Two Lives Intersect...forever changed.

THIS IS A LONG POST, BUT ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TO SEE THE LORD'S HAND IN EVERY DETAIL, SO ONLY READ THIS IF YOU HAVE SOME UN RUSHED MOMENTS AND IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE LORD'S LOVE AND SOVEREIGNTY IN A PROFOUND WAY.

You are about to enter into two ladies' lives who "happened" to meet on a plane going from Fresno to Dallas. What has taken place is supernatural...this is how the Lord works, only He can transform our hearts.

Betty Nobles and I have written Facebook messages to each other over the past 4 days and with her permission we want to testify of the Lord's kindness to us and that He is greater than our sorrows. Also, that we would each be encouraged to ask the Lord to fill us, His empty vessels, (whether we are a row boat or a luxury ship), with who He is, so as to proclaim Him every moment of the day no matter where we are or what we are doing. We are simply a tent that carries Jesus from place to place...

Summer 2007 (Betty and I took time to recollect our lives the day we met and this is the first time we have shared this from our perspectives.)

Yvonne: August 4, 2007 (at least I think this is the actual day) marked a day in life that would be etched in my heart as long as I have breath. The Sovereign LORD orchestrated each detail of this day and knew what would take place, before time began. What is amazing is every single day is under His absolute control motivated by love, all for His glory! I felt much anticipation as this day approached, because I was flying to Florida to pick up Julianne, our 11 year old, who had served with Teen Missions in Honduras for six weeks. (Julianne would soon learn that we were moving to Fresno within three weeks of her arrival home after living at Hume for almost 13 years.) The Lord’s hand was evident for, Brian, months before had booked First Class tickets with flyer miles. Never had I flown in such luxury before that summer and felt so blessed to enjoy warmed mixed nuts and huge seats. As usual, I asked the Lord to fill me, His empty vessel, with His love and to use me as He saw fit, to share His matchless love with anyone He would lead me to, whether it was in a line at the airport, the bathroom, or in plush seating at the front of the plane. Betty Nobles, you sat down right next to me, just the two of us, since First Class only had two seats per row…see what I mean, God Almighty is in even the smallest detail!

I remember reading my Bible and memorizing Scripture on 3 x 5 index cards (within three hours of meeting you, I wrote your info on one of those cards) and soaking up the quiet moments of a full summer of ministering at Romance Conferences at Hume. We chitchatted about where we were going and a bit about our lives, and somehow our conversation led into the Lord’s love. I loved you so much, Betty. The Lord flooded my soul with deep affection for you. Isn’t that breathtaking? I didn’t even know you, but that is what the Jesus does, He lavishes His love on us, so that we can’t help but love deeply. My heart broke when you shared that I didn’t know where you had been and what you had done and that the Lord really couldn’t love you because of your life. Oh how I longed for you to experience the real love of God through Jesus Christ. I had no idea where you had been in your life or the secrets that you carried, but I knew myself and the sin and brokenness of my own life and how the Lord restored me…and if the Lord could redeem me, there was no doubt, not one iota, that He could do that in you. The blood of Jesus Christ is all-powerful!

I kept asking the Lord for wisdom and that some how, some miraculous way you would know and believe that you were precious to the Lord and that He loved you completely, without any conditions, that the day you acted your best and the day you were most ashamed, that He loved you absolutely on both days and every one in between and for all eternity! I have experienced the Lord’s grace and mercy in such a profound way and I desperately wanted you to know it in your soul.

