Trip Updates
Below, explore all our special blogs. Pr. Taran’s Sabbatical project blog is the current active blog.
You’ll find older trips here too, such as the North Carolina Youth Mission Trip, as well as the Italy and Egypt trips from earlier this year!
The Bible Interprets Our Story
After returning home from Europe, I was home five nights before joining our youth on the Mission Trip to Asheville, NC. Needless to say, I think my body is just…
Day 6 – Whitewater Rafting, Fun & God-given Community
We started our day whitewater rafting with French Broad Adventures in Marshall, NC. We had five amazing rafting guides that made our whole group feel comfortable enough to go, even…
Day 5 – Mullen Work Day, Chimney Rock Lunch & Shopping, Team Bonding
Hi! We had a late night looking over pictures from our photo and video challenge on Sunday in Chimney Rock, and we have an early morning wake up call to…
Day 4 – Valley Hope
Today we traveled to Black Mountain, where the organization Valley Hope is located. Valley Hope is a nonprofit that started as a result of Hurricane Helene, and has continued to…
Day 3 – Projects at Mullen Bible Camp & Serving Dinner in Rutherfordton
We spent today doing projects for our host site, Mullen Bible Camp. Then we served dinner at a church in Rutherfordton. Here are a few notable projects from the day:…
Day 2 – For and With
We brought our crew to Grace Lutheran Church this morning. It was not too far from the camp that serves as our home-base this week. And first of all, what…
Day 1 – Travel Day & Exploring Asheville
Hi! We’re just settling in for the night after a long day (or more? I can’t tell.) of travel! We’ve arrived at Mullen Bible Camp, where we’ll be staying for…
From Paris to Rome – We made it Home
We made it home last night. What an amazing month of adventures in Europe! I missed blogging between our last change of city. We spent a quick couple of nights…
Rothenburg and Family Roots
Our latest stay has been in the idyllic town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. We stayed in a hotel that is more than 700 years old. Just through the lobby…
Erfurt, Eisleben, Eisenach
How do you keep track of which important Luther “E” city is which?!? I genuinely messed them up in my planning several times. And we almost drove to the wrong…
Alles gut aus Berlin (All good from Berlin)
I’m a day behind (we arrived in Erfurt yesterday), but we’ve had a fun filled entry into Germany. The Lenzs and the Spokane Dennings train-ed and airplane-d from Italy up…
Required Rest and Renewal
Something I’ve learned and confirmed while on sabbatical is that I have a hard time sitting still. I get stir crazy. I feel as if I’m only as productive as…