Day 7

Tonight we wrap up our vacation. It's been great here in Punta Cana, DR. Back to the real world tomorrow. Thank God for rest.......

Parasailing over the Atlantic Ocean

Mission accomplished--well rested!

We've been out of touch for a couple days b/c the net was down in our room. This is it!

Our last night on the island. We enjoyed ourselves and enjoyed each other.

"On Christ the solid rock I stand!"

....all other ground is sinking sand.

.....journal entry

At the end of our day, the tour guide took us for a swim at the beach (located outside our resort area). I think...I know this was the best time spent so far at least for me. I was able get away to quietly worship and praise God for all He is and for all He's done for me.

I stood at the edge of the tide and looked over the ocean. Suddenly there was such a presence of God that was so evident to me. It's hard to see Him loving someone like me but He does! God whispers to each of us in our quiet times wooing us to Himself. Imagine!

Jocie was in the water; she came upon two large rocks partially buried in the sand. As the tide rushed in, she noticed there was a difference in her ability to stand when she was in the sand vs. when she was on the rock. She was able to keep her balance much better when she was on the rock.

Sand vs. Rock.....Matthew 7:24-27 speaks of this so clearly. Wise men build houses on rocks whereas foolish men build houses on sand. Jesus Christ is the Rock! Which man are you?

Our safari tour included lunch in the mountains. This is a pix Jocie was able to capture! Whoaaa.

Chocolate, coffee, sugar and rum all made at Maria's house

Above- Francisco (our guide) showing us how coffee beans look before they are processed. Jocie admiring the banana plant and the two of us with the native children. They sell flowers to tourist to make money.

The Ranch

Here we went horseback riding....! Doesn't this bull look weird?

Safari!

This gentleman earns his living from tourist who want to take pictures with his snakes. Jocie and a few others on the tour wanted a chance to hold the snakes. NOT ME!

Facts about DR.....

• There are 65% more women than men
• Men can have more than one wife
• DR produces coffee, sugar cane, chocolate, rum, tobacco and ethanol
• Haiti is a nine hour drive from Punta Cana
• Catholic is the main religion in this area
• The average salary is $230/month
• Spanish is the primary language

Becoming Unplugged and Revisting the Reasons Why

I had forgotten what it was like to be still and know He is God. Jocie and I had a very relaxing day as we didn't leave our room until late afternoon. We even skipped breakfast. I sat on the balcony and had quiet time for a bit and enjoyed the sounds of the water and the business beneath me.

After catching a very late lunch, we spent several hours on the beach just existing no conversation just there. We played in the water towards the end capturing a few photos of the tides rolling to shore.

You know......God is so much bigger than our minds can imagine. His handiwork exudes His majesty! More and more I realize that my job here on earth is to live out loud so that others may be drawn to Christ. Why? He loves us and wants nothing more than to have a relationship with us - His creation.

Imagine the love you have for your parents, your spouse, your children or your friends. God's love for you is much deeper than any of these.

Dinner at Tokio (Japonesa)

Although Hurricane Bill did not directly hit Hispaniola (Dominican & Haiti), we have definitely seen some residual of the storm. The waves today were unbelievable and fun to watch.

Enjoying the water!

I'm the faint figure next to the palm tree.

The view from our balconies! Aaaaaaahhhhh!

Day 2

We spent most of our time in the water after shopping during the late morning. The vendors were a bit overbearing. They wanted our business so they'd greet us with a hand shake and then pull us into their small shops. We managed to stay together but later decided it was probably best that we leave. One vendor felt sorry for us so he let us slip out the back of his store. We arrived back at the hotel to explore more of the amenities.

Dinner and Dessert...all inclusive. Anything you want...!!!!

Barcelo Resort Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Once we reached the hotel, we were anxious to put on our suits and head toward the water. It was breath taking. We were able to enjoy some of the scenary before we prepared for dinner.

