Hi Friends,

I’m excited about our upcoming trip to Mexico.  As a reminder, the trip dates are October 1st through 5th and we’re hoping YOU can join us.  I’ve attached pdf’s of the necessary info and forms for you (you can also get hard copies from me at Bethel).  Please remember the if you or others you know are un-employed at the moment, you are welcome to waive the $325 registration fee and just join us.  Maybe this is the chance you’ve been waiting for to have enough time to be able and join us.  Feel free to call me or email me at th----@------.net for more info or if you have questions.

Peace, Tom

Calling all adults interested in joining me on the 2009 Adult Mission to Mexico Trip.  This year’s trip is Thursday, October 1st – Monday, October 5th.  Come find out more about the trip next Wednesday night, September 9th at 8:30pm in the Fireside Room.  We’ll discuss trip details, transportation, flying options, safety etc.  Any questions?  Please email me at th----@------.net.

Peace, Tom

Hello from Moorhead Minnesota!  All 30 of us have been here for a couple of days now and are having an awesome time serving the people in this community affected by the flood.  I don’t want to go into a lot of detail right now, but so far we’ve worked at 4 sites; 3 of them removing sandbag dikes and hauling them away, and at one house we helped clean out a basement that had flooded.  All the people we’ve worked with have been very appreciative of our efforts, and it’s great to get a chance to hear their stories.  We’ve also spent some time with some of the high school youth here at Trinity Lutheran, who will also be going to the National Youth Gathering in July, enjoyed dinner with some families from the church and visited Concordia College and the World Wide Headquarters of Old Lutheran.

We’ve been taking lost of pictures, which are now up on our photo site.  I also encourage you to check out the “Map This” feature (a button in the upper right) which will show where they were taken as well.  You can get to it by browsing through the photo site at http://bethelcupertino.smugmug.com/ or by this direct link to the gallery: http://bethelcupertino.smugmug.com/gallery/7900997_vfr65/1/512434480_67mfv

Hi Friends,

Greetings from Elko, Nevada.  On behalf of Haven, Jonathan, Mike, Tyler, Jeff, Paul, Chris, and Freddy B, I’d like to thank you for your prayers so far.  We had a great first day out and the new Lord’s Bus is cruising splendidly.  Look for some video highlights in the coming day.  We’ll be praying for you as you get ready as well.  It’s time for a little continental breakfast and a visit to Starbucks.  

Peace for now, Tom

Hi Friends,

I’ve attached pdf’s of the major documents for our Mission Trip known as Rage Against the Red River.  I’ve included the most up to date roster, itinerary, the new and improved checklist, copy of the Covenant, and Donation Sheet.  Please feel free to email me with questions and make sure to have as many of your donations in by Easter and your bulky luggage to me by 9:30am at church or before.  This is going to be a life changing week.

Peace, Tom

Hi Friends,

I’ve attached two important documents for you (all downloads can be found under the link to Mission to Mexico):  First, the latest Information Document giving you some more details about our upcoming trip.  Second is a donation receipt for you to give donors.  Please have them make checks payable to Bethel Lutheran Church.  Remember the minimum amount due is $325, with a target of $425 and a special reward to the people who get the most individual donations as well as the highest total amount.

This is also a reminder that we’re having a mandatory trip meeting this coming Wednesday night, April 8th at 7:15pm in Torvend Hall (no dinner before this week).  I know this is pretty short notice, so if you can’t make it contact me so we can set up a time to go over details.

Any questions, email me at th----@------.net

Peace, Tom

RAGE AGAINST THE RIVER !

Hi Friends,

Well, after spending the last week planning and talking to my friends in Moorhead and a day on the phone and computer, we’ve got our transportation set for our Rage Against the Red River Trip.  I’ll be sending updates over the coming days and am scheduling an info meeting on Wednesday, April 8th at 7:15pm at Bethel.  We’ve got a lot to go over in the coming two weeks, but I know God is calling us to a transformational time with our yet-to-be-made friends in Fargo/Moorhead.  Here’s the list of participants and their mode of transportation.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Aloha, Tom

Drive/Fly Group:  Depart Monday, April 13th @ 9:00am and Return Sunday, April 19th @11:30pm (San Francisco)

Tom Hoegel, Michael Schrey, Paul Baldwin, Tyler Freckman, Jonathan Kim, Haven Johnson, Rick Bryson, Jeff Brouillette, and Chris Larsen.

