Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
And we're off...
After 3 full weeks, we're finally ready to leave (except for all the last minute packing & organizing) for W. Africa! We leave from Denver tomorrow (Sat.) morning for 2 weeks in Liberia. The team is quite excited and ready to go...
This past week was really great! Adrian Despres was here Mon - Wed teaching and really helped to prepare the team. He taught a wide range of subjects: fasting, hermeneutics, evangelism etc. The students definitely connected well with him and learned TONS!!!
Thursday was an all-day team building activity that the students did on their own (w/out us!) - it was kinda like a scavenger hunt that took them all over Denver either on foot or by public transportation... It was a great adventure and they had countless "stories" to share when they returned home.
Yesterday, Jamie's mom flew in and spent the night with us. We had a great time catching up and re-connecting with her... and then, we had the dreaded "Good-Bye" at the airport today when we sent Evee off with her Grandma. It was one of the most difficult things either of us have had to do! We won't see her for 17 days! The worst part is that she is still too young to even understand what was going on, so while we were trying to give her hugs & kisses & say good-bye, she was pushing away and distracted with multiple other things...
So, as I mentioned, we leave tomorrow and will return to Denver on the evening of June 30th. Unfortunately, due to lack of internet access, we won't be updating this blog until we return - so, make sure to check back during the first week of July as we'll have plenty to share with you!
This past week was really great! Adrian Despres was here Mon - Wed teaching and really helped to prepare the team. He taught a wide range of subjects: fasting, hermeneutics, evangelism etc. The students definitely connected well with him and learned TONS!!!
Thursday was an all-day team building activity that the students did on their own (w/out us!) - it was kinda like a scavenger hunt that took them all over Denver either on foot or by public transportation... It was a great adventure and they had countless "stories" to share when they returned home.
Yesterday, Jamie's mom flew in and spent the night with us. We had a great time catching up and re-connecting with her... and then, we had the dreaded "Good-Bye" at the airport today when we sent Evee off with her Grandma. It was one of the most difficult things either of us have had to do! We won't see her for 17 days! The worst part is that she is still too young to even understand what was going on, so while we were trying to give her hugs & kisses & say good-bye, she was pushing away and distracted with multiple other things...
So, as I mentioned, we leave tomorrow and will return to Denver on the evening of June 30th. Unfortunately, due to lack of internet access, we won't be updating this blog until we return - so, make sure to check back during the first week of July as we'll have plenty to share with you!
Monday, June 09, 2008
... some more pics
Looking out at Red Rocks
More Red Rocks...
Nate posing for another "senior photo" @ Red Rocks... what?
On the stage at Red Rocks...
Ben Gloy - lovin' the Baja Fresh!
The team with Foster ChristySunday, June 08, 2008
Week 2
We had another FULL week...
Monday we had class all day with Mark Vermilion (Vice-President at KBM)... he taught all about perspective and it was really beneficial for our team - we grew much closer together!
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were spent with Foster Christy (KBM itinerant) who taught primarily about "Walking in the Spirit" - teaching on the Holy Spirit. It was really great and one of the highlights of our time with Foster was that each student had a 1-on-1 spiritual direction appointment with him!
Friday & Saturday were spent with Caleb Bislow (KBM itinerant) who taught about what it means to be an "Unusual Soldier" - living on the edge and taking risks for God! One of the things that Caleb had the students do was to pray and ask God how they should spend the afternoon - and then went out and obeyed by visiting a mosque to interact with some people while some others visited an area and interacted with Somalian refugees... very cool!
The past 2 Sundays, we have visited different churches - part of The Experience is to expose students to a variety of different church types/styles/services. We had the afternoon off before going to the Musselman's (KBM staff member) for dinner and hanging out...
We start tomorrow (Monday) classes/training with Adrian Despres (KBM itinerant) for 3 days... We are counting down - less than a week until we leave for W. Africa!
Monday we had class all day with Mark Vermilion (Vice-President at KBM)... he taught all about perspective and it was really beneficial for our team - we grew much closer together!
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were spent with Foster Christy (KBM itinerant) who taught primarily about "Walking in the Spirit" - teaching on the Holy Spirit. It was really great and one of the highlights of our time with Foster was that each student had a 1-on-1 spiritual direction appointment with him!
Friday & Saturday were spent with Caleb Bislow (KBM itinerant) who taught about what it means to be an "Unusual Soldier" - living on the edge and taking risks for God! One of the things that Caleb had the students do was to pray and ask God how they should spend the afternoon - and then went out and obeyed by visiting a mosque to interact with some people while some others visited an area and interacted with Somalian refugees... very cool!
The past 2 Sundays, we have visited different churches - part of The Experience is to expose students to a variety of different church types/styles/services. We had the afternoon off before going to the Musselman's (KBM staff member) for dinner and hanging out...