I had “In Christ Alone”, a modern hymn, in my Bible and on the side of the paper I had taken notes for a sermon I heard. I have no idea what the sermon was on or what was written in the margin, but I wanted you to walk off the plane with the truth, “no guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me…”

In Christ Alone lyrics

Songwriters: Getty, Julian Keith; Townend, Stuart Richard;

In Christ alone my hope is found


He is my light, my strength, my song


This Cornerstone, this solid ground


Firm through the fiercest drought and storm



What heights of love, what depths of peace


When fears are stilled, when strivings cease


My Comforter, my All in All


Here in the love of Christ I stand



In Christ alone, who took on flesh


Fullness of God in helpless Babe


This gift of love and righteousness


Scorned by the ones He came to save



Til on that cross as Jesus died


The wrath of God was satisfied


For every sin on Him was laid


Here in the death of Christ I live,

There in the ground His body lay


Light of the world by darkness slain


Then bursting forth in glorious Day


Up from the grave He rose again



And as He stands in victory


Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me


For I am His and He is mine


Bought with the precious blood of Christ



No guilt in life, no fear in death


This is the power of Christ in me


From a life’s first cry to final breath


Jesus commands my destiny



No power of hell, no scheme of man


Could ever pluck me from His hand


Til He returns or calls me home


Here in the power of Christ I stand



I couldn’t help but put these words to the song in our story, because regularly when I hear or sing this song, you come to my mind. We parted ways, you heading home and I was continuing on to Florida, amazed with the intentionality of the Lord. I prayed for you as I flew the rest of the way across the USA.

Betty: When I got on that plane to Dallas....and saw you....I thought you were the most beautiful person I had ever seen....but when you spoke about Jesus.....I thought I was sitting with an angel....Your words just flowed like someone else was speaking....and I know it was the Holy Spirit.....I needed someone to talk to....My father was about to have to start kidney dialysis....He was 89 years old at the time....and I lived in Dallas and yearned to be closer to him so I could help my mother...For 6 years I had been driving 3 1/2 hours each way to be with my family on my days off and I was so tired.....You ministered to me on that plane ride and consoled me like you had known me all my life...What an impression you made that day......You prayed for me and told me how much Jesus loved me.....but I really didn't think He did.....When we said goodbye that day....I knew I would never forget you and what you had with God.

Back to our "normal" lives- August & September 2007-2008

Yvonne: We moved to Fresno August 21, 2007 and the Lord kept impressing on my heart to either call or email you just to say hello and let you know I was thinking about you. On the plane you said you either didn’t have a Bible or if you did, you didn’t have any idea where it was. I am not sure if I am remembering that correctly, but I couldn’t wait to go to Berean Book Store and get a Bible for you with your name inscribed on it, hoping that you would know that the Lord wanted to show you how much He loved you.

Betty: A miracle happened about a week later....I was offered a job in Austin....only 1 hour from my parents.....My father started dialysis on the 16th of September,2007....With this new job.....I was able to take the days off I needed to be with him and help my mother by driving him to the clinic....People his age usually can't take the harshness of dialysis....but he wanted to live and he never complained about the huge needles that were used and having to be stuck sometimes up to 5 times before they could get it right or the having to sit still for 5 hours because if he moved his arm...they might have to start over again.....I wanted to cry each time I drove him to the clinic....because every time...he would say "thank you hon" .Eventually it got worse and worse for him.....sometimes he would be so weak...he couldn't get out of the car...and we had to call an ambulance to help us.....I thought of quitting my job....but was hoping for a miracle that American would offer an early retirement package...They had been talking about it for months and months...and on September 5th,2008....I was able to move in with my parents to care for my father.....

Now...going back when I received the bible you sent me.....I couldn't believe you would send me a bible....and then to have my name placed on it....There are no words to say how grateful I was for you to do that for me. And to continue to call me with no answer from me....I can only say how sorry I am.....I suppose I was running from God....and if I talked to you....I would have to think about Him....but....even after moving 3 times.....I carried that brown paper with your name and address on it with me each time.....I only threw it away a few months ago.....

2009

Yvonne: My heart soared the day, about a year and a half after we met, you answered the phone. It was in April of 2009 (maybe…I am not so good with dates. J) I was flying and didn’t even need a plane to do it. I felt then that the Lord had given me such a gift in hearing your voice. The Lord continued to bring you to my mind over the last year and a half we didn’t have communication and I would speak of you to my family and some dear friends in the Lord.

