A Best Day Ever

The following is a review I wrote for our Excursion in Puerto Vallarta. 

This tour started out with our guide telling us that their goal will be for this to be our Best Day Ever. That it will beat out when your kids was born, when you got married and all other prior best days. After that speech you expect for this excursion to be a very good decision. We were then escorted to our speed boat, after all 30 of us piled in and put on our life vests we made our way around the very large cruise ships at dock and hit water and increased speed.


 After almost 10 minutes we docked and got off the boat in a secluded village in the Forest. That's when we got into our Unibog. Thankful for seat belts we made our way up bumpy roads. Lots of laughs and photos being taken. The get to know you questions of fellow travelers.

Once at base we changed into a rash guard, slightly wet and provided for our protection for future water slides. We then put all of our stuff in a locker and got our harness and helmets on. And are given gloves also still wet. No one wanted to put them on. Wet leather is not welcoming. But a few lines in you don’t even remember how gross they are. We meet our red helmet guides, go over a few basic need to knows and leave bass by way of a rope bridge over a stream. On the other side of this stream is where we met our mules.

After being matched up with a mule each person started up the mountain in a single file line. We were all enjoying the ride when our guides came up behind us and made our mules all want to race. This just made us all laugh. I think mostly nervous laughter. But, it was fun trying to slow down my mule and steer it aroundthe holes and rocks. After about 10-15 minutes we reached the end or should I say top. There we got off our mules and walked a bit more to the very top.

Where all you see it everything. This is the point where you wish you have a camera, but those were all left in the locker below.  Nerves start to stir as you wait in line for the first zip line.  Once hooked in and ready with a smile for the camera you sit down and are off. As you remember all the short training they told you, you look around and feel peace as you calmly fly through the air above the forest below and then all too soon you are breaking and coming in to land. After being stopped and unclipped you continue on the perfectly marked path to the next one. This continues a couple more times till you reach a platform that is almost directly above the waterfall. You are guided down a line and then stand in line on top of a waterfall.  The guides give you pointers and one by one your adventure companions go over the edge backwards. I’m sure all pretending to be Bear Grills. I know I did. Then its your turn. A little drop in my stomach right before I gave up all control and leaned back. Then a “simple” walk down the waterfall.

A few smiles for the camera.  At the bottom your shoes get wet for the first of many times. The water feels good and just spurs you on. This starts the beginning of many more zip lines and repels thru the forest till the end. The front guy keeps going and you do everything in the time you need to do it. There is no waiting for everyone before beginning. Our family was able to do everything together and sometimes were the only ones at something. Many rope bridges were crossed. Once we repelled off a floating platform strait down into water. Another time we zip lined into the water. Which was a bit cool. Towards the end an opportunity to zip line upside down, tests everyone's courage. Even mom was up for it. The afternoon was ended with a rather large waterfall that will give you a wedge if you are lucky enough to not be given a mat to ride. You are even equipped with a hockey helmet and elbow pads for this. At the top you have no idea what to expect.

After you readjust and take your helmet off there is the rest of your group snacking of fresh fruit and juice. You wait for everyone out of you and make your way back to the lockers. You get your dry clothes, that extra set you packed because you read the reviews and that is what people told you to do, PACK A EXTRA SET OF CLOTHES, and go change out of our wet clothes and shoes. Then you go look at your photos and eat some really yummy salsa. After everyone ordered their photos you get back into your Unibog and go back down the bumpy road then back to the speed boat.

Once back on dock next to your ship you decide that was the Best Day Ever, at least of your cruise. Maybe it didn’t be the birth of your children or your wedding day but its something not to miss out on.

Our Neighbood Refugee Outreach

Last week I was past of a team headed by my sister to teach, love, mentor, and spend time with the refugees that live in the neighborhood surrounding our new church building. Since the very beginning, when this was known as the sight of our church building, my sister and a couple of others have spent time almost weekly playing with these kids. So two years or so later we are at home in our new building and thanks to my sister and her heart for the kids have an in with the neighbors. So outreach week was to further these relationships and to show this community that we care about them. 

If you ask anyone on our team, all would say it was a success. From the bounce house on monday to VBS daily under the big tree to the movie and popcorn to close out the week.

It was great to see my sister at work with her passion.
It was great to see Waypoint show up and volunteer and get to know our neighbors like some of us already do.
It was great to see the kids get excited about our church, always wanting to see the inside but having to wait till the movie on Friday.
It was great to see new relationships formed and old ones strengthened. 
It was great to hear the laughs and see the smiles on everyone's faces.
It was a great week.


