140 degrees in the sunshine, but work gets done in CAR

Temp Reading 140 degrees

Not a lot of exciting stories today, just hard, hot work.  We got the siding and cover on the barn and Rick and Bruce built a wagon.  The temperature reached over 140 when the clouds parted.  Here are some new pictures.  Thanks for your prayers.

Tim

New pictures of the work the team is doing in the CAR with ICDI. Pictures show the ongoing construction of the barn for the agricultural center at PK22 in Bangui, CAR.  Thanks to the team for showing us their progress. Way to go team! We are so proud of God's work in you. Serve on!

The Amish would be jealous? Raising the barn in Central Africa

Raising the barn at ICDI

Today we got a lot accomplished on the barn.  We thank God for the safety of our guys because we worked with a lot of pieces of steel and some of the guys were up about 25' connecting the top of the barn.  Josh spent most of the day on scaffolding mounted on the bed of a truck and Craig spent most of the day in the bucket of the backhoe high up in the air.  We don't have access to special equipment that is available at home to get up high, so we have to be creative to make it work and still doing so with safety in mind. 

We appreciate your prayers as we will continue to work up high to finish the barn.  We also enjoyed our time with the other workers laughing at each other and learning each others langage a little.  We had competitons to see who could lift the arch structure into place with a group on each side, the Africans would cheer when they were first.  On the last arch they had  the Central Africans on one side and the Americans on the other side, thankfully for us we won!  I believe we are having an impact on these guys more than building a barn hopefully they see Jesus working through us.

Bruce and Rick continued their work on the farming equipment.  They even went out into the field and used the plow and trained the ICDI employees.

Bruce & Rick

I appreciated that Rick and Bruce wore matching outfits today I guess I did not get the memo.  Our team is doing a great job, each guy is willing to serve the Africans and each other.  We have lots of fun picking on each other but we all are committed to working as hard as we can to do as much as we can.  Thanks to all the families who have allowed these guys to be here.

Tim

[PHOTOS] New Horizons Team in Central Africa

Here are some pictures from the road and some children who came to see the big white men and Bruce with a distant relative.

Equipping Central Africans to take over [Guest post--Tim Harley]

Equipping men to mix cement

Tuesday, October 18 in the CAR

Today was another day at work.  We continued work on setting posts for the barn, the African staff mixed cement by hand on the ground.  One of our goals is to teach the Africans so it was exciting to see them catching on to how to use the transit and set the posts and make them perfectly level.  We just stepped back and let them do it.  It is also great to see our guys bridging the language barrier teaching them with hand signals and also laughing at each other.  We look forward to working with them tomorrow.  Rick and Bruce continued working making adjustments on the tractor and getting the equipment ready to go to the fields.  We did a little sight seeing at the end of the day and enjoyed sodas sitting down by the river.

More tomorrow.

Tim

Team arrives in Bangui! [Guest Post by Tim Harley]

Sunset in Bangui

Hello!  We made it! 

Our journey to the Central African Republic began at 2am. Saturday morning as we loaded our luggage and left for the airport.  We arrived in Bangui 2pm Sunday, I think all the guys would say it was a test of endurance but now we can relax a little and sleep in a bed tonight.  We thank God for protecting us on our flights and allowing us to make all of our connecting flights.  We are especially thankful that all of our luggage arrived with us; we had 18 checked bags at 50pounds full of donated tools and gifts for orphans plus 2 carry ons a piece.  Our first flight out of Cleveland ran out of storage space for the luggage and had to put some bags in a closet in the main cabin so that tells you we were leaving our mark

Once we arrived at the guest house we enjoyed some cool water and made our introductions with the ICDI staff who are here.  Jay Parks is the Chief Financial Officer and Jay Hocking helps with the computer network for ICDI in the CAR.  Now for what we came for, we drove to the property we will be working at which is called PK 22.  PK 22 is the name for property that ICDI(Integrated Community Development International www.icdinternational.org)has aquired from the CAR government to use as its new headquarters for the water well drilling and Agricultural teams.  One area will be used as a shop area with storage and mechanical repair capabilities.  The other parts of the property are being used to grow fruits and vegetables.  Our projects will impact both areas of PK 22. 

I look forward to how God will use the unique skills of the men on this team to further the work of ICDI and its desire to be used by God to help the impoverished people of the CAR physically and spiritually.

The attached pictures show some of the equipment we will be working with that was shipped from the Wooster area.  God also welcomed us with an amazing sunset while we concluded our time at PK 22 for today.  Thanks to God and thanks you for your prayers!

Tim Harley 

Ag-Director Nanga gets training with tractor

The New Horizons Team is leaving this early morning for the Cleveland airport to embark on a short term missions trip to the Central African Republic. We praise God for this team of seven men. You can read about them on yesterday's post (October 14, 2011).

