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Jesus wept. That is my nieces favorite Bible verse. Right after that Jesus tells them to remove the stone from Lazarus' tomb. Leading up to this Mary and Martha were sure that if Jesus had been there, their brother would not have died. They were about to learn that with Jesus anything was possible, and they got to learn that first hand. What an awesome site that must have been. Many times in my life I have felt similar times when I was to experience that power first hand, nothing like raising the dead, but an awesome power of having something turn around 180 degrees right before your eyes. Some people call them miracles, but I think that miracles are unexpected, so what do you call it when you expect it, but have some small doubt. I mean I knew that I was going on the mission trip in 2007, but I did not have the finances, I did not sign up, I did not attend any meetings. I only let a few people know that I still wanted to go. If you have read previous posts, you know how this turn...

This is the last day, I would say the trip was a success for many reasons. There is so much to take in on these trips. I spent more time in the community this year. I did things that I would never have dreamt anyone would ask to do, especially the Lord. But now that I have done it it seems as though it is a part of my life. I am glad that things worked out as they had. I have to say that I appreciate it (the trip, and my life) a whole lot more. When I return, my wife and kids will not understand, my extended family will not understand. They will say that they do, but I really don't see how. I can say that the people that I have traveled with, most of them understand. Some more then I. Next we need to figure out how to make this a longer term mission... One week is too short, I see why Dan stays the extra week. I wonder what the turn out would be like if we had a two week trip. I also am not sure what I could to if I stayed longer then a month. Water, fresh water is something that...

Tim was checking the lay of the land with Sarah and David.

The Baptist Church in Flowers Bay.

The first time back at the Greenfield's Children home was difficult to take on. It was the first time since Virginia had passed, Brad and Debbie had left under difficult conditions for all involved and they took the one girl that they had adopted. I still pray for them and especially the little one. The building itself is in tough shape, it could be much worse I suppose. but from what I remembered from last year it was understandable a bit run down. The Board has hired back the groundskeeper and his family. I am not too sure how he has been on site, So I think it will take some time for him to get caught up. As far as the children, there are 12 now, 5 had been adopted to two different families from what I understand. Those two families are related and live near each other, so that will be great for those five kids. The oldest Mario is up in the States working on getting into some schools of his choice. I saw him at church right before the trip, It was nice to see him. I understand ...

Just back from Roatan, I will soon be back posting some of the days events. Overall the trip was successful, we delivered clothing, and supplies, fed the kids bodies and souls. did more construction work at the Greenfield Children's Home. For the the theme that kept coming up was we are not on our schedule, but on God's!

I have not prepared Spiritually for a mission trip this year, mostly because I did not prepare financially. I have been left to battle with that decision ever since. At times I was quite OK with it, and at other times I was rather distressed about it. I deep down really did want to go. I miss those kids. I want to make a difference. Yesterday I got a call, and someone is unable to make the trip, and they have asked if I could fill in for them. I was shocked, and surprised. I now need to make months worth of planning in just a few days. So I thank you Lord, I thank you for this opportunity, I thank you for having faith in me and my abilities even when I don't. I need to find out if I can take off work without too much of an issue. I need to find out where I am at with my inoculations, I need to pack, I need to find a substitute driver to get us to the Airport, I need to find out if someone is available to keep score for the Hockey games. I need to pray, relax and ride along. While I...

The Team is going to Roatan again, this time in January. That time does not work out for me. Also I have created a big of a budget problem for myself to solve as well. It sounds like about 20 could be going this year, I think that is great. I need to go again and I want my Wife to go as well. I don't think she feels as called as I do. I can only hope that God will part my Red Tape so that I can go again soon.

Overall the trip was absolutely wonderful. I was filled with memories that will last forever. I was changed, changed in how I think of other countries. Changed in what it means to server, rather then be served. I love those kids, and that is why I will go back. I think I am going to plan on a two year return trip. So you probably won't see me until 2009. God bless Rick, and Brad and Debbie Warren. (Take care of those kids)

All is well, all people are over the sickness they felt. Last nights party was a success. I took enough photos to have the battery die on the camera. I wanted to take so many more, I just was either working or carring something every time. They are going to build a CD with everyones photos. I will write about Friday when I return as we are short on time and did not get back until after 11 last night. 15 more hours and I will be back into the freezer!! Kris, we will have at least 3 riders from the Airport ( the three coats that you have), you have the flight information if you want to call and make sure we are on time. I will call you as soon as we have landed. we should be going through customs in Houston so it won't be as long in MPLS. Susi, I got the post cards but have no way to send them, sorry, I will hand deliver them I guess. Thank you all for you emails of support. Love you, Miss you, See you real soon,

