Getting Shots!

Today we had an appointment to get shots and I felt like I could take the shots and not cry like I did when I was five.  So when we got there we went into the family medicine office.  We saw the travel doctor.  He didn't give us the shots, but a different lady did.  The doctor told us there is a yellow disease that we had to get shots for it.

So when the lady came in my dad got his shots first, and then I went.  When it was my turn I was nervous.  I had to get two shots in my arm.  One on my shoulder and one on the back.  I was really nervous.  The first shot was ok.  The second shot stung a bit and then released.

Here's a picture of my band-aids.

Support

We've had people ask us if there is anything we need for the mission trip.  As with most mission trips, fundraising is a part of it.  Not only are we needing to raise money for travel expense, but also for a few supplies such as basketballs and camp supplies, so any financial assistance would be appreciative.  Whether it's $10, $20, $50, or $100, it all helps (and it's tax deductible:)  If that's a way anybody could support the trip, make a check payable to Ames Efree.  Write on the memo Jake/Tucker Bolivia and send it to our home at

657 Xenia Place
Ames, IA 50014

Then we can turn them all in together.  If you can support financially, shoot me an email and let me know, so I can be expecting it and plan accordingly.

Prayer is another way we could use your support.  Here's a quick list off the top of my head:

1.  Safe travels

2.  Preparation for the basketball camp.

3.  That the Bolivian kids would be ready and willing to learn.

4.  Patience with the language barrier.

5.  That Tucker has a great experience.

6.  Tucker and I can have some father/son bonding

7.  We learn more about Christ.

I'll be adding more to this list as we get closer.  But this will get us started.

Today I mowed the lawn. We have two lawn mowers,because we live in the country. We have a big lawn.  We have a tractor and a push mower. My dad drove the tractor and I pushed the push mower. My job was to mow where ever he couldn't get, places like under the swing set, around the house and around the flower beds. Mom is going to have me help with pulling weeds too.  My favorite part was driving the tractor back to my grandpa and grandma`s house. Dad put five dollars into my money jar for Bolivia. Total, I have saved close to 100 dollars.

Testimonies

An assignment that we needed to have done before we leave is a 100-300 word testimony that will be translated into Spanish.  I'm assuming they give it to the local church to be passed out to the congregation.  When? I'm not sure.  Why?  I think we have to get up and speak at the church.  I'm not sure if we have any certain subject, or maybe it's just giving our testimony, but I'm assuming they just pass it out as background information.  We'll find out.

So here's Tucker's testimony:

Tucker:

I don't remember when I became a christian.  My parents told me about God and His word.  They told me I could have everlasting life with Him in heaven.  They told me to pray often.  I asked God to come into my life and let Him take over my body.  I want to let Him do His work through me.

Now I am more motivated to be a better person and take care of my siblings and people around me.  Without Jesus I wouldn't be nice, I wouldn't tell the truth.  When I am not perfect I ask Jesus for forgiveness and He forgives me.

Jesus is gracious, forgiving, loving, caring, mighty, and awesome.

A Basketball Camp......in Bolivia?

As most of my friends and family know, I've had a passion for basketball since I was a kid.  Fortunately, God has allowed me the opportunity to be a part of a great youth program, Upward, that our Church has helped provide for the community.  I was part of a team that got the program up and running for the first few years.  The program grew and the church hired a staff person to coordinate the league, which took it to a whole other level.  It's been fantastic.  But because of Upward, I've been a part of coaching teams from kindergarten to 6th graders, coaching coaches, and put on multiple basketball camps.

So when Dustin, our Upward league director, asked if I'd be interested in putting on a camp in Bolivia, I said "Absolutely!......but what interest would those kids have in basketball?"

Well come to find out,  while Dustin was there putting on a soccer camp in San Isidro, Bolivia, they had basketball hoops mounted above the soccer goals.  During a break, Dustin began shooting the soccer ball into one of the baskets.  He instantly had kids around him asking questions, and wanting to play.  He found out that the kids of this town, knew about basketball and the NBA.  They knew of players, but they didn't really know the game.

So he came back and started planning a basketball camp.

Itenirary

Our flights are booked.

We'll drive on Saturday, June 23rd to Omaha where we'll catch a flight around 2:30 to O'hare in Chicago.  We'll take another flight to Miami, FL.  Once in Miami we'll run to the next gate and 45 minutes later take off for La Paz, Bolivia.

 La Paz is located in a valley of the Andes Mountains.  The city ranges in elevation of 9,500 to 12,000 ft. above sea level.  Crazy high for a big city!  Luckily we don't have to get off the plane here.

We'll continue on to Santa Cruz de la sierra, Bolivia, arriving at 7:40 am at the Viru Viru International Aeropuerto on Sunday.  Santa Cruz's elevation is about 1300 ft. above sea level.  Much closer to Ames' (942 ft.).

Bolivia is in the same time zone as Iowa.  Hopefully we get some sleep on the plane.  I may need to buy a new movie player for Tuck and me.........

Hello my name is Tucker. I am 9years old. I have 2 brothers and 1 sister. I am the oldest, except for my dog Lucius, he is 10.  I live in Ames,Iowa. I go to gilbert elementry and Efree church. Some things I like to do are, spend time outside with my friends, play sports, reading, video games, playing chess and camping.
This summer I am going to Bolivia, South America to share Gods love and playbasket ball and to interact with other kids. I am going with my dad and some other people from Ames. I am excited because I get to meet other kids and make new friendships. I am also nervous about feeling left out because I wont be able to understand them when they are talking.

Passports

We finally got around to getting Tucker's passport application to the post office.  Not the most convenient thing I've done.

First, you have to have both parents (I'm not even going to get into what you need if only one parent  is present), and the child applicant with you when you turn in the application.  Second,  you need a photocopy of your and your spouses id's, front and back.  And third,  the passport application window is only open from 10 am-1 pm during the week.

So we got Tucker out of school, fortunately we got there around 12:30 because we didn't know about the working hours.  We did have to wait for Kate a bit, but there wasn't a line anyway.  Now we wait 6 weeks until his passport arrives.

The Who, What, When, Where and Why

Tucker and I, Dustin Brooks, 1 other father/son combo, and a father/mother/son combo will be going down to Bolivia with other members of the EFree Church in Ames.  Our destination in Bolivia is San Isidro.  A small town along the highway heading up to the Andes Mountains.  We'll be in Bolivia for a week at the end of June.

Dustin and the father/morther/son combinations will be putting on basketball clinics for the kids of San Isidro.  Dustin learned of these kids' interest in basketball while on a trip to Bolivia last December to put on a similar soccer clinic.  While on a break he started shooting some baskets with a soccer ball and instantly had kids all around him.  He found out that these kids know about the NBA and have a strong interest in basketball, but don't exactly know the rules and skills.

All of us have been part of the Upward basketball program.  The boys have all played in the league, and each on of us have coached for a number of years.  So, although we'll be travelling somewhere new, in a foreign country, and don't speak their language, we'll at least be doing something that we all have a passion for: kids and basketball.

I'm also excited for how Christ will lead our time in Bolivia.  Not only for the kids of San Isidro, but for Tucker.  For his and I's relationship together.  For his relationship with God.  My relationship with God.  What about Himself will he be revealing to us.

This blog will be an opportunity for Tucker, Kate and I to share what we are doing and learning as we prepare for the journey to Bolivia.