Today SPA celebrated Pastor Appreciation Month by throwing a surprise breakfast for both Pastor Noel and Pastor Laurette.

It was a basic spread: muffins, bagels, assorted fruits. But one of the highlights for Brian was a big tub of Philadelphia Cream Cheese. “I love this stuff”, he said, “I put a whole thick glob on one side… and do the same on the other”.

We also showed a montage of pictures of the pastors which can be viewed here:

So sometime this month I encourage everyone to send a quick message of appreciation to Pastors Noel and Laurette

The first of what may be many more video updates for and about the Oasis Youth Group

just wanted to post a short video from the trip to Berkley to see Jasmine and the Raiders game.

obviously Jasmine and I had more fun. mainly cause i dont care for football lol

but one day i will. one day i will get into football.

Im sorry, but we lost Jesse’s football in this little dome =]

oh here’s a video of one the bands we saw. if you find a guy dancing and harassing the people. we got him arrested =]

k take care.

ps. Jasmine if you’re reading this. I still have your pop pops. I’ll give them back as soon as I can =]

Week 2 of basketball action! SDCF showed up to play against us in what would turn out to be a long and drawn out defensive battle. SDCF went full blast as soon as the game got going and pulled out to a gigantic early lead. However, the fast pace couldn’t be kept up and their 6-man roster began to tire while we rotated a nearly-full roster in and out to keep steady. In the end it was SPA 36 – SDCF 28.

On a side note, Frodo totally forgot his uniform at home and played in a white t-shirt with the number ’34′ written in marker on it. Hahaha.

In the second game of the day, UMC took on LOCF (which came with brand new yellow uniforms.) As if to contrast with the first game, this one quickly turned into a wild shootout. Points were being racked up left and right with neither team seeming to pull away with a clear advantage. LOCF would only take a comfortable lead well within two minutes to play in the game. Once again, it came down to roster numbers as UMC became unable to give any more fouls without losing players. Final score: LOCF 45 – UMC 36.

Interestingly, SPA coach Uncle Roger ended up coaching UMC for the second game while matching LOCF’s colors.

Evening view outside my dorm!

The Burning Bush “athletic department” has indeed returned. It’s been quite a while since the football season ended with the Pro Bowl back on June 20th and it would just be too long if had to wait until February for some more fun and competition. However, the name of the game this time is basketball.

The season started off strangely with the number of teams cut down from 8 to 4 days before the opening weekend. Another surprise came on gameday when SDCF forfeited their game to UMC since they only came with one player. Our game against LOCF would go on to be the only match played that day.

There really isn’t much to say about the game. There were two 20-minute halfs. It was hot. LOCF’s bright green uniform contrasts nicely with the rest of the league’s teams. The score remained close all the way until around the last two minutes of play with a few lead changes throughout. Also, by “hot” I mean it was really, really hot.

At the end of the day, it came down to LOCF taking it home, winning 41 to 34. It was a good game.

But someone please find us an indoor court to play on. A scoreboard would be nice too.

Anyway, here’s a quick video with some game action:

Here are some of our videos from Team San Diego that just didn’t fit into anything else we posted.

Hi ghuyzz, sorry that i’m just finding the time now to blog. I’ll be leaving for the airport in 10 hrs, i’ll arrive in SD around 7pm. Thank God that monday is a holiday. I love you guys and I can’t wait to see all of you and to serve the Lord in SPA.

God bless. -the dodj.

Here’s a picture taken from one of the beautiful islands.

So a big “welcome back!” to the Mission Team. We truly, truly missed all of you and to be honest I have been checking the blog daily to see if you had posted anything regarding the many adventures you guys were having in the PI ever since you guys boarded your plane.

But now you are here and I praise GOD!

I had a chance to talk to Rommel and he talked about some of the things you guys did– from Burning Bush, PI to Hope Conference and to the little restaurant (mis)adventures (Papa Pete and the “massage guy” comes to mind). He didn’t say much else… I guess he wants us to wait for when you all get to report the trip at church this Sunday. So patiently I must wait.

In the mean time, no doubt you guys have seen and read the things the rest of the youth did here stateside: Jasmine left for Berkeley, Jimmy turned ghetto (Cribs), oh and Daena is headed out to the mission field as well, etc. Several also started thier college careers.. Samantha became the beneficiary of my easel and Art Bin full of oils and acrylic paints, charcoal/conté crayon, et d’autres choses (pardon my French)

Lastly, here’s some of the things I’ve been up to: finishing old projects for our now-defunct production company, studying materials for youth worker training, and of course taking care of the “Josh”. I tell you toddlers can be a handfull, even just one! It’s been hard to do anything at all so I had to get some help… except the help isn’t very helpful

they are crazy. and strange. more footage of worship and messages on sunday!

a cappella version of “the time has come” after we went swimming we decided to do this i like it. i could worship to this haha.

dodjie reenacting how alex shoots.

eating banana dessert at megamall! we ate a lot. wow.

swimming!!!

taking pictures at the mansion!

snacktime

bug spray rituals. vitally necessary!