Sheridan, Wyoming

We set out this morning, after surviving the night, for Mt. Rushmore. I was actually surprised. I didn't set real high expectations, but it was actually pretty awesome. We walked the trail and spent about an hour and a half there. After that we set off for Deadwood. Ate lunch and looked around there for awhile. The Black Hills were great and a lot of fun to drive through.

Finally we passed into Wyoming. We were running behind schedule and since we did not know the condition of the roads in the mountains outside of Cody we decided to stay here in Sheridan instead. Well since we weren't in a rush now we decided to take the scenic loop over to Devil's Tower. It was so immense. I can't even imagine what that must have been like for native Americans and early settlers that came across it.

The next 100 miles were the most enjoyable miles I have ever driven. Wyoming is so beautiful with it rolling hills and shallow canyons. And now with snow capped mountains in the distance we stop for the night before finishing up the road trip tomorrow in West Yellowstone.

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Rapid City, South Dakota

We had a great day today. Set out from Sioux Falls at about 8, but chase left his cell phone at the hotel so we they had to drive back. While we were waiting I went into this store to buy some buffalo jerky. Well at that time of the morning the only person in there was the owner. An eighty for year old man named Dean. I talked to him for half an hour about everything from the Constitution, Foreign/Domestic policy, and the Korean War. He was a history teacher for forty years, and I left the store with more than beef jerky.

We drove and drove across the same stuff, ate lunch at a place that advertises the "Perfect Hamburger" paid too much for a not so perfect hamburger, but spent good money on there homemade cherry cream pie.

After lunch we noticed a noticeable change in the terrain. More hills, slightly rockier. After a while it felt like there was something great just on the other side of the hills to our left. Then we finally started to see it. Canyons. We took the turnoff for the Badlands, and made our way inside the park. It was literally breath taking. We had a lot of fun exploring, climbing on the cliffs, and trying not to get blown over by the ridiculous wind. We took the long way to Rapid City and it was so very worth it. Nothing but two lane and dirt roads with amazing scenery as far as you could see. The animal were a lot of fun. In all I saw: countless birds, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, bison, antelope, mule deer, turkey, and rattle snake. So yeah quite a trip. The pictures are awesome, but it still doesn't do it justice.

Mt. Rushmore and Deadwood on our way to Cody tomorrow.

Oh, and we are staying in the historic Alex Johnson Hotel tonight. It's big and old and haunted...goodnight.

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Sioux Falls, South Dakota

I think I experienced more nothing today than I ever have in my life. We hit I-29 N out of Kansas City. From there I got to see nothing through the rest of Missouri, nothing all through Iowa, and then some more nothing in South Dakota. I felt like all of us were driving in a huge circle around the same corn fields for hundreds of miles. We finally made it into South Dakota and I quickly learned a few things. A large number of people drive motorcycles just like bicycles. The speed limit is only a suggestion, as is wearing a shirt while driving. Sioux Falls is surprisingly packed with any store you need. I filled up my truck with an unleaded + 10% ethanol mix. Interested to see if it explodes, but it was like 20 cents cheaper. Tomorrow we are going to the Corn Palace in Mitchell, the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, and Deadwood before we spend the night in Rapid City.

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St. Louis, Missouri

So, saw that big loopy thing in St. Louis. We left this morning about 9:30 from Coldwater, MS drove and drove until we got to St. Louis. Made sure to find the REI there. After driving around in circles for several hours we made our way down to the riverfront. The river was way above is normal levels. The parking lots buy the river were completely underwater. I'm not sure what the normal levels are but it looked like it was 20 feet up. We ate, took pictures, played frisbee with some guys under the arch, and then met up with some more people before heading west towards Kansas City. We are leaving in the morning for Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

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Reorganizing Life

I'm going to be changing things up on here again. School has been back in session with a vengeance, but I hope to fight back with an aesthetically pleasing VIRB profile, maybe even something useful.

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Home

So I am a terrible person for that humongous cliffhanger, but we did make it safely back to the states. And I'm back in college town, looking to get started pretty soon. I will probably be redoing this page too, since I'm not going to Malaysia...again...yet...

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The Most Amazing Sand Castle EVER

Monday. It rained. All day long...it was ridiculous. But we did take advantage of the muddy ground to play an outstanding game of capture the flag that night. And we finally won. Tuesday was fun. Red Bulls had finally pulled ahead in the over all point rankings. Then group games consisted of, "Here's a beach full of sand, build something better than the other four teams." So out popped the engineer in me, and with my team fired up after taking the lead that morning we successfully built the most amazing sand castle ever. It was monstrous. About four feet tall and five feet across, with stairs spiraling up to the top where we build a lovely little palace. Not only did we have the castle though. We had an entire kingdom surrounded by a wall and moat. Inside was a small village with a church, roads, and a mountain that had erupted to form a volcano with different textured sand for the lava. We had rivers, trees, bridges, and the whole thing was decorated with literally hundreds of seashells that our girls had collected. We blew the competition out of the water. 100,000 points for the Red Bulls, putting insult to injury. The kids on our team, now rejuvenated by several victories have declared that we will continue to win the rest of the week so that we can claim the prize at the end.

