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We're Leavin' On A Jet Plane...

Tom & Lisa drove us to the airport bright and early this morning and our flight departed on time. We’re in the Admirals' Club in Dallas, waiting for a flight to Tucson where we'll join mommy, Zachary, and Christa. We can't wait to see them!!!

Here are some of our top memories from the trip:

* Seeing monkeys in the wild! Click here for a short clip!

* Snorkeling over sunken ships.

* Meeting new friends. I enjoyed getting to know Jim, Ron, Martin, Keith, Jack, Tom, Lisa, Brian, Brenda, and Jayne. Barrett enjoyed making new friends with Mikeala and Sarah.

* Extended together time with three generations. I have an even greater appreciation for what my dad has done to provide for our family when we were young. He’s a great role model for working hard. And having extended time like this with Barrett is something I may never get again.

* View of the stars at night in Barbados. Particularly the drive home from the restaurant on Monday night, seeing the stars while riding in the back of the truck.

* Working hard on the construction project, ending the day feeling exhausted. I’m less likely to whine about being on my feet all day or the physical demands of traveling now that I’ve been reminded of what work really is.

* Tooti-Frutti Milk. NOT!

* Playing pool and the “cue ball” game we made up.

* Along with a couple other team members, sharing the gospel with a Bajan guy when we went to Bottom Bay Beach. He prayed to receive Christ’s forgiveness.

* Playing in the surf at Bottom Bay Beach. Beautiful sand, large powerful waves. Picture perfect palm trees lining the beach. We’re talking postcard material.

* Trying to encourage missionaries at the base. There were a number that really needed some encouragement—it can be a demanding life of sacrifice.

* Making movies (including the “Ron clone”, “Whoa clone”, “Barrett Force”, and “Bottle Saber”).

* Learning about Seeds International and meeting people on their team.

Our only regret is not coming home with souvenirs. We just didn’t get to places that sold anything close to what we’d want to take home for our family and friends.

Glad we went? A hearty “ABSOLUTELY!” from both of us! Thank you, Lord, for a safe and memorable experience.

Last Day in Barbados

6:00am and it’s time to rise. We learned early that when it comes to food here at the base, there’s a definite “snooze, ya lose!” policy. It’s worth being at the main house so you’re relatively early in the food serving line. The pickings are slimmer if you’re 20-30 minutes late.

On our way up the walk we glanced over at the monkey tree and saw some more monkeys—this time a bit closer to us! Very cool! We went back to the gazebo after breakfast with Grandpa Bill. Mikela and Sarah also joined us. Grandpa and I read our bibles while Barrett turned the final pages of The Hobbit. We all watched for more monkeys but this time we came up empty.

It was a pretty intensive day of work as we finished off the top courses of one wall, took down its scaffolding and started working on another. Getting the blocks, mortar, and concrete (to pour down the blocks) up the scaffolding takes a lot of effort and teamwork. I’m impressed at how well the construction team works together, particularly since few of us have hands-on masonry experience.

It was a little more difficult for Barrett to participate in the construction efforts due to the nature of what had to be done. However, he still helped with some “go for” tasks and did so with a great attitude. He also made a couple creative movies.

On the way back from lunch we saw a mongoose dart across the path. We walked closer to the monkey tree via a path in the sugar cane field. We could get very close but didn’t see any monkeys. As we headed back to the path we saw Ron walking back from lunch. He didn’t see us so I started making some monkey sounds. He had quite a surprised look on his face until he realized those monkeys were just a couple Kaufman’s!

By the time worked wrapped up for the day, I have to admit that I was totally exhausted. My forearms and shoulders ache. Splotches of concrete on my arms and legs have caused irritation and sores. Most of my work clothes are trashed and won’t leave the island with me tomorrow. Yet there is a refreshing sense of satisfaction knowing we worked hard and did our best to help build this part of God's kingdom.

After showering we headed up to the main house for dinner and hang out. I greatly enjoyed just sitting around and talking with our team members as well as people who are part of the Seeds organization. Barrett had extended play time with Mikaela and Sarah, which was fun for all. Ron used my computer to call home. People shared stories of past trips and exchanged e-mail addresses.

We purchased some Bajan (people & products from Barbados are called Bajan, which probably makes more sense than Barbadian) stamps and currency. I bought a round of Solero ice cream bars for Barrett and his new friends.

There was much joy and laughter in the air.

