I do not recommend EM/IMMERSION I learned and experienced a lot. I was able to witness to many and see Jesus work. However, EM has a lot they need to work on, they have a multitude of areas they need to work on. Their communication with each other and with team members is terrible. Their standard of conduct is not well monitored and kept up. They have no good emergency plans. I could go on but I don't want to include things that may affect other people. I do not recommend this organization and I will never be associated with them again.

People Over Projects When we arrived at La Iglesia Familia, we were greeted by Diane and Ed, who gave us a great overview of what our week might be like. From the very first meeting with them, we knew that God was guiding us in our work for the week. Our group really wanted to be able to make connections within the community. We had been praying for this before and during our trip, and our prayers were answered ten-fold. We had so many opportunities to talk with, pray with, and learn from people in the community. Every day was a different experience and we really got to live out the "people over projects" approach of mission. This, to me, is so important and I'm glad we were able to take part in this mission experience.

A Leap of Faith The Lord works in mysterious ways and it’s the moments you expect God to show up the least that He shows up the most. Throughout my time in South Africa, I not only got to know a different culture and country, I got to know an entirely different people group. I got to learn their names, hear their stories, share my stories and build relationships that never would’ve happened if I decided not to go and backed out. Trust me, I had every opportunity to, but when you allow God to do a work in your life and also pour into your life through relationships with others. It’s a truly indescribable experience of what God takes you through and how He brings you to the other side.

There were so many experiences and… There were so many experiences and people that I was so blessed to meet. This trip also grew my faith in was that I didn’t necessarily know I needed and gave me more confidence in my relationship with Christ. The immersion staff was very kind and a solid rock for all of us and were more friends by the end of the trip.

Trust in the Lord, Lean not on your own understanding From my experience, EM leaves a lot of the responsibility up to the participants, so the trip is kind of what you make of it. If you are a person that needs structure this could be a challenge for you. If you are free flowing and looking for adventure you might enjoy it more. I believe if you are willing and able to turn every day over to the Lord and let him work through you and around you this trip can have a great impact for the communities you visit and your own life—just don’t expect that impact to come through EM or their resources.