Tree Houses

Now you can see what we went to Ecuador to build. The pictures are in order of how we constructed the tree houses. We got about 95% done on them and now the El Refugio staff will take it from here to complete them.





The first step was securing the support braces to the trees




Next we built the frames on the supports





After that we put the decking boards on and attached the upright posts for the roof frames and railings





Then we hoisted up the roofing frames and attached those to the poles and tree







The final step was to attach plywood to the frames. We then stapled a layer of plastic and finished them off with grass on top. Pretty cool looking, huh?



Here's the team on the final day standing in front of our handy work. You can see two of the houses behind us and the supports for the fourth house next to us.

It was such an honor and a blessing to be a part of the team. For me it was a very unique and refreshing missions experience unlike most I've been on in recent years. This time around was an opportunity for me to focus solely on being a team member and servant vs. being in a leadership role and having to make a bunch of decisions. It took a little getting used to, but it was a nice change of pace for me. Our hope and prayer is that many Ecuadorian youth will have unique and meaningful encounters with the Lord while spending time in the trees. We most likely won't come face to face with any of them until eternity, but the thought of Him meeting them there made all the aches, pains, and treks up and down the trail well worth it.
Thanks for being a part of the adventure with us through this blog and for partnering with us through your prayer support!

On our way home

Sitting here in the airport waiting to board. We had some issues connecting to the internet the last few days so i never got around to posting pictures of the tree houses. I guess I'll post them when I get back to the states. Better late than never. See all of you soon!!

Tonight was a very special night

Tonight we dined on a truly Ecuadorian delicacy....Cuy. Also known as baked Guinea Pig. Yep, we were chewing on that same furry little animal you had as a pet once upon a time








Blake really lucked out cuz he got the head!
Our next batch of pictures will show you the building process for the tree houses!!

Drum roll please......

Pictures are here! Here's a little bit of what our week has looked like. Now that I've figured out how to post pictures more will come for sure!


Our Casa for the week


Front gate to El Refugio


Just hanging out....at the middle of the earth!!


The team with missionaries Paul & Beth Reichart and their son Jack at the Equator


Look closely at the menu to see what's being served in Ecuador. Yep you read it right!


Blake enjoying the local cuisine - but not what's on the menu above!


The decks before we add the tree houses


The "Indiana Jones" bridge connecting the two decks


Hauling supplies up the hill. Just ignore the local guy carrying twice as much as me. Show off!!


Setting up and looking at where two of the three tree houses will be built


Andon doing what he does so well - formulating a plan of attack!


Safety first! Mitch making sure all our lines are secure


Taggart hanging out in the trees with his dad.
And a preview of more photos coming soon to show you all the progress we've made!


So to all our loyal readers (I think we're up to 6or 7 now) thanks for checking in and continuing to pray for us! Speaking of prayer, lift up Blake because he has had some minor stomach issues since yesterday. And don't forget to keep praying for our safety - those trees are awfully high. Thanks

so about those pictures....

....still working on that. the internet connection here is pretty slow, so it takes forever to upload pictures. plus the power went out twice today at camp. so all that to say...no pictures today. No angry comments please!
But if you want to, you can use your imagination and with your mind's eye picture Blake, Andon, Mitch, Taggart, and I in really unflattering harnesses hanging from eucalyptus trees creating really cool looking tree houses where once there was nothing, all the while grasping at our throbbing chests due to the lack of oxygen intake at 10,000 feet. Pretty, huh?
So, I'm gonna work on a couples "plan b's" and try to get at least a few pictures up here before we see you again face to face

Our First Post while at camp!!!

Well it’s taken a little bit of work but we’re finally online at El Refugio (The Refuge). Things so far have been great! Here’s a bit of a rundown of what we’ve been up to so far:

- We arrived at Quito around 1:30pm (we’re 2 hours ahead of you guys in California) after some stops in El Salvador and Costa Rica

- Got settled into our casa – which for those of you unfamiliar with the Spanish language, that means house - for the week. It’s got a kitchen, two bathrooms (with HOT WATER!!), and a living room with a wood burning stove. Blake and Andon are sharing a room and I’m with Mitch and Taggart. It’s really comfortable – except for the mouse we’ve seen several times, which has created a small amount of discomfort for me. Let’s just say I’m never the first into the house just in case he’s out

- We visited the Equator and had dinner out and had some de-lish local cuisine

- Saturday we started on the tree house project. We hauled, by hand, about 100 pieces of lumber, a generator, tools, and tons of hardware 300 yards up a narrow mountain path to the worksite. Before you call me a wimp keep in mind we’re at an elevation of about 10,000 feet (!) which means that 300 yards feels like a mile……at least

- The first day we got a few of the braces for the tree houses up – check the pics – which was more than we expected

- Sunday we went to a local Spanish speaking church and endured, I mean, enjoyed a service that last almost 2 hours in a language none of us understood

- After church we went to an old cathedral in town that I’m not even gonna attempt to spell. We climbed all the way up to the bell tower which challenged my fear of heights. But it was well worth the experience. After that we went to a local market to do some souvenir shopping.

So that brings us up to Sunday night. We’re all sitting around the fire relaxing after a long day of soaking up some sights and sounds of Ecuador.

We’re all healthy and doing well…..except for the occasional gasping for air when we get working too hard (which is code for simply walking around camp). It’s a blessing to all of us to be here serving at El Refugio. We’re pretty confident we’ll accomplish what we came here to do with the construction project, which is encouraging.

