More from Jeremy Hall as he continues his mission work at SIFAT

It might be of interest to know in detail more about the programs our students are participating in. The very first thing that the students do is experience the slum simulation. The challenge set before them is to attempt to live in the slums located on Sifat's property as families, with the end goal of then better understanding a lifestyle that is lived out by over 1 billion people on the earth (that's 1 out of 7 people on the planet in case you were wondering). The next program that students participate in is appropriate technology rotations. The students are given an opportunity to be taught the very same material that Sifat offers international community leaders regarding water purification/pasteurization, fuel-efficient cook stoves, appropriate nutritional supplementation, sustainable agriculture, shelter construction techniques, community mapping, and community development. After the students are exposed to the lessons regarding appropriate technology, they are given an opportunity to put what they have learned into practice within the confines of Sifat's global village. The students are challenged to survive in a rural developing nation setting and to ultimately better understand a lifestyle similar to 85% of the global population. After that experience, the students are then given the opportunity to go into the community surrounding Sifat and partake in service activities. Every step of the programing is surrounded by different worship settings which are meant to connect the programming side to the biblical ideas of loving God and neighbor. Most importantly though, the worship gatherings are an opportunity for the kids to connect what they've experienced to our Lord and respond to whatever He may be putting on their heart. The most rewarding thing for me is being present in the moments when a kid connects the lifestyle he hated living out in the slums to the love that God has for those living that out everyday. I laugh sometimes about the fact that they pay us to do this job, because the real reward is getting the opportunity to share life with these kids for a week.

Jeremy Hall