Locked and Loaded

Hey everyone!

UPDATE:  We have reached the $5,000 mark for the fund that is specifically set aside for the children's needs at LDO and BDI!!!  Praise God for providing the money through faithful donors like you!  We will blog about how this money is going to be used.

UPDATE #2 - Two of our team members, Jason and Mistie Suhr - had to drop out of the team.  This is because they are currently 7-8 months pregnant.  We had many leaders in the Christian community who  have expressed their concern about them going abroad while being pregnant.  Should complications arise, we wouldn't have access to fast/emergency service like we have in USA/Canada.  Through prayer, fasting, and meetings with our Executive Director, Chad Entinger, we came to the conclusion that it was wise that Jason and Mistie stay in the USA and serve a local ministry instead of going to Africa.  

This was pretty painful for us to lose two people, because we love them, and they have contributed so much with their leadership and organizational abilities.  They have already made such a difference in our ODO camp/team planning.  We will miss them both!  We all know that this does not mean that J/M cannot go on future mission trips - as they still have Africa "tattooed" on their hearts.  It just is not the right time - YET!  :)  So, please pray for them as they expect their first child!

This Wednesday is when we depart good ol' USA for Kenya and Uganda!  We all will bring a BUNCH of things for the deaf orphans there - clothes, toys, crafts, school supplies.  We went through so much things and packed as much as we could.  All of the things that we packed were donated from the local community!  It is wonderful to see how teamwork can achieve so much in such a short time.  

Here are some pictures of us packing and our VP meeting with Lance!

All of the donated goods scattered around at Moises and Kristina's basement!

Crafts and school supplies!

Yup, that'd be perfect.

Hmm, which ones?  

We had to weigh the suitcases to make sure they were 50 pounds or less!

Subtract 50 and you'll know what Moises weighs ;)  

That suitcase is full of donated goods that Dallas was able to get when he was home in Kentucky!

Ready to zip it up!  

Another suitcase filled!

Weighin' more suitcases!

You can do it, Dallas!  Hold it!   Stabilize!

After almost three hours of sorting and packing, this is what we have!

Around 11:30 pm, we had a VP meeting with Lance!  He gave us awesome advice and tips.  

Axel, our dog is exhausted!  So is Fox, M/K's dog on the left!

Our trip starts to get more exciting tomorrow (May 28) - because that's the road trip to JFK airport in NYC!  Tomorrow afternoon we will take a rental van and drive all the way (22 hours) to New Jersey, where we will stay with Kristina's family's house for a night.  We drop off the rental van with the bags and fly out Wednesday afternoon.  We will meet Kat in Kenya June 1st!  

Our blog will also become more exciting :)  Please pray for us during this critical time - the departure part!  If you'd like to donate to help us with our daily ministry expenses while we are in Africa - travel, lodging, food, you can do so at www.odeafo.com/donate.  You can also donate to specific team members through www.odeafo.com/the-teams.html!  

That is all for now.  God bless!