We headed down to our cabin to pack up for the journey home. For the first time since we landed in Barbados, everyone was in bed with lights out by 9:35pm. Though we have to get up at 4:45am (that’s 2:45am Central!), this will be the most sleep we’ve gotten in a single night on the trip.

It’s quiet now, but not really. The once strange sounds of frogs and exotic birds & bugs harmonize in a way that seems quiet and peaceful. A cool breeze blows through the open windows. We can hear the sugar cane waving in the wind. The door to the cabin remains unlocked and open, like normal. Barrett and I snuggle in the top bunk for the last time and drift into a peaceful Bajan sleep.

We Have Monkeys!

This morning after breakfast, Barrett, Grandpa Bill, and me headed to the "gazebo" area to enjoy the view. Turns out we saw more than a beautiful vista of the ocean.... We saw the monkeys! Click here for a short clip!

Yep. B eyed them first. Though we only got one on video, it was very cool to see three monkeys!

Today was decidedly a work day.... No more lounging at the beach.... Sand, mortar, blocks, scaffolding. There was heavy lifting done today.

Barrett was a workhorse all morning, doing mostly "go for" work, striking joints, running drinks to people, and finding every excuse to climb the scaffolding. Don't worry, mom... I kept good watch over him!

We were a rugged looking (and smelling) bunch by the end of the day so getting showered felt like a huge reward. My socks were so caked with dried mortar and cement that I just threw them directly into the garbage. I should do so with my shirt as well but I really like it! We'll see.

For dinner we went to the Round House Inn. It's a relatively pricey place located on a stunning portion of the Atlantic side. We had 8 guys in the back of the Land Rover (see picture on right), which made for a bumpy ride there and back.

The beach by the restaurant had these funky looking, monstrous hunks of coral. Here's me trying to push one over:


Menu tonight: grilled flying fish and a grilled chicken salad. We all shared a coconut pie dessert that is absolutely nothing like coconut creme pie in the States.

The heavens provided a great light show on the way home, with more stars than I think I've ever seen displaying the majesty of God.

After a game of pool, a blog update, and Yahoo Messenger w/ Voice call to mommy, Z, and Christa, Barrett and I are ready to hit the hay. We're exhausted from a day of work but thankful for the opportunity to be here.

A Rainy Sunday

Do you like the sound of rain at night? If so, you would have slept great! If not, you would have slept like a baby (up every other hour!) because the rain was relentless last night. There's something about the pinging sound of millions of raindrops on a tin roof that either drives you crazy or sings you to sleep.

For Barrett and me last night, we were out cold!

B and I were on breakfast duty so we had to hop out of bed early. We kept thinking the rain would slow down but it didn't. So, it was time to run uphill in the pouring rain.

The rain was so bad that a stream overtook the path we walk to get to the main building. The breakfast of yogurt, toast, coffee, juice, and apples was pretty easy to set up and clean up. I was amazed at how much Barrett had learned about the kitchen from cleaning up earlier in the week. Typical line from me: "Barrett, where does this go?" Barrett: "Over there, Dad!"

We had intended to go to a church today (it meets at a rum factory!), but the weather and transportation shortage precluded the trip.

So we had a service in the prayer chapel on the base. It was an uplifting time of worship, sharing, and hearing a message from a wonderful pastor named Jim.

Lunch was in the main building: spaghetti sauce over baked potatoes.

There are two girls Barrett's age that showed up the day before. Mikaela and Sarah and Barrett started a movie this afternoon, which you can view by clicking here.

Once the flood waters receeded we took a quick trip to a local beach. The waves were incredibly powerful, which brought back memories of a neighbor's brother who was paralyzed body surfing. We had fun but didn't go too crazy. We had to opportunity to talk with a local guy about his faith.

Here are two pictures of Barrett on the beach:

Here's the big guy!


After an interesting dinner that I can confidently say had potatoes, curry, and some sort of meat (I'm betting on chicken), we're having a relaxing night playing pool, playing Uno, and hanging out. The "Seeds" group from Canada is going to make a presentation at 8:00pm to show how they go into the local schools to minister. I'm looking forward to it (with some awe considering how our country wouldn't even consider allowing a group to come to a school to talk about spiritual things).

Here are two quick pics from last night... This was Barrett eating marlin:

And with Grandpa for ice cream afterwards:


We miss Mommy, Z, and Christa so bad we can hardly stand it. Unfortunately the Net2Phone account is still blocked for security reasons. Sigh. Hopefully we can connect by Messenger later tonight around 8:30pm Central time.

