Darin's Journal
Journal Entry 7/08/05 – 6:30amI begin this day giving thanks, Lord! The team is doing very well. You have answered so many prayers. I’m very proud of the team. There are two other teams here and the complaints are running long and deep from the others about food and accommodations. Not a negative word from our team! Each challenge is received as an adventure by this group, and I could not be happier with any of them.
Nate’s team has been making me very nervous. They are bringing down trees on Dieter’s property. Lord, you do remember that my team last year didn’t get along so well with trees, right? Last year it was a zipline. Now we’ve graduated to chain saws… Oh Joy!
The dancers had another busy day. We began with a performance at a local Okahandja school where there were 1200 students. I think the girls were at first overwhelmed by the number of children brought to see them. The program included many numbers especially chosen because the performance was once again on concrete. I knew what this meant… time for me to be praying again concerning injuries. So that was again my role. I am proud of Michelle. It wasn’t until we were into the program did it dawn on us that she was in almost every number. Let me tell you, it was hot under that brutal sun, the concrete floor was unforgiving, and Michelle never batted an eye! I am proud also of Steph B. Hers was the solo chosen for the day. Steph did an amazing job. We grabbed that one on video so it can be posted to the site. I will be listening all the way from Rehoboth tonight for Denise to be crying when she sees this footage!
The school visit gave us two other unforgettable moments. First, the schools chorus and drummers performed to welcome us to their school. They were amazing! Our team was so thrilled. After the event concluded a couple of their boys stayed and taught a few of our girls some of their dance steps. Carli and Casey jumped into the steps… and we all concluded they looked ‘very white’ trying. The surprise is that we have scheduled for these two boys and their chorus teacher to join us in our camp next week to have a little cross-cultural dance and music time together.
The second ‘experience’ at the school was a little more scary. As the girls finished someone invited the student body to greet the girls. I was thankful that I happened to be standing in amongst our girls when it happened – but we heard a rushing sound and turned to realize 1000 or more students were crushing in upon us. We have experienced this before, but it always scares you. I was trying to get myself in between the crowd and the girls, and to keep us all on our feet as the throng of students pressed us against a wall. It was immediate that the school staff regained control, and the dancers all managed smiles, but it shook us a bit on the whole. I kept telling them on the way back, “This is why you never give gifts in large public settings.”
Our afternoon visit to Vyf Rand seemed different. All of us sensed that the kids were more wired than before. Many of them were aggressive and rough. The girls did their usual great job of relating to them, but the setting seemed much more stressful than before. As the sun lowered in the sky the temperature was dropping steadily. Many of us were feeling the cold, and that saddened us because most of these kids have no clothing. If we were getting cold…
More difficulty when we left. It is a norm that when we pull out the children run and chase our vehicles. Many times this is dangerous as the kids will attempt to climb in or on the vehicles and may get run over. Steph L has become ‘shotgun’ in Roadkill (my combvie). We had loaded up and I would start rolling forward while Steph walked with the kids behind me gently urging them away from the car. This time it didn’t work. As we were entering the car Sam and Amanda L were literally fighting children out of the doors. As I started rolling and Steph was doing her best to move the crowd away the kids overwhelmed her. They left the vehicle and grabbed her begging, “don’t leave us!” I looked back and realized that the smile was gone on Steph’s face. I stopped and ran back to her, gathered her and we headed for the car together. It wasn’t until we drove out that I realized what had really happened: when the children saw a man coming towards them, they let Steph go and ran away. It gave me that feeling you get when you lift your hand to pet a dog and it cowers.
Our evening was a little more light hearted around the fire. Adria sang and played guitar… enough said. As I headed to bed I crossed paths with Diandre who was going for a walk. I joined her and we had some great conversation. Thank you Lord! There are some wonderful reasons that I will need to ‘sleep when I get home’.
From Darin to Shari… Hey you! I’m sorry I haven’t called. It’s been hectic. Despite rumors of my demise… it is just a really bad cold. Katie is doing so great. I am so thrilled with her. She has been taking all the video footage. The videos you are seeing, large parts of those are her work. She’s handling herself very well too. Amanda is doing great. She and Jaclyn have been inseparable. I spent time with her yesterday… she is loving the trip but not all the speaking they’re asking her to do. I love you more.
From Darin to MHDC parents and friends… Your kids are all doing so well. You have much reason to be proud. I have not heard a complaint, and the conditions have not always been the best. Dee Dee changed teams. She’s had it with dancing. She is mean with a chain saw. Carli is not drinking the water. Samantha got married. Jaclyn is eating. Diandre shaved her legs. Jaimie is learning to play guitar. Adria is NOT. Michelle and Kara got up to see the sunrise this morning. Casey and Bonnie are sad to see the South African team leave (they can explain). Becca is getting ready to deliver our sex talk (how to dump your boyfriend using text messages). Steph L is learning to drive stick… left handed. Steph B ate oatmeal and lives to tell about it. And Sandi… Sandi has decided to stay here. Send Kimmie! We’re off on the road for three days starting in a few hours. Pray for us! We miss you.
posted by mike @ 10:37 AM
12 Comments:
David Sumner!!!!
My lovey dovey, smoochy woochykins! The pictures on the site torture me with your face that I can only see in my dreams. The days of your absence drag on and though the weather is sunny and warm outside, my heart is like a cold winter's day without you here to hold me in your arms. I miss you SO SO SO SO much and can't wait for you to come home to me!
All my deepest love 4evr,
Your Hot Hoochie Mamma
From Grandma Berthiaume
To Diandre and Adria:
I am so very proud of you both. As I read all of the journals, comments and watch the video's, the tears literaly dripping down, I see in you exactly what the Lord would like everyone to do - To reach out to all of his people as in HIS eyes we are all equal.
