Well, we wanted to post real quick before we went to bed. We are tired but very relaxed. The weather has been rough the last couple days, but we have been very grateful to the families that have opened their homes to us. We greatly enjoyed the fellowship with Wayne and Karen Carvel in Savannah Il. Their church, Church on a Hill, and Common Ground fellowship both showed us great hospitality. We also want to thank Pastor Kathy (especially for her shower), Bob (for the vacant apartment), and the nice ladies at the restaurant in Cordova (who payed for our meals). We are in Bettendorf tonight, which is part of the quad cities. The Low family is taking great care of us with Lasagna a Movie and Ice Cream!!
We move on tomorrow morning to the great city of Muscatine, IA. We are staying with another family, and we are looking forward to getting to know them. We have been very blessed, since we have not had to camp in this poor weather yet. Our next weekend is going to be in Keokuk IA. If anyone knows a church or a family that might want to host us, please give us a call at (916)214-2636. Thank you again for all your prayers
-Justin
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Picture Post 2
Dick and Leone Bergeson, Dubuque Family
Thanks for the Wild Turkey Tom
Camping on the River
We didn't
Tim Bruihler, Representing for all the Bruihlers, and Cara soon to be Bruihler
Jeff and Linda Kuhn, Sunday Night in WinonaGet Behind Me Wisconsin!
A nice warm house, a home cooked meal, and a warm shower, these are the things that we dream about on the river. Everyday is an adventure on the river, and when we have a home to stay in it is such a blessing.
Today, we arrived in Dubuque, Iowa, and are staying at Dick and Leon Burgeson's home. It was so good to shower, especially because we all were beginning to smell like the river. We look forward to the beds that we have to sleep on tonight.
This week, we have had wonderful campsites. The weather has held up, we've only had some rain. There were some highlights to the week. First of all, on Monday, we slept on a sandy beach in La Crosse, MN. While we were there it was raining the whole time, which was kind of depressing. However, while we were there a guy stopped in his car and came up to us and gave us a bag of tabacco and 29 cents and said "I would give you more, but that's all I got." I know what you're thinking, don't worry, I didn't smoke any of the tabacco (Tim-who's on contract and got in trouble last year for smoking hooka in Turkey). This was really encouraging, just to see some love poured out on us during this time.
Another highlight of the week was Justin's mishap. Following the link to hear the story.
Our last highlight that we'll share with you is another Wisconsin story. Wisconsin has not been very good to us on this trip (satan camps in Wisconsin). We were floating along Prarie du Chen at the end of Thursday and we were looking for a place to camp. As we went by it appeared to be an old ghost town. There were only two guys on the whole pier along the city. So Justin asked the first where we could camp. The man responded by shouting gibberish and pointing down the river. Justin was severly confused, so he just let the river take him away. Justin asked the other man the same question, and this one responded "Anywhere, you can camp anywhere." This allaby would not have worked if a policeman would have asked us why we were camping in the train station. Overall, Prarie du Chen was the most eerie city we've been through.
We are out of Wisconsin now and we've moved onto Illinois! We'll be in Savannah, IL this weekend speaking at a church there. Thank you for your prayers and comments, we truly appreciate them as they encourage us on our journey.
Tim
Today, we arrived in Dubuque, Iowa, and are staying at Dick and Leon Burgeson's home. It was so good to shower, especially because we all were beginning to smell like the river. We look forward to the beds that we have to sleep on tonight.
This week, we have had wonderful campsites. The weather has held up, we've only had some rain. There were some highlights to the week. First of all, on Monday, we slept on a sandy beach in La Crosse, MN. While we were there it was raining the whole time, which was kind of depressing. However, while we were there a guy stopped in his car and came up to us and gave us a bag of tabacco and 29 cents and said "I would give you more, but that's all I got." I know what you're thinking, don't worry, I didn't smoke any of the tabacco (Tim-who's on contract and got in trouble last year for smoking hooka in Turkey). This was really encouraging, just to see some love poured out on us during this time.
Another highlight of the week was Justin's mishap. Following the link to hear the story.
Our last highlight that we'll share with you is another Wisconsin story. Wisconsin has not been very good to us on this trip (satan camps in Wisconsin). We were floating along Prarie du Chen at the end of Thursday and we were looking for a place to camp. As we went by it appeared to be an old ghost town. There were only two guys on the whole pier along the city. So Justin asked the first where we could camp. The man responded by shouting gibberish and pointing down the river. Justin was severly confused, so he just let the river take him away. Justin asked the other man the same question, and this one responded "Anywhere, you can camp anywhere." This allaby would not have worked if a policeman would have asked us why we were camping in the train station. Overall, Prarie du Chen was the most eerie city we've been through.
