Our Schedule...

Thu Mar 5 (Day #1)
■ Travel to Trinidad

Fri Mar 6 (Day #2)
■ AM: Las Lomas Early Childhood Centre
■ PM: Orientation and Cultural Tour

Sat Mar 7 (Day #3)
■ AM: Heart of Mary Orphan Home
■ PM: Good Shepherd Nursing Home

Sun Mar 8 (Day #4)
■ AM: Worship service @ Dinsley Ev. Bible Church
■ PM: Visitation for Bible Club @ Red Hill

Mon Mar 9 (Day #5)
■ AM: Rebirth House (Drug Rehab Center)
■ PM: Kids Club (VBS) @ Red Hill
■ PM: Cricket Tournament @ Victory Heights

Tue Mar 10 (Day #6)
■ AM: McKenzie Early Childhood Centre (Trincity)
■ AM: SAG Girls High School
■ PM: Kids Club (VBS) @ Red Hill

Wed Mar 11 (Day #7)
■ AM: Five Rivers Secondary School
■ AM: Five Rivers Elderly Home
■ PM: Kids Club (VBS) @ Red Hill
■ PM: Prayer Meeting @ Dinsley Ev. Bible Church
■ PM: Overnight with church families

Thur Mar 12 (Day #8)
■ PM: Return to Victory Heights @ 2p
■ PM: Kids Club (VBS) @ Red Hill
■ PM: Youth Meeting on Abstinance @ Red Hill

Fri Mar 13 (Day #9)
■ AM: Shopping in Port-of-Spain
■ PM: Maracas Beach

Sat Mar 14 (Day #10)
■ Return to Minnesota

Stung in more ways than one.

This whole trip there was an urge that everyone had to see the ocean and not only that, but to actually swim in it. Myself, along with Joel had the opportunity to go swimming and snorkeling with our host on Thursday morning. Little did we know what we could encounter while we were there. Our lives were both changed from that experience. Joel almost drowned because he sucked in a snorkel full of ocean water. We witnessed a dead cow floating in the water that was made up of nothing more than skin and bone. And lastly I had gotten stung by a Man of War jelly fish that burned like none other.

Now being back in the states there is this sting that is still burning within me. I went to church this morning and seeing the kids in Sunday school was a bittersweet experience. There was a longing to be back in Trinidad with the kids from VBS, the schools, and just the simplicity of what was there and the mentality of the people as well. The leader that was teaching this morning was playing some music and then I heard a song that really hit me hard. The title of the song was called "Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns. This was one of the songs that we had done a drama for. All the memories from the trip and what we had learned rushed like a flooded river through me. As Shelby quoted many times on this trip, "This is not a game." What we have here we must be thankful for and cherish. God has given us so much that sometimes we take what we have and were we are living for granted.

God worked so much in me and the rest of this team through this trip. We could see God's hands moving through the ministries that we got to be a part of and I cannot wait to see the outcome of the work that was done down there.

Soaking up the Sun.

This whole trip Brian Tanning has found it simply hilarious to pick on me. Apparently I'm "cheeky" or something, which to him is like an open invitation for pranks. Yesterday, when we went to the beach, I was diligently putting on my sunscreen to avoid an inevitable burn. But before I had gotten much slathered on, Brian picked me up, dragged me into the ocean, and threw me in. I wasn't surprised that he would do something like that, after hearing threats of it all week, but it was still a bit shocking. When I was finally free, I walked back to where my sunscreen was, and was going to finish putting it on. Of course, since I had just been thrown into the ocean, rubbing sunscreen on was really just rubbing sand and salt into my skin. I'm sure you can just imagine how good that felt. It was too uncomfortable to continue, so I had to stop with barely any sunscreen rubbed in. I knew it wouldn't turn out well. After getting back to Victory Heights, I looked in the mirror. Boy was I red. I had very distinct lines from my swimsuit and was just burning up. I was hoping to get some sun on this trip, but I was hoping it wouldn't be such a reddish color...