Betty: My father continued to get worse....and my mind was all consumed with him....never having the relationship I wish I had had with God during this time.....and when it was my fathers last day on earth....it was not an easy death for him and I blamed God for deserting him.....My father was buried exactly 1 year after I retired....September 5th,2009....I feel like I lost my soul this past year.....

Summer through November 2010

Betty: I was so disappointed in God.....and my grief nearly destroyed me......but I started comforting others who lost people in their lives....telling them things about God that I didn't apply to my own life......and finally,I did something I didn't have to do for someone whose mother had died.....and God touched me with His glory and my heart changed.....I knew true love for Him...and I knew His true love for me.....all the tightness in my chest was gone and I had only joy.....When I went places....people looked at me differently....I saw everyone how God sees them....with great love.....I decided never to let go of Him.....again..........That feeling has faded.....but I will wait for it again...No matter how long it takes...That's when He put it in my heart to start reading the bible....and I wanted to tell you but didn't have your last name anymore.......I opened my bible and there you had written such sweet words to me and had included your first and last name....I am so thankful for that.....and here we are......again....So thankful for you......You are my gift!

Yvonne: A few months ago, I tried to find you on Facebook and your name didn’t pop up, and didn’t know if we would ever be able to connect on this earth again. Praise the name of Jesus, He knows our heart’s desires! I love His perfect timing.

November 12, 2010

Yvonne: Facebook Friend Request--“Are you the Yvonne Downs who I met on a plane and sent me a Bible?” I read that, squealed and told Charlotte, a gal who lives with us, “Betty Nobles Facebooked me!” The Lord has used you to teach me more of His relentless pursuit of us, that He is our Shepherd and will find His Sheep. I know that He will continue to use you to care for others as they grieve in this world of pain and brokenness and that nothing compares to knowing Christ Jesus our Lord, the God of all comfort. Thank you for letting me see into your life the work the Lord is doing in you! Oh how He loves us!!

After 3 1/2 years of asking the Lord for Betty to know and believe the love of Jesus, the Lord has answered!!! I glory in Him.

The message below is part of the first interaction Betty and I have had in a year and a half:

Betty: Yvonne....God is so amazing and shows us His love in so many ways......I had kept the wrapping from the bible you sent me for many years.....and just last year threw it away....never knowing how much I needed to tell you thank you for never giving up on me and for your prayers for me......Oh how I wished I hadn't thrown it away......and I picked up my bible this morning....and read the words you wrote in side....and there your last name stood........God DOES love me!

Does this encourage your heart and grow your faith? We are so loved by Jesus Christ! Let's daily remember His love and live in it!

A Saturday in November @ the Downs

For some reason I just had the gumption to get out my camera and take a few pictures on this cloudy fall day! I simply love autumn and pumpkins, hence the reason these are here. (Char got them for me and surprised me one day a couple of weeks ago.)

Ky playing the computer...so glad the computer is in an armoire so the mess of papers can be hidden.

Ju snoozing...me waking her up...oops.

Brian cleaning the pool and looking up as I took the picture saying, "Really?" I think he's a stud to clean the pool when he could be watching a football game or something.

Finally after over a year of being in this house, pictures were hung! This is a huge deal. Please jump up and down right now!

What a great day! I am off to vacuum the rest of the house...I keep getting distracted. I first started vacuuming a few hours ago. I couldn't help but take a break to have some Cafe di vita & pastry, fry up some bacon for the Huddle meeting tomorrow (making some brunchy food), write this little diddy...you get the idea.

Ash-I wish I had a photo moment with her...she is in her uniform working at In N Out.

What are you doing this Saturday?

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread Speaks Love

**UPDATE** It is pure joy to give! Loaves delivered to neighbors, teachers, friends, and some new friends under the overpass on Nees Ave. I feel so blessed to have an oven, pans, and ingredients to have made them.

Eighteen mini loaves are in the oven as I pen this post (of course while listening to Kari Jobe's Christmas album, wearing my apron from Papua New Guinea.)

The purpose of the bread: to bless others with something savory, with the desire that it will make their day and that each would sense the Lord's matchless love for them.