Back to work tomorrow!

Missionaries to the Beaches of Barbados

Well, on this mission trip there’s no construction work on Saturday’s and Sunday’s. So, what’s a team of Americans in Barbados to do when there’s no scaffolding to put up and blocks to lay?

Head to the beach!

But not right away. After Fruit Loops we had an extended worship with the team. Tom and Lisa Kaiser shared some stories and lessons from their recent trip to Guyana. It was challenging on many fronts as they faced issues related people in leadership roles actually leading, team unity, sickness, and spiritual warfare. It’s good for us all to be reminded about cushy we have it in the northwest suburbs of Chicago….

OK, now we head to the beach.

It’s about a half hour trip over roads that make Illinois’ look smooth as glass. The water was Caribbean blue, warmer than the Pacific, with edges of sand that’s a reddish white (from the coral). Turns out Barbados is an island of coral, which has a side benefit of naturally purifying water so we can safely drink tap water.

Barrett and I had a blast snorkeling. It was his first time ever. We took a boat to a location some 300 yards or so offshore where a number of sunken boats were just under the surface. For 30 minutes we snorkeled hand-in-hand over these coral-laden boats that are close enough to you that you feel like you can touch them (the bottom is about 40 feet around there but masts and other portions of the boats would extend closer). One boat had a part that came high enough that Barrett was able to touch it with his flipper.

Here’s a picture of the snorkelers with Grandpa.


Barrett was ready to stay in the water once we got back so we snorkeled off the beach to a tethered water trampoline and an iceberg (think “inflatable climbing wall”). After climbing and pushing each other off, we eventually headed to the beach to relax with the team.

Here’s a picture of the team.


We’re heading out for some authentic local food tonight. So far we’ve both been adventurous with the menu offerings and expect the same to be true tonight.

A fun afternoon of memories, for sure!

Fun Friday Night Serving

Good Saturday morning! Breakfast started an hour later today so we were able to sleep in until 7:15am or so. A hard rain on the metal roof woke us up briefly last night, but as it says in Ecclesiastes 5:12, "Sweet is the sleep of a laborer!".

I have to tell you about Barrett last night.... He and I were assigned to kitchen duty, along with a couple staff people and a guy on our team named Keith. We weren't sure what to expect since we don't know the kitchen layout or exactly how they do things here. B and I got there a little early so we did our best to figure things out.

Eventually a staff guy named Sam came by and we learned about putting bleach in the rinse water to disinfect. Good plan. Things started picking up.

Then came a change, which is getting closer to the cool part of the story. The staff needed some strong arms and backs to help take down chairs, etc. in the "barn" area where graduation ceremonies were held earlier that night. Barrett was comfortable staying in the kitchen working with the team while I was about 30 yards away in the barn so we split up.

OK, here's the cool part. It took me over an hour to help in the barn. I checked in with him every once in a while but each time I did, he was working hard. When I got there some almost 90 minutes later, he was still working hard, right along side the others.

And this wasn't dusting or some easy stuff like that. He was elbow deep in kitchen clean-up. Washing dishes. Drying. Putting away. Mopping. Wiping counters.

Persistence. Servant's heart. Barrett totally scored. I am so proud of him.

It was around 11:00pm by now. He had snuck a nap in earlier in the afternoon so he was still pretty wired. We watched a bit of Mary Poppins that was playing on the VCR. We also played a billiards game Barrett invented where you only use the cue ball (the other balls have to be paid for and we don't have local currency in coins).

We had over an hour of fun and then headed back to the cabins. On the steps through the woods we heard frogs jumping all around us and a chorus of the most interesting bird (and monkey?) sounds serenading us in the moonlight. The stars were incredible! It was a great night.

Everyone else on the team was snoozing by the time we tip-toed into the cabins. We climbed up on our upper bunks that were moved together and dozed off together. The end to a very full day of serving.

Whew! Heavy Lifting Today!

Thought we’d upload some pics… Barrett is plenty pleased that there’s a keyboard here at the base. He’s provided plenty of entertainment for those in earshot.


Here’s a creative shot Barrett took early today. By end of day we had taken the wall up significantly higher. We’ve learned about scaffolding, headers, and how gravity makes everything more challenging the higher we go up!


I wanted to include this shot because, though we’re sweating plenty, I wanted Sara to know we have plenty of water!