Andrew and I are going prayer walking and visiting in some coffee shops today. So be praying.
Love you all, five more days.

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Three Weeks Down.

Sorry, about the lack of updates. We're still alive. This week consisted of lots of rain, badminton, and capture the flag. We spent some more time talking with the kids at night, answering questions and talking.

On Friday night, we had a Birthday Party for everyone and then got everyone together in the chapel for a group devotion. We sang some songs, watched a couple of clips from the Passion of the Christ and then Josh gave a short plan of salvation. Afterwards we had alot of girls stayed behind to ask questions. Some of the boys did, Sonny was one of them. So we still have some curious people.

I woke up about 5:45 Saturday to go get my Harry Potter. I took a cab to Gurney Plaza, but all I saw at first was a bunch of older Chinese people doing Thai Chi over the Gurney PA system. I was the first one there but as soon as I sat down on the steps a family of four showed up, and there was a steady stream after that. The bookstore had set up a table outside the main entrance. They wouldn't let me take my book until 7:01, but I was the first one so I got my picture taken and interviewed for the newspaper. Kinda cool. I went down the street to eat at McDonald's and wait for the buses to come pick me up on the way to the waterpark. We got to the park around lunch time. This place was amazing. The waterpark wasn't that incredible but its location was unbeatable. It was situated between two sheer tree covered cliffs. The park is called the Lost World, and the location definitly made it feel prehistoric. The slides were fun, but the lazy river wasn't that lazy. They pumped waves into it, so you get on a raft and have waves carry you all the way around the park. It was so different being in an Asian waterpark with everyone dressed differently. I felt really out of place for one of the first times.

Sunday, we went to our last service at PIC. It was bittersweet. I have really enjoyed the genuine fellowship there. After church we some how got all the kids across town to the mall by means of public transportation. Some of them wanted to see Harry Potter in the theater, others wanted to shop. I'm sure that you can guess what I did. When we got out of the movie and it was time to go back, we walked outside to find it raining...again. So, once again we had to use public transportation to get our boys back to school in the rain. It was fun. It rained the rest of the night. We're pretty sure that the rainy season has come early this year. It rains every day.

We are starting our final week here. And our only prayer is that God will continue to work in these kids hearts and that we will somehow be capable enough to help them find the answers that they need. Oh, and learn English.

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Doing What We Never Could

Monday night during our dorm devotional time, Deane was trying to reread the verses that we had read during morning assembly. The kids just couldn't understand, and that was getting us frustrated and then the rest of us were getting frustrated. I was about ready to just go to my room until one of the girls on our team brought in a Chinese Bible. The kids were very excited this had characters on the front that they understood. So we got one of the older and more influential boys to read the passage and explain it. Right on the money, everybody got it. One of our boys, Sonny, asked me if he could borrow the book. He then sat down on the couch and started reading Genesis. After watching him read through the first 4 chapters I directed him to John. I asked him Tuesday night about some of the stuff he had read, and he remembered most of it. When I asked him if he believed it was true, he said he didn't know. Since then we have started letting someone read the morning Scripture that we put on the projector screen in Chinese and Korean.

The point being, God's Word excited these kids and gave them understanding in a way that we never could have. We praise God for that, and for providing Bible for these children. God is still doing big things here in Penang so keep praying.

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A Good Sunday

Church was wonderful once again on Sunday. Rich, the minister here at the school taught. After lunch, Jason got the kids together to take them shopping at the very large Queensbay Mall on the southern end of the island. There wasn't quite enough room for some of us so we just went to Gurney plaza. Today was kind of like a day off for most of the leaders, so Andrew, Lindsey, Josh, and I went for some shopping and Harry Potter. Movie was great, I thought it stayed true to the plot more than the other movies. Anyways, earlier we had seen the posters with the latest Malaysian Idol winner, Daniel, everywhere. And for some reason he was going to be performing at the main entrance to the mall that evening at 5, so of course we went. How could we pass that up.

It was nice to have a day away from kids though. Now we are ready for another week. My throat has been hurting a bit. So lets all pray that I don't get sick.

Hope everyone has a great Monday.

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Speluncking and Dance Parties

Our Friday night social went great. We served the kids root beer, coke, and orange soda floats. My root beer float made me so very happy. After that we had a dance party in the auditorium. I got the stage lights flashing to the music, threw a visualization up on the projection screen, and DJ'd music through 3 iPods. Half of the kids were up and moving, but the others just sat back and watched. I think the college kids had the most fun, but I think everything turned out great in the end.

Saturday we got up at 6:30 to be ready to leave the school by 7:45. We were loading up two tour buses and heading for the mainland of Malaysia to go explore the caves at Gua Tempurung. Believe it or not I really enjoyed it. That was my first time to get off the beaten path in a cave. We had to slide down limestone formations, squirm through holes, and crawl through water on your belly. It was great. And we didn't even lose any kids.

Now we are having movie night (watching Indian Jones: The Last Crusade).
Hope everybody has a good day.

