Month: July 2010

Today my youngest daughter and I dropped mom off at work then packed a picnic lunch and headed to Callahan’s Beach on the Long Island Sound. She cracked me up while I was driving. She said, “Dad, you’ve really gotta stop all of this ‘What’s up with this guy?’ stuff while you’re driving.” LOL! Such a little comedian! We had a very nice time together.

This morning I had my first youth ministry experience from the dad side of the fence rather than the youth pastor side of the fence that I have been on for the last 9+ years. I sent my oldest daughter Claudia off on a missions trip to Toccoa, Georgia with a team from our youth ministry under the leadership of my assistant Giovanni. Claudia has been so excited about going off without us on a trip for the first time, counting down the days for the last several weeks. This morning she asked me why I was listed as “Attending” the Georgia Missions Trip on Facebook. I then pulled out my team shirt and said, “Surprise! I’m going with you!” Her face dropped like a rock. I said, “Did you really think I would send you off without me?” She was in shock. She didn’t know how to respond. Part of her knows I am a joker, but then I had the shirt on and she didn’t know what to believe. I then quickly told her I was just joking, and that I still got a shirt as the youth pastor. The flood of relief she experienced was overwhelming. LOL! I am super proud of my girl! I know the Lord has been preparing her for such a time as this, and she is going to serve Him well and blossom in her own right. I’m looking forward to hearing the reports of what God did through and in the team when they return.

This morning our Junior High Georgia Mission Team headed off for a week of ministry in Toccoa, Georgia with Pastor Lenny & Jackie Cannon. We are praying for a fantastic trip. This is the first missions trip experience for almost all of the kids on the team, and we are so proud of them!

On the way out of the airport I saw this sign and just had to take a pic.

Here’s the Before and After pic of Belize Bible Center which we worked on during our missions trip.

Ran 5 different writing samples on I Write Like and came up with 4 different results. David Foster Wallace came up twice, so I suppose that’s I guess probably the best comparison. I guess it also probably means that I have multi-personality disorder as an author! LOL!

2:30pm – This morning I was awake by 5:45am. After getting ready, I woke the boys up around 6am. Both the boys and girls got ready, got their suitcases staged up in the chapel, swept, scrubbed the bathroom, and mopped. all before breakfast at 7:30am. I was really proud of them! Unfortunately, Rachel was not feeling well this morning, and was having some major stomach issues. After breakfast we walked over to the worksite to get our final pic. After our pic we returned to the camp, got Rachel some medicine, had her drink some tea, and made her some Gatorade. It was a really tough go for her this morning, but thankfully we were able to get her through security and onto the plane. We were also able to secure a wheelchair for Nicole, so that was good. Thankfully we got everyone onto the plane. We are currently about 45 minutes from landing in Miami. Just praying we can get Rachel through Immigration and Customs without incident so she can get home.

6:30pm – Got everyone through Immigration and Customs without incident, and we are grateful to the Lord that Rachel seems to have passed whatever was causing her to be sick. My guess is that it was the food we ate yesterday. Ady was a bit skeptical, but we were assured it was fine, and for the most part everyone handled it well. Such is the short-term missions experience.

I just did something I have never done before on a missions trip … I gave everyone the chance to call home and let their parents know we were safely back on U.S. soil. I let Nicole call her parents first, and it was good for them to hear from her. I also spoke with her dad, and thankfully they already have a doctor’s appointment set for her. Praying that it is nothing serious, and I’m just glad to have her back at home where she can get some quality health care. Looking forward to being home!

1:40am (Friday) – Finally home! We arrived into New York about 45-minutes late, but made it safe, and for this we give the Lord thanks. It was really great to come out to the cheers of our families. The feeling of love and support was fantastic! It took a while for our bags to come, but the eventually did … all except one. Bummer! Mike Troche’s suitcase was missing, and finally he had to report it. Hopefully he will receive it tomorrow. Another great trip serving Jesus around the world – impacting the planet with His love! – PK

Personalize your own slideshow