We are out of Wisconsin now and we've moved onto Illinois! We'll be in Savannah, IL this weekend speaking at a church there. Thank you for your prayers and comments, we truly appreciate them as they encourage us on our journey.
Tim
Thursday, May 22, 2008
5/22 - Brief Update
We heard from the team this morning after three days of little cell phone reception. They are making steady progress. They paddling a trip record 38 miles on Wednesday. Bald eagles and other wildlife are evident in abundance. The have been camping out each night. The boys will post here next time they spend time in civilization. --Rich Johnstone
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Thank you Winona
Ever since we paddled into Dick's Marina on Friday afternoon, the town of Winona, MN and the people of Pleasant Valley Church have been very good to us. We have not been hungry, wet, or cold at any point in the past 48 hours. The Bruihler family in particular has welcomed us as they would family. Even in the middle of the chaos of planting their thirteen billion acres worth of corn they made the time to hang out around the kitched table and chat with the three of us. It was some good quality time indeed. The best part of all was that Deb Bruihler anticipated our hunger and made it her goal to cook more than we could eat...she won...but barely.
This morning (Sunday, May 18th) we went with the Bruihlers to church at Pleasant Valley Church. Right before the sermon they showed a video about the International Justice Mission. After the video we went up on stage as Pastor Rick read from Proverbs, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." (31:8-9) After reading this passage he interviewed the three of us about who we are, what we are doing, and why we are doing it. We did this in both services and after each one Pastor Rick lead the church in prayer for us. After each service there were ushers at the doors for anyone who wanted to give to the work of IJM. This is were Pleasant Valley Church really stepped it up on behalf of the women and children who are trafficked around the world. They gave $8,174.54 to the work of IJM. That is $8,174.54 that will go toward freeing victims of sex trafficking. On top of this we also walked away with half a smoked turkey and a pizza hut gift card.
For me (Ethan) the most touching experience of the day (and the trip for that matter) came when a lady walked up to me after the second service. She came right up to me and grabbed my hands in hers. Looking right into my eyes she said, "I have been homeless for the past six weeks." Needless to say, I was taken a little off guard. She continued, "This is all I have. May God bless you all." When she walked away there was left in my hand a ten dollar bill. It is not every day that you see a parable lived out before your very eyes (Mark 12:42-44) If you are reading this blog and praying for our trip then I would like ask you that include this woman in your prayers as well. Pray that God would bless her act of faith and provide for her needs and that he would not withhold any spiritual blessing from her.
So Winona was (and is) good to us and to the people effected by the work of IJM. Tonight we are staying with the Kuhn family (no relation to Kinsley.) They are really fun and friendly people. They have already blessed us by helping us move our kayaks around, and they are currently blessing us with beds, a hot tub, and fellowship.
Tomorrow we take off again with rested muscles and healing blisters. It is going to be 30 miles a day from here to St. Louis.
This morning (Sunday, May 18th) we went with the Bruihlers to church at Pleasant Valley Church. Right before the sermon they showed a video about the International Justice Mission. After the video we went up on stage as Pastor Rick read from Proverbs, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." (31:8-9) After reading this passage he interviewed the three of us about who we are, what we are doing, and why we are doing it. We did this in both services and after each one Pastor Rick lead the church in prayer for us. After each service there were ushers at the doors for anyone who wanted to give to the work of IJM. This is were Pleasant Valley Church really stepped it up on behalf of the women and children who are trafficked around the world. They gave $8,174.54 to the work of IJM. That is $8,174.54 that will go toward freeing victims of sex trafficking. On top of this we also walked away with half a smoked turkey and a pizza hut gift card.
For me (Ethan) the most touching experience of the day (and the trip for that matter) came when a lady walked up to me after the second service. She came right up to me and grabbed my hands in hers. Looking right into my eyes she said, "I have been homeless for the past six weeks." Needless to say, I was taken a little off guard. She continued, "This is all I have. May God bless you all." When she walked away there was left in my hand a ten dollar bill. It is not every day that you see a parable lived out before your very eyes (Mark 12:42-44) If you are reading this blog and praying for our trip then I would like ask you that include this woman in your prayers as well. Pray that God would bless her act of faith and provide for her needs and that he would not withhold any spiritual blessing from her.
