Friday

Dad's trip with Manuel

After a very busy weeek, we arrived at the home of Linda & Phil Hoadley, friends of Manuel, in Escondido. The vast majority of the pictures being shown for this trip were taken during the scenic parts of our trip which were an hour here and an hour there (except for today - Saturday). I realize I'm taking some risk in showing these ...

We drove 5.5 hours to get there from Vasilia. We are warmly welcomed and immediately feel at home with our very gracious hosts. Everything is perfect .... except I'd sure love to have my dear wife with me! (yes and maybe the kids too .....)

A gorgeous home.

My bedroom.

On Saturday, the 3 men go for a tour of Coronado and spend some time at the zoo where the Hoadleys have annual passes.

Walking at Coronado.

Tomorrow we will present at New Life PCA in the morning. I will join Phil & Linda at their outreach ministry in the afternoon (Manuel will spend some time with local friends) and at night we will present at the Escondido URC. Then early Monday morning (4:30 a.m. likely) we will head back up to the LA airport for our flights. I will be flying to Toronto to greet my wonderful wife and children and Manuel will head to Grand Rapids. All the Lord willing.

Friday

We leave early and drive all day to get to Escondido.

A tiring ride back through LA (very busy). Manuel was able to catch some naps.

We stopped at a beach community for an hour along the way and had some lunch.

We ate at Fisherman's Cove in San Clemente.

Thursday

We drive north from Los Angeles (LA) to Vasilia. A drive of about 4 hours.

The San Gabriel mountain range about LA is quite steep. A very nice drive.

Here we arrive at the home of David & Anita Sikkema and are welcomed very warmly. What a blessing to have such wonderful hosts everywhere we go!

At 7pm we present to council and evangelism committee members of the Visalia URC and the Lemoore URC. We meet for about 2 hours.

Here is David Sikkema with Manuel. This was taken Friday morning and Anita had left already by that time.

Wedesday

Wednesday we drive to Westminster Seminary and Manuel meets his old professors (he graduated in 2002). We provide a presentation.

John Markovich

We stay with John, a deacon at Ontario URC, from Saturday evening to Thursday morning. He makes us feel very welcome. We have many good conversations and come and go as necessary. A wonderful home base. On Tuesday evening, Pastor Adam Kaloostian joined us for supper and we had a great time together.

John with Manuel

My bedroom

A hot tub which came in very handy for my sore back.

Tuesday

Tuesday morning we travel an hour north of John Markovich's home to see Mount Baldy. We go for a beautiful walk there. Then we return to the Ontario URC church office to continue our computer work for the afternoon.

A great climbing tree for Gareth!

Indigenous people groups previous to the Indians as we know them, lived in dwellings like this many years ago.