Short Term Trips

Trip to Elis Pina in the Dominican Republic

After putting together ideas and prayers we had gathered 6 couples from KCC to go and visit and give a helping hand to Carl and Kathy Thompson in the Dominican Republic in November for 1 week. We had a goal to raise money to cover the projects that we would be doing while we were in the D.R. and had faith to believe for money over and above our budget, to give and bless those that might need it. After doing two BBQ’s and asking for support we were excited that we had raised not only our budget but tripled that, which we could bring with us! Money was coming in right up to the day before leaving and we were so pleased to bring 100% of that money raised to the Dominican project.

Carl and Kathy met us in the capitol, Santo Domingo, which is a 4-5 hour drive to Elis Pina where the Thompson’s live. This was an adventure in its self because the people there drive like crazy people! After a long day of travel we all got settled in the Thompson’s home and with their family of 4 and our group, which made 16 people. Carl was very organized and had the week mapped out on what the men and women would do during this week. So here are some of the projects we were able to accomplish while we were there.

The first part of the trip the men were building an addition on to a local church, this would mean building it from the ground up and then installing a sink, shower and flush toilet (most people do not have flush toilets). This was all done the old fashion way with manual labor. The area which Carl lives, the people are poor and behind in progress that we know. Some help from some of the locals pitched a hand as well, mixing cement and so on.

Then when that project was finished the men wanted to help a local lady, a mother of 6 children and the husband in jail. She lived in a shack with sticks for walls and a mud floor and every time it rained it was a mess for her. So they took their man power and decided to give her the cement floor she needed in her small 3 room shack. That was very touching to see her face light up as the men worked to give her the floor she wanted.

While the men were busy with their projects the women were busy as well. First feeding 16 people 3 times a day was a chore in its self. The women would rotate the meal times and dish duty. Then we all went to paint 3 big rooms at a Christian school. After that we spent I think 3 days providing an art project for 3 different schools, public and Christian schools. Art is not included in the schools because they do not have the funding needed to do art classes. So the kids loved it and so did we, making them smile as they put together their art. We hugged as many kids as we could, they smiled, and Mel made them laugh. Sandi raised funds through the selling of her art cards and with that money was able to provide 30 plus plastic chairs for the smaller kids at the Christian school.

Also during the week we were able to attend and lead in the mid week church service in the local church where the men were doing their bathroom addition. Mel and the gang lead the worship, John Carlson preached and Barry shared. The church was mostly young people and they were so responsive and they knew how to pray fervently and worship with much passion. We all loved being part of their service.

At the end of our week as we were leaving we visited another Christian school in a city two hours from Carl’s, in the poorest area of the city. They minister and teach to the poorest of poor and have a milk program, which is really a feeding program. They will not turn any child away even if they do not attend the school. So with money that had been pooled together we were able to give money to this project and see the children fed, Amen!

There was not much time to spare and we all worked hard. The Thompson family is awesome and we will always remember the people we met, worked alongside and prayed with, forever.

Food for thought, have you ever considered combining a mission trip with your holiday and getting a group of your friends to do it with you. We have a list of missionaries I know would love a visit and could use the help. Try it, you will love it! For our group we are looking forward to the next trip we can all do together in the future.

Sincerely,
Jean Watson
on behalf of the KCC DR Team
(Mel & Darrell Peterson, Sandi & Barry Domes, Judy & Rob Dockrill, Bonnie & John Carlson, Jackie & Ron Mitchell and John & Jean Watson)

So first off, I just want to praise God for how amazing and wonderful He is. My trip to Ottawa was absolutely incredible and filled with more things then I could ever manage to write down in one small report.

I was in Ottawa for a month and during that month I took part in the Josiah team that went to parliament, interned with Faytene, and attended two conferences, and helped put on one of them.

The Josiah team was absolutely incredible. In the short four and a half days we were on parliament hill we had sixty-nine meetings with Members of Parliament, Senators, Speakers of the House of Common and the Senate and a meeting with one of Prime Minister Harper’s personal assistants. In the meeting with the PMO (Prime Ministers Office) all nineteen of us were able to share our hearts openly and freely and the reason why we decided to come. The meeting lasted a little over an hour and a half, which is actually incredible. On the fun side of things, we got to have the meeting in the Prime Minister’s conference room which was absolutely amazing! Another huge highlight for me during the Josiah team was not one particular moment but was the level of the prophetic and the boldness to pray and prophesy to the MP’s. It seemed that in almost every single meeting we were able to pray, declare and prophesy things into the lives of these amazing men and women.

Another key highlight for me would have to be the Siege Conference in Toronto. It was absolutely incredible. The words that were brought forward from the speakers were all life changing and carried so much weight and revelation that it honestly rocked me to my very core. Not only were the messages amazing but the worship was phenomenal. We actually had one service that started at around 1 o’clock and finally ended at eleven. It was ten hours of straight worship and prayer and declaration, and the hilarious thing is we never even sang a worship song. It was all prophetic worship and totally led by God, it was as if we were at IHOP (International House of Prayer)

Overall, the month I spent in Ottawa was incredible and life changing. I have come back with this fire in my spirit and a new passion for the word and just to see Gods will brought down to earth!

I had an amazing time in Victoria this summer with Graham Jackson and YWAM Victoria. I joined up with a really fun team from Chilliwack to do an outreach in Victoria and Port Renfrew. The majority of our time was spent in Port Renfrew on a First Nations Reserve which is on the west coast ofVancouver Island. We spent a lot of time hanging out with the lovable kids, taking them to the beach, doing crafts and bible stories, playing games, and singing. We also did a pancake breakfast for the families and had a ladies and girls night. You could tell they all loved getting pampered with getting their feet washed, backs massaged and nails painted. It was a really fun night.
We helped the community out by sorting out bottles, planting trees, and staining the deck at the band office. It was great to see some of the kids come to help us out too.

As I spent time with the First Nations people and heard some of their stories my heart broke for them. So many of them had and continue to go through so much pain and hurt. Some things seemed hopeless and yet I knew with God there wasstill hope for each one of them.  Itwassoooo sad to leave the kids on our last day. I will be praying for them that they see how much God cares about themand has a purpose andplan for their lives.

I made some great new friendships with the YWAM team, Chilliwack team and those in Port Renfrew. I’m so glad to have had this opportunity with YWAM Victoria and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Susanna Furgason

Well things didn't go anything like we'd expected. The first week when we were supposed to help a lady with the ESL class, she got the flu and cancelled. Then the next week we couldn't access thru a friend's computer to send pictures or anything sooooo, here we are working on our 4th week; but last week was a bit of a blur. Our Canadian/Kelowna friends headed off to Chang Mai in the north and left us to hold down the fort. That proved interesting, what with driving the motorcycle on the wrong-side of the street at night in the darkened streets filled with totally erratic drivers (including yours truly) trying to find addresses that have no posted signs amongst hundreds of advertising signs both current and long irrelevant, the challenge was daunting. Shirley needs to be recognized either for a medal of bravery or a mental check-up for riding on the back of the bike with me=). But we did survive that marital test, ThankYou Lord!
We helped with the ESL class Monday and Wednesday night as well as a "Coaching" seminar all day long on Wednesday. We also taught the computer class on Tuesday and Thursday nights. We did a "Slum-Run" on Thursday morning which consists of going into 4 areas in the city where we drop-off rice/oil/sauce packets to the poorest. Then finally on Friday morning we caught a Baht-bus (a small pick-up truck with a stainless steel roof over the box and bench seats on the sides-like a taxi) to Jontiem Beach on the other side of town (about an hours ride). It's a gay beach where the "alternate" lifestyle folks let it 'hang-out' (literally). Last Friday Shirl, Pett (a Thai sister), Jessica (an American sister) and I (the Canadian bacon) went there and ended up bringing in a young Thai man 22 years old who'd been living off the avails from this beach for the last 2 years+. So we set him up in an apartment, bought him new clothes, got him showered (he did most of that part himself=), haircut and plugged him into a Christian environment. And so, the Thai Christian outreach goes on. 
     This week appears to be a little more laid back, as the Extreme prophetic conference is occupying a lot of our group. We're going to Bangkok this weekend to see-off one of the Kelowna couples. We are missing you all but not the cold and snow! It's about 90 degrees F here =).
      We have some pictures but can't send them right now. We'll do that in a bit.
                                                               
                                                          Because He First Loved Us,
                                                                 Walt & Shirley                      

Mission Manado, Indonesia was an incredible trip!  Our plans were set aside as God opened doors that we never imagined before we left Canada.  Thank you to the KCC Mission’s Board who prayed for us and financially supported us by contributing $1000.00 to support pastors attending the Pastor’s School and 4 radio broadcasts that concentrated on the Muslim community in northern Sulawesi. 

We kept very busy for the two weeks.  In addition to the above, we enjoyed 7 days of teaching English to children at 2 different schools; one Christian and one public. We also ministered to Bible College students, praying with them and encouraging them. Overall we ministered in 14 different churches within 5 denominations, a seminary, a mall church, and a universitycampus church. 

How does one describe the sights, the sounds, the food, the smells, the heat, the humidity, but mostlythe Praise and Worship.  Oh, how the Indonesians love to worship the Lord with ALL that is within them!  We will never forget their absolute love for God. Instantaneously, they are ‘into’ Praise & Worship – no hesitation!  Such talented and dedicated musicians, dancers, singers and flag-waivers!  We were truly blessed!

Thank you KCC for the opportunity of representing you as a church in Indonesia!

