http://donrock.myadventures.org The Rocks - Don & Connie - - Adventures In Missions en-us Fri, 4 Jul 2008 10:37:12 GMT 30 http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=peru http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=peru As of 12:30 AM today...Don and the Ambassadors highland team has arrived safely in Lima Peru. One participant is a student from our time at Windwood Church in Houston Texas. His name is Kyle and we are so excited to see him embracing this experience! Today the team will spend the day in Lima...only to climb aboard the bus and take the long, overnight drive to Musho. (See picture) Please keep them all in your prayers.     Thu, 3 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=training-camps http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=training-camps (Picture to left: Team J-Bay 1) Three down, one in process and one more to go! Between Real Life and Ambassadors, Don and Allie are running 5 training camps lasting a week each. Despite the heatits been a great time of training camps. Weve recently sent over 100 college students to Thailand, India, South Africa, Mozambique, Peru and Swaziland. What an amazing group of individuals! They are now all in their respective countries with excitement and anticipation of what the Lord has ahead of t Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=belize http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=belize As we mentioned in the previous postI may not be able to join Don and the Peru Highland Ambassador team on July 2nd. However, I'm excited to share that I'll be support staff for my dad, Gary Lengkeek on a two week trip to Belize. The team is made up of 32 participants and two different church groups. One from CA and another from PA. Participant's ages will range from 10 to adults. We'll leave on June 16th and return on the 27th.  For many going, this will be their first mission experience. Sun, 1 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=just-days-away http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=just-days-away We are just days away from starting our second week of training camps.  As of right now we already have one team serving in Thailand.  The next training camp involves our Real Life teams (these are teams with college age participants).  It really looks like the next 9 weeks will be activity filled.  Much of my life will be training, sending out, and then receiving teams back for debrief.  In the midst of all that activity I will be joining one of our Ambassador teams f Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=to-the-best-of-our-knowledgeour-travel-schedule http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=to-the-best-of-our-knowledgeour-travel-schedule We miss Texasand Delawareand Michigan. No, ratherit's more that we miss the people. We are enjoying Gainesville, GAmuch of that is due to the community here at AIM that have become family. If you or someone you know is interested in experiencing community life, an internship with AIMthere is a new program. Check it out at -  www.adventures.org  Above: Last night...at the Cinco de Mayo party with some of the AIM community. I digress. Due to unforeseen events, we weren't able t Tue, 6 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=thankful-for http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=thankful-for We are back in Detroit, MI. Laura is doing so well. Doctors and nurses are amazed at her progress. She is awake, talking and eating. If you would like to follow her daily updates, please check out her new website at www.lovinglaurarock.wordpress.com. Leave your comments for her at the link above.    We know that it is only through God that Laura is with us today!  We are so thankful for family, friends, body of Christ and life!  AIM has been extremely support of us all and Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=april-letter http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=april-letter For those of you following Laura's progress, check out her new website at www.lovinglaurarock.wordpress.com   APRIL 2008 PRAYER LETTER PRAYER Often we think it's who prays, the numbers of prayers said, quality of prayers, frequency of prayersor even the words spoken when praying that makes a difference. But, what matters the most, is to whom we pray. Scripture gives us models for prayers. [Matt 6:9-13, Matt 6:9]We are to approach God boldly through Jesus. [Heb 4:14-16] We are told to pra Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=new-website http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=new-website April 13, 2008 [Laura's Update] 9:35 a.m. Laura is awake, numbers are stabilizing. The Doctor says he is amazed at her progress! However, she still has a long ways to go and is not out of the woods yet. Laura is talking but is very confused.  With Laura's best interest in mindvisitors are still not permitted to visit with her. We hope that soon, that time will come when she can see all the people who love her dearly.  Until then, use the following information to support and love her Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=juice http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=juice April 12, 2008 Her first words were "Juice"  Laura is now with an oxygen maskand doing well.  She nods her head to communicate. The liver and kidneys appear to be stable. Doctors are not sure if they will do more dialysis. Right now they are holding off. Tomorrow I will post Laura's new website in addition to the site friends have set up - in which you can donate money towards Laura's medical expenses.  