It is funny how the small things in life shout "JESUS", isn't it? A precious friend of mine gave me a gift a couple of months ago that permeated Christ. When I opened the many gifts within the bag, I felt the love and affection of the Lord, which brought me to tears. Everything I pulled out of the brown bag was given with thoughtfulness and intention. O how I wanted to give her gifts in return, because it blessed me so...not out of obligation, but because of the overflow of love I received from her. God, our Father, loves us this way--He first loved us, so we can now love! When we know His love for us, He fills our hearts with His love and our only response is to love others.

As the smell of fall spices fill the kitchen, my heart is swelling even more so than a couple of moments ago, that some how, some way (by God's grace) each of the 18 people receiving a mini loaf will know how loved they are by Jesus Christ. Lord, show us Your glory today!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

3 cups white sugar

1 15 oz. can of pumpkin puree

1 cup vegetable oil

2/3 cup water

4 eggs

3 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 Tablespoon ground nutmeg (I use 1/2 T.)

2 teaspoons of baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 cup of miniature chocolate chips (I use the normal size and I love it this way)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottoms of three 9 x 5 inch loaf pans (or 8 mini loaf pans).

2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs. Beat until smooth. Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill pans.

3. Bake for 1 hour for regular loaves or 35 minutes for mini loaves. Cool on wire rack.

4. Enjoy with apple cider and give some away!

Out of the oven. Next step to write notes and wrap them up all cutsie. Then, deliver and pray.

Kylen Turns 16!

Kylen Jabez Downs turned 16 on September 23rd! I snapped this as he was heading to school. What a gift our son is to us.

Kylen, God has graced you with a discerning heart, a warm smile, and a desire to play! It is wonderful to watch you discover how He has made you like no other, all for His glory!

I have a feeling you are becoming passionate about Firefighting! Wherever the Lord leads you in on earth, may you shine His light to all. It is an honor to be your mom. I love you more than I can convey in words.

Grocery Bag Holder!

completed this just a few minutes ago! Now we have something to hold all of they grocery bags we have laying around our pantry. :)

Bag #2

I completed this last night!!!!

i have no idea how to turn the pictures, so just turn your head!!!!!!!

Sewing with JUJU :)

So... after an hour or more at Barns and Noble, my mom bought me a sewing book. So a hobby started to kick in. Before I knew it, I found myself in the blazing heat of the garage, sorting though my moms old sewing stuff. After sorting, unknotting, cutting, and untangling the string, I finally set up shop and before I knew it, I had completed a glasses case. Wanting a challenge, I started on a harder project. A DJ bag... skill level pro. After about an hour, I decided that I didn't need the directions... so I found myself doing my own thing. When I started up on it again this morning, the consequences started to kick in. Soon I found myself sitting and ripping out seams. But after a couple tries (and more ripping) I had a completed bag!

Deuteronomy Song-By Charlotte Teisinger

Here is the song Char wrote after spending some time feasting on the Lord in the book of Deuteronomy. In an earlier post I had said that as soon as I could get the song to upload I would let you hear it. (Please note that the video is cheesy and it was my first ever video project, so try to let the words penetrate your heart and don't be distracted by words coming and going in a choppy way)...May we remember the LORD!

Julianne-growing up in life and in the Lord!

Julianne has had a big week!  On Sunday she proclaimed in front of hundreds of people that she is not her own, but is Christ's forever and will follow Him all of her days.  She was baptized on June 6, 2010 at Woodward Park.  Few days are etched that deeply in my heart as a mom.  I praise the Lord for His faithfulness in her life and for enabling Ju to understand His amazing grace.

Today is the last day of 8th grade for Julianne!  We now officially have three high schoolers!  What a blast!

