Mom,
We are so excited for you as you begin this great adventure! You have done so much work to prepare for this trip and I know that it will be all worth it! God has given you so many gifts and incredible talents, I can’t wait to hear the stories of how He uses you in Mexico! We will pray for safety and protection as you begin your journey. Know that we all love you tremendously!
Rest in the knowledge that God is in control.
We will be checking in many times a day, I am sure!!
Dear Kris,
Thanks for leaving your note. We are in Detroit and our plane has just landed a little late, but we will probably leave close to our scheduled time. We drove to Detroit last night and we are glad we did. On the 8 mile drive from the motel to the airport, we saw 3 ditchings. The team is in great spirits this morning and excited for what’s ahead. This is our first time on a mission trip like this so we are going into somewhat of an unknown. Thank you to you and Kevin for all your coaching. It makes us feel like we know what we are doing. Love to all of you.
Mom
It is Sunday morning, we are getting ready to worship at Templo Belen. We eare told they have exciting worship–rivals Victory Point. The ministry of Templo Belen was very evident yesterday when about 60 children arrived for breakfast. Usually the church tells the children a Bible story–this time Art tried to tell his Bartimaeus story. Cesar was supposed to translate, but he didn’t show up for quite a while. Art stalled with magic, but without an interpreter didn’t go so well. When Cesar and the van did arrive, they came with about 8 people from a community where they live day-to-day. Cesar said they told him they had eaten their last food the night before. They were frightened of our group at first but Cesar kept talking with them and helped to gain their trust. We are confident the church will keep ministering to them.
If you looked at the pictures, you saw some huge character outfits–bird, bear, fish–they must have fun at some festival. We moved them and a lot of other stored items out of a small room which will become the library. Art started sawing wood for the library shelves. That will probably be his job to build on Monday. I will likely help Amy, the first grade teacher, Monday. She must have a challeging group. If I’m not in her room, there are many books to sort for putting on the shelves when they are finished. The men are working hard on building more classrooms.
Our group times, sharing and hearing God’s Word to us are special and energizing.
Thank you, all of you back home for sending us with your blessings and prayers.
Hi Mom,
Wow! It sounds like you are having a great time! I can’t wait to hear how God continues to use you and your special gifts to minister to the people there. You have been in my prayers daily and I am so excited for you!
May God dump many blessings on your head today (and may they be light!)
Love you,
Kris
Hi Grandma,
How are things going? I lost another tooth, at school. I wiggled it and it finally fell out! What are you doing right now? I am going to play on WEbkinz as soon as I say goodbye to you. Goodbye.
I just got done running and now cooling down looking at your stories. It was a crazy weekend here and now Monday! I am excited that you guys are finally doing this. It will be an awesome experience and I know God will use you and bless you. We are praying every day for you and we look forward to your pictures and stories. Have a great day!
Thanks for the notes. Katie, which tooth did you lose? Have fun with your WEbkinz. Today (this afternoon) I was with Grandpa and the other people here at the park in Miguel Aleman. We could go in sleeveless tops and sandals and the trees were blossoming.
Kevin, what’s Monday?
Kris, Thanks.
Love you all.
Hi Grandma.
How are things going there? I lost my bottom tooth! I have another loose tooth on the top. Guess what I found?……… I found my special blankies!!!!!!! They were at the Haans. I brought them in for show and tell today and told everyone that my brothers and grandma made them for me when I was a baby!
Have a great day tomorrow! I love you MORE!!!!!!! MORE!!!!MORE!!! MORE!!!
Love katie
There were two special things I experienced today. We broke open several of the boxes of books from back home and started sorting and marking basic reading levels on them so they’ll be able to be on the shelves Art is building in some semblance of order. As we were busy with this process, kids started looking at the books and a few crawled on my lap to listen to a few. Some understood, some just enjoyed the pictures. We are sure they will enjoy having a library.
The second special happening was a baby shower. Not like anything I’ve ever experienced before. We drove to the “compound” which is an old abandoned brick yard where several families of homeless people have moved in. Rumalda from Templo Belen ministers to these people and is a faithful witness to Jesus’ love. She led the ladies and children (only one man watched for awhile–we’re thinking some others probably stayed inside) in singing many songs, read some Bible verses about children and families, and introduces us all around. Brenda opened gifts, we had a big cake which disappeared quickly. The people there don’t have much, but they are clean and happy.
Katie, I’m glad you found your blankies. I hope you are having fun at school. We like going outside without winter coats. You have a great day tomorrow and I love you a big lot. I love your brothers, too.
Hi Mom,
I just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you and Dad. It sounds like your having some interesting experiences. I hope you are enjoying the people their and eachother.
Jen has an interview in the morning at 10a w/ Hospice by Calvin College.
I dropped Jen off at work in Borculo at 7p, and Grace was asking about going to see you and Grandpa.
Chiquita and Sheba are doing fine. Grace enjoys having two dogs around too.
We’re proud of you. May God bless you richly, and may you be a blessing. I love you Mom… from Jen Grace and me
We are excited to have the books sorted and today we began putting them on the shelves Art built. The room is beginning to look like a library. The walls are painted one of the favorite colors down here–sort of orange. Oh yes, the floor is, too. We found a rug in storage that is now on the floor and a few ladies brought a painting back from a short excursion to a coffee shop. It has bright yellow sunflowers and other bold colors. It fits the places where a window had been filled in. Check out the pictures. It should be there. There is one day left to work here. The library should be filled and arranged by then, and the building project should be at a point where the heavy work is done, leaving electrical, plumbing, and roof.
Thanks for the update, Tim. Jen, I hope you get the job that you really would like. Grace, I love you, and I’ll see you soon. You can come to our house next week.
Hi Mom,
I bet you are in your glory with all those books and children! I love the pictures of you with kids on your lap, reading a story. Katie saw those pictures and said, “They love hearing grandma read just like me!” I am so glad that you have been able to go on this adventure. You have been such a blessing to the others on your team and to the people you have met. I can’t wait to hear more stories and see more pictures!
WE will pray for safe travels and smooth border crossing!
Love you,
Kris
February 29, 2008 at 2:34 am
Mom,
We are so excited for you as you begin this great adventure! You have done so much work to prepare for this trip and I know that it will be all worth it! God has given you so many gifts and incredible talents, I can’t wait to hear the stories of how He uses you in Mexico! We will pray for safety and protection as you begin your journey. Know that we all love you tremendously!
Rest in the knowledge that God is in control.
We will be checking in many times a day, I am sure!!
Love you,
Kris
February 29, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Dear Kris,
Thanks for leaving your note. We are in Detroit and our plane has just landed a little late, but we will probably leave close to our scheduled time. We drove to Detroit last night and we are glad we did. On the 8 mile drive from the motel to the airport, we saw 3 ditchings. The team is in great spirits this morning and excited for what’s ahead. This is our first time on a mission trip like this so we are going into somewhat of an unknown. Thank you to you and Kevin for all your coaching. It makes us feel like we know what we are doing. Love to all of you.
Mom
March 2, 2008 at 3:04 pm
It is Sunday morning, we are getting ready to worship at Templo Belen. We eare told they have exciting worship–rivals Victory Point. The ministry of Templo Belen was very evident yesterday when about 60 children arrived for breakfast. Usually the church tells the children a Bible story–this time Art tried to tell his Bartimaeus story. Cesar was supposed to translate, but he didn’t show up for quite a while. Art stalled with magic, but without an interpreter didn’t go so well. When Cesar and the van did arrive, they came with about 8 people from a community where they live day-to-day. Cesar said they told him they had eaten their last food the night before. They were frightened of our group at first but Cesar kept talking with them and helped to gain their trust. We are confident the church will keep ministering to them.
If you looked at the pictures, you saw some huge character outfits–bird, bear, fish–they must have fun at some festival. We moved them and a lot of other stored items out of a small room which will become the library. Art started sawing wood for the library shelves. That will probably be his job to build on Monday. I will likely help Amy, the first grade teacher, Monday. She must have a challeging group. If I’m not in her room, there are many books to sort for putting on the shelves when they are finished. The men are working hard on building more classrooms.
Our group times, sharing and hearing God’s Word to us are special and energizing.
Thank you, all of you back home for sending us with your blessings and prayers.
Love, Joanne
March 2, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Hi Mom,
Wow! It sounds like you are having a great time! I can’t wait to hear how God continues to use you and your special gifts to minister to the people there. You have been in my prayers daily and I am so excited for you!
May God dump many blessings on your head today (and may they be light!)
Love you,
Kris
March 2, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Hi Grandma,
How are things going? I lost another tooth, at school. I wiggled it and it finally fell out! What are you doing right now? I am going to play on WEbkinz as soon as I say goodbye to you. Goodbye.
I love you!
Katie Jo
March 3, 2008 at 2:57 am
Hey mom,
I just got done running and now cooling down looking at your stories. It was a crazy weekend here and now Monday!
I am excited that you guys are finally doing this. It will be an awesome experience and I know God will use you and bless you. We are praying every day for you and we look forward to your pictures and stories. Have a great day!
Love -Kev
March 3, 2008 at 4:44 am
Thanks for the notes. Katie, which tooth did you lose? Have fun with your WEbkinz. Today (this afternoon) I was with Grandpa and the other people here at the park in Miguel Aleman. We could go in sleeveless tops and sandals and the trees were blossoming.
Kevin, what’s Monday?
Kris, Thanks.
Love you all.
Love, Mom
March 4, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Hi Grandma.
I brought them in for show and tell today and told everyone that my brothers and grandma made them for me when I was a baby!
How are things going there? I lost my bottom tooth! I have another loose tooth on the top. Guess what I found?……… I found my special blankies!!!!!!! They were at the Haans.
Have a great day tomorrow! I love you MORE!!!!!!! MORE!!!!MORE!!! MORE!!!
Love katie
March 5, 2008 at 4:18 am
There were two special things I experienced today. We broke open several of the boxes of books from back home and started sorting and marking basic reading levels on them so they’ll be able to be on the shelves Art is building in some semblance of order. As we were busy with this process, kids started looking at the books and a few crawled on my lap to listen to a few. Some understood, some just enjoyed the pictures. We are sure they will enjoy having a library.
The second special happening was a baby shower. Not like anything I’ve ever experienced before. We drove to the “compound” which is an old abandoned brick yard where several families of homeless people have moved in. Rumalda from Templo Belen ministers to these people and is a faithful witness to Jesus’ love. She led the ladies and children (only one man watched for awhile–we’re thinking some others probably stayed inside) in singing many songs, read some Bible verses about children and families, and introduces us all around. Brenda opened gifts, we had a big cake which disappeared quickly. The people there don’t have much, but they are clean and happy.
Katie, I’m glad you found your blankies. I hope you are having fun at school. We like going outside without winter coats. You have a great day tomorrow and I love you a big lot. I love your brothers, too.
Love,
Grandma, Mom, Joanne
March 5, 2008 at 5:19 am
Hi Mom,
I just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you and Dad. It sounds like your having some interesting experiences. I hope you are enjoying the people their and eachother.
Jen has an interview in the morning at 10a w/ Hospice by Calvin College.
I dropped Jen off at work in Borculo at 7p, and Grace was asking about going to see you and Grandpa.
Chiquita and Sheba are doing fine. Grace enjoys having two dogs around too.
We’re proud of you. May God bless you richly, and may you be a blessing. I love you Mom… from Jen Grace and me
March 6, 2008 at 11:58 pm
We are excited to have the books sorted and today we began putting them on the shelves Art built. The room is beginning to look like a library. The walls are painted one of the favorite colors down here–sort of orange. Oh yes, the floor is, too. We found a rug in storage that is now on the floor and a few ladies brought a painting back from a short excursion to a coffee shop. It has bright yellow sunflowers and other bold colors. It fits the places where a window had been filled in. Check out the pictures. It should be there. There is one day left to work here. The library should be filled and arranged by then, and the building project should be at a point where the heavy work is done, leaving electrical, plumbing, and roof.
Thanks for the update, Tim. Jen, I hope you get the job that you really would like. Grace, I love you, and I’ll see you soon. You can come to our house next week.
Joanne
March 8, 2008 at 5:24 am
Hi Mom,
I bet you are in your glory with all those books and children! I love the pictures of you with kids on your lap, reading a story. Katie saw those pictures and said, “They love hearing grandma read just like me!” I am so glad that you have been able to go on this adventure. You have been such a blessing to the others on your team and to the people you have met. I can’t wait to hear more stories and see more pictures!
WE will pray for safe travels and smooth border crossing!
Love you,
Kris