Tuesday, March 24th

We started off by meeting back at the church around 8AM. Everyone reported an amazing night with amazing hosts, the believers definitely spoiled all of us. Brother Doug Baker, the pastor of the church in Tucson, was our tour guide for the day. The kids adored him and listened intently to the stories he had to tell. Sabino Canyon was on the agenda and we stocked lots of water and (most of us) applied lots of sunscreen. The hike was amazing as Brother Doug pointed out the sights of Brother Branham. The eagle written in rock, the sword, the formations of the four creatures, and pulpit rock was all something the kids just thought amazing. To go through the bus and ask everyone what they enjoyed about Sabino canyon took hours it seemed: for everyone it was like a step in it all being more real. For some to walk where Brother Branham walked, and see what he saw, and to be where he was. And as Israel would way “It was all like a little confirmation, very very very nice.” The views off of pulpit rock were spectacular and hearings of “Wow our God is awesome…” was heard throughout the whole day. Some of the girls, namely Rachel and Victoria, got a brutal sunburn, yet smiled through it all anyways J Joseph Hildebrandt and Nathan Naber got quite the burn on their necks, which happened to be the only place they HAD put sunscreen. The weather was definitely something the kids weren’t used to. Sister Sally broke her phone (which was updating the parents regularly) and a few people got some friendly hugs from the cactuses. As we piled back into the bus, they all conked out for the 30 minute drive to Brother Branham’s den. Brother Branham’s grandson was an awesome tour guide and answered all the questions the kids had. The kids couldn’t put their cameras down or keep their mouths from continuously gaping open. As one student said, “It was crazy to see THE VERY CARIBOU that had the story that involved OUR pastor.” Brother Doug reminded us through the whole day that this all was about each one of us, and yes, it did involve Brother Branham’s life but it does have a special meaning personally for the people the prophet were sent to, which was US! The ultimate statement after visiting the den was, “It’s so cool to finally see all the things we have heard stories about.” For the evening, it was planned to have a banquet with some of the youth from the Tucson church. The anticipation was high and the kids couldn’t wait! The evening couldn’t have been more perfect. The young people all blended every well and later on in the evening a few of CBW young men were able to share their testimonies to encourage. Brother Ale Peterson, who had been in Brother Branham’s meetings, gave his testimony of when his wife went through the prayer line. He had everyone’s attention and kept the young people laughing seemed the whole time. He spoke highly of Brother Byskal and the young people agreed “He was totally awesome.” Lots of pictures and goodbyes, another late night, till we meet again. The believers in Tucson definitely have a special place in our hearts.

 

 

 

 

Monday, March 23rd

Monday

We all woke up at around 6AM and hit the road at around 7:45AM after an amazing breakfast the hotel provided in Nevada. About a half-an hour into our trip we drove through the Hoover Dam and got some awesome pictures but we didn’t have time to stop. Joseph Hildebrandt led in a devotion through the PA system to kick off a good atmosphere.

With 5 hours later of driving, one gas station Chinese-fire-drill, (where everyone did 2 laps around the bus in 1:30 minutesJ, lots of games, laughing, and chatting with friends, we arrived at the much-look-forward-to GRAND CANYON. And as Josh Selikem would say “Is it just me or does this all seem like a perfect dream?” Sister Heddi pulled out the bacon and sausage pasta, kiwis and ham buns and we ate lunch. Some awesome pictures were taken. The kids were in awe as they ran around like Canadians lost in the desert. Some of the girls wanted to see how close to the edge they could get while others opted out for taking the pictures for them.

From the drive to the Canyon to Tucson, the bus was crazy with excitement as to the left there was constantly more views to see. We ate dinner on the bus as we arrived into Tucson around 9PM. Everyone was so exhausted from being on the bus that when he finally arrived at the church the kids had so much energy to meet the people they would be staying with. What another amazing day. Little hearings of missing mom and dad back at home are already being heard. Please continue to keep the kids and drivers in your prayers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post and photos by BCA students

Saturday, Mar 21

Saturday
The weather was welcoming. And as we pulled into California towards the afternoon, cheers went up. We weren’t planning on stopping on the coast but it was just too gorgeous not to stop. We pulled over and ate lunch on the beach. Hours later, we arrived to Lady Bird Johnson Grove Hike in Redwood Forest. The trees were amazingly big. Photos didn’t capture the magnificent huge trees, but the kids tried  Lots of selfies and group pictures to capture the memories. We finally pulled into the hotel at around 8PM thanks to Brother Mark Powell’s awesome driving. The kids had sung softly towards the end of the trip still full of energy. Along with Beth, the group walked to a local gas station to get some energy out after an amazing first full day.

 

 

 

 

posts and photos by BCA students

Friday, March 20 Leaving Day!

We headed out of Blaine from Cost Cutter around 5:15PM on Friday, March 20^th. After about an hour of shuffling around and getting all situated and luggage stuffed in, WE WERE OFF! Everyone chatted away, as Beth and Sister Heddi started getting dinner ready. Lots of games of Killer Uno and excited students kept the bus loud and exciting all the way till we reached Eugene, Oregon at around 1AM! Ughh what a drive J Very tight group of young people brought such a unity! We are truly excited to see what the Lord has for us.