Category: 2025, Family Trip

We made it home! Each family arrived back home late afternoon, after driving about 5 hours and stopping for lunch near Ann Arbor.  Thank you God for our safe travels!  We appreciate your prayers. Although Day 8 was our official last day of the trip together, the work continued into Day 9 as families unpacked, returned the trailer that we used to carry tools, and tackled laundry (so much!).  It was also a great day to rest and reflect on our time at Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go. Please continue to pray for us as we get back to “normal” life and tell people about our experience.  While serving at Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go was an amazing time, please pray that we continue to live our our trip verse wherever we are. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give…

We have arrived safely in northern Kentucky, just south of Cincinnati.  We left camp after breakfast and cleaning our cabin.  We drove to the Ark Encounter, where we stopped for about 2 hours.  Afterward, we went to our hotel and ordered pizza in and most people swam at the pool.  Thank you for your prayers for safe travels!  Please continue to pray for us as we make the last leg of the trip home tomorrow.

Today has been bittersweet! The morning started with the camp hosting about 35 home schooled kids and their parents.  Our kids participated in the activities that included a Easter lesson, a craft, and gym time.  Alison, Nyama, and Amy were able to help in the craft room.  During that time, the men worked to rebuild stairs at Faith Lodge. After lunch, we finished mulching projects and continued to cut up trees.  The camp staff were really thankful for the additional wood as it is important for heating cabins and water throughout the camp.  We also started to pack up our cars to prepare for tomorrow’s departure. In the evening, the kids (and a few adults) presented a talent show!  The kids organized the talent show, which included tickets, signage, an MC, lighting and a few choreographed dances!  They included the Bolt family, Leanne, and Paul, who serve at camp all…

Today we started the day with work around camp.  We had beautiful weather and worked together to finish several open projects.  We painted the craft room, completed phase 2 of the rock wall, did more weeding and woodchips, and continued to cut up dead trees on the property.  By noon, we were ready for a break. We spent our free afternoon in North Carolina (only about a hour drive).  First we visited the Wilderness Alpine Coaster.  This thrilling ride was exciting for all – some loved the thrill of speed and others liked to take it slow and enjoy the twists and turns.  Afterward, we visited Grandfather Mountain and hiked a short distance to a mile-high swinging bridge.  It was a beautiful view!  Grandfather Mountain also had a small visitor center where we could see local wildlife.  It was a nice trip away to see the beauty of God’s creation…

Today we tackled some big projects and saw that many hands make light work (well, maybe lighter work).  We started the day weeding an raking some large areas around the camper cabins.  We also spread new woodchips in the area.  After lunch, we cut down several trees, cut and stacked fire wood and helped blow leaves from the chapel area.  It was exciting to see how our work made a visible difference to the camp! The kids have also been working to decorate the community area of our cabin with encouraging verses and drawings.  Even when they can’t do the heavy work, they can be an encouragement to those who can! We ended the day with games and another night of worship.  We have a few more projects to work on tomorrow morning, but are excited to have an afternoon to explore the area.  We are planning to visit a…

WOW! We had a full day.  We started bright and early cleaning the camp’s five buses and power washing.  To get this done, we split into two groups.  Mid-morning, a third group split off to work on organizing the arts and craft area. After lunch we were blessed to be able to participate in their last Bible Release Time ministry session for the school year.  The camp sends bible teachers from the camp to pick up students who are “released” from school for bible teaching.  Tennessee allows this if parents approve.  Dave, our teacher today, shared the Easter story and 19 kids accepted Jesus into their heart!  It was an amazing ending to their school season programming and we were so thankful to see the fruits of God’s work. When we returned to camp, several people rested, while others continued power washing and kids enjoyed the camp playground.  We ended…

Hello all – As I write this post, we have settled in at Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go.  We started off yesterday at 9am at Calvary and had a warm send off.  Travels went well and we made it to Cincinnati, OH by late afternoon.  We enjoyed the hotel pool and then went to dinner.  Despite rainy weather, the travels were uneventful. This morning, we visited First Church of Christ in Florence, KY.  Their service was about praying unceasingly, which was a helpful message that God is always present.  We were reminded that we can pray to Him and listen for Him whenever and wherever we are.  After the service a group of people prayed with us for our remaining journey and the week ahead. We drove the rest of the drive Sunday afternoon.  Traveling Sunday was slower due to winding (but beautiful) roads.  We arrived at Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go in the evening and…

Please open the link below to see our trip Prayer Calendar.  We’ve included a few details about what we’ll be doing each day so you can pray for us more specifically. Prayer Calendar

On Sunday, March 30, we met with several of the elders of Calvary Church, along with family and friends to pray for our upcoming trip.  We were blessed to have so many supporters in attendance and sweet prayers for our safety, blessing, and effective service.

The 2025 Family Trip planning is underway! Sunday, March 16th, we gathered together to learn more about one another and plan for the trip.  We shared a meal, stories about our families, prayer and worship!  The kids played so well together while the adult tackled logistics.  Please pray for our preparations!