I know it has been a while but I just finished a couple of big weeks of ministry at summer camp.
Special Camp:
The first week of June found me once again at the Iowa Regular Baptist Camp (IRBC) for a week of Special Camp. We had 87 campers with both physical and mental handicaps, 30 staff people which include counselors, 3 teachers, 6 craft workers and 4 program staff.
The weather was pretty good with a couple of days of rain. However, we always plan for rain days. overall, everyone had a wonderful week!
Junior Boys Camp:
This past week was our Junior Boys Camp. 250 junior boys! Wow now there is a bit of energy! What an incredible experience! I love junior boys week!
There are tons of activities like: Zip Line, a 40 foot climbing wall, jumbo dog & tubing, boat rides, archery, night hikes, campfires, swimming, bumper boats, paddle boats, mini-golf, disk golf, gaga ball & box hockey just to mention a few!
I am soooooo tired this morning! got home from camp, mowed the yard and get all my gear stowed. I finally got the opportunity to sit down and pound out some thoughts.
Another Note:
Take heart - I have a ton of topics to cover from the China Trip. The list is long and varied and I'm looking forward to getting in some new posts this week. I'm traveling to Chicago on Monday for the GARBC National Conference. While busy at the conference, I will have time to do some blogging and some twittering.
Talk to you all soon,
Pastor Steve
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Bits & Balderdash
Jet Lag STINKS!
Our flight from Beijing to Chicago left Thursday afternoon at 4:00 PM Beijing time and we landed in Chicago at 4:13 PM Thursday afternoon. A 13.5 hour flight in just 3 minutes!! BRUTAL!!!
Got to bed Thursday night at just before midnight ... was wide awake at 2:30 AM. got up and did my laundry, drank some tea and at 5:30 AM Susan was up for the day. I stayed awake with out a nap all day Friday and slept fairly well Friday night. Saturday night was even better and from then I think I'm on top of this sleepless in Clear Lake thing!
Memorial Day:
Monday was Memorial Day and I had the incredible privilege to serve as the honorary Chaplin for the day. This entailed a prayer at the Sea Wall as a wreath was laid commemorating those soldiers who lost their lives at sea defending our country. From the Sea Wall, we moved to the Clear Lake Cemetery where there was a speaker, more wreath laying and I opened and closed this part of the day in prayer as well.
This was very special as my Dad was a WWII veteran and taught all of his kids to love this country as well as to honor those who served and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The days activities came to an end with a lone trumpeter playing "Taps". Hearing this song, I'm always finding my self choked up with a huge knot in my throat. I'm so thankful for my Dad and all of the men and women like him who have faithfully serving our country! BTW, We need to be mindful of the families and loved ones left behind as other go off to serve ... sacrifice is sacrifice - Thank you!
China:
I know that I'm already behind on my postings about China. But rest assured that I will be posting about China for a long time. The trip was eye-opening and life altering. I know that sounds over the top but it is true. The most asked question has been what is the one thing that stood out to you the most while in China? The answer to that is simple ... in China because these children are "broken" they are tossed out like yesterdays trash. I'll explain that more in future posts, but that is the short answer.
Here are a few pictures of the kids we met:
My Mom:
Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday so I'm headed to Des Moines for a birthday celebration with my family. This should be a blast as we alway have the best of times when we are able to get together.
More to come....
Pastor Steve
Our flight from Beijing to Chicago left Thursday afternoon at 4:00 PM Beijing time and we landed in Chicago at 4:13 PM Thursday afternoon. A 13.5 hour flight in just 3 minutes!! BRUTAL!!!Got to bed Thursday night at just before midnight ... was wide awake at 2:30 AM. got up and did my laundry, drank some tea and at 5:30 AM Susan was up for the day. I stayed awake with out a nap all day Friday and slept fairly well Friday night. Saturday night was even better and from then I think I'm on top of this sleepless in Clear Lake thing!
Memorial Day:
This was very special as my Dad was a WWII veteran and taught all of his kids to love this country as well as to honor those who served and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The days activities came to an end with a lone trumpeter playing "Taps". Hearing this song, I'm always finding my self choked up with a huge knot in my throat. I'm so thankful for my Dad and all of the men and women like him who have faithfully serving our country! BTW, We need to be mindful of the families and loved ones left behind as other go off to serve ... sacrifice is sacrifice - Thank you!
China:
I know that I'm already behind on my postings about China. But rest assured that I will be posting about China for a long time. The trip was eye-opening and life altering. I know that sounds over the top but it is true. The most asked question has been what is the one thing that stood out to you the most while in China? The answer to that is simple ... in China because these children are "broken" they are tossed out like yesterdays trash. I'll explain that more in future posts, but that is the short answer.
