October 2009 - Zimbabwe Mission Trip - Testimonials

Gateway Services is a ministry geared towards making a difference in the world through relief work and mission trips. Through Leo O'Connor and Gateway we were lead on a missions trip into Zimbabwe on October 8th 2009.  Gateway lead our team of relatively inexperienced students into a potentially dangerous country, and we felt completely safe and at ease. Their professionalism and experience has made our trip absolutely memorable and life changing.

Here what some of our students thought of Leo and the trip: 
   
Jamie Lee Macdonald
Gateway has the amazing ability to turn a mission’s trip into a life mission. I'll explain. Throughout the trip, I was reminded through the way Leo lives that missions work doesn't start or end in Zimbabwe. He showed us how to live as a missionary even in our own home land. Leo is able to guide people on missions so that they are encouraged to continue this work once home.
I found that Leo was so gifted in discernment and has the qualities few people have- which makes him a blessing to be around.

Jarryd Trokis
Leo was most certainly a fantastic facilitator on the trip. The trip was made that much easier simply because of the way in which he led and encouraged us. His people skills (not only within the team, but with the people of Zim) were essential and I think it’s one of the contributing attributes to the amazing outcome of the trip. Not only was my life changed, but I literally witnessed the lives of the Zimbabwean people being changed.

Lara Cocking
Gateway helped hold the whole team together. What came through strongly for me was Leo’s wisdom in handling situations and knowing what to say and when to say it. Whenever we would go off on our own tangents, he would quickly get our focus back onto the task at hand. Specifically when we were praying for people (whether for healing, bringing people to Christ or any other reasons), he calmly often took the lead and his faith and complete focus on God was so evident. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that he helped us to feel so much more confident in ourselves and encouraged us in what we were doing for God. Also with all the practical issues (border posts, vehicles breaking down, the different ministries), I knew that he was in control and knew exactly what was going on. In saying that, he never dominantly took the leadership role, he quietly and confidently lead our team while at the same time giving us the opportunity to lead and grow as individuals as well as a team.

Ce Nedra Anderson
Leo impressed me with his focused attitude and no-nonsense personality. He inspired great confidence with both these characteristics and I felt secure in the knowledge that Leo knew what and how to do just about anything. Especially at the border where things can go horribly wrong, he often is slow to speak but when he does it is with great wisdom. He has the talent for picking up 'undercurrents' in a team and, in a very calm manner, sort out any problems that have not yet surfaced. His quick wit and great planning kept the trip smooth and allowed God to do what He needed. A part of those good planning skills is the ability to plan for the unexpected, for things that are from God that might not 'fit' in with what he was planning. This ability shows experience in the mission’s field and his example to us epitomized to the 'newbie’s' what a godly missionary would look like. I have only been on a few mission experiences but this one was the most rewarding one in my life. Now, God had the most to do with that but the team I went with had a lot to do with making me realize how important it is to surround yourself with people who love Jesus - Leo was part of that team. Leo personally prayed for me when I was just a stranger to him and God used him to work in my life. That willingness to be used by God is what impressed me the most.

William Rudling
Having Leo organize and lead us on our missions trip to Zimbabwe was truly a blessing. Not only did he possess the important leadership qualities you require to be in charge of such a trip, he was also someone to look up to and a person with great wisdom who knew what to do in any situation. Leo was a vital factor in the unity of our team, and the scripture readings and words he spoke were ones of great encouragement and often much needed. I could see that Leo was very passionate about this trip and what he was doing, always giving everything he had. The authority with which he spoke, and the way in which he led us, was most definitely the work of God. A man who loves God, a man with wisdom, a man with passion for his calling, and a true leader in every sense of the word is the man that Leo came across as on this trip. It was a great learning experience to have him lead us.

Lorna Njikelana
Leo was a blessing to me especially when he encouraged me the last day of our trip. He made me believe in myself. Leo brought out the best in me.

Sinongiwe Madangatye
Leo was such an amazing blessing in my life, from the little, kind gestures towards me that he made even though he hadn't even met me. I guess it goes with all the experience he has for missions, but I think the great desire he has to serve God played an even bigger role. Leo was always concerned about how I was holding up, and I felt he was there if I needed him. Not only is he amped to just serve the Lord, but he has the craziest sense of humor!

Many thanks to Gateway and Leo for the way the trip was lead and handled. As you can see by the testimonies of the students this trip was a life changing event in their lives.

Jono Kruger
Youth Ministry
Stirling Baptist Church