I Won't Be Home for the Holidays....

Its true. We won't be home for the holidays. This past Thursday was the first Thanksgiving I have ever spent away from family. Yes, the morning was tough. But as soon as I walked down the stairs and heard my new family (of 20+ mind you) shout, "Happy Thanksgiving!"...I immediately felt better.

We spent the morning of Thanksgiving in class (instead of watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in my PJ"s and munching on my Mama's infamous "Bubble Bread). In the afternoon we had an outreach which I was SO thankful for. I was able to do the thing my soul most loves: bringing truth and love to the world through evangelism. It was International Elimination of Violence Against Women Day. Our team went out into our city centre and handed out pamphlets on Violence and how to get help. We had a microphone and music playing. There were 6 of us (me included!) that were human statues depicting violence against women. I looked pretty beaten up thanks to Christian Vargas's amazing makeup job. There were some of us taking survey's on what the people know and think about violence.

Some of the people on our team gave testimonies over the mic, one including my friend who was a victim of domestic violence. This was a big deal considering a large percentage of our area is Muslim and the men are known to beat their wives. They weren't so happy with us that day. In the end, it was an amazing time because the people in our community are realizing and recognizing who we are more and more. They know we are Christians. They know we're against violence. They know that we pick up trash in the streets everyday without being paid. They know we say hello to them and care about them. Progress is being made and the enemy is losing his battle over Harlesden, London. That is for sure.

UPDATE ON OUTREACH
* We are waiting to hear where we will be going for outreach. We should know by the end of next week for sure. As soon as we find out we will let you know!
* The possibile places for outreach (so you can be praying) are: United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Serbia, Israel, Romania, Spain
* We need to raise $3,000 for the outreach phase and are also starting to think about getting monthly support. (We raise our own living expenses/salary/etc.)
* We leave for outreach January 4th

WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT US FOR OUTREACH
* Donate a small donation via paypal on this block. Click the donate button
* Sponsor us for one day or week through prayer and finances. $50 will sponsor us for one day
* Purchase a calendar we created with photos we have taken while we have been here. Great Christmas gift! Click on the LULU button on this page to check it out. Its all done online
* Purchase a CD on LULU.com (we will be finishing this soon)
* Send us a tax-deductible donation by making the check out to YWAM London with Ben and Tara in the memo line. Send it to:
Tara and Ben Tioaquen
17709 Bowling Green Rd.
Smithfield, VA 23430