Greetings from New Mexico!

Hello friends!

I made it to New Mexico on January 3rd, now this is home for me for the next 5 months! I have been here for almost 2 weeks now, and have been getting oriented to my new life here and all I will be doing.

I am serving as a semester missionary through the North American Mission Board with Eagles' Wings Youth Ranch. The ranch is located in Mountainair, NM, which is about an hour and a half southeast of Albuquerque. The organization began in 1992 by Albert and Dianne Hagan who had a desire to meet the needs of disadvantaged and at-risk youth through an early intervention and prevention camp and follow up program.

Every summer, Eagles' Wings provides a 5-day camp for youth ages 10-12, hosting 12 youth per week. Campers participate in a wide range of activities, from horseback riding, archery, and swimming, to one-to-one time with volunteer staff or mentors. Here, they are able to build relationships with each other, the staff, and with God. When campers leave from their week at camp, their relationship with Eagles' Wings does not end there. They are able to maintain relationship through reunion camps, festivals, small groups, and follow-up.

That is my role, to follow-up with girls that have been to camp before. This week, I began meeting with some of the girls I will get to know this semester. So far, we have established 3 small groups with which I will be working to build relationships, invest in, and share Christ with these girls. I will be serving with Preston Fowler, another semester missionary from Georgia, who will be working with the boys that have come through Eagles' Wings.

Unfortunately, during most of our time here, the Hagans will not be with us. Mr. Albert is currently receiving cancer treatments in Houston, TX at MD Anderson Cancer Center. As they are gone, Todd Sledge, the assistant manager, will be our supervisor and leader. We have already been so blessed by Todd and his wife, Jennifer, who are leading and providing much for us as we are here to serve with Eagles' Wings.

Now for prayer requests :).
Please keep the Hagans in your prayers as they are fighting against Mr. Albert's cancer.
Pray for the youth that we will be meeting with, that their hearts and minds will be open to building relationships with us, and most importantly, to the Gospel.
Pray for wisdom and guidance in our preparations for meeting with the youth each week, and for activities and events we will do with them.
Pray for strength and endurance as I am away from home, and already miss the South a bit ;).
Please also pray for Todd and Jennifer and their family, as they lead us in our time here.