Tim Harley shared the purposes of the trip to build relationships, do construction, training, and projects with ICDI staff from Oct 14-29.  Follow their adventures on the short term blog www.woostercar.blogspot.com. (See detailed goals below as well as pictures)

Construct building like this one pictured

• continue partnership with ICDI(Integrated Community Development International) www.icdinternational.org 
• construct large building for new headquarters for ICDI well drilling and Ag ministries donated by local business
• train African staff to operate farm tractor and equipment donated by local individuals and businesses (see picture below)
• clear more land for farm fields
• construct second pond for raising fish
• repair dam in river
• electrical work for mechanics shop
• build shelving for storage containers
• continue to build relationships with African ICDI staff
• visit ICDI orphan care center

Pictures of Proposed Projects the team will pursue:

ICDI Agricultural Center

ICDI AG-Center Gardens

To excavate a New Fish Pond

Donated Farm Equipment for the ICDI AG-Center:

Seven Men Leave Wooster Grace

Departing tomorrow at 3am, Saturday October 15, seven men from the New Horizons ABF will gather to pray and to say farewells. The team will travel to the other side of the world--to the Central African Republic (CAR). These seven men leave Wooster Grace to share God's love in a real way. 

Tim Harley & Bruce Imhoff

The team is led by Tim Harley. Tim has been to Central Africa on many occasions to leverage his skills as well-driller and large machinery driver. By God's grace, relationships with Central Africans will be renewed and solidified.

Bruce Imhoff returns to the CAR for a second time. His first trip prompted him to help in any way he could. He partnered with a Central African to facilitate the start of a spirulina pool for harvesting the protein-rich product so that this CAR family could support themselves and help others.

Rick Ratzel

God has worked in Rick Ratzel's life each time he has spent time in Central Africa. The more recent time when Rick served he was able to bring a bicycle for Andre the head of Guest House Services. Rather than purchase a car or truck, the bicycle greatly enhances Andre's life.  To pedal to work or to do errands, maximizes getting things done.  Rick knows all about "African" time. But has a great attitude and a huge heart for the people.  Wooster Grace praises the Lord for those in our church who seek to make a difference in far away places with the limited vacation time they accrue. I can't wait to hear how the bicycle has improved the service and ministry in Central Africa.

Larry Wiseman

This is not the first time Larry Wiseman has traveled to Africa. I can't remember which North African country he visited. I'll have to get an update from him to post later.  But Larry has always wanted to return to Africa.
Larry attended the New Horizons ABF and heard about their passion to develop fully devoted followers in all the nations of the world through their group. He witnessed how men from the ABF went to the CAR to help last year.  Now he gets to go with a team of seven to minister in the CAR. He will surely recall his time in Africa to draw from those experiences and encourage the team to persevere despite unknown challenges ahead.  Wooster Grace praises God for ABFs who not only grow deep in community, but also reach out together to impact the world for Christ. I can't wait to ask Larry how his two trips to Africa compare. 

Craig Simmons, Dave Brenneman, &
Josh Weiser

The last three men have never been to Africa before.  By reviewing itineraries, cultural challenges, and health & safety concerns, Tim has tried to equip the team for what may await the team.  I guess the can meet and talk, but in the end, you got to get on the plane and disembark in Africa to feel the experience yourself.  I pray for the team now. Even though we commissioned them with prayer this past Sunday, the team covets your prayers.  Please keep in prayer these three men: Craig Simmons, Dave Brenneman, Josh Weiser. May the God the Holy Spirit empower them to glorify the Lord, to love one another, and to love every person they meet on the way to Africa and back home again. 

I want to pause here to ask, if you ever sense God prompting you to start thinking about going to the world to impact people for Christ, then please contact Pastor Daron (330) 264-9459 x 236.  I'd love to discuss why you'd like to go, what a successful missions trip might look like, and brainstorm how to help you discern God's will for a missions trip.  Tomorrow I will post their prayer requests, goals, and tentative work projects.  Please keep checking back to view pictures and comments from the team while they are in the CAR. 

Be on on-mission today by praying for the New Horizons Short Term Missions Team!

[Guest Post] Melissa shares about our time with the school children

Waiting for the bus

What an experience our family has had. Two days ago we learned again how schedules are different in the DR.  We took a 20 minute walk to meet the bus again. This time we walked in the daylight.  We praise God for our family as they greeted every Dominican passing-by with a smile and an "hola."

We arrived at the bus stop "on-time." The target time was 3pm. We arrived at 2:59pm.

We waited.

We waited.

We waited.

Getting on bus

A good lesson in patience emerged because we waited for over an hour before the bus arrived.