Finally, here’s a picture of Barrett standing next to a pile of blocks which, in only about 5 minutes, he totally moved to a different location, all with a great attitude. He’s been a great worker, when work is available for him.


We’re off to a graduation ceremony tonight for a group of students who have been attending something like six months of classes here on the base. Barrett and I are on clean-up duty afterwards.

Nice messengering with you tonight, Z!

Hopefully we’ll be able to connect with mommy, Z, and Christa some time tonight. Hope you have a great soccer game, Z!

Friday noon update

Well, it's lunch time in Barbados. Neither Barrett nor I are massively humgry, it's just good to sit down for a bit. This morning there was more high and heavy work so there was less for Barrett to do. He'll add more in his own words tonight.

I have to say that all this lifting, bending, straining, pulling, etc. takes a lot of effort and gives me even more appreciation for all my dad has done over the years to support our family.

Not sure what's on the menu for lunch. We'll see soon!

First day of construction

The missionaries we're working with down here are Tom and Lisa Kaiser. I'm looking forward to learning more about their story.

One of Tom's last words last night was "breakfast at 6:30am." For the record, Barbados is 2 hours ahead of Central Time so some quick math means we're up at 4:00am. Yikes!

Everyone had trouble getting to sleep. The cabin has bunks, and I had the top of one while Barrett was down below. The width of each is less than a twin bed so I had this recurring "Don't move" theme going on all night. Barrett likes to read at night to get his mind ready for sleeping, but when lights went out in the cabin, we're talking serious darkness. Even the light of my Palm was too bright so it took B a while to shut down.

Outside there were interesting and bizarre sounds of frogs, birds, and (could it be?) monkeys!

Eventually we all fell asleep. There were the snorers, of course. But the big surprise to Barrett was how loud Grandpa Bill could fart in his sleep! Sorry, Grandpa. It's the truth.

Breakfast was bacon and eggs. Rumor is that tomorrow we're having eggs and bacon. That'll be a good change! :) Add juice and toast and we're ready to roll.

We spent the day carrying blocks, striking mortar joints, and being "go for's". Grandpa Bill let us both lay a block, which was very cool. He and Ron Anderson are the only bricklayers by trade so there's a lot of pressure on them to keep moving. Despite that pressure, they are both a lot of fun to be with and took time to teach us how to do things. Barrett is quite good at striking joints and I was glad to learn how to use the block saw.

It rained about every 2 hours, for about 5 minutes. It actually felt pretty good because it was pretty hot the rest of the time.

Lunch is the big meal down here. Think chicken smothered (and I mean that in a good way) with a curry based sauce. Put that on a bed of brown rice, add a side of cucumbers and top it off with fried bananas. I'm glad Barrett isn't a picky eater (either that or he's just really hungry). :)

Two walls up later, the day ended around 5:00pm and it was off to the showers. Jim Rinkenberger brought these very cool (or should I say HOT) contraptions that allow us to take hot showers. Check this out... think thick plastic bag that's clear on one side and black on the other. Fill it with 5 gallons of water and then let sit in the sun for the day. We took showers with water that was 104 degrees because of Jim! Yahoo!

Dinner was a burger. We're not sure if it was meat or veggie. Enough said.

Time for Barrett to play the keyboard and for us to try to connect with Mommy, Z, and Christa via Yahoo Messenger with Voice. After enough tries it finally works! Yahoo for Yahoo! Only 10 cents a minute (where the local phone would have been more like $3/minute).

We watched a presentation from some missionaries who recently took a trip to Guyana and then headed to bed. Lights out around 10:00pm Local after Barrett kicks my butt in Rummy.

Ah. A very nice Day 1.

Live, from Barbados!

Hello! Thanks for stopping by to check out our trip blog. Barrett and I are on a week long missions trip to Barbados, a first for both of us. The mission: help build a dining hall for the missions base.

The mission tonight, however, is to get some sleep! We arrived at the base around midnight. We have a lot of guys in a relatively small space and the temperature is pretty hot for this time at night.

Hmmm... this isn't Lake Zurich anymore.

Mr. Jim in the next bed over says there are monkeys in trees up the hill. Barrett has that "Dad, are there really monkeys here?" look on his face. I'm thinking Jim's making up stories but other confirm it. We're officially on monkey watch from then on.

Time for sleep. Thank you, Lord, for a safe travel down here.