Here are a few pictures of the kids we met:
This is Tony
This is my "special" buddy - Henry
Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday so I'm headed to Des Moines for a birthday celebration with my family. This should be a blast as we alway have the best of times when we are able to get together.
More to come....
Pastor Steve
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
China Trip Post #3
All is well here as we prepare to come home.
As I'm writing this we have just finished our last day of VBS and have passed out the tie-dyed t-shirts that the children made a couple of days ago. I can not even begin to explain in word the incredible joy in these kids as their names were called and they came forward to get the shirts that they colored. I know this will shock most of you but I just stood and cried that something as simple as a t-shirt could impart so much joy and happiness. I am personally overwhelmed!
This afternoon will be our final "big" activity as we have planned for a water activity. We are filling a number of pools with water, John and the girls are filling 500 water balloons and soon Tim and I will begin filling our supply of water guns and super soakers! After the impromptu water fight earlier in the week where we were ambushed by the children ... Tim and & I will have our revenge today!! (insert evil laugh here)
Following the big afternoon, supper in a local eatery, pack and in the morning off to Beijing where we will do the HuTong Tour. The HuTong is the oldest neighborhoods in the capital city, more on the in another post. Following the tour ... to the airport to catch the 4:10 PM to Chicago. We leave Beijing at 4:10 PM Thursday afternoon and arrive in Chicago at 4:13 PM Thursday afternoon! 13.5 hours over to Beijing and 3 minuted to get back! Talk about your time travel!
Looking forward to being home in just over 24 hours, Talk to you all then as I post from home again!
Pastor Steve!
As I'm writing this we have just finished our last day of VBS and have passed out the tie-dyed t-shirts that the children made a couple of days ago. I can not even begin to explain in word the incredible joy in these kids as their names were called and they came forward to get the shirts that they colored. I know this will shock most of you but I just stood and cried that something as simple as a t-shirt could impart so much joy and happiness. I am personally overwhelmed!
This afternoon will be our final "big" activity as we have planned for a water activity. We are filling a number of pools with water, John and the girls are filling 500 water balloons and soon Tim and I will begin filling our supply of water guns and super soakers! After the impromptu water fight earlier in the week where we were ambushed by the children ... Tim and & I will have our revenge today!! (insert evil laugh here)
Following the big afternoon, supper in a local eatery, pack and in the morning off to Beijing where we will do the HuTong Tour. The HuTong is the oldest neighborhoods in the capital city, more on the in another post. Following the tour ... to the airport to catch the 4:10 PM to Chicago. We leave Beijing at 4:10 PM Thursday afternoon and arrive in Chicago at 4:13 PM Thursday afternoon! 13.5 hours over to Beijing and 3 minuted to get back! Talk about your time travel!
Looking forward to being home in just over 24 hours, Talk to you all then as I post from home again!
Pastor Steve!
Friday, May 21, 2010
China Trip Post #2
Greetings again from China!
Wednesday was an acclamation day, us getting to know the facility that we are working in and getting to know some of the kids. We really spent most of the day playing with the younger children as the olders were busy in the school house. This was an incredible blessing to see these little blessings that are so simply tossed aside in this culture; happy, cared for, loved and laughing! What a privilege to get to be here and see the work that goes on here!
Wednesday's food highlight was a trip to a "hot pot" restaurant. A table would sit up to 8 people and every person had a hot plate built in to the table in front of them. You get to choose between a spicy pot, non-spicy pot or a tomato based pot, each pot is filled with chicken broth and placed in front of you until it boils. Once boiling you may begin to add your own meats, veggies and greens to the boiling pot.
Cooking takes very little time and you take your meats, veggies and greens out of the pot and eat them. There is also a couple of dipping sauces, one thick and one thin, I preferred the thinner sauce.
Thursday began with our VBS! (Vacation Bible School) The children enjoyed it VERY much! We sang, did a Bible story, a craft and a game outside. it was such a blessing to hear the children sing and laugh ... What an incredible experience!
We also had time again on Thursday to be able to play with the babies! Thursday was haircut day for the littles and this was quite an operation! The kids are take to the shower/tube room and undressed, placed in plastic high chairs and given hair cuts - with MUCH consternation on their parts! When the haircuts are finished the kids are placed in the tubs for a quick bath/shower, diapers and clothes back on and they are off to play again!
Thursday evening we tried a Dumpling Restaurant. We tried a great variety if dumplings: pork, beef & mushrooms, veggie, tomato & egg as well as a seafood. These were very interesting and I really enjoyed some of them!
More to Come!
