Pre-Trip Party

I hope that these musings have been informative for you to read. I sometimes sit down at the computer without much to add, yet have a lot to say. I think I am finding it somewhat therapeutic.

At any rate, we are a little over a week away from getting on our flight from Phoenix and making the journey to Trujillo! It will be wonderful to be back in Peru with so many of the people who have become friends. I really do think about a number of them on a daily basis and wonder whether they are thinking about the group from Chandler. I wonder what is going on in their lives and what kind of changes are happening in their lives because of Mike and Danell and Loys and Theresa. I had word from Mike the other day that they had started holding services on Sunday in the community center. He said one report had 100 people attending this last Sunday! Now that is a real sign of progress. Please continue to pray for these leaders and the work they are doing!!!! And I thank each of you! It is because of your support, prayer and sacrifices that more is getting done. Thank you!

We had a final get together with the entire team on Sunday evening. We had a cookout at my place in 115 degree heat. Actually by 6 p.m. it wasn't quite as bad and most weren't even here until 7 p.m. and the sun was finally down. We turned on the misting system and it cooled things in the patio area so that it was comfortable. We had burgers and dogs with some potato, pasta and fruit salads. There must have been 17 or 18 people. Eight of them were kids and they had a great time swimming in the pool. It was just a nice evening and it was good to get together and talk about the trip some more. As the evening was coming to a close, I got Mike on the Internet service skype and we had him share with us a little about this years trip. I think it was cool that those that who have never had a chance to really get to talk to Mike had a chance to hear from him.

The last thing to do is to get together 2 days before our flight for some final organization and then the adventure begins.

This has really been a learning experience for me again. It was easy to be part of a team the last two years. I really got a lot out of that. I am finding out how much more there is though as I lead this year. I have a greater appreciation for what my good friend Debra Courts went through the previous two years. The thing I find interesting is.....I was really of the belief that we would be larger team again this year. We had grown in size as a group from year 1 to year 2. I think that God was telling me something when he made it just 8. I think he was telling me to learn how to do it with a smaller group first! I feel really good about what I have done in preparing my team.....and pray that they have a great experience and we are a blessing to those in the barrio. I can't wait to do it all over again!

I have a few things left to prepare for at home. Derek is going to be in charge of the house and everything that goes with taking care of house stuff for the time we are gone. That includes my dogs.....Kirby and Kali and my bird Kiki. What is with all this K stuff anyway......???? :-)

Thirty Days and Counting

Welcome back to my Peru Blog. For those of you who are on my e-mail blast, you will have seen much of the information that I am posting. For those that are here for the first time.....the countdown has begun. I will be making my third trip back to Trujillo, Peru. I travel with a group of people from Chandler Christian Church in Chandler, Arizona to help missionary's Mike and Danell Butka and Loys and Theresa.
The main purpose of our trip is to build relationships and show them the love of Christ and the hope that they can have in him.
If you would like more information about the project and Project New Hope International....please check out the following link.

http://www.projectnewhopeinternational.com/

I truly believe in the efforts of John Hendee and the rest of those involved in the project. Good things are happening and progress in being realized.

I am leading the trip this year and will be joined by 7 others, including my wife Anna. I am so bless to have such a wonderful wife! She has been so supportive of my yearly trips to Peru and I am so pleased she will be joining me! Here is the team that has come together for this years trip!
(Top:(Left to Right) Esaiah Harlan, Roger Winkles, Kristin Shermer, Glenn Bedal Bottom:(Left to Right) Anna Otto, Mitch Otto, John Spidle, David Spidle)

If you are here for the first time and are a believer...I welcome your prayers! We have many needs for our trip include protection for my team and our families that we leave behind. Safe travel both going and coming home! Protection while we are in the barrio! And for guidance as we carry out the plans that we have.