God bless you!
Terry and Barb Giesbrecht
Pastor Harry and Diane Holmquist from Logan Lake (Church on the Hill)
Pastor Paul Seotopo

Our week in Kenya was wonderful. After arriving in Nairobi on October 25th and visiting Teen Challenge and the dismal slums, we drove with Larry, Adam, and Steve to Kitale, a beautiful and bumpy trip of about 7 hours. In Kitale we first visited Mali Saba orphanage. It was a joy to see the excellent work being done there. Children who would have no hope are growing in faith and in health. They are receiving not only an education but much needed love in a good facility that is being steadily improved through the funds from KCC. During two visits to Mali Saba we taught the children through skids and puppetry. We all had a great time. We loved on the kids and they loved on us, and they loved the treats we brought. We listened to one 11 year old boy at Mali Saba preach an excellent message and we discretely distributed a few bibles. During the week we visited the Dalton’s Orphanage, which has many children in a facility that needs more work. It seems to us that this orphanage needs better funding. The children – some of them being former glue boys – sang and danced for us. We did skits and puppetry which they loved, and distributed a few bibles. We also visited Lynette and Joseph’s apartment orphanage. Besides their own 2 children, they were looking after 6 others. We also visited a precious baby rescue centre. Looking over the beautiful Seven Acres farm I watched while Marguerita joined Joni as she ministered to a large group of widows on the farm; there is excellent potential at this farm site. We visited an elementary school and I spoke at a high school. We also went with Larry as he delivered $5000.00 worth of medical supplies to a clinic, where I had the privilege of explaining the gospel and leading a Pharmacist, who had HIV, in the sinner’s prayer. We also visited a fertilizer business at the dump, which is run by a Christian leader; which is providing much needed work. On November 1st we flew to Nairobi airport. We left Kenya having met many wonderful saints of God who were giving so much, and as is usually the case, feeling that we had been more blessed on a short mission’s trip than those we came to bless.

Dave O’Gorman

June 28 – July 23, 2008

Last month, Pastor Greg and I had the privilege of traveling to the continent of Africa. Although Greg has been to the northern part of the continent, this was the first time for both of us to see Eastern and South Africa.

We spent about one week in Kenya, arriving in Nairobi and traveling by mezunga metatu (white man’s bus) to Kitale. Steve Pippin was gracious enough to drive us cross-country, and to all the children’s homes and schools we visited near Kitale. We met with Charles who oversees the children’s home at Mali Saba (mile seven – 7 m. from Kitale), and Ruth who helps him with the girls. We were impressed with the condition of the children’s rooms and the overall health of the children. The children were very happy to greet us and watch themselves on our little camera. They also sang for us and recited some Bible lessons. Joni Eveleigh and I taught them some songs also.

We then visited Dalton’s Caring Home, where Lillian oversees 23 orphans – their basic needs, their education and most important, their spiritual training. These children sang and danced, and led us into the presence of God. Their gratefulness to God was humbling as they have only the clothes on their backs, a meal a day and a small room used for school, church, and meals.

From there we went to Elim Church and primary school property where Bishop Simon is the pastor and his wife, Beatrice, is the headmistress. They have about 60 children in Baby Class, Nursery, up to class 3. We also toured Bishop Simon’s dream property, where they have a beautiful chapel and 24/7 prayer rooms. They also have a medical clinic (in need of supplies) and a tech shop where the ladies are learning to sew. Bishop Simon also leads God Bless You High School which now has Form 1 & 2 classes (grades 9 & 10), but need to expand to Form 3 & 4. We would like to see the children from our children’s homes go to Christian Schools. We want to help Elim School build another classroom for class 4 and then class 5, 6, 7 & 8 so that there will be room for children of all grades.

We also met Ryan, an entrepreneur who is helping the Kenyans run several businesses including a water drilling rig, organic compost factory, and organic farming - growing food for the orphans and widows. We were also introduced to John and Eloise Bergen who just 5 days later were brutally attacked. It was a random attack that most Kenyans would be very upset about as the general population is grateful for the missionaries and the work they do in their country. We pray for the Bergen’s continued complete recovery.

On to South Africa! We flew to Cape Town at the south end of South Africa and drove south to the tip of the Cape. Suritha Kaminski and her husband, Keith, were our hosts there for about 5 days. We toured the area and were very excited to find PENGUINS in Africa.
From there we visited Johannesburg and the ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) headquarters. Several of their leaders and principals have visited Western Canada in the past couple of years. It was a blessing to learn of their progress. In Soweto we toured the Apartheid Museum and learned a bit about their history. The country has come far, but still has a long way to go.

Then in Pretoria, the main purpose for our trip was fulfilled. Hatfield Christian Church and School welcomed Greg for 4 days of consulting (and many extra hours of questions) as they considered starting their own online school. It was a blessing while we were there to witness the school council and senior church staff embrace the concept and make the decision to start a pilot project this coming school year (January 2009). I’m certain we will have an ongoing relationship with them in the years to come.

After our time with Graeme and Debbie Holloway and their family and staff, we took two days and drove to the Timbavardi Game Reserve to see the African animals: elephants, giraffes, lions, cape buffalo, zebra, hyena, warthogs and even a leopard! We praise God for the wonder of His creation!
Thank you to everyone who supported us in our trip. We are grateful to God for keeping us and our children, here at home, safe.