Well training wrapped up on Wedensday night with an awesome commisoning service. Being able to be in a room praying with new and old friends that would be going to all over the world to share the word of God with people was an amazing honor to be part of. During the week I felt like the conference was preparing me moment by moment for my upcoming year. For one I arrived with totally different expectations of the week thinking I would be in the big city of Chicago. Insted I was in the quaint suburb of St. Charles an hour outside of Chicago. Also the resort had problems with their water all week so it ruined our plush surrondings and made us think about the sulfur water that was surronding us for the week. On Monday I had a half day to go to Chicago, the craziest thing that was said was as we arrived to this huge city one of my team mates who had been to Buenos Aires says, "BA is like 3 times bigger than Chicago" this blew my mind. I enjoyed the time in the city; but the really great time was the train ride where we talked to the locals around us then started a dance party once the train started to empty out. I am so ready to really get the ball rolling on this STINT year. I got to meet all the people I will be working with this past week and I feel like we are all ready a family and are all ready to make the most of the upcoming year. Everyone brought there own strengths to the group but we all had common ground. It was kind of a running joke the whole week that we had to be a Latin American STINT team because of how loud and untamed we where. With 2 weeks left before my trip I am trying to finish up my support. I am around 50% but I need all of my money in hand before I get on the plane. I am looking forward to seeing God work through people and churches to finance my trip. Please continue to pray for me and my team as we prepare for this journey. There are going to many trials and obsticales in our way in the coming year and with believers supporting us I don't see how we could fail. Adios mi Amigos!

Ben Anderson

Well my last road trip in the states for a year or two will start today. I will be going to Lake Gaston with the family for some forced family fun for vacation for the coming week. This is sure to be a great time and a super way to celebrate the little amount of time I have this summer without school. After that I will be heading to Asheville to meet with some family and friends and continue on with my support raising efforts. After this the true fun begins when I pick up Jeremy McNeese and one other fellow STINTer, who I have yet to meet, in Johnson City, TN and we start the drive to Chicago. I am hoping that everything goes smoothly as this major leg of the trip kicks in and I visit the second city for the first time. This is looking to be an adventurous 3 weeks that I will never forget and enjoy. Please keep me in your prayers as I travel and raise support.

Shmando!