Excitement and nervousness stirred in our kids--uneasy about the unknown. We arrived at the school. The schoolyard was filled with children dressed in blue & white uniforms. The sheer numbers of students amazed us.  Six years ago only 40 students attended. Today almost 600 students attend in two sessions--morning and afternoon.  The wealthy Dominicans and nationals pay for their kids to go to school in the morning session. Then in the afternoon session the poor families especially the Haitian children go to school for free.

Johanna, the Principal

The principal Johanna gave us a tour of the school and we interacted with the students during on of their recesses.  The girls painted fingernails and faces. The boys played a pickup game of basketball.  Our children showed brave hearts as they tried to communicate with the students.

The most stretching experience was the bus ride after school. Imagine 90 kids plus 12 US Citizens packed into a 66 passenger bus. The afternoon session had Dominican and Haitian children to take home.  So we felt  surrounded. The school children wanted attention and love, so they crowded closer and closer--pushing each other out of the way to touch us. Of course, our children were overwhelmed.  Personal space is different here in the DR.

Our family was taken-aback by the visible poverty and odorous filth as we dropped children off at their homes. But there was hope.  On each child's face hope shines through. Praise God for this school's dedication and love for the children who attend the school. We look forward to spend more time with them and possibly sponsor one of the children as a family.

Thanks for your prayers. We leave in four hours for the airport. We are scheduled to arrive at 10:30pm tonight. Adios!

"Catch a Wave...And your out of your comfort zone"

Missions trips s-t-r-e-t-c-h you.

Every day we have experienced new things: new foods, new schedules, and new activities.

The Dominican Republic is on the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. The country is surrounded by water. I am a Navajo and our traditional lands is surrounded by four sacred mountains on high desert plateaus.  So it is a stretch to engage the water as one who's ancestors engaged the desert.

So when my bro-in-law Jeff asked us to go out-of-our comfort zone and go surfing. Part of me was excited for the new adventure. And the other part of me was a bit uneasy.

However, our family has been on a quest from the first day of 2011. On Jan 1, 2001 we jumped in the iced-over Winona Lake with other "polar bears" to declare that we would go beyond our comfort zones this year.

Rafi & Gustavo of Macao Surf Camp

Our family took another step out-of-our-comfort zones. Each child had fears. But each one overcame them. We praise God for new Christian friends from the Macao Surf Camp--Rafael & Gustavo. They minister to Dominican youth by training them to be surfing instructors. Each youth has dropped out of school in junior high because high school demands extra money to pay for transportation. Please check out their fb page and pray for their upcoming Christian Surf Camp in October. 

My favorite story is Carissa. Her countenance had traces of tears forming in her precious little eyes. But she cautiously listened to the instructors, followed her personal trainer's directions, and after two wipeouts, rode her first wave onto the beach. I was so proud of her. The smile that glowed from the beach out to me was priceless. 

So when you take your missions trip with your family. Take the lead. Experience new things. Then debrief with them to instill confidence in the Lord and to guide them as they experience challenging obstacles.

Hurrican Mara changes our plans for the day

Hurricane Maria--N of DR

Today we had to rearrange our plans. Torrential bands of rain and thunderstorms pummeled Bavaro. These bands are associated with Hurricane Maria, north of the DR. 

Our family had to adjust. We struggled. I forget how ingrained culture can be. I misunderstand how time influences us in the US. Here there is no clock on the walls of the church or in the rooms where we stay. I have heard our kids say, "What time is it?" They want to know what the plan is.  Both are part of our culture in the US.

Here in the DR time is not measured by the watch, but by the event. You don't look at your watch to determine when is lunch. You check your tummy to determine when to eat, then check the cook to know when food may be ready. How good to be stretched out of our comfort zones.

We are doing well. We played UNO and other card games while the rains poured in large bucketfuls.

In the evening, I got the opportunity to meet Pasquel's leadership team at the church. I did not know what he wanted me to share. But I found out about it last night after the services. So he let me have the pulpit.

By God's design, I am an encourager. I see the big picture too. So I targeted leadership stumbling blocks (II Corinthians 6:3-10) and leadership building blocks.  The stumbling blocks correspond to Satan's mighty weapons: "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life." I heard Jentezen Franklin say in a message that the three things that make pastors fall in ministry are either girls, gold, or glory.  I put each stumbling block together with each phrase like this--girls (lust of the flesh), gold (lust of the eyes), and glory (pride of life). So I challenged the leaders to beware of these stumbling blocks.

Conversely, I challenged them construct building blocks for leadership. I used a hand to illustrate how it takes five digits to have optimal use. You can function without any one of them. But together the hand can be a great tool for work.  The building block that I chose were:

• Competence--know what you can do (Ecclesiastes 9:10);
• Confidence--feel that you can do anything (Philippians 4:13; II Timothy 1:7)
•  Capacity--be aware how much you can do (Colossians 3:23-24), include rest (Deuteronomy. 5:12-15)
• Character--remember who you are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), so guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23-27)
• Control--be filled by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:15-21)

I praise God for giving me this message for them. This church Cuidad de Dios para los naciones--City of God for the Nations--has many nations in its congregation. I hugged and greeted brothers and sisters from the DR, Haiti, US, & Germany. The lost are found in Christ here in the DR.