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First Week of School

Today is Friday. The internet has been kinda off and on because of weather problems. The first week of school here at Dalat has been a blast. It seems like all I do is play games though--not that I'm complaining. Everyone has seemed to enjoy our basketball/rugby/volleyball/frisbee workshop, and we have already seen God working in the lives of some of the fast track kids. These are the older kids that speak English well and have been here for 2 weeks now. They have been asking alot of really good questions. We are all confident in God's plan for these individuals. The ESL kids are really warming up to us and letting go of more and more of their inhibitions. They are more comfortable around us and each other. If only they would hurry up and learn English so that we could more easily communicate with them. For now we have to keep on showing them God's love where we can't tell them. Saturday we are going to a cave to go exploring. It's going to be so much fun. Sunday hopefuly we will make a trip to Gurney Plaza to see Harry Potter.

Please be praying for God's continueing work in the lives of these children.

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Sugar Cane Juice, Durrian, and Curry Puffs

Classes are going well. The basketball workshop went really well Monday. Rugby on Tuesday didn't take off quite as well. I think today we are doing frisbee. I hope it's not total chaos.

We have divided up into color groups with the kids for team building games. Our team is Red and we are the Bulls. Get it!? Oh how clever. The teams are used during rec and on the weekends when we are on field trips to keep up with everyone.

Last night we went to the local night market. It's the cultural experience that everyone needs when you come to Malaysia. I tried so many new foods and drinks. The local fruit is my favorite. Ronbutons and mangostein are the best, but durrian, which is considered a local delicacy, is aweful. Malay say it smells like hell and tastes like heaven. The asfter taste was just too much for me. The juices are delcious. I tried freshly crushed sugar cane juice, watermelon, passion fruit, green apple, carrot, and rose syrup with lime. Every one of them is fantastic. And they give them to you in tied off plastic bags which is different yet very functional. Some of the food: I tried this stuff called Satay which is grilled chicken and beef on a stick that you dip in this amazing peanut sauce. Curry puff, Indian pastries that are filled with meat, potatoes and seasonings. Chinese pancakes, lots of sugar. And so many other things that I can't really remember them all. I now know that Malaysia is truly known for its food.

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The Heat Is On

So the AC isn't working for the first day of classes. Everyone got settled in fine last night. We have 7 boys to look after in Jackson Dorm. Henry and Aaron; Sonny and Stephen; Max, Jeff, and Forrest. Their ages range from around 11 to 16. This morning in assembly we taught them several songs like "Father Abraham". They went over really well. Right now everyone is in class. At 2pm we are having a basketball workshop, then a break, and then team building games. Yay! Hope everyone is doing lovely.

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Asian Kids Everywhere!

Busy busy day Saturday. It felt more like vacation that anything. We went on a field trip with the fast track kids to a beach further down the coast. We went parasailing and tubing. Came back for lunch, and then took kayaks out to a little island about half a mile off the coast. We had lots of fun exploring there, but getting back proved to be quite an ordeal. We ate at a really great fondue place where I discovered some news flavors. Today we went to a worship service at Penang International Church. We were all in need of some corporate worship. The kids just got here a few hours and I can already tell that this is going to be amazing.

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Everybody, Everybody

Planning planning planning has been on the agenda these last few days. Andrew and I are in charge of a sports workshop for the kids now. We are going to be teaching them how to play: basketball, ultimate frisbee, American football, tennis, and rugby. That's going to be lots of fun. Along with the games and recreation.

Leisure time has included a trip to the largest and nicest mall that I have ever seen in my life. Nine stories I think it was. More stores than you could visit in a day. While there I pre-ordered the new Harry Potter book. I'm getting the British version for 70 ringiit which is about $20. I'm planning on buying the entire British set here since it's only 225RM about $66. The McDonald's at the mall had banana pies instead of apple pies. They were amazing!

We ate at an Indian restaurant last night. The only way to describe it would have to be HOT with and interesting flavor. But the flavor kind goes away since you can't taste much after awhile because your mouth and throat are on fire. I have to conclude that I like Indian food though. Especially the eating with your hands part.

I was extremely tired yesterday evening after playing with the kids that are already here for about 4 hours. And my back has been hurting. So glad I brought plenty of Aleve. But after yesterday and being so very tired I read Galations 6:9-10 again which had been part of my reading for the day.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Good stuff. To everyone back home I am thinking of you.
Send some prayers this way.

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Here

Sorry, I'm a little late getting this posted. We have been kinda busy and when I came to the computer lab yesterday I only had time to read a few emails before we had to get out. OK, it took our little group of seventeen 38 hours to get here all together. We got to the school around 8 pm on July 3. The fourth was spent recuperating, planning, and exploring. Right now I am working on getting some games together to play at recreation while the kids are here. Hope everyone is well. Kids get here on Monday.

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Leaving on a Jet Plane

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...heading to the airport in a matter of hours. The last few days have been lots of fun, seeing family and friends telling everyone bye. Now it's time to fly away. Traveling is going to take a good part of two days. I just wish I fit on those planes better. No big deal though, I will survive.

Praying for:

safety
family

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