Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, August 16, 2009
El Salvador 2009
We left for El Salvador bright and early Friday morning right on schedule. We traveled to Houston where we had a five-hour layover. Everyone made the most of it with lots of joking around. There was a businessman sleeping in a chair and some of the group took turns sitting next to him and getting our pictures taken. The airport employee driving the passenger cart around and very loudly saying “car” which we thought was “horn” was a lot of fun to watch. We saw him quite a few times during our five-hour wait. Some of the group passed the time with various cards and games.
We arrived in El Salvador at about 8 pm on Friday night. A group from Kings Castle along with a yellow school bus greeted us at the airport. Instead of heading to King’s castle, we where taken to an area in San Salvador where a large worship service was going on. Twice a year there is a Victory for Christ service and it just happened to be the night we arrived. It was a lively evening highlighted by music, worship, and preaching by Don Triplett. We worshipped with the El Salvadorians until about 11 pm and then crossed the parking lot to our bunkrooms to spend the night. We needed to get up the next morning at 5:00 and had a very long day already so was looking forward to a bed. Our bunkroom held over 125 people and was very hot. The loud music lasted until 3:00, so not the most sound sleep if any.
Saturday morning, we got back on the bus and headed for Kings Castle. Made a quick stop for breakfast and then about an hour and half ride to our home for the week. Kings Castle is in a very beautiful location across the road for a large deep lake. The men headed up the hill to the men’s dorm while the women headed to theirs, which lucky for them was a little closer to the dining hall and gym. After we picked a bunk and threw our suitcase on it we changed into some shorts and started our day of training. I’m thankful we had already learned one of the hardest songs/dances since there were still about five more to learn. We worked on these outside till lunch and then moved on to the gym. It had started to rain so this worked out well. In the afternoon we learned four skits that we would perform throughout the week.
Sunday was a very nice and somewhat relaxing day. We went to church in the morning, which lasted several hours. We performed two of our dances for those in attendance. We had a little time to play soccer on a very nice field, which is mowed by the eleven horses that roam the grounds. There was no running water the first several days so each night we got to clean up in the lake, which was very refreshing. Because of a earthquake in 2005 the lake dropped 10 ft which really didn’t matter much other then the shore line since the lake is still over 1300 ft in places. There was a trapeze swing extending off the dock and was about 20 ft up there. This made for a lot of fun and some exciting wipeouts. No one got too hurt other than some red skin.
Starting with Monday, the weekdays were all very similar. We would start our day with breakfast at 6:30 and then jump in the bus. We were working with the pastor of the local church so we stayed within a 20-minute drive of the camp. Most teams go to San Salvador, which is about 90 minutes away. Some times we would go to a school and perform and other times we would stop in a rural neighborhood. The whole idea is to do several fun energetic dances and skits, mainly for children. Then we would do a serious skit and the members with us that knew Spanish would take over and share the gospel with the group. It was amazing how many people would come to watch the white people dance. We usually did two performances in the morning and one or two in the afternoon. With the heat and humidity it was very tiring. We would get back to camp about 4:30 and most often head down the hill to the lake to cool off and clean up. Supper was at 5:30 and by 7:00 we started our devotion service and review of the day. Most evenings we would talk some in our bunkrooms and be asleep by 11:00. This was different then past trips in that we had very little free time in the evenings.
One evening Robyn, myself, Stacy, Kelly and Jeremy went to the Prayer Fortress. It was a very deep experience and Gods presence was certainly there! The third level has maps to pray over the nations. This area was helpful for the five of us that were looking for guidance in that area.
Most everyone who went on the trip had some side effects from either the water we drank or maybe the food. Even though people felt sick they had great attitudes and never really complained.
In all we did 17 performances in front of 1045 people. Amazingly 380 people accepted Christ during the week. This made everything we endured so worth it!
If you ever get the chance to travel on a mission trip you will never regret it. It is better than any vacation possible. You come back more relaxed and charged up than you can imagine. And, it WILL be a life-changing experience!
We arrived in El Salvador at about 8 pm on Friday night. A group from Kings Castle along with a yellow school bus greeted us at the airport. Instead of heading to King’s castle, we where taken to an area in San Salvador where a large worship service was going on. Twice a year there is a Victory for Christ service and it just happened to be the night we arrived. It was a lively evening highlighted by music, worship, and preaching by Don Triplett. We worshipped with the El Salvadorians until about 11 pm and then crossed the parking lot to our bunkrooms to spend the night. We needed to get up the next morning at 5:00 and had a very long day already so was looking forward to a bed. Our bunkroom held over 125 people and was very hot. The loud music lasted until 3:00, so not the most sound sleep if any.