Pastor Steve
Wednesday was an acclamation day, us getting to know the facility that we are working in and getting to know some of the kids. We really spent most of the day playing with the younger children as the olders were busy in the school house. This was an incredible blessing to see these little blessings that are so simply tossed aside in this culture; happy, cared for, loved and laughing! What a privilege to get to be here and see the work that goes on here!
Wednesday's food highlight was a trip to a "hot pot" restaurant. A table would sit up to 8 people and every person had a hot plate built in to the table in front of them. You get to choose between a spicy pot, non-spicy pot or a tomato based pot, each pot is filled with chicken broth and placed in front of you until it boils. Once boiling you may begin to add your own meats, veggies and greens to the boiling pot.
Cooking takes very little time and you take your meats, veggies and greens out of the pot and eat them. There is also a couple of dipping sauces, one thick and one thin, I preferred the thinner sauce.
Thursday began with our VBS! (Vacation Bible School) The children enjoyed it VERY much! We sang, did a Bible story, a craft and a game outside. it was such a blessing to hear the children sing and laugh ... What an incredible experience!
We also had time again on Thursday to be able to play with the babies! Thursday was haircut day for the littles and this was quite an operation! The kids are take to the shower/tube room and undressed, placed in plastic high chairs and given hair cuts - with MUCH consternation on their parts! When the haircuts are finished the kids are placed in the tubs for a quick bath/shower, diapers and clothes back on and they are off to play again!
Thursday evening we tried a Dumpling Restaurant. We tried a great variety if dumplings: pork, beef & mushrooms, veggie, tomato & egg as well as a seafood. These were very interesting and I really enjoyed some of them!
More to Come!
Pastor Steve
Thursday, May 20, 2010
China Trip Post #1
Greetings from China!!! We arrive in Beijing at about 3:15 local time on Tuesday afternoon. Safe and sound!
Couple of really cool things happened along the way ... when we boarded the plane in Des Moines; I mentioned that it was Susan's very first flight. Before take off the flight attendant came and took Susan to the cockpit and the pilots greeted her with great enthusiasm! After we were in flight the Flight Attendant came and told Susan she got to see where the pilot s worked if she wanted she could come see where and what the attendant’s job was all about! Susan had a first flight that she will never forget!
Arriving in Chicago we had about a 2 hour layover so we got some breakfast and relaxed in O’Hare. After a Visa approval we loaded our plane. A Boing 777 the seat configuration was 2-5-2, just a bit larger than the one out of Des Moines which was a 1-2 configuration.
After takeoff we just sat back and readied ourselves for a 13 1/2 hour flight. All of the flight was very smooth until we began our approach into Beijing. The turbulence was the worst I'd ever experienced. We had one drop so severe that Susan's Coke flew out of her glass, hit the roof and was dropping on both of us! Needless to say there were a number of folks grabbing the air sick bag but not Susan or I. I'm not going to lie ... I thought about it and made sure I could get to it in a hurry but held out and made it off the plane without being sick.
Once in Beijing everything went well until baggage claim....... No bag for me! After checking with United they confirmed that the bag was never loaded in Chicago! I filled out the paperwork and we left for the Shepherds Village. After arriving there we settled in and got a meal at a restaurant within walking distance; feed 7 people all they could possible eat and the bill was about $17.50 in American dollars!
More to come...
Pastor Steve
Couple of really cool things happened along the way ... when we boarded the plane in Des Moines; I mentioned that it was Susan's very first flight. Before take off the flight attendant came and took Susan to the cockpit and the pilots greeted her with great enthusiasm! After we were in flight the Flight Attendant came and told Susan she got to see where the pilot s worked if she wanted she could come see where and what the attendant’s job was all about! Susan had a first flight that she will never forget!
Arriving in Chicago we had about a 2 hour layover so we got some breakfast and relaxed in O’Hare. After a Visa approval we loaded our plane. A Boing 777 the seat configuration was 2-5-2, just a bit larger than the one out of Des Moines which was a 1-2 configuration.
After takeoff we just sat back and readied ourselves for a 13 1/2 hour flight. All of the flight was very smooth until we began our approach into Beijing. The turbulence was the worst I'd ever experienced. We had one drop so severe that Susan's Coke flew out of her glass, hit the roof and was dropping on both of us! Needless to say there were a number of folks grabbing the air sick bag but not Susan or I. I'm not going to lie ... I thought about it and made sure I could get to it in a hurry but held out and made it off the plane without being sick.
Once in Beijing everything went well until baggage claim....... No bag for me! After checking with United they confirmed that the bag was never loaded in Chicago! I filled out the paperwork and we left for the Shepherds Village. After arriving there we settled in and got a meal at a restaurant within walking distance; feed 7 people all they could possible eat and the bill was about $17.50 in American dollars!
More to come...
Pastor Steve
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)