Deep Sea Adventure

We have really appreciated your prayers, your well-wishes, your notes of encouragement, and your help in making this adventure possible. Yesterday was probably the climax of the trip for us. The congregation celebrated the closing program for the children’s Bible school that it had run for five afternoons last week. It was a wonderful program and a really wonderful week.

The theme was Deep Sea Adventure; Exploring the Depth of Jesus’ Love. Helen Ann had bought most of what we needed including the “starter kit” that contained the leader guides, DVDs, etc. Laura, when she came to lead the “Catch the Wave” retreats, brought some fun decorations. Pam shopped here on the island for craft materials and snacks. She spent many hours over two weeks in preparation.

Each day, Amor led the songs and Pam presented the day’s lesson; then we rotated four groups through four areas for games with Dave, crafts with Malou, memorization of the day’s scripture verse with Amor, and snacks with Pam. Everything related back to the theme. Then we met again as a group and recapped the day before heading home.

Attendance was great with at least 18 kids from 5 years-old up through the sixth grade every afternoon. Our highest attendance was 23. (Water balloons are quite an attraction.) With four adults and two to four teens working, we were busy! From the first day, all the workers commented that things went very well and everything had been ready. Most of all, the way had been prepared with prayer.

Sunday morning, we didn’t know what to expect. The kids had been inviting their parents to come to see what they had been doing, but too often in the past parents had not made it. Saturday, Pam had arranged the chairs for the kids on one side of the room and the sofas and more chairs for the adults and teens on the other so that the kids could be a sort of choir. As we unloaded the van 19 children filled our choir and there were 15 of our regular adults and teens. Pam started the program; but as she finished her introduction, three parents drove into the yard. She happily paused, and the congregation welcomed them warmly and helped them find seats where they could see their children.

The program went very well as the kids sang their songs and recited their memory verses in unison. Everyone enjoyed watching a video slideshow of kids and their week of activities.

After the forty-minute program, we went directly into a worship service. We sang a couple of hymns that related to themes from the week. Pam and Dave played a soprano sax and flute duet for the offertory. Before the devotional message, Dave played “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” as a special. It is an old hymn, but the poetry of its lyrics refers to the ocean of God’s love that envelopes us and carries us closer to him. Dave had created a slideshow with the poem and various pictures of the Saipan coast and the ocean. The soundtrack of the slideshow was the orchestral accompaniment that Dave used.

During his message, Dave had the kids recite his texts from their memory work. They fit the three-fold way that a congregation demonstrates God’s grace: Love (1 John 3:1 and Romans 8:39), Acceptance (Romans 15:7), and Forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32). (Many of you will recognize that he borrowed that theme from Tempe and some other churches.) For one of Dave's talks, it was brief; and, after dismissal, everyone went to the kitchen for snacks of brownies and Rice Krispies treats. We had about 45 minutes of good fellowship as the slideshow was replayed and the crafts were examined. We also asked everyone to take a car from Stephen’s collection in his memory.

Kid's Club

Dave's greatest challenge is remembering the bus route for Kid's Club and Sunday School. It really is simple and there is always some child who will "follow" (go with) Dave to keep him on course. They are great!

Backyard Flowers

Dave and Helen Ann's home is set in a clearing with many beautiful plants. Obviously, a tropical climate makes flowers which are exotic to us thrive. I've posted more pictures on Flickr, but here are a few.

Oh yes, there is a spider in the garden. It is not dangerous, and it posed for at least 10 minutes while I tried every setting on my camera to get a good close-up of it. After I uploaded the picture to the computer, I was amazed at the beautiful design on its body. It is as intricate as a Persian rug.

The plumeria is fragrant and beautiful leis are made from it.

We Are Here

In the words of Dr. Mark Reighard's great parody chorus, "We are here. We are here. And because we're here, we're not there."

Thanks to Doris and Bill, we made our flight to Seattle. We took the train into downtown and had a late breakfast at Pike Place Market. Arriving back at the airport just in time, we had a good, long flight to Narita, Japan.