I will pray for God to help them fulfill the Great Commission. I heard how God has helped them minister in their Jerusalem (Bavaro), then in their Judea (new church starts in their state or county), and in their Samaria (Mata Mosquito--a Haitian neighborhood nearby).  Now they must leave the shores of their Island to reach the world. May God grant them vision, courage, and Holy Spirit empowerment to reach the world for Christ.

[PHOTOS] Family missions trip to DR

Some pics of our journey so far to the Dominican Republic (DR).

Old part of airport as you enter

Paperwork to enter the country

Roads in Punta Cana

Bus ride to church

10:30pm Post service farewells

Melissa thanks Robinson our translator

Our worship is LOUD!

Last night we experienced church Caribbean-style!

The experience began before the bus ride. We had to go to a bus stop on a street-corner after the sun went down. The walk went down streets lit with an occasional street lamp glowing amber in the dark night. We passed and greeted Dominicans out after a long's day work. We guessed we walked about .75 miles to the church bus stop.

I tried to take a video of us waiting but the camera did not have enough light. So I waited for a passing van to shoot some grainy footage. I'll try to upload a short clip or two if I have time and have extra time with the internet access being so slow.

Anyways, we graciously declined rides from other buses, vans, and taxis. Then the bus arrived. What a relief! Standing on a darkened street corner where the street light is not working with your family in a foreign country takes faith or naivete. I had both. Yet my brother-in-law Jeff has been here many times. We praise God for his leadership on this trip. So we stepped into the school bus for our 30 minute trip to the church and school campus.

We arrived late; culturally acceptable here. And the pastor's wife greeted us with a hug and a kiss. We met a couple from Warsaw, IN, the Wildman's. I met Rod on January 1 at the polar bear plunge in Winona Lake, IN.  Others greeted us with a hug and kiss too. We felt tremendous warmth and love.

Upon arrival the church meeting and the kids meeting competed for who was going to be louder. I'm serious! The volume for each sound system seemed to be red-lining. My girls followed their cousins and aunt Stephanie into the raucous children's church. Scripture set to merengue music and dancing overwhelmed them as they entered. What a cultural experience!

We entered the church service amid a full merengue worship band fanfare. Praise choruses on Spanish Powerpoint directed our praise to God. Hands raised, eyes closed, and dignified dancing surrounded us. Praise here in the DR is embodied with total and complete engagement. You must worship with your whole mind, soul, body, and strength. I joined in  as "wild" as a Grace Brethren could. :)

I have much more to write but I'll end here and try to upload some pictures tomorrow. We got back very late. As one church attender put it, "Our worship is loud!" It sure was. My ears are still ringing this morning. Thanks for praying. We get to visit the school tomorrow.

First Day in DR--God is working

Arrived with God already working ahead of us.

My bro-in-law Jeff informed us that we were also taking seven desktop computers to the Christian School in Bavaro where Dominican Pastor Pasquel needed them for their Christian School.  We did not know how we were going to get them to the school once we landed.

The Lord provided a way!

Our desire on this missions trip as a family centers on three core values:

1. Glorify God
2. Love the people from the culture
3. Love one another

We want to glorify God now.  We packed light, checking in only five bags which allowed us to add the seven computers. Our God is great!  Then we arrived at the airport in Punta Cana hoping to connect with the courier who would transport the computers to the school while we went another way to go to our accommodations.

We don't speak Spanish. So this complicated things. Yet God is awesome!

While getting ready to locate the computers in baggage claim, Jeff met the expediter, Renardo. As Jeff was signing for the computers and showing his identification. Jeff told Renardo why we brought the computers and who we brought them for. Renardo hooted and smiled even bigger. He knows Pastor Pasquel. In fact, Renardo is also a pastor working as a Continental expediter.  How great is our God!

So Renardo helped us through customs navigating the red tape and contacting our courier. We got through as quickly as you can in a Caribbean culture. (\[Side note: in the airport there was not one visible clock. Culture shock for my kids who wanted to know what time it was. :)] All praise to God who reigns on high. He is at work and we praise Him.

I reflect on this somber day that people here did not stop in silence. 9-11 only affects we US Citizens. Regardless, we stopped in silence to remember. Even though another part of the world goes on with life without remember those heroes ten years ago. May God be glorified in our services today. We will post pictures as we can. Internet is limited here. But I will seek to post as soon as I can. I walked over to a hotel lobby to access the internet.  God bless! Daron for the Buriff-Butler tribe