Club Cracker Cookies

These cookies are "special" because it is a recipe from my Great Aunt Dottie who was known for her "Shoebox Cookies".  Her grandchildren wrote a tribute to her in the cookie recipe book they made in her honor: "...Dottie was not only well known for her passion for cooking, but also the generosity and thoughtfulness she bestowed upon each and every person she met...One memory we both share is...her passion for baking cookies.  She brought dozens of home-made cookies to every place she went; whether it was the man washing her car, the chef or hostess at any restaurant in town, or even just a guest stopping by to say hello. Our grandma always shared these wonderful cookies with everyone and she did so by delivering them wrapped neatly inside of a shoe box."

What a great example of considering others and reaching out in kindness to those around us in a world that is so fast paced with people rushing by and forgetting to value each person created in God's image.  Thanks Aunt Dottie for reminding me of this.

I made these cookies the other day and haven't given them out yet like I intended to and now the pan is half gone due to the Downs consumption...I better go find a shoe box before it's too late.  They are delightful!

Club Cracker Cookies
54 Club Crackers
1/2 c. butter
1/3 c. milk
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. graham cracker crumbs
1 c. chocolate chips
2/3 c. chunky peanut butter
1/2 c. crushed peanuts


Line a 13x9 pan with 27 crackers. ( I did 28).  Melt butter-add milk, brown sugar, sugar, and graham crumbs in that order.  Bring to a boil-boil 5 minutes.  Pour over crackers.  Top with 27 more crackers-  Melt chocolate & peanut butter.  Spread on crackers.  Top with peanuts.  Chill 3 hours.  Cut into bars.  Store in refrigerator.  

Charlotte & Jogging

As B. Downs and I ran this morning, the first song that shuffled into my ears via my ipod nano was Charlotte's "Deuteronomy Song".  I LOVE the book of Deuteronomy and Char masterfully wove the truths of this book into one of my all time favorite songs.  I am trying to figure out a way to put her song on the blog, so if anyone knows, and would like to show me how--I would be grateful!  Until I figure that out, here are the lyrics (take time to savor each word):


A wilderness wanderer, a slave now redeemed

You stretched your mighty arm, Father you go before me

You’ve let me hunger, then Father you fed
So I’ll live by your every word, and not only by bread

There is no other God who keeps covenantIn love He calls us his ownNone but Jesus, He is our innocenceSo we remember the LordAnd we will follow Him home

Faithful to your faithless child, Mercy is your name
My life and my consuming fire, to my rescue you came

Gracious and compassionate, jealous for your own
My portion, my inheritance, lover of my soul

We will follow, we will follow, we will follow Him home
We will follow, we will follow, we will follow you home

I was in awe of the Lord in Charlotte today and that she is using what He has graced her with, for His glory.  She was pointing me to Jesus even though she wasn't present and jogging with me.  That gal tends to do that...she leaves remnants of herself wherever she has been...remnants of love and kindness...a beautiful aroma of Christ.

What speeds me up when it comes to jogging is not the usual workout playlist, not the pump it up music with a beat, but the rich words that cause my heart to praise the Lord for who He is.  The LORD saw fit that He would shuffle not only Char's song, but "His Eye is On the Sparrow" and "Power in the Blood".  Praise You, Jesus!  There is power in Your blood and I do sing because I am happy and free and I know You are watching me and guiding me and I will follow You home!

Celebrating Ashlyn's Life! 17 years old!

Ashlyn Blake Downs entered the world on May 19, 1992 at 5:14 pm. Never could I have imagined on that day how blessed I would be 17 years later. I am in awe of the Lord in our daughter. I see Christ shining through her daily. Ashlyn has a heart to serve and care for and bless others. God has graced her with the gift of encouragement through her smile, note writing, and rubbing my feet (just to name a few). :) She has a way of including people so they don't feel left out. I have never known anyone who has so many "collaged" shoeboxes containing letters and cards from others and pictures galore--sentimental she is and I love it!

Junior Prom--Ashlyn (she is beautiful!) and her friend, Calen

I have learned much from Ash. She has taught me what selflessness looks like and exemplifies considering others as more important than herself regularly. Brian and I are so undeserving of of this precious one...what a gift of God's grace to us!...Overflowing with gratefulness!

Kenya Trip Video

This is a short video we used for our church's mission dessert.

Kenya Thoughts To Come...

We have been home in Fresno for six days! My heart and mind are filled with so many things that I haven't yet been able to put them in a concise form for you to read.

I keep hearing that you all loved Brian's humorous accounts of our adventures. He does keep us laughing.

The Lord worked in mighty ways and I can't wait to boast in Him! He has grown my love and faith in Him.

Thank you again for all of your support. We are humbled that you would sacrifice time to lift us up to the One who is magnificent and intercede on our behalf. We love you.

At the End...Literally

As we finish up our time in Kenya it seems Kenya wanted to leave us with some lasting memories.  My peaceful morning was initially broken by my daughter narrating her emotions... "I'm not freaking out, I'm not freaking out"  Seems an African spider had joined her in bed during the night...

Additionally, while preparing for the morning I felt a needle being shoved into my neck... seems an African wasp had decided to pick a fight with me...He lost but not after leaving his mark.

We headed back to the House of Hope for a half day of work.  Half of our team again headed down a different route to the orphanage and came across another African specimen

This was the most "tame" photo I had.  We had our fill of dead animals for the day.

Once we were all back the orphanage, we completed as much work as we could before saying good-bye at lunch.  I'm not sure but maybe they'll need to finish up the bathroom project after we leave.  Wasn't the most private as of yet.

Of course before leaving I had to get another little nap in... Hey, lead by example.

We got to also leave a bit of home with the kids.  Hope they don't use the slogan "Eat Mor Chikin" for their English lessons.

We headed back to Kijabe for a day of rest before our trip home.  The girls decided to take the day and paint one of the rooms in the hospital for the kids.

We will head off to one more mission stop on our way to Nairobi at a special school for disabled kids called Joy Town tomorrow then to the airport for our trek back to the states.  We'll leave Kenya tomorrow night at 11pm and should arrive back in LA around 1pm on Saturday.  I have to give back our access to the internet tonight so this is our last official post in Africa.  If something exciting happens on the way home, I'll add that once we get home.

What an adventure...

Toilets and Honey

We awoke in the morning to a pancake breakfast.  The Heart of the Bride has partnered with some people who built homes and allow people visiting to use them.  Our group was the first one to occupy this new home – or as I called it, Lodge.

We headed back to the orphanage for our work day.  The kids who were shy the day before warmed up more quickly to our group.  This boy was named Brian...

The guys continued on the work of their new bathroom.  It was quite interesting to see how they built the foundation and prepared to pour a concrete pad over it.  All of the concrete had to be hand mixed so we again moved rocks and sand from piles and formed new piles which we than added some concrete powder and the moved that pile to another pile and back again to mix it.  Yep, it was that exciting.

Of course, like all the other days…it rained.  Just as we started to mix the concrete.  We had to wait inside one of their classrooms for about 45 minutes before we could continue.

During one of the breaks the kids in school had, we broke out our skits and performed it to the little ones.  They really liked Daniel and the Lion’s Den – especially when the lions got to jump all over the bad guys.

Late in the day our team started to feel the effects of being on a missions trip for several weeks… They take it after their dad.

On the way home, some of our team rode in a more rugged vehicle and took a much more scenic route back home.  Along the way they saw some antelope and zebra.  I, being with the rest of the group, saw more dirt roads…

For dinner we had the pleasure of enjoying hamburgers, hot dogs, and potato salad.  Then our hosts led us out into the bush where we came across a group of men - one of which specialized in collecting honeycomb from a local beehive.  Up the hillside we walked following this guy and a smoking stick.  He used the smoke to “calm” the bees and stuck his hand inside the 4ft long hive.  It was getting dark so all we could hear was the buzzing of bees around us.  He pulled out two honeycombs and shared them with us.  That is when we realized he had brought some friends with him.  Mind you these are AFRICAN KILLER BEES…

 But the honey did taste good...

The Sun 'll Come Out Tomorrow

It’s funny how well you can sleep regardless of the circumstances if you are tired enough. The bouncing, rocking, whistles, etc certainly didn’t cease but morning came way too quick. During the last part of the trip we were able to view some of the Kenyan wildlife along the tracks.