Since we arrived there in the late afternoon and our flight out was not until morning, we were forced to leave the airport. That was a blessing. After checking in at the hotel, we enjoyed a short visit to the garden of a nearby temple at sunset. It was beautiful!

The other blessing of the long layover was that it broke up the trip and let us rest and recover from the flight. We were also able to start adjusting to the time difference.

Since we arrived on the island (Thursday afternoon, local time), we have been having a wonderful time getting to know our hosts, Dave and Helen Ann. They are treating us like long lost friends, and we feel like we are. This afternoon is Kid's Club, so we will begin to meet the congregation.

A New Adventure

A week ago we were at our cabin in Prescott enjoying a beautiful afternoon and thinking about a summer in the pines. About then we noticed a message to call the office at the Global Ministry Center that coordinates volunteers. The conversation went something like this:

"Would you be interested in house sitting for the pastor of our church in Saipan? They will be on the mainland for a month, and someone is needed to keep the church open during that time."

"We would consider that. When do they need us?"

"June 27."

"Really? That soon?"

We quickly called some friends and asked them to pray with us. At lunch, we had been talking to our friend, Byron, who is our district superintendent, so we tracked him down again. Byron and his wife, Leanna, had lived and worked in the Asia-Pacific Region, so we wanted his advice. He promised to pray for us as we considered the opportunity.

As we were talking with Byron, Dave, the pastor, called us from Saipan to explain the situation. He and his wife Helen Ann teach in the public schools on the island and pastor a church in their home. They invited us to stay in their home and provide continuity for the congregation in their absence.

We prayed and Googled. Our only big expense would be the airfares, nearly $4000. The weather is hot and humid; that would be different from hot and dry. The language is English. The Northern Mariana Islands are a US commonwealth. Could we get everything ready that quickly? What is more important: was this something that God wanted us to do?

After more conversations and e-mail exchanges, we were convinced that we should do it. Early Saturday afternoon, we e-mailed Dave and Helen Ann to let them know that we intended to come. With the 17-hour time difference they started their Sunday knowing that we were coming. Sunday afternoon, we bought our tickets.

The race is on. To get a reasonable airfare and to get there for the Sunday before Dave and Helen Ann leave, we are flying a week from today, June 22, on an early morning flight to Seattle, then on to Tokyo-Narita, and finally, after an overnight layover, on to Saipan.

We need your prayers. This is a stretch for us: to try to help a congregation that we do not know. It is obviously also a financial commitment. If you would like to financially partner with us in meeting this need, send us an e-mail or give us a call. Look for us on Facebook to find our contact information.

A Memorable Trip

Last week was a good week of memories and making memories. Stephen's birthday was Thursday, so Pamela wanted to do something Stephen had enjoyed. He liked the San Diego Zoo so we decided to go there; and, on the spur of the moment, we invited our friends Doris and Bill to go with us.

We drove to San Diego on Wednesday. Deron met us at our hotel when we arrived, and we all went to Old Town for dinner. It was a beautiful evening. We sat on the restaurant patio by a nice fire.

Our hotel room overlooked Interstate 5 (just under the window) and the airport (about a mile away). It was the sort of room that Stephen would have loved. We didn't mind it at all.

Thursday, we wandered the zoo most of the day. We didn't feel we needed to see it all, so we relaxed and walked and talked. The flowers in particular captivated us.

In the evening, we went down to the harbor and rode pedicabs to the restaurant where we were joined by Rob and Wanda and their two kids. We celebrated Rob's birthday which he shared with Stephen.

Saturday, we drove back home and took our time. We went through Temecula and Hemet. We stopped for gas and a visit to Costco on Dinah Shore Drive in Palm Desert just to say that we had been there.

We often crave stronger memories; but at other times we are overwhelmed by a sudden, unexpected recollection. Pamela is right that we should also, from time to time, make new memories that honor Stephen and his life.

This is one.

Have a Groovy Christmas

Ask Santa for a motorcycle.
Put up the tree.
Put up the lights.
Take paper off the toys.

Give other people presents.
Eat a big lunch.
Go to the stores, and
Have a groovy Christmas.

by Stephen with help from his music therapist, Sabra