Visit to Cunupia High School

Well today our mission team held another program for approximatley 100 students ages 15-17 years of age at the Cunupia High School in Trinidad.  We changed things up a bit today - Robman had a few Globetrotter moves up his sleeve which got the kids attention.  The kids at this school had never before had anyone come to their school to speak to them or have interactive activities.  Most of them had never seen a basketball before let alone hold one! In our program today, we talked about making wise choices with drugs, alcohol and sexual relationships.  We did the same character building pyramid as we did at the other school.  It was an awesome experience!  Our mission team was the very first team to be invited to their school to speak and interact with the students.  When our program was finished each child gave us a hug and said "thank you" for coming - we never have anyone come to talk to us and we never have FUN!  Thank you for letting us have some fun!!!  That was very gratifying - we built some relationships and have been invited to come back next year!!  What a wonderful feeling to have connected with them in just a few short hours.....we left them with a sports bag and some basketballs to use at their school.  We definitely have them on our list for the return visit!

Visit to Eldorado East Secondary School

Tuesday, February 28th our mission team held a program for approximately 150 kids ages 10-15 yrs old at a school assembly.  It was a tough crowd - it took awhile to get their attention!  Rob started off the program with a little contest of Team 1 versus Team 2 with who could yell the loudest "Yo Baby Yo"!! The kids thought that phrase was so funny - some kids kept saying it softly during our program.  Rob spoke to them about making right choices in life - say No to Drugs and Alcohol.  Then we built a character pyramid which included "Team Spirit", "Friendship", "Enthusiasm", "Self-Control" and "Intentious".  All character traits to help them make right choices in life.  We chose 12 students that really paid attention during the program to come up with us and do our Globetrotter basketball routine - which included ball handling, dribbling, doing the chicken dance which they all thought was hilarious!!!
All in all it was a success and we left them with one basketball for their school which the kids loved.  We will be holding the same program Wednesday for another school.

VIsiting Trinidad Prison

Yesterday, Monday February, 27th, our Mission Team visited the Trinidad Prison and shared the word of God with the prisoners.  We were given approximately 2 hours to share with the prisoners.  The Robman opened our program and then introduced Linda, who gave an incredible message to the prisoners.  Then we actually brought out our basketballs and did simple drills with the prisoners.  They do not play basketball in Trinidad so this was a new experience for most of them.  It was amazing to see their faces light up as we spent more time with them - for a short period of time they actually got to enjoy themselves and forget where they were - maybe not completely forget, but at least relaxed in their environment.  They were all very respectful and at the end of our time some accepted the Invitation to live for Christ!  Also at the end of our time we encouraged them to talk with us about themselves and their lives - several spoke with us afterwards.  Some are getting out of prison soon and are wanting so much to start a new life which for some of them means moving away from their old environment.  Jobs are not plentiful in Trinidad so when they are released it is hard to find a way to earn a living.  But, they are given opportunities in prison to learn some job skills such as electrician and plumbing.  The Prison and prisoners asked that we come back to visit them again - most likely there will be another mission trip planned in the near future.  We felt we had a positive response from the prisoners. 
Tuesday we will go to one of the schools and speak to approximatley 80 kids - will update our blog after our visit the school.  I will try to post pictures but having a bit of trouble getting those posted....those may come after we get back to the states......will do my best!

Houston Airport with Pearl (Ken Babwah's sister)

Noon Saturday, Feb 25th 2012 - Mission Team with Pearl.....Ken Babwah's sister lives in Houston and works at Houston Airport.  She came by to see us on her day off!  Ken is in Trinidad waiting on us to arrive!

Finally arrived in Trinidad!!

Robman talking with Ken and Daniel Babwah at Trinidad airport.

Trinidad Journey slow start

Well here we are back home from the airport..................Failure to Launch experience! 
Flight delays going through Newark so had to change our flight to early Saturday morning and go through Houston.............lets hope we actually get to fly in the morning!  Well all we can say is there was a reason we were not supposed to go to Newark with all the flight delays.  Now we get to stay an extra day also!

2012 Trinidad Mission Team

The time has arrived - we are heading for airport this afternoon!  Here we go .....

2012 Trinidad Mission Trip

24 hours til lift off for our 2012 Trinidad Mission Team!  Can't wait!