I couldn't resist posting a few small video clips taken on our trip.
Its been a long day
Pass the buns
Squirt gun fun

Wer'e Back!

Well, we all made it home. Last night we stayed at the Bahia Mar Beach Resort. I forgot to tell you the name of the place. This morning we walked on the beach, swam in the ocean or the pool, and made ready to go to the airport. It was an unusually easy and pleasant trip. Only a few hiccups happened along the way. When we got to the airport it was discovered that Mrs. Jacobsen’s cell phone was in one of the girl’s pocket book. It got a free ride to Newport News. Chuck is going to mail it back to her. After we made it through security we noticed one of the team being led off to the side and a security guard was carrying her carry on bag. Apparently she forgot and packed all of her shampoo and such in the carry on bag. It had to be checked onto the plane. Paul was very nice to one of the security guards and gave him a nice little pocket knife as a present.

The most interesting thing that happened was the little Chinese lady who was carrying a cat with her. Chuck talked to her and noticed a lot of scratches and cuts on her arms and legs. Apparently the cat that was a rather large Tom did not want to get into its traveling case. When we got on the plane, guess who was sitting in my seat. I got to sit with the cat. The travel case would not fit in the overhead and it would not fit under the seat. The flight was held up until the cat problem was fixed. The cat and its owner left the plane and $75.00 later they reentered the plane with a much smaller cat box. Aren’t airlines helpful? They are willing to sell you a $10.00 cat box that the poor car just did fit in for $75.00 so the poor animal could ride with us. Betsy Saunders asked her why she didn’t just by the cat a ticket and let it sit on the seat. She had. It cost $60.00 for the cat just to ride under the seat.

We did get to talk to her a lot on the way back. She asked if we were Baptist and we got to tell her who we were, what we were doing, and best of all what we believed and what it takes to be saved.

When we reached Newport News, I helped her get her carry on bag and cat in its falling apart box out. I was going to help her carry her items off the plan, but she had to wait for her original cat box to be given back to her. By now she really didn’t want to see that box again. When she got all her stuff together and started up the ramp to the terminal, she dropped to poor cat on its head. Paul helped her get her belongings into the terminal. When the Saunders and I were leaving she was getting into the car behind us and we got to say goodbye to her. It was really a nice ending to a wonderful trip. We had one more opportunity to help someone and to tell them about Jesus. I don’t know if I should ask prayer for the poor cat or not. Once again thank you for all of your support and prayers. It is good to be home. (Final pictures)

Sunday Night

Well things have finally slowed down. I finally was able to post Saturday’s update. Sharon called me right away to let me know I had said the Haitian patty had heroin, not heron in it. I couldn’t blame that one on the keyboard. I have the best Spell Checker around.

Chuck, Pat, and I believe Amanda went to Sunday school. Chuck to speak to the adults about what it took to get ready to put on the VBS; I believe Amanda taught the little ones. The rest of us went over after we checked out and packed the vans. Several of the kids who were at the VBS came today and Pastor Mark gave a Bible to each one who were saved during the week. There were over 60 people there today. The place was packed. The teens went aside for their own lesson when Pastor Mark was ready to preach. Today’s service was not in English.

After the service, we all had lunch at the church. I really believe I should stay away from Haitian food or I will be twice as big as I am. Afterwards there were many goodbyes. The group had made many friends and they will be missed. We loaded up the van and headed to the beach for our last night here. Then the beach came out to meet us. Rainstorms in Florida can be rather intense. In some spots, the water was up to the running board. Several of those small, very expensive cars found out you cannot race on water.

We got to the hotel and finally all the rooms were ready. Some of us had to wait 45 minutes for our room to be ready. We have a rather nice view out our window. Hopefully everyone will get plenty of rest tonight. I really doubt that they will. The Jacobsen’s were invited to stay at the Hotel with us. A group of us walked down to Bubba Gump’s to eat. I have never eaten there before.

This will probably be the last post until we get home. Please continue to pray for us as we make our way to the airport. Pray that there will be no hiccups along the way. Several of the group have colds. Pray that God give healing and comfort as we fly.