The new website wil include all the old postings, pictures sent to me b Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=she-can-open-her-eyes http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=she-can-open-her-eyes April 11, 2008 10:00 a.m. Laura is stableand breathing on her own, although still on the ventilator. She still has not woken up. Yesterday she opened her eyes briefly for the nurse. Laura is showing improvement but still has a long road ahead of her. 11:13 a.m. Dad Rock just called! She is awake! She will open her eyes as you talk to her. Laura won't be able to talk until the ventilator is out. She's begun to feel pain. Swelling has gone done and is more responsive. Psalm 118 &nb Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=cat-scan http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=cat-scan Thursday, April 10, 2008 Its 9:12 a.m and last night was a rough night. We were on our way home from the airport after a week in Detroit where Laura lays in ICU...when we got the phone call saying, Pray! Apparently the Doctors where suddenly concerned about her brain once again. They rushed a Cat Scan and we all waitedclaiming healing, another miracle. While driving down the road, I thought of the many times God has spoken to me and my family through the appearance of deer. Yes, deer. So I said Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=movement http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=movement Wednesday April 9, 2008 [Laura's Update] 11:31 a.m. She yawned, kicked her foot and moved her arm! They are hooking her up again to dialysisand going to remove the tube from her neck. She continues to rest and recover. Some of the liver test are starting to come down and others are remaining elevated.  Potassium was low so they have given her an IV of potassium. Our hope is to soon create a blog designated to Laura and her journey to recovery. We will manage it until Laura is able to do Wed, 9 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=the-gift-of-life http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=the-gift-of-life Tuesday April 8, 2008 [Laura's update] 12:24 a.m. They are doing a Cat Scan, checking to see if there is any brain damage from the pressure. 1:21 a.m. We've heard from the nursethere was minimal brain swelling! She's off her sedation drugs. No collapsing or bleeding in the brain. She's even breathing on her own! We pray she wakes up today! They say only God knows it could be a while. Happy dance! Laura, we love you! Everyone elsethank you for your prayers, it's going to be a long and har Tue, 8 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=great-news-lauras-new-liver http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=great-news-lauras-new-liver Monday, April 7, 2008   12:47 a.m. Dr. Kim just came out to give us the good news! Surgery is over and she did pretty well. Laura has a NEW liverPraise God! In the next hour they will move her back to her roomWe are feeling good (but tired) and very grateful!   Laura will remain sedated for about four days.  It's a long road to recovery. (See previous blog)   Please pray for the following items: Her body will accept the liver. Come out of it after 3-4 days without b Mon, 7 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=day-seven http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=day-seven Monday, April 7, 2008   12:41 p.m. They started dialysis again to clean out the kidneys. The brain pressure is stable. Blood pressure is stable. She looks less jaundice and swollen. Liver test are still high but that is expected new liver should kick in today! Her fever is downand she is on antibiotics for the pneumonia. Looks positive! We are encouraged! Thank you for your prayers and joining us in rejoicing and praising God! Psalm 121 I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help Mon, 7 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=life http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=life This morning we are told... WE HAVE A LIVER! Surgery is at 1:00!  Pray for the family who is donating this liver. Sadly, someone had to die so Laura may have life. More later!  Sun, 6 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=surgery-within-the-hour http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=surgery-within-the-hour 2:32 p.m Mom and dad Rock are talking to Doctors as I type the surgery was to be at 1:00 but got pushed back. We know they had to do a CT scan to make sure of her brain activity. We don't know the resultsmaybe they are telling them now. We sit here praying that it's good news   4:26 p.m Doctors tell us that Laura does have pneumonia.     5:38 p.m This past hour it sounded like it wasn't going to happen at allbut they said they will be preparing her soon for surgery altho Sun, 6 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=first-the-liver-then-the-kidneys-and-now-her-brain http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=first-the-liver-then-the-kidneys-and-now-her-brain April 5, 2008 It is Saturdayright?   Last night we had some good news: Whether it's the medicine or her liver regenerating - the numbers are going down! Doctors are still thinking that her liver may recover. The first night they said "without a new liver, she won't make it". There is hope.  Dialysis will go all night. There are a few things that are still high. Brain pressure is good. This morning 11:49 a.m. First the liver, then the kidneys and now her brain.  The inner Sat, 5 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=in-the-best-interest-of-laura http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=in-the-best-interest-of-laura To catch up on Laura...read the following blogs to the left: of screen:   First the liver, then the kidneys and now her brain.(4/5/2008)Dialysis...(4/4/2008)Really?(4/3/2008)ICU(4/3/2008)   In picture...Back Row: Dad Rock, niece Rachel and brother-in-law Dave. Front Row: sister Patti, nephew Joe, nephew Jake and Laura. Christmas 2006   1:38 p.m. Please stop by and visit with the familybut don't expect to visit Laura. I'm sorry if this seems harsh...but it's the best for he Sat, 5 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=waitingand-hopefully http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=waitingand-hopefully 9:38 p.m. After a long day of more ups and downs we've gotten some encouraging results! Blood pressure is up, brain pressure is downall numbers are improving! Praising God. Her dialysis is complete.     