We are Team Wicks: A Taste of Home

Aloha! Week nine of our adventure was a really fun one. Our speaker this week was Fred Markert from Colorado Springs. He is an expert in missions and different cultures of the world. He approaches missions very strategically and studies and teaches about the most efficient and effective way to use human and financial resources to help people in the world that need it the most. Coming from the business world, this made a lot of sense to me!

Our friends Gordy and Renee McDonald were here through the end of the week and we got to spend quite a bit of time with them. Gordy spoke at the Thursday night community gathering and did a fantastic job.

The highlight of the week was the visit from Angie's parents, Russ and Kathy Fuller. They arrived on Wednesday evening and were here until this afternoon. We spent the entire weekend with them at their hotel swimming in the pool and just hanging out. We even spent the nights with them in their hotel room on the extra bed and on the floor to take advantage of the time with them and also the air conditioning (sweet mercy!).

Before they left for the airport today, Kathy bought Angie and the kids some Crocs. Has anyone ever seen these? They are basically brightly colored rubber clogs. They are very popular here and apparently in other parts of the states although we don't remember seeing them in Seattle.

Our preparations for Fiji are going well. One of the cool things about the YWAM outreach teams is that we are self-led. We do have leaders that accompany us but they are there for overall leadership and don't necessarily dictate what will happen each day. In fact, each person in the team will be responsible for a specific part of what goes on. For example, there will be a person or persons responsible for each of the following: managing the finances of the trip, organizing the transportation for our team, coordinating the food (obviously the most important job), procuring gifts for the tribal chiefs we visit, organizing the housekeeping needs (laundry, etc.), networking with local leaders and churches to determine needs that we can assist with, and so on. Angie and I will be organizing and leading the praise and worship in our morning group devotion times and also organizing and leading the musical events we hope to do for the people and tribes. Angie will also be working with her friend Jen to organize some fun activities for some of the leisure time we will have. Sam and Katie have been working on some songs and hand motions that they plan to teach to the Fijian children.

We have been enjoying our experience in Kona very much. However, we are very excited to begin the next phase of our adventure in Fiji to help the people and share the love of Jesus. The message of Jesus is very simple and comforting...

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Have a great week!