Fly/Fly Group:  Depart Wednesday, April 13th @ 1 something pm (San Jose) and Return Sunday, April 19th @ 8:10pm (San Jose)

Rachel Gaardsmoe, Andrew Barton, Jamie Alens, Vanessa Vaughn, Lindsay Bryson, Kristen Bryson, Luke Ferguson, Justin Nguyen, Liz Barton, Julia Hoegel, Jacob Chen, David Collins, Robert Rodine, Rachel Stolan, Linnea Pierson, Rich Teed, Kara Johnson, Keith Nyberg, Maggie Emmert, and Molly & David Schrey (joining us on Thursday), plus possibly Shannon Topham

Hi Friends,

Just wanted to give you an update regarding the Rage Against the Red River trip coming in just over 2 weeks.  We are still a “go” with the trip and I need you to reply to the facebook invite or email me at th----@------.net to let me know if you are planning on joining us.  Please let me know by tomorrow night at the latest.

I know I haven’t given much info except that the price will be $325 dollars per person plus a little extra money for some travel meals.  The cost is significantly more per person but I am working to secure additional funds to support this relief work.  I’ll have donation forms the end of next week for you and ask you to raise as much money as possible, knowing that $325 is the minimum.

As a reminder, their will be two travel options:

1.  Fly both ways from Wednesday, April 15th – Sunday, April, 19th.

2.  Drive out leaving Monday, April 13th and fly back on Sunday, April 19th.

When signing up for the trip, please let me know which travel option you are interested in.

I should have more specifics in a couple of days.  Please feel free to email with any questions.

Peace, Tom

Here’s an update from my friend Kathy in Moorhead.  Her house has been featured on CNN

Dear Tom,
It was a beautiful day yesterday – Sunny – though COLD. Helicopters fly overhead frequently. Water spills over i-94 at the end of our street. About 3pm we encountered big pump problems. We checked them….and literally 5 minutes later when I checked again….one had quit working and the water was nearly up to the house. But, cool heads (David and Nels) prevailed….along with a couple men watching the dike next door, came up with a solution. THe problem kept repeating itself, but we were determined to not give in. We have moved from sump pumps to a gas pump and 2 sewer pumps! It took 4-5 hours to get everything under control. From 1 to 2 am we had trouble again, but the guys were able to get it under control. The rest of the night went well as does the morning. The humming of pumps brings comfort. Silence means there’s trouble. We live moment to moment.

Our spirits are bouyed by the thoughts and prayers from friends and strangers around the country. Thank you for all your concern.
Kathy

Hi Friends,

I’m sending an update to follow up on last night’s information meeting regarding this spring’s Mission Trip.  I’m saddened that we need to postpone our journey to Mexico and troubled that we are contributing to Esperanza’s financial crisis by backing out of our trip.  Unfortunately, it is the path we must follow at this time.  One significant commitment we are making is to still raise the funds we would have normally sent to Esperanza and send it to them in support of their ongoing ministry.  This alongside of raising funds for our proposed trip to the midwest.

We have changed the focus of our trip to support relief work in the Fargo-Moorhead area.  As you can see, I’ve changed the name to “Rage Against the Red River.”  The reality is that this disaster is affecting Moorhead and Fargo equally, while Fargo has gotten the national press attention.  We’re off to help whever we’re needed.

I have attached a revised info sheet (some updates from last night) for you to read and comment on.  I am currently looking at offering two travel options:  1. Round trip airfare from San Jose to Fargo and back (about $350).  2. Driving out in the new youth bus and flying back (about $125).  We would try and maximize our travel dollars to give us the most bang for our buck.

While the cost per person for this trip will be significantly more than the minimum required $325, that will be the cap we will charge.  We will encourage each person to raise as much as they can and for as many people as possible to do the fly / drive option leaving Monday, April 13th and returning late night on Sunday the 19th.  The round trip flyers would leave on Wednesday, April 15th and return the evening of the 19th.  I understand previous commitments and I’ll be as flexible as possible to work with anyone interested in participating.

If you are interested in going, please go to our event on Facebook and sign up indicating which travel option would work for you.  Please email me at th----@------.net with any questions as well.

Peace, Tom

Hi Friends,

All 8 of the 08 Mission to Mexico Forms are now on the youth website in the catagory called “Mexico.” Please download them as you need.

Peace, Tom