Thursday, Good News, both Buzz and Tom are well again....Bad news, now Cathy and Steve missed dinner tonight!! neither sounds too serious. Buzz is still a little not normal but tuffed it out up on the roof with me today. Then Right before dinner Deb H. got a call from home, never a good sign. Deb's Dad has moved on to be with his father in heaven. Deb is doing good, you can hear the pain in her voice, but she says she is alright with it. The big concern was if she would go home Friday or wait until Saturday. She and Phil (her husband) decided on Saturday due to the difficulty that the Other Dan had getting his flight changed (more on him later). Pray for Deb and her family. Today was a day of construction for me, Buzz, Tom, and I all worked on repairing the classroom that the storm had damaged slightly. there were four holes in the roof, and we patch them up and finished just in time for lunch. Today we learned that CSI is going to be charged full admission price for the children t...

Wednesday, ok, so not everything is good down here, or easy. Buzz has gotten really sick, He is my roommate. he has a fever and sore throat, stuff up head. this started last night while I was waiting to write emails. Yesterday was a bit tough to take, with all the little kids and the living conditions. in some cases they have nothing, but they have TV. when we walked up they were watching lost, I wondered what they think of it. but as I type I see why some of them are having TV, it is so that they can learn English. it is a sign of a higher education if you can speak English. all of the native people that speak English have an English accent similar to Jamaica. In many ways they are so much like the children around home. I can get over it. there are the really Rich and the really poor. Today was back to sheet rocking, I leaned how to make angle and some weird cuts. I did not get to the school houses with the roof Damage, I spoke with the sickly Buzz at lunch time and he said him and I ...

Today I went on my first home visit. it is eye opening, and different all in the same time. they have TV, CD players and no front door. Mom is sick at both houses we went to. The first house Sergio's house, he was not there, he was playing at the baseball field, not baseball though. he said he was nine years old and he looked like he was maybe 6. The Second house was Wilma and Sandra's house. both girls were there, but no parents. both of these families have about 8 children. I cannot thing of anything the same to describe it to you. Like buzz said last night. if you were to ask me to sleep there just for one night, it would be hard pressed to get me to do that. Pray for me to find some strength and be able to lead in prayer. I am weak there as you know, but I need to be stronger there for the children, and my comfort zone! Today was my first day in the community. It is really hard to take. I don't know how to explain it. our job was to deliver backpacks to the kids that CS...

Monday was a day of work, hard work, and now the computer just gliched on me and I lost 3 full paragraphs. I feel like all things in my life have led up to today. I was asked to be a leader, a sheet rocker, an engineer, and I guess like an uncle. Today the children worshiped with us, and then some went to school, Buzz went out to the community to meet some of the sponsor children, one of which he sponcor's himself. I felt like today we did not get much done, with me doing Buzz's job, and others doing mine job, there was just a drop off that was noticeable to me. The day was rewarding as before we left, we were able to play with the kids. They keep me inspired to work hard and harder. Love you all,

Sunday, I woke to the sounds of monkeys!! (The place we are staying has two in a cage outside our door.) We went to church at Son Rise Calvary church . Right between the CSI and the Inn. The service reminded me of St. James Sunrise service, just the pastor, his son, and Daughter-in-law led the worship and sang the same songs we sing. After lunch we went to the Orphanage. all of these kids are wonderful. very polite, "My name is David, and and nice to meet you sir." they call me Mr. Dan. We started to do some work today, it felt good. it was feeling too much like a vacation until after lunch. We stopped working to get back for Dinner, some of us would rather have kept working, as we just seemed to get started. I can tell you, I can't believe how much Debbie and Brad Warren are doing for these kids and the children around the area. Debbie has to be very organized . She is raising 13-16 kids, her husband is in WI. after having surgery. and she is sending supplies and much ne...

Hello, I have arrived in honduras just fine, it is beautiful down here. nice and warm. it is about 80-85 degrees I would say. Today was our flight, we had a connection in Houston. arrived in Roatan 1:15PM. it took until nearly 2:30 to get our bags and get to the Inn of last resort. I took a swim, since this is our only off day. Sunday we will vist some people. and Monday off to the CSI site. We are on the North west side of the island, there is only one road that leads to the west from the Airport (first it goes north), very near the end of the road on the west side you will find two small bays near each other (Gibson's Bight), that should be where the INN is located.