help combat poverty housing within the country. As a product of affordable housing programs stateside, I understand the value of quality affordable housing. Additionally, I knew that I would be able to use my Spanish speaking skills, if needed. 

Awesome! What was your biggest take away from the trip? My biggest take away from the trip was a greater appreciation for the small luxuries that we have in the United States. I no longer take things like access to clean water and plumbing for granted. My GV trip to Bolivia allowed me to see that it is very possible to live a life with joy without living in excess. Every person that we met, especially our homeowners that we were building for, were truly happy people. 

What challenged you the most about the trip? The only challenging aspect of the trip was overcoming my fear of traveling to another country alone. I am used to international travel but this was my very first time traveling alone. That fear quickly subsided after I met another young female traveler on the first leg of my trip. 

Why would you recommend a GV trip? I would definitely recommend a GV trip to someone. Since returning back from my trip, I have encouraged others to consider going on a GV trip in order to help them understand why quality affordable housing is a global concern. I also point out how my GV trip inspired me to give more of my time and money to combat poverty housing. I would let them know the benefits of participating in the construction of homes and how it pushes you to your limits. Lastly, the main reason why I promote GV trips is because GV trips allow you to do some serious self discovery and most people come back with a desire to do more.

Thank you, Meriem, for sharing your heart and being a part of making our world a better place to live in. Because of volunteers like you, we are making an impact in filling the need for decent and affording housing. Continue to believe that everyone deserves a decent place to live and work toward making it a reality for the 1.7 billion people worldwide living in inadequate shelter.

~Tammie, GV team leader
globalvillagetrip.com 

Youth ages 16-18 can build a #Habitat for Humanity home this summer with the Learn and Build Experience program

2/19/2015

 
Picture
Photo credit: Habitat.org
It's that time of year again! The Youth Programs department of Habitat for Humanity International is now accepting applications for its Learn and Build Experience (LBE) trips. These trips offer youth ages 16-18 an opportunity to travel to a different state or country and build a Habitat home with a family in need of decent and affordable shelter. This is an incredible cultural immersion trip where team members help build homes, meet other students who are interested in lending their hands and their voice to end poverty housing, and experience a different community. The best part about LBE is that youth who are unable to afford the $550 trip fee or the airfare to reach the destination, can apply for scholarships. I think this is one of the best kept secrets in the world of Habitat! Learn more about the program here.
Apply Now

Read a book about #Habitat on International Children's Book Day

2/19/2015

 
Picture
April 2nd is International Children's Book day! I'd like to recommend a children's book about Habitat for Humanity called "Dewey Doo-it Builds a House" by Brahm Wenger and Alan Green. You can find it at barnesandnoble.com for $1.99. Read it to your loved ones or volunteer to read to a class at an elementary in your community.

Overview: Dewey Doo-It is an energetic little guy with a heart of gold. When he sees someone in trouble he immediately tries to help. In this story Dewey Doo-it discovers that his friend Zoe lives in a drafty old house that leaks when its rains. Dewey and his friends decide it's time to help. 

Habitat has served 55,300+ people http://youtu.be/XfyAWn9KLMI

1/13/2015

 
Five years ago yesterday, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti leaving 1.5 million people homeless. Since then, a complex story of survival, perseverance and renewal has unfolded. Habitat for Humanity served more than 55,300 people impacted by the disaster. 
- from Habitat for Humanity International
  

Watch the video at http://youtu.be/XfyAWn9KLMI

Video: #Habitat milestones in 2014

12/30/2014

 
There were many incredible milestones met by Habitat for Humanity in 2014! Take a look back at the work we did around the world in this Year in Review video: 

"No Meetings Required, Just Doing The Right Thing"

12/14/2014

 
In 2012, I set up my new Share.Habitat online fundraising site and nervously sent out the link via Facebook in hopes of raising enough money to cover my $1,460 trip fee to help build two homes in the Dominican Republic on my first Habitat for Humanity Global Village trip.

Alice Lonetree, who was a member of  Lawton First, the church we attended while stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, made a $20 or 25 online donation. When I wrote to thank her, her response was something like, "Just doing the right thing. No meetings required." Such simple words but what an incredible lesson on how each of us can make a difference and it doesn't take a million dollars or 'an act of Congress'.

Two families in San Juan de la Manguana, Dominican Republic now have simple, decent and affordable homes to raise their families in and Alice, along with other donors, helped make that happen.

It was my first time leaving the United States, my first mission trip and my first opportunity to see, hear and feel extreme poverty with my own senses. I haven't been the same since. Because of that trip, I decided that I didn't want to just be a team member on Global Village trips for Habitat for Humanity - I wanted to lead them.

Today, I'm recruiting for my third Global Village trip as a team leader. Each trip has had its challenges, but they all met the needs of the families we worked alongside and did even more for our volunteers who left their families, jobs, homes, comforts and conveniences to toil in the elements of a different country on a mission to help someone who could never repay them.

I think of her words many times when God places me in a position to show His love by giving or serving. Thank you again, Alice! You were right. No meetings are required. Doing the right thing should just come naturally.

~ Tammie

globalvillagetrip.com

Picture

Our Habitat home in Bolivia is complete!

10/12/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
During our Global Village trip to Cochabamba, Bolivia with Habitat Para La Humanidad, we worked on building this home with the Moya Family. The home measures 624 square feet and cost $14,240 US. The family made a $2,000 deposit, so their mortgage will be $214 per month over 6.5 years. The couple has one son and is expecting a baby later this fall.

Congratulations to Marietty and her family on completing their home! My team of volunteers worked alongside them on the construction of their home in June and it's great to see what it looks like now. 


This is what I enjoy about working with the Global Village program of Habitat for Humanity. Not only do we team up with volunteers from various walks of life, help build a home using native construction techniques in the country that we visit, and get to immerse ourselves into the culture during our trip, but we also make a connection with the families that we partner with. It brings me great joy to see this family making their dream of home ownership come true!

If you would like to get involved in my next Global Village trip, click here. You can donate, volunteer with me in Rabinal, Guatemala, pray for our mission and/or share this page with others who may be interested. Either way, know that I sincerely appreciate your support in whatever form you give.

-Tammie
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    Christ-follower. Mompreneur. @Habitat_org Global Village Team Leader. Crab claw lover. Advocate for adequate shelter, releasing children from poverty and ending human trafficking and slavery.

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Archives

    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012

    Categories

    All
    2012 Earthquake
    Accomodations
    Adventure
    Advocacy
    Advocate
    Affiliate
    Airport Greeter
    American Consulate
    American Embassy
    Americus
    Android
    Antigua
    App
    Apps
    Arrival
    Articles
    Atlanta Habitat For Humanity
    Attractions
    Babbel
    Baja Verapaz
    Banks
    Bible
    Black History
    Bolivia
    Books
    Boston
    Breezy Point
    Build
    Building Update
    Busuu
    Carter Work Project
    Cash
    Cdc
    Central Park
    Charity Miles
    Christianity
    City Center
    Civil Rights
    Classes
    Climate
    Clive Rainey
    Cochabamba
    Community
    Construction
    Cultural Immersion
    Culture
    Currency
    Demographics
    Destitute
    Devotions
    Disaster Recovery
    Disaster Relief
    Disease Prevention
    Documentary
    Do Good
    Dollars
    Dominican Republic
    Donate
    Donations
    Donor Relations
    Email
    Emergency
    Events
    Exchange Rate
    Exercise
    Ezra Millstein
    Facebook
    Faith
    Fall Out Boy
    Film
    Free Posters
    Free Web Banners
    Free Web Graphics
    Fundraising
    Georgia
    Giving
    Global Village
    Guatemala
    Guatemala City Airport
    Guatemalal Dream Project
    Guide
    Habitat For Humanity
    Habitat For Humanity Bolivia
    Habitat For Humanity Guatemala
    Habitat For Humanity International
    Habitat For Humanity Philippines
    Habitat For Humanity Westchester
    Habitat History
    Habitat Mission
    Habitat Para La Humanidad
    Hábitat Para La Humanidad Guatemala
    Habitat Restore
    Habitat World Online
    Haiyan
    Home Designs
    Home Expansion
    Home Improvements
    Homeless
    Homelessness
    Home Rehabilitation
    Homes Built
    Hotel Modelo
    Housing Solutions
    Hurricane Sandy
    Immunizations
    Incan Ruins
    Incas
    India
    Infection Control
    Internet Links
    IPhone
    Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project
    Koinoinia
    Ku Klux Klan
    Land Tenure
    Latin Music
    Lawton First
    Leadership
    Learn And Build Experience
    Lent
    Leyte
    Liloan
    Lodging
    Machu Picchu
    Magazine
    Mastercard
    Mayan Ruins
    Media
    Milestones
    Millard And Linda Fuller
    Mission Trip
    Money
    Money Exchange
    Movies
    National Office
    Needy
    Neighbors
    Newsletter
    Newspaper
    Ny
    Old Testament
    Online Giving
    Oppressed
    Oprah
    Own
    Packing
    Parks
    Partner Families
    Petition
    Photography
    Pledge
    Podcasts
    Poor
    Population
    Poverty
    Poverty Housing
    Prayer
    Prepaid Card
    President Jimmy Carter
    Promotions
    Property Rights
    Psa
    Q
    Quetzal
    Quetzaltenango
    Rabinal
    Repairs
    Rockaways
    Rockefeller Christmas Tree
    Rosalynn Carter
    Safety
    Salama
    Santiaguito
    Santo Thomas Volcano
    Scripture
    Security
    Serving
    Share.Habitat
    Shelter
    Siete Orejas Volcano
    Slum Housing
    Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
    Social Media
    Social Media Templates
    South America
    Spanish
    Statistics
    STEP
    Supporters
    Television Show
    Testimonial
    Thailand
    The Carpenter's Gift
    Tithe
    Toolkit
    Tourism
    Travel
    Traveling Grace
    Trip Fee
    Typhoon
    United Nations
    Update
    U.S. Consulate
    U.S. Embassy
    Vaccinations
    Video
    Videography
    Videos
    Visa
    Volcano
    Volunteer
    Volunteers
    Voluntourism
    Weak
    Weaving
    Webinar
    Web Site
    We Build Campaign
    Why We Build
    Women's Rights
    Workshop
    World Habitat Day
    Xela
    Youth
    Youtube

    RSS Feed

    Subscribe to our Global Village Trip updates

Subscribe to Newsletter
© 2012-2019 Tammie Ferguson. All rights reserved.
Photo used under Creative Commons from amslerPIX