Once back in Nairobi we joined up with our drivers and headed off to Navasha to an orphanage there sponsored by Heart of the Bride. We noticed two things on the trip – it had rained quite a bit while we were gone and the traffic had quite decreased. The reason the traffic was light was that the Matatus were on strike for the day to protest bribes the police had been requiring.

The orphanage is called House of Hope and once we got there Brad instantly began testing a new method of church tithe gathering…

The girls instantly jumped in playing with the kids and enjoying making them smile and laugh.

Although our work day really isn’t until tomorrow we decided to go ahead and start some work today. The women helped with laundry and cleaning – until the rain started.

The guys started building another Choo – or bathroom. Our hosts led us over to a covered up hole in the ground and showed us the work 2 guys had done over the past 3 days –

That hole was 40 feet deep. One guy was on the bottom digging and the other one was up top lifting the dirt out with a bucket. You can see the hand holds they dug in the side to get out.

In order to build the structure we needed to move some stones from a pile on the other side of the property. Back and forth the men marched moving the stones. The kids jumped in from time to time to help – but Brad had the bright idea to give one of the kids a ride…show off. The rest of the time, we had kids hanging on us as we worked…thanks Brad.

Before leaving, the kids brought out the balloons and constructed many different types of animals – none of which I think are real… but the kids didn’t care.

We met up with the family who works with Heart of the Bride who offered to allow us to stay in some cottages at their home. As we packed up we realized we had too many bags to fit inside the vehicle – since it had already rained we figured all the rain has passed… we were wrong. It wasn’t surprising to us to find ourselves back on another loooonnnnngggg dirt road in the midst of a downpour.

We were welcomed to a wonderful dinner of….lasagna. Our housing is straight out of Country Home magazine – along with a setting of Jurassic Park. This trip continues to keep us guessing.

Sand, Sun, & Creatures of the Mist

Sleeping in Mombasa proved to be more troublesome than first thought.  The temperature probably was about 80 degrees all night which wasn’t too bad, but the humidity stayed around 100 percent.  Our beds were wrapped with mosquito nets which just added to the trapped moisture.  Now I know what it is like to try to sleep wrapped in a wet towel.

I was a bit groggy in the morning but many of the team awoke to see the sunrise over the ocean.  Brad spent the morning in prayer trying to implore the Lord to start the Well’s next campus in Mombasa.  With the 11 hour time difference, he could preach here Sunday morning and have the video sent to the US before the 9am service… just a thought.

We decided to have our church service down on the beach.  We had been able to meet a few other people who were staying at the same place and invited them to join us.  Charlotte led worship on her guitar which was quite a task for her to stand in the sun sweating and trying to hold her guitar. 

After Brad’s message, Fletcher and McKenzie were baptized in the ocean.  Actually McKenzie was baptized twice because I forgot to hit the record button on the video camera – or maybe she wasn’t held under long enough…

The boys spent the rest of the morning collecting animal specimens for the Smithsonian.  Every time they found something it was bigger and more dangerous than the last.  We capped off the morning by being visited by some apparently frustrated monkeys…

We were picked up in the afternoon and headed back to the train station.  Martin, our driver, again made some tactical driving maneuvers to bypass the line for the ferry – probably not the best way to encourage good relationships between tourists and the locals.  Back at the station we found the car we were riding in – 2^nd to the front.  Of course the entrance to the rail yard was at the rear of the train.

Once on board we settled in for the second half of our adventure.  Brad decided he would play dress up as the train engine…

We knew we were in for another great adventure when we discovered the lights in our car did not work very frequently and the train was completely booked.  Walking back and forth 6 cars to the dining car and back certainly was hard on our shoulders as we bounced between the side of the train and the other rooms.  I got the pleasure of taking that trip multiple times that night for various reasons.  With the added humidity and the additional occupancy of the train – it wasn’t long before we all locked ourselves into the cabins for the night.