Hola!
We are safe and feeling very blessed to be serving here in Honduras with the beautiful people of Mogote! Our team has been working everyday on the home we are building, feeding the children in the streets every morning, doing Bible lessons and crafts with the small children in both the morning and afternoon, helping prepare food in the kitchen of the ministry site and playing games in the streets of Mogote with the children (my favorite thing to do so far!) We have a wonderful, hard working team! Its been a joy to come and serve alongside the missionaries here.
We thank you so much for your prayers!!! We are grateful to be here!
Kay Skaggs
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Parnu, Estonia, Thursday, July 30, 2009
Good morning from Estonia!
It is a beautiful morning (70 degrees with a cool breeze) in Parnu. This is our last full day at Agape Church and our last day of VBS. Our time here has been fantastic and we have formed a close bond with the children and the adults at the church. It will be very hard to say good-bye. The children now wave excitedly to us as they approach the church. Some of the older children are brave enough to practice their English with us. I was told that if you ask a child, "Do you speak English?" They will all shake their head "No" because they are too shy to speak it; however, most of them do understand English as they study it in school beginning in Kindergarten. Shane has worked with us trying to teach us some Estonian. Carolyn, Jennifer and I have tried a few words with the children every day. Mike and Teil spoke a few Estonian words in the hardware store which were met with a hardy laugh from the clerk.
The Estonian children love our kids. Rich has made many friends and the girls love to chase him calling out "Come here, Richie boy!" Allyson is always in the middle of the kids playing and helping. Tyler and Dylan have enjoyed helping Shane in the music room each day learning "Jesus Loves Me" in Estonian. The kids have surprised all of us with their servant's hearts. They are already asking about when we will return to Estonia.
Mike and Teil will finish the playset today. Their goal is to finish before VBS is over so that the children can play on it. Ullas Tankler shared with Mike and Teil that it has always been a dream of his to have a playground for the kids at the church. He was thrilled that God used Asbury Church and especially the children of Asbury to make that dream a reality. Tomorrow we will travel to Camp Gideon for the day and then back to Tallinn. Please pray that the seeds that were planted here will grow and pray for the church, especially Tonu, their pastor and his wife. Also, please pray for our team that this experience will continue to transform us. Thank you. We miss you all and are looking forward to seeing you soon.
Christy Capps
It is a beautiful morning (70 degrees with a cool breeze) in Parnu. This is our last full day at Agape Church and our last day of VBS. Our time here has been fantastic and we have formed a close bond with the children and the adults at the church. It will be very hard to say good-bye. The children now wave excitedly to us as they approach the church. Some of the older children are brave enough to practice their English with us. I was told that if you ask a child, "Do you speak English?" They will all shake their head "No" because they are too shy to speak it; however, most of them do understand English as they study it in school beginning in Kindergarten. Shane has worked with us trying to teach us some Estonian. Carolyn, Jennifer and I have tried a few words with the children every day. Mike and Teil spoke a few Estonian words in the hardware store which were met with a hardy laugh from the clerk.
The Estonian children love our kids. Rich has made many friends and the girls love to chase him calling out "Come here, Richie boy!" Allyson is always in the middle of the kids playing and helping. Tyler and Dylan have enjoyed helping Shane in the music room each day learning "Jesus Loves Me" in Estonian. The kids have surprised all of us with their servant's hearts. They are already asking about when we will return to Estonia.
Mike and Teil will finish the playset today. Their goal is to finish before VBS is over so that the children can play on it. Ullas Tankler shared with Mike and Teil that it has always been a dream of his to have a playground for the kids at the church. He was thrilled that God used Asbury Church and especially the children of Asbury to make that dream a reality. Tomorrow we will travel to Camp Gideon for the day and then back to Tallinn. Please pray that the seeds that were planted here will grow and pray for the church, especially Tonu, their pastor and his wife. Also, please pray for our team that this experience will continue to transform us. Thank you. We miss you all and are looking forward to seeing you soon.
Christy Capps
Honduras, Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Our group has just finished with our night meeting and we are all happy with our routines today. Once again we broke in to groups of three this morning. One group did the neighborhood feeding again. The other group finally finished the house and the outhouse next to it. And the other group worked with the school kids. After lunch all of the ladies went into town and bought household items (silverware, cleaning supplies, furniture cooking stuff) for the new house we built for the family of six.
A lot of people on our team got to do a lot of one-on-one ministering with the Hondurans today, which was super exciting for them and the Hondurans.
All in all we had a great day full of fun activities, spiritual interaction, great food and team bonding. Again we are all in great health and really enjoying our time here.
Will Skaggs
A lot of people on our team got to do a lot of one-on-one ministering with the Hondurans today, which was super exciting for them and the Hondurans.
All in all we had a great day full of fun activities, spiritual interaction, great food and team bonding. Again we are all in great health and really enjoying our time here.