Saturday morning, we got back on the bus and headed for Kings Castle. Made a quick stop for breakfast and then about an hour and half ride to our home for the week. Kings Castle is in a very beautiful location across the road for a large deep lake. The men headed up the hill to the men’s dorm while the women headed to theirs, which lucky for them was a little closer to the dining hall and gym. After we picked a bunk and threw our suitcase on it we changed into some shorts and started our day of training. I’m thankful we had already learned one of the hardest songs/dances since there were still about five more to learn. We worked on these outside till lunch and then moved on to the gym. It had started to rain so this worked out well. In the afternoon we learned four skits that we would perform throughout the week.
Sunday was a very nice and somewhat relaxing day. We went to church in the morning, which lasted several hours. We performed two of our dances for those in attendance. We had a little time to play soccer on a very nice field, which is mowed by the eleven horses that roam the grounds. There was no running water the first several days so each night we got to clean up in the lake, which was very refreshing. Because of a earthquake in 2005 the lake dropped 10 ft which really didn’t matter much other then the shore line since the lake is still over 1300 ft in places. There was a trapeze swing extending off the dock and was about 20 ft up there. This made for a lot of fun and some exciting wipeouts. No one got too hurt other than some red skin.
Starting with Monday, the weekdays were all very similar. We would start our day with breakfast at 6:30 and then jump in the bus. We were working with the pastor of the local church so we stayed within a 20-minute drive of the camp. Most teams go to San Salvador, which is about 90 minutes away. Some times we would go to a school and perform and other times we would stop in a rural neighborhood. The whole idea is to do several fun energetic dances and skits, mainly for children. Then we would do a serious skit and the members with us that knew Spanish would take over and share the gospel with the group. It was amazing how many people would come to watch the white people dance. We usually did two performances in the morning and one or two in the afternoon. With the heat and humidity it was very tiring. We would get back to camp about 4:30 and most often head down the hill to the lake to cool off and clean up. Supper was at 5:30 and by 7:00 we started our devotion service and review of the day. Most evenings we would talk some in our bunkrooms and be asleep by 11:00. This was different then past trips in that we had very little free time in the evenings.
One evening Robyn, myself, Stacy, Kelly and Jeremy went to the Prayer Fortress. It was a very deep experience and Gods presence was certainly there! The third level has maps to pray over the nations. This area was helpful for the five of us that were looking for guidance in that area.
Most everyone who went on the trip had some side effects from either the water we drank or maybe the food. Even though people felt sick they had great attitudes and never really complained.
In all we did 17 performances in front of 1045 people. Amazingly 380 people accepted Christ during the week. This made everything we endured so worth it!
If you ever get the chance to travel on a mission trip you will never regret it. It is better than any vacation possible. You come back more relaxed and charged up than you can imagine. And, it WILL be a life-changing experience!
Will you go?
Paul
Saturday, July 11, 2009
El Salvador Photos
Check out the El Salvador pictures at http://www.prkramer.smugmug.com/
More info about the trip to come in the next week or two.
Blessings,
Paul and Robyn
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Our New Home
The move is complete, we've unpacked most of the boxes, and we are feeling quite settled. We moved to a townhome just a few short blocks from our old house. The move went great, thanks to so many people who helped.
We are currently renting for one year and we'll see what happens after that. Our goal with renting is to be more mobile and ready to go when the plan reveals itself. We've purged another pile of stuff and eventually will not have much except for our clothes....and our computers of course!
We are excited to have found such a great townhome. Big thanks to Bob and Judy who are our new landlords. Thanks for your kindness, your generosity, and your trust. We promise to take good care of it.
Blessing to you all,
Paul and Robyn
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Friday, June 12, 2009
Another Sign
We have had our house for sale for the better part of the last two years. Finally, we have a buyer and are able to hang the "SOLD" banner on the sign that has become a way for people to find our house.
In our attempt to live a simpler life and be a little more mobile, we are renting a townhouse in Savage only a few blocks from where we currently live. It's a very nice townhouse in a nice neighborhood that will serve us well. We are excited to stay in the area and have enough room to continue to have groups of people in our home.
The big move is happening later today and finishing up on Saturday morning. Big thanks to all who are helping us with the move. We are so blessed with such great family and friends.
This puts us one step closer to what God intends for our life in the upcoming years. Stay tuned.....
Grateful,
Paul and Robyn
Thursday, May 7, 2009
The Man with the Sign
I had a great God-moment on Wednesday that I thought worthy to share.
