Zeba 2019: Sunday photos

Zeba 2019: Sunday prep

We had a lovely church service in L'Anse and lunch with the
congregation before heading to the Zeba campground to get a lay of the
land and set up for our camp fun on Monday.
We'll spend a couple of rainy hours back at the Ford Center organizing
our drama, music, crafts and games.
We're off to a great start!

North Dakota 2019: Made it to Eau Claire

We've arrived in Eau Claire Wisconsin for our overnight stay. It was a long but easy drive thanks to our great driver Jamie. Two Harry Potter movies, lots of snoozes and conversation kept us going. A fun dinner at a local joint with great home cooking was the perfect ending. We'll hit the road early in the morning!

Zeba 2019: Saturday

Zeba 2019: Saturday

Zeba 2019: Saturday

We're here!
We arrived safe and sound and earlier than expected, partly thanks to
a beautiful and easy day of driving. We were joined for dinner by a
surprise guest, a welcome and familiar face in Doug Paterson!

Our early arrival allowed us some extra free time to get our wiggles
out and enjoy the warm sunshine, which none of us Michiganders have
felt too much lately.

We also spent the day learning a few things about each other.
We learned that Rachel would like to travel to Norway, one of the
happiest places on earth. We learned that there are complicated issues
regarding the tariffs on Chinese goods, thanks to some of the eighth
grade boys. We learned that the no phone policy at the bridge is no
joke. We learned it is Nathan's birthday and sang to him over a candle
in a candy bar. We 'I spied' some things, most of them outside the car
and most of them green.
Most of all, we enjoyed some fellowship together and are excited for
what the week will bring as we connect with one another and in the
community around us.
More to come tomorrow!

North Dakota 2019: Anticipation

Carrie Throm

Sent from my iPadFriday evening, 6/21
Within 8 hours, 42 senior high youth and counselors will be gathering at Green Wood to being the trek to Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota. It's a night of packing and preparation - where are those work gloves, what games can keep me busy on the long bus ride, is the laundry done, etc. Thanks to the expert packing lists and communications from Melanie and Wendy, much of that mystery evaporates. But there's still mystery about what will the trip be like, how might lives change, how might I and others be affected by our time together helping others. Open hearts and minds. Off we go - after I find that left-handed glove and get some shuteye.....

Kenya 2019: Report #1

Jumbo!  - Hello from Kenya

We were smiling as we departed Detroit Airport.  All of our suitcases … heavy with supplies and low on clothing … made it just under the 50-pound limit for international travel.  This included the duffle bag with FIVE donated trombones for the BLISS high school band.  Greg Hulbert cleverly removed the mouthpieces and carried them in his briefcase to make the weight limit on that bag.  When we got to Nairobi, it was Greg's other suitcase with a donated trumpet and a flute in it that got pulled out for inspection.  The inspector insisted on seeing the trumpet.  She asked if he played.  His response was, "poorly."  By this point I think they assumed we were nuts for hauling all this … or were some sort of crazy American brass band. They waved us through.  Whew.

We got some sleep and then loaded up the vans for the daylong ride up to Meru on the far side of Mount Kenya. The roads are much improved over the past few years, but there are no posted speed limits in Kenya.  They rely on speed bumps … big ones … and lots of them.  It makes for a pretty exciting ride especially when you throw in cattle, goats and sheep crazing along both sides of the pavement most of the route.  Most family plots are too small to grow grass for their animals, so they happily graze along the roadsides.

We arrived at the Thiiri Centre in Meru to find old friends including Bishop Lawi Imathiu.  At 86 he has been asked by the Kenyan President to be one of fourteen delegates holding talks in very section of Kenya to insure its peace and tranquility. It is easy to see why.

Good Night from Kenya

Vic Adamo, Marco Bacelis, Greg Hulbert, Kathy Macdonald & Margaret Punch