So Winona was (and is) good to us and to the people effected by the work of IJM. Tonight we are staying with the Kuhn family (no relation to Kinsley.) They are really fun and friendly people. They have already blessed us by helping us move our kayaks around, and they are currently blessing us with beds, a hot tub, and fellowship.
Tomorrow we take off again with rested muscles and healing blisters. It is going to be 30 miles a day from here to St. Louis.
Friday, May 16, 2008
"Those City F@$#$%^"
We have been camping the last couple of nights on the river. After Red Wing we traveled a few miles to a little town called Lake City. This was where water skiing was invented...if you were curious. I (Justin) walked into town (since I'm the charmer), and tried to get us a place to camp for the night. I walked into a place that looked like the fire department. It happened to be the local VFW Hall (Bar). The Bartender was very nice and let me call City Hall from their phone. My charm does not have quite the same affect over the phone. She told me we couldn't camp within the city. After I hung up the phone, I explained the situation to the people in the bar, and after every sentence I said, they would add "Those City F@#$%^". We had to turn down an offer to sleep on our drunk friend Zeek's lawn. Another intoxicated fellow wanted to tow us from his motor boat down the river. I had two problems with that: 1. He was drunk 2. ehh he was drunk.
We ended up leaving to kayak 3 miles across river to Wisconsin. Our friend Jamie in Red Wing warned us not to go to Wisconsin...but we were desperate (sorry Jamie). Well, we ended up camping in the worst camping spot possible. We had a train about 20 feet from our tent, which would come by about every 30 minutes all night long. We were also pleasantly surrounded by poison Ivy (we called our Dads, because we didn't know what the plant looked like)..
Anyways, we made it to Winona safely. The Camping has been fun, but we are glad to be back in a home. The Bruihlers are taking good care of us until Monday morning.
We ended up leaving to kayak 3 miles across river to Wisconsin. Our friend Jamie in Red Wing warned us not to go to Wisconsin...but we were desperate (sorry Jamie). Well, we ended up camping in the worst camping spot possible. We had a train about 20 feet from our tent, which would come by about every 30 minutes all night long. We were also pleasantly surrounded by poison Ivy (we called our Dads, because we didn't know what the plant looked like)..
Anyways, we made it to Winona safely. The Camping has been fun, but we are glad to be back in a home. The Bruihlers are taking good care of us until Monday morning.
Pictures Speak Louder Than Words
Our second home in Minneapolis: Joel and Amy Swanson (Thanks for the Stella-Justin)
The First Day, getting our gear together.
Jamie and Emily Staples, our hosts in Red Wing, MN (Minnesota Punch and Bay Point Pasta)
Where Satan Camps (worst campsite yet)
3 Studs 
3 Studs
Where Satan Camps (worst campsite yet)3 Studs 3 StudsTuesday, May 13, 2008
On the River!
We've officially kayaked two days now, and man has it been an advenure. Our time in Minneapolis ended well. We spent the last two nights with Joel and Amy Swanson. They were very kind people who opened their home to us and provided wonderful food.
On Monday morning we set off from Hidden Falls and began this journey, which we began to realize was not going to be a walk in the park. Basically, for the first ten miles Ethan and I were terrible at kayaking, and Justin was blowing us out of the water. Justin gave us pointers, but it came down to us getting the hang of things. After about two hours, Ethan and I were a lot more comfortable, but unfortunately the winds began to pick up and they were not in our favor. The water began to get really choppy and we were struggling to get through every mile. At one point, Ethan and Justin stopped to clean some water out of the kayak and they began to float backwards about 20 yards, it was getting bad.
We finished about 23 miles the first day, and at the end we were blessed with an amazing camp. There are a lot of islands on the river, and this one happened to have sand. It was sunny and beautiful, the wind died down, and we got plenty of rest.
Today was completely opposite. Ethan and I knew what we were doing, but Justin was still a little faster than us. The winds were almost unnoticeable and we were able to cover 33 miles to reach our destination of Red Wing, Minnesota. We went through two locks today, which wasn't as difficult as one would expect. They were very straight forward and the people there were really nice, so today was just fine. Of course we are sore, but we are staying with a wonderful couple, Jamie and Emily Staple, who have provided us with good food and a place to rest. We will be spending the next three days kayaking to Winona, MN and will be camping out until then.
Thank you for your prayers and we will put up pictures next post, we forgot to bring the camera cord from the kayaks. Sorry!