Will Skaggs
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Parnu, Estonia, Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Friends,
Life in Estonia continues. The weather is spectacular. It is like our fall – 60’s and 70’s. It is light until about 11:00 PM and the sun rises at 4:00 AM. Long days. We understand from our Estonian friends that the first Asbury mission team to visit Parnu determined to work until sundown. It is quite a joke around here. We went to the beach this evening. It was relaxing and enjoyable.
VBS is going well. We had 46 today. We are hoping and praying for an increase on Thursday. The kids are learning the songs and the routine and seem to really be enjoying themselves. After seeing the kids for 3 days, we are now recognizing them and able to greet them warmly. Allyson has a little group of Estonian girls that follow her around. It is so cute. They yell her name – Alllliiii-son. Obviously, hard to give you the real effect on email.
Our construction project is going much, much better. The carpet is done. The play set is going well. We should finish on Thursday. It was quite interesting finding a lumberyard in Parnu, much less treated wood for a play set. But, God is good and we had some help. The wood here is very cheap. Of course, everything is metric so communicating we need 2x4 or 4x4 has taken some handy conversion. We hope to finish Thursday so we can watch the kids play before we leave.
We head to Camp Gideon on Friday. It is a former soviet camp that Asbury purchased and has turned into a school and seminary. It is right on the ocean and I hear it is gorgeous. Then we head back to Tallinn to prepare to fly home. In Tallinn we will go to the seminary we also support. Thanks for your prayers. We are having a great and memorable trip.
God Bless…Teil
Life in Estonia continues. The weather is spectacular. It is like our fall – 60’s and 70’s. It is light until about 11:00 PM and the sun rises at 4:00 AM. Long days. We understand from our Estonian friends that the first Asbury mission team to visit Parnu determined to work until sundown. It is quite a joke around here. We went to the beach this evening. It was relaxing and enjoyable.
VBS is going well. We had 46 today. We are hoping and praying for an increase on Thursday. The kids are learning the songs and the routine and seem to really be enjoying themselves. After seeing the kids for 3 days, we are now recognizing them and able to greet them warmly. Allyson has a little group of Estonian girls that follow her around. It is so cute. They yell her name – Alllliiii-son. Obviously, hard to give you the real effect on email.
Our construction project is going much, much better. The carpet is done. The play set is going well. We should finish on Thursday. It was quite interesting finding a lumberyard in Parnu, much less treated wood for a play set. But, God is good and we had some help. The wood here is very cheap. Of course, everything is metric so communicating we need 2x4 or 4x4 has taken some handy conversion. We hope to finish Thursday so we can watch the kids play before we leave.
We head to Camp Gideon on Friday. It is a former soviet camp that Asbury purchased and has turned into a school and seminary. It is right on the ocean and I hear it is gorgeous. Then we head back to Tallinn to prepare to fly home. In Tallinn we will go to the seminary we also support. Thanks for your prayers. We are having a great and memorable trip.
God Bless…Teil
Honduras, Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Day 2 is over and we are all exhausted. We had a very productive day. We all did different jobs today. All of the women started out feeding the children in the area and in the afternoon they did the honduran women's small group where they made crafts and talked. The women's small group is just a time for the women to lay back and enjoy themselves. All of the women in our group really enjoyed it. Then today the men spilt up. Three of the guys went to help finish the house that we worked on yesterday. It is almost finished and progress was greatly made today. The other group of men helped with the two kindergarden classes where they colored with the kids and played games.
We all ended the day playing games in the streets with the kids. It was a lot of fun for us as well as the kids.
Even though we are all extremely exhausted, we are physically doing well and staying healthy.
Thanks for the prayers.
Will Skaggs
We all ended the day playing games in the streets with the kids. It was a lot of fun for us as well as the kids.
Even though we are all extremely exhausted, we are physically doing well and staying healthy.
Thanks for the prayers.
Will Skaggs
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Honduras, Monday, July 27, 2009
Day 1 went well for everyone.
We all woke up at 8 and had a group meeting and morning devotional. After that we all went to the mission site where we broke up into three groups. Three of us went to build a house for a man who barely had a house. We have already set up the foundation, and all four walls of the house. Another group of three went around the entire "village" or as they call it colonia, and took food to kids at their homes. After that they spent the rest of the day cooking in the kitchen for the kids that come in for school. And the other group of three worked with the kids in the classrooms all day.
We all are doing great (health-wise) and we are fully enjoying our time here. We love the hotel we are staying at, which is quite luxurious. And the food so far has been excellent. Tomorrow will be a little bit different than today, even though the schedules are usually the same every day.
Now we are hanging out in Emily (daughter of Bob & Kay Skaggs) and Jon's (Odom) room playing games and relaxing.
I will keep you updated on the events tomorrow!