Thank you Jesus for giving my sister this passion and for putting our team together in a perfect way.

Lord, I ask that you continue to help Waypoint become part of this neighborhood and community. Help us to help and care for our neighbors. Show us how to be you to those who know you and those who don't.

Earthquake Damage

I have had many people ask about the earthquake damage. It really depended on what neighborhood or village you were in if there was any damage.

Some were huge cracks, some crumbling bricks and other whole houses that were collapsed.

A famous tourist attraction- Durbar Square completely devastated by the earthquake.

There is a lot of fear still in peoples hearts.
They are afraid that there will be another earthquake (there was about 5 aftershocks while we were there). They are afraid that they wont be able to find a new house or even afford it.

One of the houses in the neighborhood we stayed. Our friends were near in when the earthquake hit.

We went to a tent city run by the military for ministry our first two days in Nepal. We sat in many tents and heard many stories. They were all stories of fear. Stories of lost jobs. Stories of hopelessness. So many people displaced without someone (God) to cling to when times are hard. No one to trust in. No one to comfort them. It was hard to hear the stories and know that they don't have The Lord on their side helping them and fighting for them. We prayed for them and encouraged them and let them know that they aren't alone, that people even half way across the world are thinking of them.

Another great part

We walk out of the hotel gate and turn the corner. After that the directions are a little unknown.  We head in the direction we thought it would be and end up finding a man who knows where we want to go.

We find the house. Its gate black with gold. Someone comes down and opens it for us.

A quick walk to the back porch , that is covered in shoes of all sizes. Once our shoes join the others we step inside.

Up a quick flight of stairs we meet more of the family.

That moment we all became family.

There are girls everywhere.
Of all ages.

Immediately we are welcomed in with hugs and a game of UNO is quickly started.

Tea is made and it was official we were part of the family.

That was the first few moments at Karuna Ghar a home for girls run by two amazing parents, Gautam and Rekha. But its more than that its a family. Its a place where everyone is seen and everyone is needed.  It didn’t take long for our team to fall in love with this house. For me it was almost immediately. From the first hug and game of UNO I knew this family was special. There is so much love in that house, and everyone knows it. They often have people in and out. Girls friends who want to come over  just because they know there is something different about it.

Through out the trip we spent time with many of the girls. Several of them translated for us and every evening was spent at the house playing games, worshiping and eating dinner. We all fell in love with this family. Gautam and Rekha are amazing parents who are raising their family up in The Lord. Their family looks different than the typical Napali family because of the love that is given there. And because of that they are changing their neighborhood and city.

Rekha, Tim, Gautam and Silas

So here's to a family who loves.  Thank you for letting us be a part of your family, for welcoming us so quickly and making our trip so memorable.

A best part

Being back we are asked lots of questions. One of which is what was the best part. That is a big question.  The trip was a success. There was a lot of best parts. So now today I will tell you about one day that sticks out.

Actually this was the day that the five of us ladies got to be together.
Usually we were all split up, with only five of us on a team of 15.

Kt and Rupa leading us up the "mountain".

This day we set off early, heading up the “mountain” to Maya Didi’s house. Maya Didi is a lady in the church who is kind of like an elder. So the five of us and four of Gautam and Rekha’s girls, who were our translators the whole trip took off on our hour and a half hike uphill to Maya Didi’’s house. It was a long walk, but we had views of the city that took our breath away.

So we arrived at our hosts house, had some Coke while on their roof then lunch. Another plate of rice, dal and chicken. After lunch was story time.

For story time we all sat in a room in a big circle. The Nepalis proceeded to share how The Lord perused them and how they came to believe, trust and know Him.  Their stories were of healings and visions and dreams. They were stories of struggles and hardships. They were stories of life. Of hope. Of trust. When all the stories were shared, our team of five decided to pray for each of them.

All year we practiced prophetic prayer. For this trip we felt that our mission was to come beside those who lived in Kathmandu and encourage them. Prophetic prayer is just part of that.

So we prayed for each of them, our amazing translator, Rupa made sure that those receiving prayer understood what the Lord was saying to them. I know that The Lord was in that room. Each of those Napalis were encouraged. You could see the words hitting them. You could see The Lord touching each of their hearts. There were some tears. There was lots of hugs and smiles. Each of us got words for our new friends that lined up with the others. It was really cool.

After prayer we shared a snack and more Coke. It was a really special time. It was communion. It was breaking bread and remembering Christ and what He has done for us. I think we could have all stayed in that moment forever. But goodbyes had to be said. More hugs and goodbyes to our new friends and we were off down the “mountain” back home.