Everyone here says hi to family and friends!

We love you guys and really appreciate your prayers! And if you have a minute after reading this, leave us a comment. We’d love to hear from you.

Oh and one more thing…..GO ANGELS!!!!! Whoot Whoot!!!! Swept the Red Sox!!! One step closer to the World Series!!!!

Pictures coming later today......

First part of the trip.....

....is accomplished! We survived soggy waffles and tiny latin women. We're sitting in the airport in El Salvador. Next stop Costa Rica. Then onto Ecuador. WooHoo!

The mind is a funny thing....

Every time I think about building tree houses my mind wanders to these little fellas.....

Testing. Testing. One...Two...Three...

Heading South

Well this blog has sat completely dormant since I returned from Costa Rica way back in April. Between Facebook and Myspace I just haven't had much need to update it. But that's all changing! This Friday -in the waaaaaaaaay early A.M. - I will be flying to Ecuador with some friends to work at a youth camp. We'll be constructing tree houses to go with an existing ropes course. In addition to that, I'll be looking into future ministry opportunities for our high school and college students. Should be a really exciting trip. We'll be working with an organization called Youth World. To find out about them visit their website: www.youthworld.org.ec
Check back from time to time Oct. 9-19 to see what we're doing there!!

HOME!

.....and exhausted! Time to catch up with my kids and my sleep

We're Here!

Hello from Costa Rica! Joe was kind enough to drive me into town so I could update this blog. This is probably the only time I will have a chance to do this since Joe will be leaving us tomorrow. But you never know, so check back later in the week.

We have been having an amazing time. As typically happens on trips like this, we have seen everyone step up to all the tasks laid before them. Up to this point we have been getting trained in preparation for a jr. high school that is arriving on Tuesday. And that training includes all of us doing the “in tree” ropes course (which was definitely was a faith stretcher for those of us with a slight – well, ok a MAJOR- fear of heights.) Learning the ins and outs of serving and cleaning in the kitchen. Moving all the bunk’s mattresses outside to air out. Cleaning all the harnesses and helmets from the rock wall and ropes course. Learning how to belay climbers on the rock wall. Practicing all the jungle challenges (obstacles) so we know how to lead them with the students. Some of our team will even work as counselors in the cabins with the students.

The team is continuing to bond as we spend time living, learning, working, and laughing together. Each night we have team time for worship and some devotions led by alternating team mates. Tomorrow half the team will be experiencing Expeditions (La Montana’s version of Survivorman) for one night. The other half will head out upon their return. We will sleep out in the rain forest, in hammocks, at a base camp we set up ourselves. We are responsible for all our own cooking and will be working on some projects out there in preparation for others getting to use it. Since this is a new part of the La Montana camp, no one has ever done this so we are the guinea pigs…..I mean pioneers. But don’t worry, 2 camp staff will be going with us.

Everyone says “hi” (Robert to Dani in particular). I want you to know that I am so proud of everyone so far. They’ll all met each activity and challenge without hesitation or complaint – for the most part. Praise the Lord we’re all healthy!

Here are a few pictures of stuff we've been doing this week.

Taitai on the climbing wall

Kyle, Daniel, and Jordan connecting with nature



Anxiously awaiting our next assignment!



Amy with Mario, the camp cook

Kyle, Stephanie, Edyn & Robert (with Joe Pent, the camp director) getting ready to serve a meal


God's Finger. Remove the tire without it touching the post
Strrrrretch! Crossing the "U's"

Viva Costa Rica!

Today is the day! At 9PM the team will be gathering at the church and then heading down to LAX. Then we fly off to Costa Rica at 2:20AM. We'll get there around 9AM.
I still feel like there lots of little things to do, but in reality I don't think there is. We kept Hannah and Clint home from school today so we could all hang out before Amy and I leave. Think we'll head to Duke's for lunch. After all, they do have the best buns on the beach!
I hope no one's luggage exceeds the 50lb. limit. What a drag it would be to stand in line eliminating things from your suitcase. That would be sorta embarrassing with everyone watching and me taking pictures of the whole thing!

"Dear Friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
Book of 1 Peter 2:11-12

This is our theme verse for our trip to Costa Rica. To live like aliens in a foreign land. To stand out from the crowd; not for our glory and praise, but His. To go against the flow and put others before us.To make an eternal difference.

It's Almost Here......Yikes!

Well, as you can tell from the entry title, it is almost here. What is? Our trip to La Montana Christian Camp in Costa Rica. We (a team of 18) leave on Wednesday March 25 for 9 days. Now is the time of mass little details. Sure hope I haven't overlooked anything.
Speaking of overlooking things. I have been hammering the team for months to make sure their passports are current and ready to go. So guess who spent Tuesday morning at the Federal Building in Los Angeles trying to renew a passport a week before we depart?
Yep....me. Its all good now, but oh the irony.
I've avoided telling most of the team in an attempt to dodge the inevitable mocking. But after this post.......

Opinion #1

Action! Adventure! Suspense! Humor! Teamwork! Justice! Tights!

Hands down, one of the greatest TV shows of all time.

Some things just take you back in time and this corny show is one of them for me.

Seriously, does it get any better than Adam West in a shiny blue satin cape & mask?? I didn't think so.