Will Skaggs
We all woke up at 8 and had a group meeting and morning devotional. After that we all went to the mission site where we broke up into three groups. Three of us went to build a house for a man who barely had a house. We have already set up the foundation, and all four walls of the house. Another group of three went around the entire "village" or as they call it colonia, and took food to kids at their homes. After that they spent the rest of the day cooking in the kitchen for the kids that come in for school. And the other group of three worked with the kids in the classrooms all day.
We all are doing great (health-wise) and we are fully enjoying our time here. We love the hotel we are staying at, which is quite luxurious. And the food so far has been excellent. Tomorrow will be a little bit different than today, even though the schedules are usually the same every day.
Now we are hanging out in Emily (daughter of Bob & Kay Skaggs) and Jon's (Odom) room playing games and relaxing.
I will keep you updated on the events tomorrow!
Will Skaggs
Monday, July 27, 2009
Parnu, Estonia VIM Update Monday, July 27, 2009
Tere (Hello) from Estonia!
The first day of VBS was awesome. We had 34 kids. We started the day by playing games with the children who came walking to the church from all directions. It was neat to see how easily our kids connected with the Estonian children regardless of the language barrier. There was one boy who was sad at the end of the day because he didn't win a prize playing a game. But, he was ecstatic when he found out he got to keep his t-shirt and coloring book.
Shane led eager students in song in both English and Estonian. The Estonian children were excited to learn that Asbury's kids had learned a song in Estonian during their VBS.
After three trips to the Estonian version of Home Depot, Mike and Teil are making the best of a very trying situation. There have been many lengthy discussions on how to install carpet. They are dealing with odd shaped carpet in an odd shaped room. And they still have a playset to build! Please pray for them.
Our first full day in Parnu has exceeded our expectations. Please pray that as the week continues that we will double...even triple the kids attending VBS. Thanks, Jennifer, Teil, Mike, Christy, Shane, Carolyn, Allyson, Tyler, Rich and Dylan
Christy Capps
The first day of VBS was awesome. We had 34 kids. We started the day by playing games with the children who came walking to the church from all directions. It was neat to see how easily our kids connected with the Estonian children regardless of the language barrier. There was one boy who was sad at the end of the day because he didn't win a prize playing a game. But, he was ecstatic when he found out he got to keep his t-shirt and coloring book.
Shane led eager students in song in both English and Estonian. The Estonian children were excited to learn that Asbury's kids had learned a song in Estonian during their VBS.
After three trips to the Estonian version of Home Depot, Mike and Teil are making the best of a very trying situation. There have been many lengthy discussions on how to install carpet. They are dealing with odd shaped carpet in an odd shaped room. And they still have a playset to build! Please pray for them.
Our first full day in Parnu has exceeded our expectations. Please pray that as the week continues that we will double...even triple the kids attending VBS. Thanks, Jennifer, Teil, Mike, Christy, Shane, Carolyn, Allyson, Tyler, Rich and Dylan
Christy Capps
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Honduras VIM Team Sunday, July 26, 2009
Hello!
We arrived here a while ago and have taken a tour through the ministry site. We just got back from a coffee shop in town and are now getting settled in to our rooms.
Not a whole lot going on today (Sunday). We are probably just going to relax the rest of the evening. I will message you tomorrow with more details on everything.
Will Skaggs
We arrived here a while ago and have taken a tour through the ministry site. We just got back from a coffee shop in town and are now getting settled in to our rooms.
Not a whole lot going on today (Sunday). We are probably just going to relax the rest of the evening. I will message you tomorrow with more details on everything.
Will Skaggs
Estonia, Parnu VIM Team Sunday, July 26, 2009
The sun hardly sets in Estonia before it rises again during the Summer. It was hardly dark when we went to bed at 11pm last night and we woke to daylight at 5:30am. We headed to Parnu at 8am and were there in plenty of time for Sunday services. Our kids were called to the front for the children's sermon which was delivered in Estonian but translated for them into English. We all enjoyed the worship service and tried singing familiar hymns in Estonian. Carolyn did a wonderful job sending greetings to the congregation from Asbury. She had a translator as well. It was great to see many friends at church today that I met on my first trip to Estonia.
Shane received his luggage, so there was much rejoicing all around! Our kids had a very busy day teaching Jennifer and I the rules to the games they have planned to play with the kids attending VBS in the morning. The kids are also acting out the Bible story which kicks off the day tomorrow.
Mike and Teil will be working hard on their "light" construction projects. Tomorrow they are ripping out the old carpeting in the fellowship hall and will install new carpeting. After that they will begin building the playground outside.
We have enjoyed beautiful weather so far. It is about 70 degrees. The kids have done so well and are really soaking in the experience and the culture. I can't wait to see them interact with the Estonian children. I will update facebook with my pictures tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers!