*as an update, my sunburn quickly, quite surprisingly, turned into a nice tan : )

  Don't worry Brian, no harm done...haha

Photos from Thursday (March 12th)

Hello from Jordan

So as Brian (the elder) said, we stayed overnight with a Trini family from the church and we got the chance to sleep in a little bit! I was very happy to get a little extra sleep. We also are able to go on the internet! Yay! It was funny because our hosts have two laptops, and both Brians had their laptops, so we have a little internet café in our host home. Yesterday and the day before we had the chance to go to a couple high schools. The first one that we went to was an all girls school. We performed one of our dramas and it really had an impact on some of the girls. We also showed a video that talked about sex and STDs. After we finished one girl came up and thanked us for the entire group and said that the drama impacted her personally. The second high school we went to was a mixed sex school. We performed another drama, Emmy shared her testimony, and then we had a chance to talk with the kids. It was really cool because a lot of the kids were asking questions about our faith. I think that Stephanie even got to pray with someone who accepted Christ! The picture below is from the second high school we went to. The VBS has been going really well too. Many of the same kids have been coming each day, so we are getting to know them better. I am having tons of fun doing the puppet shows for the kids too. Yesterday when we were singing songs with the kids, uncle John wanted us to sing faster. He started singing to set the tempo, and it was so fast that Brian (the elder) and I had a hard time playing the guitar to follow him. I have learned lots of new kids songs on this trip. It is really fun to see our leaders and random people from the crowd do funny actions to each song. The kids really like it when Brian (the elder) pulls adults from the crowd to lead the actions with us. Well I’m going to go eat breakfast here at our host home. We are having leftover pizza, and hotdogs. (a very healthy Trini breakfast) :) Thank you all for praying for us, God has been doing some amazing things! When I get back, just ask and I can share more stories.

Hey from Brian C

Hi everyone! Greetings from Trinidad! I’m having a lot of fun here, and I wish I could tell you and show you all what’s happening all the time, but this is the next best thing. You’re missing so much! And I’m going to forget a lot of things so you’re going to have to look at other people’s blogs to get the whole story. I’ll also put my day-to-day journal online (probably on Facebook) later so you can read up on all what happened over the trip.

Everyone is doing fine, and we are traveling in style. Our driver is great and amazes all of us with his skills. The roads are narrower, and also they drive on the opposite side of the road so it’s a whole new experience. We each take turns riding shotgun. We are staying at Victory Heights Bible Camp. It’s really nice there, especially the food our cook Lenny serves. I’m trying a lot of new stuff. Highlights include pig tail, eating with a leaf as our plate (and I had a “leaf sandwich” I made with the roti bread), and it’s mostly been dishes that are like hotdishes, sometimes spicy cuz that’s the way they like it. There’s also this hot sauce that a lot of people have tried and say it’s good, but I’m not a spicy person. Anyway, it’s all good.

So far we’ve visited a lot of places like schools, an orphanage, and nursing homes. We haven’t done much tourist stuff, except for the first day where we got orientated. Friday is our day to spend at the beach (and see the ocean) and do all that stuff. That’s when I’ll spend all my money... The currency is the Trinidad dollar, called Titi. The rate is 6:1 ($20 US is $120 Titi). So everything sounds expensive but isn’t. I bought shampoo for around 12 dollars, which would be about 2 US.


God has been doing A LOT, and is at work DEFINITELY… especially in my own experiences. In some ways it’s weird because what I may do, like play football (soccer) or talk to people about random things, is still in my comfort zone and God’s using my past experiences to put to use. And of course, I’m outside of it most of the time, like when I’m trying new foods, playing with kids (which I don’t do often and don’t really enjoy, but lately I have J), riding on the wrong side of the road, waking up to strange bird noises…you know. Everything that I’ve learned till this point has some meaning today, and it’s so cool to realize that and to use my experiences to help share the gospel. I’m learning new things every day, being challenged physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually, and enjoying it all. I know that I’m for sure supposed to be on this trip, and that God isn’t done with me yet. Pray that His will be done and that we are in his hands of protection as we carry out the rest of this trip. I can’t wait to go home and tell everyone I know about what is happening!

An overnight experience...

After supper on Wednesday we went to a prayer service at Dinsley Ev. Bible Church. We led some worship at the conclusion and then the team divided up and everyone went in pairs with a Trini family to spend the night and Thursday morning, experiencing first-hand Trinidad culture. I am with Brian & Jordan and our hosts let us sleep in this morning--I got up at about 8:30 (after getting to bed at about 2am...). The sun is shining--too bad we cannot send some back to Minnesota where it is below zero...