We miss our loved ones and will be home soon. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read the updates. I am greatly humbled to have had this opportunity. Thank you for your prayers and comments. The comments made were very important to us. By them, we knew that you were watching and praying for us. Goodbye for now, God bless, and we will see you tomorrow. (Link to Pictures)

Here are Saturdays pictures.

Satuday's Events

This post is late because the internet did not work Saturday night.

Today we went back to the church to finish cleaning. Chuck, J P, and Paul went to finish hanging the doors. The last one was wrong so they were not able to finish. About noon, we all went to a Haitian restaurant to eat. We started with a thing that is like a sweet potato, which is battered and fried. That was good. Then we had either white rice with a black bean sauce or muddy looking rice with peas in it. That was rather tasty. We had our choice of spicy meatballs, fried port chunks, chicken, goat, or conk. Conk is a large snail. Someone got it, but we do not know whom. Afterwards we went too little Haiti and walked around. J P was treated to a Haitian specialty. It was a pastry square about 2 ½ inches square and about 1 ½ inches thick. Imagine a very light and fluffy pastry that flakes when you bite into it. Also imagine when you bite into it you find Red Heron inside it. It was spicy and fishy, but overall, it was very good.

Afterwards we went to the Jacobsen’s and had supper there. J P caught a really big carp. The only picture I got was of its tail after J P lost his grip on it and it slithered back into the canal. John Bedford caught two turtles.

After all this excitement, The Mark and his wife gave their testimony. The team was greatly moved by it. After that, we returned to the hotel where we have to get ready to check out and be at the church by 11:00.

VBS final

The last day for VBS has come to an end. There were many promises made, and goals set. We had a few disappointments. Some goals were met and even a couple of surprises. And, there were even a few tense moments thrown in.

Chuck and a group went to finish installing the doors. Another group went to the Jacobsen’s to do more projects. Another group stayed at the hotel to do laundry. We went to the Jacobsen’s to eat and while we were there, J P Blake caught a bass behind their house. Funny thing, I had the video camera running, but for some reason it cut off when he hooked the fish. So, you will have to ask J P how big the fish was. I did get a picture of the Cuban lizard he caught.

We got to the church and made ready for tonight. The team had every thing ready. It was a slow start. But they keep coming. Several new faces were there. The word was out. Pastor Chuck would eat a goldfish if we had fifty people, but we just didn’t make it, we only reached 42. One little boy sat in the corner with his head down. He was mad. He had wanted to stay home and watch wrestling. In the closing exercises he wanted to know when we were going to do this again.

We passed the goal for the offering. They gave over $130.00. Pastor Mark would eat a goldfish. Mark’s son Caleb would also eat one. We really wanted to see Chuck eat one, too.

The kids brake up into their groups and everything is running smoothly. Well, I thought they were running smoothly. One of the team is outside pacing back and forth. They have run out of a very important piece of material. It is the little card they use to ask them if they are saved, do they have questions, or are they ready to get saved. Pastor Mark had to run home and run off more copies. They only had ten minuets left in group time and they really needed those cards. Time was running out. Pastor Mark made it with only minutes to spare and they used the cards go through the plan of salvation and have them check if they had questions. Two young ladies, one in middle school group, the other in high school checked that they had questions. Each were taken aside and talked to. Two young ladies who happen to be sisters, one in middle school and the other in high school, accepted Christ tonight. We would like to have seen more saved, but we rejoice in those who were saved. I asked if any goals were set and JP summed it up best; all of them.

The program is coming to an end and we all gathered for the last time. Pastor Mark and Caleb ate their goldfish and even Chuck eats his. The kids huddle in the middle for the final team chant, then gather so each group can run out through the banner to face the world. Some were already saved and some are not. Our hearts go out to those who left not knowing Christ as their saver and we pray for them. But, one thing is for certain, there are eleven young people who now face what the world will throw at them with Jesus in their hearts.

Here are a couple of small video clips from this week.

The 3 year to 3rd grade group.
The high school group.