Christy Capps
Shane received his luggage, so there was much rejoicing all around! Our kids had a very busy day teaching Jennifer and I the rules to the games they have planned to play with the kids attending VBS in the morning. The kids are also acting out the Bible story which kicks off the day tomorrow.
Mike and Teil will be working hard on their "light" construction projects. Tomorrow they are ripping out the old carpeting in the fellowship hall and will install new carpeting. After that they will begin building the playground outside.
We have enjoyed beautiful weather so far. It is about 70 degrees. The kids have done so well and are really soaking in the experience and the culture. I can't wait to see them interact with the Estonian children. I will update facebook with my pictures tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers!
Christy Capps
Estonia, Parn VIM Team Sunday, July 26, 2009
Our adventure has begun. We had an unexpected delay in Chicago and missed our connecting flight to Denmark on Thursday night. The kids helped us keep a good outlook on things as they were not upset about the problems we faced. We spent all day Friday in Chicago and then caught our flight last night. The kids were so exhausted from walking around Chicago, they fell right to sleep when we got on the plane at 10pm.
We flew from Chicago to Denmark and from Denmark to Estonia. We arrived at 2:30pm Estonia time (6:30am Tulsa time). (Saturday) Our team luggage consisted of 10 personal bags and 10 team bags with supplies. We are missing Shane's personal luggage and one team bag. Please pray that they find these tomorrow because VBS starts on Monday!
This evening our team explored old town Tallinn and had a wonderful dinner outside at a restaurant in the square. The kids (and adults) are soaking in the beautiful sights and wonderful culture that surrounds us.
We will leave for Parnu early tomorrow morning (Sunday) in order to unload the vans at the church and then attend Agape's Sunday service. We are hoping to Skype with Kim Renkema and the kids in Rock 5.6 tomorrow. We are looking forward to a wonderful week in Parnu. We can't wait to meet all the children! Please pray for God to prepare our hearts to serve well. Thanks for your support and encouragement!
Christy
We flew from Chicago to Denmark and from Denmark to Estonia. We arrived at 2:30pm Estonia time (6:30am Tulsa time). (Saturday) Our team luggage consisted of 10 personal bags and 10 team bags with supplies. We are missing Shane's personal luggage and one team bag. Please pray that they find these tomorrow because VBS starts on Monday!
This evening our team explored old town Tallinn and had a wonderful dinner outside at a restaurant in the square. The kids (and adults) are soaking in the beautiful sights and wonderful culture that surrounds us.
We will leave for Parnu early tomorrow morning (Sunday) in order to unload the vans at the church and then attend Agape's Sunday service. We are hoping to Skype with Kim Renkema and the kids in Rock 5.6 tomorrow. We are looking forward to a wonderful week in Parnu. We can't wait to meet all the children! Please pray for God to prepare our hearts to serve well. Thanks for your support and encouragement!
Christy
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Estonia, Parnu update July 25, 2009
Our team is on site in Tallinn - finally! One personal bag & one team bag did not arrive yet, but we'll agree that will be corrected before they make the drive to Parnu early Sunday morning.
Thank you for your prayers for this team.
Thank you for your prayers for this team.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Camp Gideon - Estonia VIM Team July 4 09
We arrived in Tallinn about an hour ago and all of us are completely exhausted from camp. It was hard to say goodbye but at the same time it was a lot more joyful than usual.The team had a great time at camp and it was so easy for all of us to get along and we worked GREAT together. Camp was absolutely incredible and we can't wait to share stories with you. The week consisted of a lot of sports, hanging out on the beach, great worship, construction, and a lot of new relationships. They Russians had very nice things to say to us as we left today and we feel like, once again, the relationships with the people here in Estonia continue to grow stronger every year.Not only are we excited to share stories with everyone but at the same time we feel like we have a lot more new ideas that we strongly believe will benefit the people here in Estonia and completely bless themTonight, in honor of Independence Day, we are going to eat at McDonalds.......its as American as it gets. Then we plan on going to hang out with some of the Russian Youth in Old Town.We can't wait to see everyone and we are very excited to share what God has done in our lives this week!See you all on Monday,David Read
Friday, July 03, 2009
Camp Gideon - Estonia VIM Team July 3 09
Text message from co-leader Emily Lester
All is well. Leaving tomorrow and will let you know when we get to Tallinn. Everyone is happy and healthy! Went to Johvi yesterday and have dinner at Artur's tonight.
(Johvi is the town nearest to Camp Gideon and where Artur Pold, the Camp Director, lives.)
submitted by Mary Ann Smith
All is well. Leaving tomorrow and will let you know when we get to Tallinn. Everyone is happy and healthy! Went to Johvi yesterday and have dinner at Artur's tonight.
(Johvi is the town nearest to Camp Gideon and where Artur Pold, the Camp Director, lives.)
submitted by Mary Ann Smith
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