The Midwest for Mexico Update #1
Written by Konrad Krabill
(Editor's note: Finally I can get somebody else to write this update! Writing is hard.)
2/24/01
We all got up way too early this morning on account of our flight leaving Portland sometime after 7:00. We had a layover in Las Vegas before continuing on to Chicago. Things have gone quite smoothly to this point.
These guys are always reading papers. It's obviously an unhealthy obsession with them.
The minivan we rented is a Pontiac Montana with enough power points (thanks also to a splitter) to support three laptops, thus I am able to write this right now. Paul hasn't even gotten stopped by the highway patrol yet, things have gone so well. I am more than ready to stop now though.
2/26/01
When we left Portland, it was fixing to be a beautiful day; it was yet foggy, but it appeared that it would dissipate not long after the sun rose, for soon after take off we were above it and could see where it was thinning out already. When we arrived in Chicago, it was, and had been, raining fairly hard. It rained for quite some time en route to Kalona, and when it finally did quit raining, the fog set in. One could have easily been convinced we were in Oregon if it weren't for the cold.
Here's a view of Mt. Hood not long after taking off from Portland.
This is in Nevada somewhere I think.
Here's some more views from the window.
(Editor's note: Paul and Konrad made me take out the best pictures in the entire update. They were quite insistent, and I'm quite disapointed. These pictures gave the update personality and character. But I bowed to their domineering pressure and took them out.)
We arrived at John and Anna Fern King's place in Kalona around 9:30 p.m. and partook of the wonderful chili soup that they had prepared for us. That stuff was fantastic! Not too spicy, not too hot, not too cold.........just right. We then split up for the night; Paul, Tom and David staying with the King's, and By and I staying with By's Uncle and Aunt, Darrel and Joyce Headings and Family.
This is the house that the Darrel Headings family just moved into.
Our first service Sunday morning was at Sharon Bethel Beachy Church. Even though our singing was not as good as we would have liked, God was able to use it to minister. (Editor's note: Proof of present day miracles.) Before we left on the trip, I was praying that God would help us sing well according to His will, but more importantly that whatever we sounded like, He would be able to use it for His glory. I felt that we didn't sound (or feel) that good, but God is faithful and the people there indicated that He did use it.
Immediately after the service we were ushered downstairs to a very good and extremely efficient fellowship dinner where we experienced, what else, good fellowship and dinner!
The Headings invited us over to their house for the afternoon where we enjoyed more good fellowship, food and rest.
Here's Konrad with the youngest Headings.
After the program at Sunnyside Mennonite (the Headings' home church) that evening we went to their MYF meeting at someone's house. We were too late for the games, but just in time for the food! We have been eating quite well. There was another singing group in our midst that evening, but they were not that eager to sing for us since a couple of their people were missing. After much encouragement, the two that were there, sisters Shannon and Shelly Garber (I think it's Garber. Oh well, if it's not, I'm sure that someone will correct me.) sang a duet for us. It was very nice, they did quite well. We sang a few songs then and even had them help us on a tag. It was a rather enjoyable evening.
We were scheduled to meet at the local Christian school at 8:30 to begin our journey northward to Minnesota by way of Krispy Kreme. Some of them had said the night before that they wanted us to sing in chapel in the morning, but we could not promise since we hadn't talked to Paul. Paul graciously allowed us to, so we sang three songs before leaving. We enjoyed our short stay in Kalona quite well. It was good to see the Headings' again, and Wayne and Sharon Coblentz, formerly from Oregon, were at the evening service as well.
Wayne and Sharon say "Hi" to all their friends in Oregon.
In the last paragraph, there was a passing mention made of Krispy Kreme. There will not be a passing mention in this paragraph, believe you me! In the weeks before our trip, I took special interest in our planned travel route. I soon discovered that most likely the only opportunity to stop at a Krispy Kreme would be Monday morning, February 26, 2001. A rather unscientific poll taken Sunday night with help from Heidi Headings revealed that most, though not all, people did think that Krispy Kreme was above the rest in donut making, of which, of course, taste and texture are the most important variables. Although Paul had never been to a Krispy Kreme factory, we evidently convinced him how much it would mean to us if we would stop there, or he is just real nice. Probably the latter. Therefore, I am now seated next to two beautiful boxes of fantabulous Krispy Kreme donuts! Although the contents have by now been rather depleted, there is a certain amount of satisfaction realized by gazing upon those wonderful boxes. If you've never been to Krispy Kreme, I suggest that you seize the opportunity to go to one, or, better yet, make the opportunity; plan a field trip, a vacation, a sick day (well, maybe not a sick day), whatever it takes (almost). Go to www.krispykreme.com to find a location near you.
The donut factory.
Truly a moment to remember.
We had to take turns posing with the boxes of donuts.
Perhaps you're yet unconvinced as I once was. In times previous, I was rather apathetic toward KK. (Do you realize that Krispy Kreme has the same initials as yours truly?) Someone I was with was wanting to go to KK; I was thinking, "It's just donuts. I like donuts, but they can't be that much better." See, I was not expecting much from a donut, I had thought the pinnacle of donut making had already been reached even though it was not that breath-taking. However, as has happened numerous times before, I was wrong. Krispy Kreme donuts are, to put it rather mildly, very, tremendously, fantastically, magnificently and without peerly good! Very good. Krispy Kreme is no Dunkin' Donuts, thank goodness. The dough is done to perfection, the texture is perfect and the glaze unbeatable. The dough is not chewy, yet it is moist........ Perhaps I should stop so that you still have time to plan a visit. (Editor's note: Thanks to the Denton Bros. for making our very first visit to Krispy Kreme possible last November, we certainly owe you guys.)
We are currently traversing somewhere in Iowa on our way to Grove City, MN, by way of Maranatha! Bible school in Lansing, MN.
Thank you for praying for us, I know that some have been answered already.
kk