On our way home, Rupa explained to my sister that while we were praying and she translating, The Lord gave her each picture/image that He was giving us. This was so that she could translate them perfectly. It was so sweet of the Lord to do that, it just shows how much He loves His people in Nepal.

Rupa our beautiful sister and translator.

I think this day will always be in my heart and on my mind.

Looking back at Nepal Pt 1

Our Pastor, known to us on the team as Silas Uncle, posted this on facebook about our trip.  I thought I would share it today and hopefully later in the week when my head isn't so scrambled I will get my own words down to share with you. 

Nepal Team Update--
There are two sides to Short Term Missions. Sometimes they match up but usually they don't. There's the side of the people who go who usually feel like they really accomplished great things and feel pretty good about it. Then there is the side of those on the ground: missionaries and local believers who host them and facilitate the STM team while they are there. Their story is not as often as glowing, they are often left exhausted, and in some cases, they tell tales of how it had more negative impact than positive. 

When you ask the Nepal Team about what they did in Nepal, you are going to hear more about what others are doing than what they did. There's a good reason. It was their focus going in. They had the humility to know that their personal impact on the story of the gospel in Nepal would be minor compared to the story of those who live in Nepal.

Instead of hearing about what they did they will be sharing testimonies of courageous, generous and faithful Nepali believers, living isolated in villages where there are only a few other believers.
So, since the team will mostly be sharing others stories, let me share some of theirs because the truth is, they really did have an impact. Our team sat cross legged for hours on hard floors listening to people share their testimonies, their fears following the earthquakes, their hardships of being socially and relationally isolated because of their faith. They validated the stories of the believers in these small communities of faith in and around Kathmandu by listening and letting them know that their stories matter, that they were important stories. 

Our team ate pounds of rice and lentils and drank gallons of hot milk tea during the hottest spell Kathmandu has had in decades (with barely a complaint) because relationships are invested in over shared meals and cups of tea. 

And then they placed their hands on these faithful believers and prayed for them, sharing with them the pictures God gave them of hope, encouragement, edification and blessing.
People were so moved by the prayers they received that they would go get other believers from the village to be prayed for. 

There were a couple of people who prayed to receive Christ and a couple of miraculous healings that took place as a direct result of the team's time. But what they will state as more important was how they were able to encourage people who will go on and have far greater impact for the Kingdom. 

I got to hear directly from a number of Nepali believers and a couple of missionaries who said how blessed and encouraged they were. Some said to me how God used the team's prophetic prayers to speak directly to an issue of discouragement that they were facing. One woman excitedly told me that she had a dream the night before that was exactly what someone prayed over her the next day. 

So I want to say how proud I am of our team. They loved the people of Nepal really well and they represented Waypoint Church really well. They have some amazing stories to share. Please take some time to listen to them.

Love in Nepal

Our team has been able to visit with Christians living in villages outside of Kathmandu. We spend time hearing their stories. Ones of healing. Ones of love. Ones of joy. Some of these Christians are the only Christ followers in their communities. But that doesn't stop them from declaring The Lord each day. So many are a light in their little corner of Nepal. A light that the Lord is using to bring all people to him. After each story we prayed for them and encouraged them. We let them know that even before the earthquake they were on the Lords heart. They are not forgotten. They are not overlooked. THEY ARE LOVED.

The team was blessed with a little retreat to the mountains last night. We woke early this morning to watch sunrise. It's so peaceful up out of the poltroon and noise of the city.

Please continue to pray that we will be an encouragement to those living and working here.

In Nepal.

Our team made it to Nepal last night. We are enjoying the sights and our hotel is nice. Our flights all went smooth and baggage all arrived as it should.

A week away.

A week from today we will be in Nepal. I have a feeling this week will go fast with work and packing and a friends wedding.

Our team met together on Thursday and talked about our trip and what it looks like. The two words that describe it well are LISTEN and PRAY. We will be listening to peoples stories. Helping them process the trauma of the earthquakes and more. And praying for them. A simple task. But one that will free many from fear. I always love hearing peoples stories. I have dealt with trauma first hand and know what it means for someone to listen as you process and talk it out. I am thankful to be that person for those who need it in Nepal.

As we prepare and leave next Sunday morning. Please pray that The Lord gives us His heart for His people in Nepal. That we have compassion for each one. And boldness to pray what needs to be prayed. And that His presence is with us so much that those we minister to will know that there is something different about us.