What an awesome experience for you both as well as the whole group. Prayers have been constant for all. I know that your hearts have been touched.
PS Diandre...cool chicken dance!
Adria...as always, you are still great at entertaining!
Love you both so much!
Michell & Kara
Hi Guys!!
How are things going? Youve been gone a week already hugh. Is Africa Hot? What do you guys do at night anything? Well it looks like you guys are having a ball over there. Were are proud of you guys. Have fun miss you and stay out of trouble.
Dad
Hey you guys!
I am so proud of you all! I loved Steph's solo, it made me cry! When I read the journal entry about going to Vyf Rand, I couldn't imagine myself handling that situation as well as you all did! It sounds like you are all having such a wonderful time over there, and once again, I am completely jealous! However I am praying for you all, and I am so proud of you!
Jaclyn- I'm so glad you are eating!!! :) Fourth of July here was pretty pathetic so dont get too jealous. But everyone at home is doing fine and I sincerely hope you are too. Please write an entry sometime soon, I'm missing your messages. I pray for you every night and I am so very proud of all you are doing for these children, and the great attitude you approach them with (besides a few scary experiences ;) ) Come home soon! We miss you and LOVE you!
Amanda and Katie: Wow! You guys sound like you are having an amazing time. Katie, I didn't you were filming this whole thing! Nice job so far! Amanda, as I read the journal entry where you were giving those speeches, I really almost cried. I could have never given a speech if my life depended on it, especially as well as you did! I'm so proud of you both, and I am praying alot for you guys! I love you and miss you! Write soon!
Love, Lauren
P.S. These comments were based on the journal entries for the whole day.
Hi Kara & Michelle, I miss you guys so much!! Believe it or not I have sent other comments but they are no where to be found.Seems if we sign on as anonymous it goes through. In my last comment that went missing I was thrilled and amazed with the technology, the video was great! I also want to thank Darin and his team for taking you on this life changing journey and to Sandy ...your amazing! Michelle I'm very proud of you too,all those numbers and we know how much you hate the heat!! I hope your having fun. It must be so heart breaking to leave those kids at the end of the day. Kara, How's it going? I miss you you and am very proud of you too !! What an experiance!! I'm sure you'd like to take all those kids home with you.2 days till your birthday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Love Ya (Hope this comment doesn't go into oblivian with the others)Love you guys, love Mom
samantha I guess your new profession can include bodyguard. Hope the situations when reflected upon make everyone feel for these children, to be so isolated from the rest of the world. I'm glad you had Steph's back!!!! I'm guessing this experience is still positive for you, even through the stressful times. Hope you are well. It is raining in Chatam no sun PTown was great you'd love it!!!! The janiaks say HI and Mr. J can't wait to see the pictures. We are all proud of you!!!! LOVE YOU LOTS, MISS YOU and think about you each day.
MOM
Hey guys!
Sounds like you are having so much fun!
Katie I am so happy for you that you can experience this amazing trip! Come home soon! Miss you....stay safe and healthy!
P.S. good job on video taping!!
Amanda I bet that you are over joyed to be back in Africa!! Stay safe and healthy....have fun in the coming days!!!! Miss you!!!
P.S. good jod on your speech!!
I can't stop checking the site by the way!
Well hope that you guys and the rest of the team have a great time dancing!
Love ya!!!
Shannon
jaimie,it has been a busy week in my cell (the new kitchen) but things are going ok. On my last trip to Shangahi I was thinking about both of us heading in opposite directions getting further apart by the min, but always closer in my heart. The morning I was returning to ORD I was sitting at breakfast,a buffet that has just about anything you could want from western food to the far-east stuff, when it hit me .What was Jaimie eating this morning?. It bothered me so much that I had to leave the restaurant. When I got home I saw the pictures of you eating and I now know I could take you anywhere and you would do fine. I'm happy you are still as excited now as you were before your trip and all of you are doing such great work. Well I've gone on enough, be safe, I love you. Tomorrow I'm off to Shangahi again. Oh! on the way out of the restaurant I did grab a cheese danish. HA-HA. Love-DAD
Stephie,
Sending a big hug your way today---I hope the children didn't scare you too much. Thank You Darin for being right there for her and the other girls. Enjoy your time at the spa---relax and take care of those weary aches and pains! How's the knee?? Advil and hot soaks will help! Love you lots, Mom
David,
I did not know you had a Hot Hoochie Mama-----I'm happy for you! We are learning alot about other members of the team by way of the blog!!! I'm glad everyone is sharing!
HEY EVERYONE....HOPE YOUR ALL ENJOYING YOUR SPA NIGHT...ESPECIALLY DIANDRE AND STEPH L...REMEMBER...NO PAIN ...NO GAIN..AND WHAT i COULD SEE FROM THE VIDEO IS THAT YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF THE CHILDREN YOU CAME IN CONTACT WITH...i WISH i COULD JUST BE THERE TO HUG EVERYONE...I'M SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU...I THINK THIS IS THE BEST TEAM THAT COULD EVER BE....ON YOUR LAST PERFORMANCE...REMEMBER TO LOOK AT EACH OTHER....LOOK AT SANDI...DARIN..MIKE...AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE...YOU ALL.....HAVE MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE...IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD...!!! BUT...MOST OF ALL....REMEMBER YOUR MOMS AND DADS...BECAUSE WE ARE THE MOST PROUD OF THE THINGS YOU ARE DOING!!!!LOVE YOU ALL......MRS. B....(THE CRYBABY)..I LOVE YOU STEPH!!!!
I "second" everything the President said (sobbing)!! There will be a receiving line at the airport for all of you, so get ready!! We want to hug each and every one of you when you get back to the good ol' USA!!! Can't wait!
Enjoy the second half of your trip and get alot accomplished! Love to all!
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