School Picture for 2013

Labor Day is only a few days away, thus the start of fall. This year I have been trying to become a better listener to what God has for me. I have referenced myself to Samuel in the Old Testament, and how he was listening for God is how I want to listen for God. This year God has really had several things fall in place that I cannot explain, and some of it God really needed to yell at me to make sure I took the right direction. 

August 2013 School Picture

As I have told several people over my lifetime, life is a bunch of choices that you make. The majority of my choices I do not hear God saying drink this drink or run this mile, but is choices that I make based on where I am at in my life. School teachers, coaches, Sunday school teachers, family, parents, friends, co-workers, pastors, people I meet on a random basis, and most of all God has impacted me on what choices I make. 

Because of the great people I have surrounded myself with; I have made several great choices in my life. God gave me these people throughout my life for me to gain wisdom. 

The reason I mention this is this group that is going down to La Union is going to be helping some of these kids gain wisdom & knowledge for choices they will make. The other thing that we take for granted is the ability to dream about the future. When you ask the kids what they want to be when they grow up most of them do not say police officers, fireman, and president.(Some may say they want to be a professional football [Soccer] player) In America we take this for granted that many of us thought everyone in the world dreams about what they will be. 

Current School Cafeteria

I was thinking about that today and I thought I would share it as I have pictures of the kids from the school for this year and the picture of the cafeteria. As you look at the picture please pray for these kids as they start their school year that they will gain knowledge and wisdom to help their future along with gaining a love for Jesus. If you could also pray that we will be able to share our love to these kids as like every kid in the world they should feel loved.

God Bless,

        Joe Van Walbeek

Plain Tickets are Purchased

I thought it may be time to make an update on what is happening with the trip since the last posting was in June and it is now August. Sorry about the delay, as I know a few of you wanted more updates. 

Our team currently consists of 8great people. (Brandon Thomas from Lansing, MI, George Brown from Eau Claire, WI, Jennah Engen from Mondovi, WI, Ben Van Walbeek from Des Moines, IA, John & Carol Van Walbeek from Blue Grass, IA, and Leah and I from Eleva,WI) We all now have our plain tickets from Chicago, IL to San Pedro Sula, Honduras. I believe the flight is taking off at 6:00 AM Saturday, October 26^th, and we will return to Chicago November 3^rd around 4 pm if my memory is correct. This means we will have a short Friday night Friday as we will all gather in Chicago and several of us will be traveling around 3-5 hours after work. Along with the plain tickets Leah just got in her passport and she was the last one on the team to receive it. (Praise God that everyone got it a few months ahead of time.

We have also found out that we will be building a cafeteria/kitchen for Abundant Life Christian School. Right now they serve the food out of a two person shed. It reminds me a lot of the concession stand when I played at Emies baseball park in Davenport, IA. I know the school has changed some, but when we were down there the kids usually just ate out on the grass or the steps. They did have a few picnic tables that were under a lean-too. I am guessing that when it rains they would either eat in their classroom or sit under the lean too as they have no hallways that are inside. Each grade has its own classroom, which is nice if they did eat inside. Each year they would add a grade and when they added a grade they would add another classroom building on. I believe this next year the school will be either at 11^th grade or their first senior class. 

I have also heard how generous everyone has been even with donating school and sports supplies. A few of the team members have received a few soccer balls, pens, scissors, crayons, book bags, sporting equipment, and I believe someone was picking up art paint as that is hard to come by. (Paint is considered a luxury item) We will accept any of these donations until we leave. Has anyone received a pink soccer ball for the girls? The girls loved the pink soccer ball we brought last time. Also thank you to those who have been giving the monetary donations to help cover the trip expenses as well. 

Everyone on this team is really excited. There will be some challenges as we go into a new culture and we will need to adjust to their way of life. As you see someone from the team please encourage them as it is nice to hear the support from friends and family.

 As the time gets closer I will try and update you with more information. Feel free to ask me or any of the team questions. If we do not know an answer we will find out for you.