Janine's 20 Year Class Reunion

Janine's Reunion - so I am here at the 20 year reunion with Janine. She is reconnecting with her classmates from days gone by. Is this "analog facebook"? Now I am the spouse that comes along and feels akward. So what do I do? What any guy would do...I sit on the lounge and blog about it. So this brings some questions to mind. Why do we enjoy rennecting with those we rarely see? Why do we dress up and get nervous about our appearance? Why do we want to impress and feel insecure? My favorite is: did we ever imagine this day and what it would be like 20 years ago? Now since this is her reunion and not mine I can sit here and ask questions no one is asking. Meanwhile she is out having a good time with old friends. Ok guess I should get up now and stop blogging :)

Day 9 Part 3 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 9 part 3 finally I am thankful for all of those who supported and prayed for this trip. The impact will have eternal consequence. I could not have done it without you. Thank you!!! If you would like to continue to pray for Kaytie and/or help with future visits to see her we would be most grateful. All glory to Jesus.

Day 9 Part 2 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 9 part 2 my final thoughts about all this...

I am so privelaged to have spent this week with these 33 teen challenge girls and staff. I am amazed of what servant hearted girls they are. The way they invested in the Lakota tribe children, holding them, teaching them and playing with them. I am also so greatful for teen challenge and how these lives are being changed. I am amazed at the love and power of Jesus Christ. I am also thankful for the director Mr. Doug Anderson for his compassion patience and leadership over his team and these girls. But mostly I am so very greatful for the change in my daughter's life. Her attitude and spirit. She really struggled and begged me to take her home in the start of the week but in the car she told me that she is ready to be in teen challenge. Her baptism was beautiful and I got to do it for her. I am a hopeful and blessed man.

Day 9 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 9 this morning we cleaned up and packed. We had a wonderful church service this morning. About 15 locals and the large tc team made attendance about 65. I enjoyed doing worship with the two girls, Shelby and Kyli. Afterward the songs Shelby did her own song for the offering. The TC girls did various music signing, a skit I was in, and testimonies. Wow. One testimony really made me cry thinking of all the horrible abuse and pain she went through yet she is ready to serve the Lord and was baptized yesterday with Kaytie. At the end one of the TC girls preached. We left during that to head for the airport. Made it on time and have a good seat. I am texting this blog from the Omaha Airport.

Day 8 Part 2 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 8 part 2 we did some clean up around the town and met an older man who gave us pepsis. I did not have one. I noticed how the yards had a lot of trash and yet some were much nicer than others. I learned the reason why there were so many damaged cars was jealosy. I can't imagine someone banging up a car for that reason but I suppose it is true. In the afternoon we all went to the river where 6 girls were baptized. It was a very special time with kaytie. She shared her heart and there is also a video. In the evening I discovered I will be leading worship with two of the girls. We had a time of sharing around the room which I thought was so encouraging to hear the things God was doing with the entire group. We went outside for fireworks which was chaos to say the least. Two gangs started at it so we went inside. A very cool and interesting 4th of July.

Day 8 Part 3 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 8 part 3 I learned that a family had some issues at home so stayed with us for safety. Kaytie gave up her air mattress for them. Kaytie also fell in love with the baby Micah. He was adorable or as kaytie said an angel.

Day 8b Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 8 part 2 kaytie was baptized today!

Day 8a - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 8 Saturday morning: Today is the hard day because we are getting tired but just like a run it gets harder before it gets easier. I love it! I am on a run right now...back to the run :)

Day 7 Part 2 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 7 part 2 we ended up doing a mural about jospeph and his coat of many colors. We were able to do this one mural in only one day! Mr Doug announced that there were going to be baptizing girls today but because of the rain we are going to try for today (saturday) July 4th. Its still colder cloudy and raining however. So last night I watched kaytie practice their human videos and choir song. I am going to be Jesus in a skit for them. Before bedtime we watched a couple Giglio sermons from the passion series. The first one was about the cosmos and how God made all of it meaning he is bigger than what he made yet he still sees us. And loves.

Day 7 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 7 it's raining! Today we are going to decide what to do since it is raining. Many people have come up to me and said kaytie and I not only look alike but can be very "random". We are singing veggie tales songs while we wait to start the next mural. Jonah and the Whale.

Day 6 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 6 today I led worship with Shelby after breakfast. We did 1) every move I make 2) if we are the body 3) I want to know you (slowly) afterwards I spoke on Luke 15 the prodigal son. I challenged them to pray for those in their families and make Jesus the center of their influence. After that we basically spent the entire day painting the mural. We finished! We really did this time. I am very proud of these girls and it confirms kayties good talent.

Day 6 Part 2 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 6 part 2 the pastors wife made the comment that the girls should sign their names on the painting. Kaytie insisted that both our names should be on Esther even though it is hers. I will post picks in a couple weeks into this blog. I have been blogging through my blackberry. I am very proud of these girls and plan on buying them some ice cream or something tomorrow to celebrate. Tonight we had "Indian Tacos" which is a fried bread (like a maple bar) with the standard taco toppings. Very cool. Not sure if my gallbladder agrees with my brain though! Mr. Doug announces a water baptism at the river tomorrow night. Kaytie wants to do this again as a rededication to the Lord. I think she was baptized by me when she was 8 in Davenport. Mr. Doug asked me if I wanted to baptize kaytie again. I just might.

Day 5 Part 2 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 5 part 2 but it was a good word and time watching all the girls including Kaytie share in the discussion. Afterwards I hung out with Kaytie and a girl Shelby who plays the guitar and is in Fine Arts Festival going to nationals. I am going to lead some worship in the morning with her. Meanwhile Kaytie was drawing an amazing guitar drawing on her shoes. Overall a great day on this missions trip.

Day 5 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 5 this morning was another beautiful sunrise with a gentle warm breeze. After running and breakfast I had the opportunity to speak to the girls about "influence". It turned out favorably in my opinion and I will share part two tomorrow. Afterwards we continued working on the mural and are very near completion. We may be doing another one tomorrow. We had lunch setup duty so we made 50 ham sandwiches together. This afternoon we worked really hard on the mural and finished. Well almost. The girls worked so hard that I agreed to walk to the river and then to the tiny store. On the way back some local kids through a bottle rocket at us and almost hit one of the girls. Good thing I did not get angry too (ha ha). Then I came back and took a nap. Yea! Dinner was BBQ burgers. Was I ever ready for that. Tonight was Wednesday night Bible studies and the TC Director Doug spoke. Not many locals was there...