The Sailors Family

I am continuing my guest series with Seth Barnes. He is the author of several books and the Director of Adventures in Missions and a friend. AIM and its subsidiary ministries are amazing and reaching people for Christ around the world as well as giving people the opportunity to journey into short time missions around the world. It’s a really cool mission. He has chose to share a very important time in his life with his dad. It’s a great journey. I hope you all enjoy this and be sure to go by AIM and Seth’s blog. I enjoy it daily.

Dad’s need to take their sons off on a one-week father-son adventure to mark the transition from adolescence to adulthood and to help them bond as peers. My Dad took me on a number of hiking adventures when I was younger, but it was the trip to Costa Rica in 1989 when I was 31 that meant the most to me. Here’s my journal from the trip.

It’s been a hard year for me. I’m feeling low and Dad’s invitation to join him on this trip comes at a perfect time – I need the break. I keep the following journal:

April 7
On the eve of our great sea kayak adventure. Here Dad and I are packing and unpacking these green rubber bags. It’s kind of comical. Only nine others, plus four trip staff it in our group. It’ll be interesting to see how group dynamics work. We’re spending the night at a refuge camp inhabited by begging iguanas, parrots, and monkeys.

April 8
Laying here half-dead in our tent after paddling 24 km. All the juice has been drained from my flashlight batteries.

The river has gradually widened until it rivals the Mississippi in width. However, mostThe big attraction today was the crocodiles lining the mud flats. It’s a pretty dry area. of it is sea water from a high tide.

Dad has been real jovial. It’s a pleasure to see him joking around and having such a good time. At home Karen must be picking up her mom about now. She could use an experience like this. We just have to make it through the next couple of years.

April 9
Stayed another night at the river camp. Took a little side trip down an estuary.. A couple of highlights: as we were lazily paddling our kayaks.along, up ahead we saw a large iguana high in a tree. As we watched, he moved uncertainly along a branch, lost his balance and fell about three stories into the river below. It was rather comical. After night had fallen, we heard something close to the camp. When we investigated, we saw an anteater!

April 10
Got up at the crack of dawn as has become my habit and on my walk I at last made the acquaintance of a coatamundi – a strange kind of cross between a fox and a raccoon. It barked at me, both intimidated and curious.

We paddled to the ferry and then were shuttled to the hotel near our launching point for the sea portion of our adventure.

April 11
As we sit here in the early morning awaiting our coffe and another day’s adventures, the small sounds of life nip at the edges of a general quietness. Most annoying is Jacques harrumphing and hacking, followed by the flies buzzing. But there are also bird chirps, the rustle of the wind, the sounds of breakfast in process, and the strains of local radio. In the distance, roadwork commences.

We’ll be leaving it all for the purer silence of secluded beaches in an hour or so. Meanwhile Jacques paces around the pool, sound for all the world like a sick horse.

April 12
We paddled to a beautiful bay on an island. No snorkeling due to the ashes from the burning hillsides. Dad and I have been getting along like old friends.

April 13
We’re at a beautiful white beach which it seems only an army of hermit crabs have discovered. The nearby refuge seemed an idyllic though remote place – a good spot to write.

April 14
It sure is beautiful here. As I sit writing, a howler monkey looses his lonely, haunting howl. Tonight is our last night. Next we rendezvous with Wroughton, Iglesias, and Damon. We’ll fly to the secluded white beaches of Manuel Antonio and we’ll go rafting down the Reventezon River.

What a blessing it is to have a father who cares enough to spend time with me and to be a friend. This time has been the best time we’ve ever had together. We saw incredible sights, enjoyed the wild life and the beauty together, and we laughed a lot. How wonderful it is to have a Dad who loves me. I needed this time more than I realized!

Tags: Adventures in Missions, Guest Series, Sea Kayaking, Seth Barnes

“I want my mommy!” Dada’s cannot be mommy’s. God did an awesome job in designing the family unit and I am so thankful for my wife and how great of a mommy that she is.

Yesterday Jack and I were outside playing and he fell and scraped his knee. I was the only parental until near by so he naturally came to me, but very quickly he wanted mommy. He needed only what she could give him. It was that tender loving care. That mothering. God designed it that way. I love it!

I am very thankful for my mother. She loved and mothered me well! She is such a blessing and a great mom still. There are many mom’s in my life and Kryssy’s and we are thankful to them all!

Jackson has a message for his mommy! Take a look!

Tags: Jackson and Mommy, Mommy, Mother's Day

Men are meant to endure. They are designed to. God made them that way. It is in their DNA. And yes, it is true.

The definition for Endure is: Lasting; continuing; durable. However, I would bet that most of society would disagree with that definition. I would disagree as well. Much of what we see in men is not endurance. It is more like weakening and withering.

I want to be a man of endurance. James 1:12 says: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

Think about the stories of men in the Bible who endured tremendous things:

Jesus of course comes to mind first.. what amazing endurance and persevering..

Think about Moses and all he had to endure with leading the Israelites out of the bondage of Egypt

What about the disciples. Wow, they stayed true under incredible odds.

And then think about Job.. my goodness, really. Everything was taken from him, from health to wealth. His wife said to curse God and die.. he didn’t. He endured. He came through.

There are so many stories about the endurance and the quality of men. But this is not just a Biblical experience but I know many men who have endured. Who have let the trials and difficulties of life break over them like water over a rock. I count myself as one of those men.

Take a look at this video:

OK, so that is pretty funny. It shows the “poser” in a man as well as hyperbole of a man enduring.

Friends, men are “meant” to endure. It doesn’t mean that they always do. But it is in their DNA and NWA is helping men to endure. Doing what is right, what is holy and what is good in God’s eyes. God did and we are designed in His image. You are brother! You can do it. Endure but only with God’s grace and help and by walking with men of strength.

Tags: Endurance, Jesus, Job, Men, Video