Today is our last day with the kids and tonight we have a youth session where we will show the Pam Stenzel DVD and discuss abstinence/sexuality issues. Tomorrow is our last full day and we will go shopping in Port-of-Spain and then go to Maracas Beach (Bake & Shark!!). Then in the evening we will be with another youth group and spend the last night in Trinidad--most of the team will probably not sleep...

Unlike other teams which I have been on to Trinidad, this one has only been eating 'authentic' Trini food--no American fare here, and the team has been doing great! The people and kids have as usual been amazing--I hope that the pictures I have been posting can communicate what we are experiencing.

~Brian Tanning

Photos from Wednesday (March 11th)...

Photos from Tuesday (March 10th)...

Trinidad is Amazing!

Hello, friends and family! Trinidad is amazing! I still can’t get over how beautiful it is. The air is hot and humid, but during the day there’s usually a cool refreshing breeze. I feel so calm and relaxed here; time seems to slow down. Everything is so colorful. Whether you’re looking at the greens from the trees or the bright pinks, purples, and teals from the houses, your eyes are entertained. The view from our “mountain” is breathtaking. Shelby and I have decided we are going to reenact that one scene from Pride & Prejudice, where Elizabeth is standing on the cliff, with the inspiring music in the background (Michelle you know what I’m talking about! We have only been here for a few days now, but we have done so much already.

We have been coming together more as a team and been having so much fun. Friday night Jordan started playing his guitar in the gazebo and a few of us just got together and had a small time of worship. I was so blessed and I really feel like God is doing some amazing work here within our team and our ministry. There have been some interesting moments already. Yesterday at the nursing home, Lindsey unfortunately sat in a “wet spot” of one of the lady’s there. We all laughed about it though, so it’s all good. And of course Brian, teased Bella, a wonderfully sweet old lady there, about having a boyfriend.

Even preparing for ministry has been a fun and comical time. Joel is a apparently the heartthrob here. In the two dramas he was Amanda’s heartbreaker and my love affair. Practicing for this morning’s drama was pretty hilarious. Joel and I had to dance, and it was basically like four left feet shuffling across the floor, but everyone said we did good. I’m not sure if I believe them though. I kind of think we are all starting to understand when Trinidadians speak to each, but not much - it is so fast! Sometimes I’m positive they are speaking in another language.

The most impacting time for me was at the orphanage. I still almost cry now thinking about Tracy. All the girls and boys were having a great time; they even taught us a few games and songs. It was difficult to leave, I didn’t think I would be so affected by the short time we spent with them. But it was a great time of getting to know them. Tracy is a great singer, one of the boys is amazing with drums, and it was just a great thing to see how they all took care of each other. We plan on keeping the relationships we made with some of those kids going, and I am so thankful for that.

Like I said before, Trinidad is amazing, and I am so excited to see everything we still get to do. From the wonderful food made by Lenny, our driver’s crazy driving, and meeting new people and building relationships with them, I pray God will help us to bless people and be blessed for the rest of our time here. This has been a learning experience for me, and like Jordon’s devotion today, we have to get our strength from God - not from ourselves. Thank you for your prayers and please continue praying God will use us in an impacting way.

~Stephanie Benegas

"I Am Famous!"

Hello everyone! I’m so excited to tell you about some of the experiences that we’ve had so far in Trinidad! I can’t believe we’ve only been here for three days and yet we’ve done so much!! I’ve been journaling a lot, trying to remember everything and of course, taking tons of pictures (which is no surprise to those who know me well!).

As most of you don’t know, I am famous. Yep, that’s right. Yesterday when we went to the orphanage one of the little girls there named Samantha thought I was Hannah Montana! She kept trying to get me to sing all the songs for her (unfortunately I didn’t know most of the words) and kept playing with my hair. Towards the end of our time there I asked her if she knew my real name. She said no so I told her that my name is Kaitlyn Cox. She looked at me and said, “I could call you that but I think I’m just going to call you Hannah.” So as you can all see by now, I am famous. It was hard to leave there because the kids kept asking me when we were coming back and we couldn’t promise them that we were coming. The kids were beautiful, energetic, fun-loving children and I really appreciated the time we had with them.