We start tomorrow (Monday) classes/training with Adrian Despres (KBM itinerant) for 3 days... We are counting down - less than a week until we leave for W. Africa!
Our team!
At Red Rocks Amphitheater(from L to R: Nate Hood, Sara Luce, Clint Ussher, Kelli Brown, Rob Frampton, Jamie Ussher, Ben Gloy, Heather Haskins)
Just back from White Water Rafting(from L to R: Ben Gloy, Nate Hood, Heather Haskins, Sara Luce, Kelli Brown, Rob Frampton, Jamie Ussher, Clint Ussher)
... a little Colorado scenery
Evee & Nate have a "special" bond
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Week 1
This has been a full week! Things started off somewhat "slow" as we eased the students into what will become an increasingly packed schedule...
Monday was all orientation stuff - we talked through our hopes, desires & expectations for this trip... a great team-bonding time as we spurred each other on and grew in excitement and anticipation for all that God would do!
Tuesday and Wednesday were FULL of teaching and training with our first speaker - John Vermilya. Good stuff - we were challenged and inspired!
Thursday was spent debriefing and "digesting" all that John had taught...
On Friday, our final team member arrived (she came late because she is a teacher in Vail, CO and needed to finish out the school year) - so we've been getting to know Heather and doing some further team building etc.
Saturday we went White Water Rafting as a team (for team-building purposes, naturally!) and then explored the Red Rocks Amphitheater.
We have been doing well - and Evee has adjusted to the "constantly-changing" environment remarkably well! We're looking forward to another full week with several different teachers... We're only 2 weeks away from departing for Liberia!
Monday was all orientation stuff - we talked through our hopes, desires & expectations for this trip... a great team-bonding time as we spurred each other on and grew in excitement and anticipation for all that God would do!
Tuesday and Wednesday were FULL of teaching and training with our first speaker - John Vermilya. Good stuff - we were challenged and inspired!
Thursday was spent debriefing and "digesting" all that John had taught...
On Friday, our final team member arrived (she came late because she is a teacher in Vail, CO and needed to finish out the school year) - so we've been getting to know Heather and doing some further team building etc.
Saturday we went White Water Rafting as a team (for team-building purposes, naturally!) and then explored the Red Rocks Amphitheater.
We have been doing well - and Evee has adjusted to the "constantly-changing" environment remarkably well! We're looking forward to another full week with several different teachers... We're only 2 weeks away from departing for Liberia!
Friday, May 23, 2008
The adventure begins...
The past month has been REALLY full! Here's an overview of what we've been up to:
After all the farewells and goodbyes, we were feeling pretty drained emotionally (& physically) and really appreciated those 2 days in the car!
We are starting to feel "settled" here in CO and are beginning to get really excited for the students to arrive! As we've spent time planning/preparing and praying through the schedule/itinerary and all that is involved with this trip - the more excited we become... We fully expect that this will be a summer that will change our lives, the students lives - and we pray/hope the lives of countless others who we encounter not just this summer, but beyond - into eternity!
This will be a great place for you to stay connected with us and where we're at... & what we're up to over the next couple of months. We'll be posting regularly with updates and pictures etc. so be sure to stop by often (and leave us a comment so we know who was here!)
Leaving from the Bak's...
With a full load!
Evee enjoying her new carseat...
Ready for 2 days on the road?
Jamie, Kristin, Ella (& Josh) - Kansas City, KS
Just over the border... finally... Colorado!
- We packed up our home and put everything into storage for the summer...
- We signed a lease for a young couple to rent our house...
- We finished out our ministry amongst the AMAZING people at Eagle Church and had many difficult (and sad) farewell's... We felt so loved and honored and really appreciate all the notes of encouragement!
- We loaded up in our car and drove to Denver, CO
- The past couple of days we have been involved with final preparations for The Experience before students arrive on Sunday!
After all the farewells and goodbyes, we were feeling pretty drained emotionally (& physically) and really appreciated those 2 days in the car!
We are starting to feel "settled" here in CO and are beginning to get really excited for the students to arrive! As we've spent time planning/preparing and praying through the schedule/itinerary and all that is involved with this trip - the more excited we become... We fully expect that this will be a summer that will change our lives, the students lives - and we pray/hope the lives of countless others who we encounter not just this summer, but beyond - into eternity!
This will be a great place for you to stay connected with us and where we're at... & what we're up to over the next couple of months. We'll be posting regularly with updates and pictures etc. so be sure to stop by often (and leave us a comment so we know who was here!)
Leaving from the Bak's...
With a full load!
Evee enjoying her new carseat...
Ready for 2 days on the road?
Jamie, Kristin, Ella (& Josh) - Kansas City, KS
Just over the border... finally... Colorado!