Love,
Tim, Ethan, and Justin
On Monday morning we set off from Hidden Falls and began this journey, which we began to realize was not going to be a walk in the park. Basically, for the first ten miles Ethan and I were terrible at kayaking, and Justin was blowing us out of the water. Justin gave us pointers, but it came down to us getting the hang of things. After about two hours, Ethan and I were a lot more comfortable, but unfortunately the winds began to pick up and they were not in our favor. The water began to get really choppy and we were struggling to get through every mile. At one point, Ethan and Justin stopped to clean some water out of the kayak and they began to float backwards about 20 yards, it was getting bad.
We finished about 23 miles the first day, and at the end we were blessed with an amazing camp. There are a lot of islands on the river, and this one happened to have sand. It was sunny and beautiful, the wind died down, and we got plenty of rest.
Today was completely opposite. Ethan and I knew what we were doing, but Justin was still a little faster than us. The winds were almost unnoticeable and we were able to cover 33 miles to reach our destination of Red Wing, Minnesota. We went through two locks today, which wasn't as difficult as one would expect. They were very straight forward and the people there were really nice, so today was just fine. Of course we are sore, but we are staying with a wonderful couple, Jamie and Emily Staple, who have provided us with good food and a place to rest. We will be spending the next three days kayaking to Winona, MN and will be camping out until then.
Thank you for your prayers and we will put up pictures next post, we forgot to bring the camera cord from the kayaks. Sorry!
Love,
Tim, Ethan, and Justin
Saturday, May 10, 2008
An Upstream Schedule
Someone asked for the schedule to be posted. Here's the starting schedule. Adjustments may occur depending on conditions along the way.
- May 12 (Monday) - Launch from Minneapolis. Paddle 2 days at 25 miles/day.
- May 13 - Arrive in Red Wing and stay with friends.
- May 14 - Leave Red Wing and paddle two days at 20 miles/day.
- May 16 - Arrive in Winona. Spend Fri-Sun there. Speak at church.
- May 19 - Leave Winona. Paddle 18 days at 32 miles/day.
- June 7 - Arrive in St Louis. Spend Sat-Sun there. Speak at church.
- June 9 - Leave St Louis and paddle 12 days at 31 miles/day. Find a church to speak at on 6/15.
- June 21 - Arrive in Memphis. Spend Sat-Sun there. Find a church to speak at on Sun.
- June 23 - Leave Memphis and paddle 18 days at 36 miles/day. Find churches to speak at on 6/29 and 7/6.
- July 12 - Arrive in New Orleans on Saturday. Find a church to speak at on Sunday. Total miles paddled = 1,703!
(posted by one of the home support team - Ethan's Dad, Rich)
Friday, May 9, 2008
Kicking Tail and Taking Names
Uff dah! We've finally made it tO MinneapOlis, MinnesOta! We flew in last night at 7pm, and have been staying with Our friends Jesse and Brianne OlsOn. They are an awesOme couple whO have graciOusly Opened their hOme tO us and been tremendOusly welcOming.
Last night Jesse and Brianne tOOk us arOund the twin cities. The mOst unique aspect Of MinneapOlis and St. Paul are the walkways frOm building tO building, which are cOmparable tO hamster playhouses. The weather here is sO cOmfOrtable right nOw, it's abOut 60s and hOpefully will stay within this temperature when we get On the river. ThOugh it might rain...
TOnight we are staying at the OlsOn's, and the next twO days we will be staying in JOel and Amy SwansOn's hOme. MOnday is the launch date, we will set Off frOm dOwntOwn MinneapOlis. UnfOrtunately On Saturday we will nOt be having the benefit dinner at Bethlehem Baptist, hOwever we will be having a dinner On Sunday. This will be much more lOw key, which will be a blessing since we'll be able tO get tO knOw the peOple a lOt mOre. A disappOintment is that JOhn Piper has taken the mOnth Of May Off frOm speaking! He's writing a bOOk, I mean, hasn't he written enOugh (tOtally kidding). Can yOu believe it! We cOuldn't, but we are recOvering frOm this shOck and we will be jOining them for wOrship On Sunday. It is exciting tO be in MinneapOlis and tO be sO clOse tO starting. We're all packed and ready tO head Out.
We wOuld appreciate yOur prayers fOr safety, the hearts Of the peOple we cOme in cOntact with, and that we wOuld be gOOd stewards Of the time and OppOrtunities we are given.
-Tim, Justin, and Ethan
P.S. The o's are capitalized because in Minnesota they hold out their o's, so it sounds like Minnesoota or MinnesOta.
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