So Mom, you know how you always talk about crazy drivers? You should visit Trinidad. Driving here is so different! First of all, they drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle. Secondly, people drive fast and stop fast. Cars pull out in front of other people and the other people just stop and wait. One day as we were driving somewhere our driver stopped in the middle of the road and talked to another driver which led to both sides of the road backing up and yet no one got upset. So while they drive fast, pull out in front of other people, and stop in the middle of the road just to talk, no one gets angry but just lets it happen and goes with it. It’s really different but a good experience!

Lastly (well for today anyways), I’m going to tell you guys about zip-lining. Eight of us went zip-lining in Trinidad! Right by Victory Heights (the Bible camp that we’re staying at) there is a zip-line that someone from Minnesota set up here. Victory Heights is up in the “mountains” and so as we zip-lined we got an awesome view of Trinidad and the cities and villages below. It was beautiful, and as Amanda mentioned earlier, a huge rush! I had gone many years ago at camp but this was so different because of where we are. I got to go three times and on the last time I went upside down! It was so much fun! I wasn’t going to flip upside down but I decided to do it and I was so excited that I just did it! What an experience!

In closing, our team is bonding and getting so close and becoming great friends, not only with each other but with the people here that we interact with everyday. We have been so blessed - the Lord is so good and so faithful!

Thanks for praying for us!
~Kaitlyn Cox

Rehab Center Video

Photos from Monday (March 9th)...

Photos from Sunday (March 8th)...

A short update...

Everyone on the team is healthy and all are eating well. Tomorrow (Monday) we begin the 'Backyard Bible Club' (VBS in the USA) and we also will be visiting a Drug Rehab Center. The weather has been beautiful and our hosts and facilities have been wonderful. We will try to keep you up-to-date with our ministry here!
~Brian Tanning

Hello from sunny Trinidad!

Hello from sunny Trinidad! We are all having an amazing time and the Lord is at work! This country is absolutely beautiful, and the weather was a warm welcome!

To highlight some of our ministry…. On our first day, we started ministry by visiting a preschool followed by a cultural orientation. We visited a Hindu temple, a Muslim Mosque, and a Catholic Church to better understand Trinidad culture/religions. We concluded the first day by attending a youth group service and presenting skits, singing songs, and playing games. On our second day, we visited an orphanage in the morning and played with the children, had a puppet show, sang songs, and played games. Then, later in the day we visited a senior citizen home. This morning, we attended Church which was really good. Our team did a drama, shared two testimonies, and fellowshipped. The difference between this church in Trinidad compared to most church services in the states is that Church services here are much longer (about 2 ½ hours), church starts much earlier (7:45 a.m.), and everyone eats breakfast together after church. Overall, I know I have really enjoyed serving and getting to know the people we have met so far!

The Lord has been teaching us a lot and there is so much to say! I know all of us are blown away by the people here! They are so friendly and respectful towards us. They are awesome! Also, visiting the Hindu temple was a huge eye-opener. For me it was really sad to see these people praying to these idols for different requests and relying on their good works to get them to heaven. They burn sacrifices to offer to the gods on the altar, and sometimes the fire gets so big that the ceiling is burnt and black above the place where they have the offerings. It reminded me of the Old Testament and how the Jews would burn sacrifices. I was reminded that we have the perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ, who has nailed all of our sins to the cross, has forgiven us, and continues to pour out His love despite our sin. It makes me sad to see these people who are lost in worshipping false idols and who do not know the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.



On a lighter note…we have been experiencing and trying a lot of new things! The food here is a lot different than from home, and it is so delicious! I have never tasted such good cooking, thanks to Lenny. Some of the things we have tried include: salted prunes, banana Fanta, swordfish, cow’s heel, roti on fig leaves, sugarcane, and aloo pie. We also went zip-lining, but I will let Kaitlyn write more about that! It was a HUGE rush!!! On a side note, I am even using my field biology skills and have identified Mimosa, a plant that reacts to touch.

Amanda Kaiser

Photos from Saturday (March 7th)...

Photos from Friday (March 6th)...

Team members...

Northwestern College Trinidad Mission Trip 2009