After two meetings in Prior Lake Wednesday morning, I was on my way to the office heading up 169. As I was listening to Praise FM, they begin playing the song "God of this City" by Chris Tomlin. If you haven't heard the song, I strongly suggest getting the CD or listening to it on You Tube. It's a great song and always reminds me of our recent trip to Haiti! If you were there, you know what I mean.
As I was exiting the freeway, I saw him...The Man with the Sign. You know what I mean, the homeless person standing at the corner with a sign that reads something like this.....
What do you do when you see this? Some of us look away not wanting to make eye contact, some of us pray for that person, some of us actually give them something. My reaction to him was instant, I didn't look away, just reached for my purse. I had just stopped at the bank on my way, so that was good! I found a bill that was appropriate and motioned for him to come over. The light changed and their was barely enough time for him to approch me, receive the gift, and for me to proceed without causing a traffic delay. Is that what you would have done?
We've all heard people who don't give because they believe the person will simply use it for alcohol or cigaraettes or something we deem inappropriate. I guess I'm from the thought of that's not our place to judge. What this man chose to do with the money was his decision. I simply hope that it helped him.
Imagine being so low that you stand at a street corner begging for money. What would you do if you were that down and out. Most of us could rely on family and/or friends. What if we didn't have them? My heart sank for this man and I was reminded that there are many others out there who need our help.
So here's the challenge part of this post, yep, you are being called to action! I challenge you to put a $5, $10, or even a $20 bill in your purse/billfold and be ready to give it to someone who needs it. Perhaps it's not a person on a street with a sign, instead, maybe it's a college student who doesn't have any extra. Maybe it's a single mom who never seems to have enough. Perhaps it's a family that has been impacted by the loss of a job. We all know people who need help, let's truly start being the hands and feet and remember to help those that are in need.
Once your challenge is complete, I'd love to hear your story!
Oh, and the really cool ending.....as I drove away, I realized that the song "God of this City" was still playing on the radio. Coincidence, I think not!
Let's not forget to watch for the signs,
Robyn
After two meetings in Prior Lake Wednesday morning, I was on my way to the office heading up 169. As I was listening to Praise FM, they begin playing the song "God of this City" by Chris Tomlin. If you haven't heard the song, I strongly suggest getting the CD or listening to it on You Tube. It's a great song and always reminds me of our recent trip to Haiti! If you were there, you know what I mean.
As I was exiting the freeway, I saw him...The Man with the Sign. You know what I mean, the homeless person standing at the corner with a sign that reads something like this.....
What do you do when you see this? Some of us look away not wanting to make eye contact, some of us pray for that person, some of us actually give them something. My reaction to him was instant, I didn't look away, just reached for my purse. I had just stopped at the bank on my way, so that was good! I found a bill that was appropriate and motioned for him to come over. The light changed and their was barely enough time for him to approch me, receive the gift, and for me to proceed without causing a traffic delay. Is that what you would have done?
We've all heard people who don't give because they believe the person will simply use it for alcohol or cigaraettes or something we deem inappropriate. I guess I'm from the thought of that's not our place to judge. What this man chose to do with the money was his decision. I simply hope that it helped him.
Imagine being so low that you stand at a street corner begging for money. What would you do if you were that down and out. Most of us could rely on family and/or friends. What if we didn't have them? My heart sank for this man and I was reminded that there are many others out there who need our help.
So here's the challenge part of this post, yep, you are being called to action! I challenge you to put a $5, $10, or even a $20 bill in your purse/billfold and be ready to give it to someone who needs it. Perhaps it's not a person on a street with a sign, instead, maybe it's a college student who doesn't have any extra. Maybe it's a single mom who never seems to have enough. Perhaps it's a family that has been impacted by the loss of a job. We all know people who need help, let's truly start being the hands and feet and remember to help those that are in need.
Once your challenge is complete, I'd love to hear your story!
Oh, and the really cool ending.....as I drove away, I realized that the song "God of this City" was still playing on the radio. Coincidence, I think not!
Let's not forget to watch for the signs,
Robyn
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Sandbagging in Fargo
Steve, Jason, Ryan and Paul fill sandbags while it snows.
The view inside the FargoDome
Kim and Ryan holding the bags as Paul and Jason fill them.
Sand for the Kramer Sand CollectionFour of us from Southbridge went to Fargo to help with the sandbagging efforts. Both our daughters Kim and Andrea currently live in Fargo. The river reached record highs and nearly flooded the whole area. Thanks to the help of thousands of volunteers that filled 3.5 million sandbags, nearly all of the area was saved. It was a great experience working side by side so many people willing to serve.
Big thanks to Steve, Ryan, Jason and Kim for their willingness to do such hard work on so little sleep.
Sandbagger Paul
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