The Departure-July 18

Jocie and I have been awaiting this moment for several weeks. This vacation will bring an end to my KAA blog. And after a few set backs, we are finally here at the airport waiting to board our plane for our VACATION! I'm on the laptop trying to get updates on Hurrican Bill which is in the Caribbean.

Go ye therefore and teach.....

I'm reminded of the scripture, Matthew 28:19, as I glance through my window and I see a counselor sitting on the cabin porch explaining the Gospel message to her camper. Keep in mind this young lady has given of herself all day not only to this camper but to 11 others. And here it is almost Midnight and she still has something to give....she wants to offer this kid an opportunity to receive Jesus as her personal Savior. This is what it's all about---Jesus!

Aging at it's worst....

If this is what aging looks like I don't want any part of it!!!!
The girls are dressed up for Vespers night.
Jocie, Diana, Tesha, Erin, Katie and Claire

I've started to countdown and I don't know if this will help or hinder me. This is the last double digit day....10 more days and I'll be heading home. As I sit here in Starbucks there is a small sense of sadness moving in. However, I'm so excited at the thought of seeing my family and friends. This may be my last official day off before heading home. We have our end of summer celebrations this Tuesday. I think I'll stay in camp to start the packing process and to enjoy the stillness of the outdoors and maybe go out on the boat one last time.

I'm gonna grab a Frappucino and head to the Daniel's place to sit in front of the TV for the evening. It's back to camp tomorrow morning!

Today.....

Have you even been in a spot when you"ve heard a message (maybe even one that you've heard before) but on a particular day it spoke volumes to you? This is where I found myself today as I listened to the following songs......

"Savior Please"

Savior, please take my hand

I work so hard, I live so fast

This life begins, and then it ends

And I do the best that I can, but I don't know how long I'll last

I try to be so tough

But I'm just not strong enough

I can't do this alone, God I need You to hold on to me

I try to be good enough

But I'm nothing without Your love

Savior, please keep saving me

Savior, please help me stand

I fall so hard, I fade so fast

Will You begin right where I end

And be the God of all I am because You're all I have

Hallelujah

Everything You are to me

Is everything I'll ever need

And I am learning to believe

That I don't have to prove a thing'

Cause You're the one who's saving me

--Josh Wilson

"You Are God Alone"

You are not a god

Created by human hands

You are not a god

Dependant on any mortal man

You are not a god

In need of anything we can give

By Your plan, that’s just the way it is

You are God alone

From before time began

You were on Your throne

Your are God alone

And right now

In the good times and bad

You are on Your throne

You are God alone

You’re the only God

Whose power none can contend

You’re the only God

Whose name and praise will never end

You’re the only God

Who’s worthy of everything we can give

You are God

And that’s just the way it is

Unchangeable

Unshakable

Unstoppable

That’s what You are

---Philips, Craig and Dean

Karen would kill me if she knew this pix was here. Here goes!

.....in the kitchen trying to figure out what to have for dinner. This was one of those rainy days when everyone was out of camp including the cooks so we had to fend for ourselves.

Session 6, July 11-18

This was the picture on opening day on July 11Th. Little did we know our lives would be forever impacted as a result of this session. No one would have imagined the number of campers and staff we quarantined due to an Influenza A break out. At the end we stopped counting the number of people who were sick. News media, radio and newspaper all broad casted the fact that we had confirmed cases of H1N1 in camp. As a result, we decided to close camp a day early in order to prevent further spread of the virus and to decontaminate all three camp sites before bringing in the next group of campers. Since then we've only sent one other camper home for suspicious of flu. The staff who pulled this off were absolutely amazing!

ARMADILLOS?

YES --- there are Armadillos in the Ozarks!
One morning I followed this creature to get
these pix for a friend who couldn't believe they
existed in these parts.

I took the girls to Pizza Hut on the boat. While I was driving, Ty was able to capture some great footage. Unfortunately her SD card wasn't compatible with my laptop so you'll just have to take my word on this one....!

Ty and Syd enjoying the pool!!!!!

Tylin and Nicole (one of her counselors)