The Hawkeye State

Alex giving a review and presentation on Operation Deaf Orphans and what we did in Europe to our home church in Council Bluffs, Iowa - Christ' Church of the Deaf.

The church!  

It's hard to share what we did through pictures in USA - because in Europe, we would always have a camera with us.  But basically, we are having a good time being with family and being with our sponsoring organization, Deaf Missions.  There really is no place like home.  We are close to knowing what we are going to do for the rest of the year, and once we do know, we will be updating our blog.

Last weekend, we went to a summer camp which was run by Deaf Missions.  It was a great time, and we made some new contacts and talked about our mission trip and our upcoming plan to start a summer camp in Romania next summer.  We met a few parents who adopted deaf children themselves so it was very encouraging to see success stories and the smart deaf children.  

At the summer camp!  This is the mess hall, where everyone's hungry tummies are filled.

Alex gave a presentation about ODO and a lot of people responded with donations for Romania 2012 and quite a few people said they wanted to go with us and serve the children in Romania, so we are excited about this.  

American Food

Clarissa and Lilly-Kate.  Clarissa is a third-time attendee of this camp and Lilly-Kate is Alex and Alexa's adorable niece.

One of the evening worship services.  Here, Mark Lowenstein is doing an activity with some of the kids.

Brian Baell, the guest speaker.  You might remember him from our road trip, when we stopped at Phoenix, Arizona.  He will soon be moving across the country and become a minister in Florida, his and Alex's home state.  

Amen to Romans 8:28!

Grandpa Jose and Grandson Joseph Jr.  He is the brother of Lilly-Kate.  

Playing a game - where we had to move an OREO cookie from our forehead to our mouths without touching it at all, all through facial movements.  Everyone was laughing and it was a very creative idea!  

Oooh almost there, Corban!  

Chad Entinger, Executive Director of Deaf Missions, and Bobby watches a fellow camper attempt the OREO slide.

What's a camp without a bonfire and smores?

Our religion's got the best logo ;)

Alexa and Clarissa. 

At the camp, we were glad to see Haley, a girl we met the year before at camp.  She is the one on the left.  She decided that she wanted to be baptized, to be committed to Christ.  Alexa talked with her about it, and Haley was ready.  

We were very joyous to be able to baptize Haley and for her to grow closer with our Creator.  

Old life buried with Christ, and she's got a new life just like Christ' resurrection.  

Jenn Baell, Brian's wife, and their two adorable sons, Nick and Rowan.  

This is Jessica Oldfather, a RIT student.   

Another man, Matt, wanted to be baptized also.  Here is Mark L. and Jose doing the ceremony.  

Baptized!  

Getting baptized is a big deal, a life-chaning moment for many of us.  

Before we sent Brian and his family off to the airport, we had dinner together at our parents' house.  Clockwise from left: Joseph (Alex's brother,) Lilly-Kate (his daughter), Haley (Alex n Alexa's sister-in-law and wife of Joseph), Kathi, Jose, Jenn, Rowan, Brian, and finally little Rowan.  Joseph Jr is somewhere on the floor and Alex was the one who took the picture.


That's all for now!  More later!  God bless :)