Waiting for news is not easy. Don and a few of the nieces and nephews are playing cards, Mom Rock is journaling eventstrying to recall all who have come by. Some are reading, while others listen to music. In addition to tears, there have been times of laughter in the midst of all of t Sat, 5 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=dialysis http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=dialysis April 4, 2008   -6:00 a.m. Cranial pressure was down during the night, up in the morningthen back down. There is slight improvement. They began her dialysis for the kidneys, it will run for 24 hours. Still no liver available. Dr. said that we continue to wait.  Praying that the dialysis would stabilize the kidney and her liver would regenerate on her own. Livers can regenerate in 6 to 8 weeks.      -2:50 p.m. Just returned from her room. She is hooked up to so many m Fri, 4 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=really http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=really How can we put into words what is going on? How can we thank you enough for your prayers!   Here are some poorly written excerpts from my journal entries       April 1, 2008 -Don received a call. His little sister - Laura Rock, age 32 is in ICUin Detroit. She's not responding. Her liver is critically damaged. Doctors say to call the family.  Don's parents are 4 hours away, his eldest sister Shelly and family are in TN and his other sister Patti is al Thu, 3 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=icu http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=icu Picking up where I left off after our last posting...   -4:30 p.m. Dr came outanother paper to sign. Laura needs another tube for more meds. Here we go again. Things hadn't changed for awhile. They have said, things will get worse before getting better. We are praying this is as bad as it gets.     -7:00 p.m. Patti and mom Rock just returned from Laura's room. She's very agitated from the last procedurethe inner cranial pressure is elevated. No liver available yet. Still Thu, 3 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=community-life http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=community-life Community Life: training & apprenticeship for Christ-followersOne year of growth, community, and ministry. We're excited to introduce a new opportunity that many of you will love.  We're taking our best coaches and disciplers and matching them up for a year with our most passionate young people (up to age 31). At Adventures In Missions (AIM), we love the next generation. We want to see people launched into a whole new way of doing life. In a culture that esteems independence, we want t Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=such-as http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=such-as I love what we do. What we doI'm not always exactly sure. It's a bit of everything at any time, but it's all relational. I love it. It's missional living, it's community, it's stepping out of our comfort zones, it's freeing and so rewarding!   This past Sunday, we had the privilege to share at our Holland, Michigan church. Most of you know that I do not like to be in front of large crowds let alone speak in front of them.  But, it's part of what we do: share with others about the Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=michigan http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=michigan We are at the end of our two week visit to Michigan. It's been fun to reconnect with friends and family. Thank you all for your time and hospitality! Tomorrow we will be visiting our Beechwood Church family in Holland.    Our trip was two-fold, reconnecting and recruiting. Last weekend during our time at the Genesis Retreat in Traverse City we had the chance to talk with many people...and hang out with some of the students from our time as youth directors at Beechwood Church. (s Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=bubbles http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=bubbles "Get out of my bubble," was the statement uttered by a student to his teacher who had gotten a little too close during class.  The first time I heard this I found the statement both humorous and very easy to relate to at the same time.  For those of you who know me you may have heard me talk about my personal space bubble at one time or another.  It's not about not liking people; I love people and being in groups.  For me it 's more about respecting people, the Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=i-was-handed-a-white-3-ring-binder http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=i-was-handed-a-white-3-ring-binder There I wasreading in my office, occasionally looking out my window at the shiny objects in the Georgia red dirt(What are they?) when in walks another AIM staff member. She sits downs and we chit-chat and then hands me a white 3 ring binderwith a message. "I was asked to give this to youto pray over."   Not sure how to respond, I think I laughed. Here's all I know about the binderit's in Spanish and is filled with priceless pictures of children from an orphanage in Mexico that needs he Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=preparation-for-ambassador-trips http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=preparation-for-ambassador-trips Right now I find myself in the midst of a time of preparation. There is a lot of work going into forming teams for this summers Ambassador Trips. Currently, I spend most days talking on the phone interviewing potential trip participants, recruiting leaders, or gathering information about our ministry locations. I think through all of the things that each individual needs to adequately ready themselves for their upcoming trips. These times of preparation are very important and the idea of spend Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=world-race http://donrock.myadventures.org/?filename=world-race After much prayer and consideration, I've recently agreed to assist in the World Race department...in addition to caring for the TCK's (Third Culture Kids). I'll now be spending a good chunk of time getting to know the July 08 racers... answering questions, and helping to prepare them spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally for their 11 month long trip.  I'd appreciate your prayers as I take on this new role. I'm very excited as I have made friends w Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT