All checked in, waiting to board the plane to fly home

This is how we keep track of our team in the airport.

Back in the USA!!

We made it back to San Diego, got checked in to our hotel, and now we're having dinner at the Hometown Buffet.

At the border

We are sitting in line to cross back into the USA. We've been in line about an hour and probably have another hour to go. At least we have plenty of gas this time!

Thursday

Today we went to a retirement center. This place was an amazing example of trusting God as they depend entirely on donations to run it. They have about 16 residents, many of whom require full time care. We had the opportunity to spend time cutting hair, painting fingernails, talking, applying hand lotion, singing, doing crafts and there was even some dancing. You'll have to ask Tyler about that! Interacting with the residents was outside a lot of our comfort zones but our students were willing to give it a try and were blessed by it. We also painted a large portion of the exterior of the facility. We left after spending time in prayer with Juan and Lupita who run the facility. It was a neat experience!

Tomorrow is our last day! We have a unique opportunity to experience what it is like to be a migrant working in the cucumber fields for a couple hours. The students won't know until tomorrow. We are hoping that this will give us all some real perspective!

We hope to finish our day tomorrow afternoon with fish tacos and a bonfire at the beach for some worship and testimony time.

Wednesday

First off, we got the van fixed! One of the local believers towed the van while Chris Link steered. They went back roads and it took about an hour to get it to town to a mechanic they knew. It was the alternator and we got it replaced for about US $70 and it was done about 7pm. Praise God for a quick resolution to that problem!

We continued with work projects and VBS. We had around 110 kids today. Part of the program was to teach them hygiene so we had a hand washing station and them gave them an orange for a snack.

Tonight we went to the beach to dip our feet in the chilly Pacific Ocean under moonlight.

Tomorrow we will be at a retirement center. We will be doing some painting and just spending time with the residents.

Everyone continues to be in good spirits and health. There are a few sunburns and bruises and scrapes but we are doing great! We even had kabobs for dinner! Who says you can't eat well on a missions trip? Thanks Karen Hoppe and helpers for all your hard work.

Tuesday

Today was pretty much the same as yesterday: work projects, VBS, film ministry. I'll try to fill in a few more details about what we've been up to specifically.

First, one of the rental vans is down. On our way back from VBS it quit. We had the other vehicles close by and were able to get everyone back to the compound safely. At first we were going to try to tow the van, but I tried to start it and it did. I was able to drive it home but there seems to be an electrical short or loose wire and it won't start again. Please pray we can get it fixed without hassle.

VBS was a big hit today. We are actually having VBS in a community park. It's not like any park in Dayton. Hopefully I can add some pictures to give you a taste. We have been playing soccer, jumping rope, drawing with sidewalk chalk, blowing bubbles, painting fingernails and generally doing what kids do at a park. The local Bible school students have been doing a drama and a lesson after our song time. Our craft today was decorating a plastic water bottle. The kids really seemed to be excited about having something very practical to use. We also handed out little wooden cars that were donated by St Leonard's retirement center and those were a big hit!

We went back to the same place as last night for film ministry. It is one of the migrant camps. When we pull in, we are pretty much mobbed by kids who are so excited to see us. Then for the next 45 minutes it's pretty much piggy back rides non-stop before we settle down on tarps to watch a film and short message/invitation. We got home tonight around 9:30 and I didn't hear any complaints when I told the team it's time for bed!

Please pray for rest and stamina...that is the biggest issue right now! Other than that we are healthy and having a blast serving!

Dan, for the team

Monday

We had a very full day and are all heading to bed!!

This morning we did some work projects that included mixing cement to stucco the walls of a pastor's house, preparing to make some sidewalks, and picking up glass at the park where we were to have VBS.

After lunch we did some VBS prep then headed to the park. There were about 80 kids and we had a lot of fun playing with them. We sang songs and then the local Bible school students did a drama and lesson. After that we did crafts which were wordless bracelets so kids heard a clear presentation of the gospel.

Tonight after supper we went to a migrant camp for film ministry. We spent about 45 minutes playing with some pretty crazy kids and then watched the film with them.

Our students are enjoying everything and the things they are experiencing seem to be impacting them in a very positive way.
Dan, for the team