A Journey to Africa... (w/ The Schaffer Family)

Sometimes when we travel...

we receive

more than we
ever anticipated

Our featured traveler shares what she describes as
a life changing two weeks of service and action in Africa

on a missions trip with Graceworks

learn more...
(graceworkshopenet.org)
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The Schaffer Family
featuring
"The Doctor"

Members of our featured family
(mother and eldest daughter)

were so excited to touch down in Africa

they had to take a
"leap for joy"

welcome to...

Nairobi, Kenya

The Massai Village

Meeting the people and discovering that many

still live the traditional nomad life was amazing

and although she's a medical doctor in the States,

she shares her gifts abroad

because everyone knows that...

"It takes a village"

The Village and People of Rwika

She said...

Many of the children have lost parents as a result of the AIDS epidemic,

they have no water or electricity, and school is considered a privilege

yet their smiles and their songs of praise are unmatched

This girl

(appropriately named Gift) 

said...

"Imagine, people used to call me unfortunate.  I refuse to be called unfortunate. 

Am I unfortunate? Do I look shattered? Do I look weak?

No, No, No

According to Jeremiah 29, God has plans for me" 

We give because

we love God and His people,

but when you have the opportunity to

actually MEET someone you've helped sponsor

your heart will be filled with instant joy

See those smiles?

This was the doctor's first time meeting Purity, 

one of the students she had been sponsoring for over a year

She said...

"Oftentimes, you wonder if your donations are reaching those in need. 

I'm pleased to say with confidence that your donation is going

directly to the investment of these children."

Meet Susan...

the Founder and visionary of "Graceworks"

originally from the Rwika village

-moved to the United States

-obtained her Ed.D. in Social Work

-returned to Kenya

to help the children in her village!

"If you want to preserve knowledge and allow

it to travel through time, entrust it in children"

Arts and Crafts

And no matter how you choose to spend your day(s),
before you doze off to sleep each night

(secure your mosquito net)

because

although you may feel like you're dreaming

you'll wake up each morning to...

realize

remember

rediscover

that you really are in "The Motherland"

"This was the trip of a lifetime"

Three Day African Safari

   

Want more bucket list items to cross off?

Witness the Lions, Zebras, and wildebeests

migrating from Massai to Tanzania 

then watch the sun set

over the African horizon

Before you go

make time to shop,

and visit the...

African Marketplace

to purchase items to commemorate your trip
while also supporting local vendors

When the doctor asked her
(then 16 yr old) daughter

her favorite part of the trip...

she answered without hesitation,
"the People!"

so until next time
good people...

Kwaheri

(find more Family Adventures here)

Introducing... The Schaffer Family

So excited to announce that...

we have a new family!!!

----------------------------------

Introducing...

The Schaffer Family

featuring
"The Doctor"

Photo credit: Philicia Scott

Follow along on these amazing adventures...

Cuba
Africa
Dubai
Bora Bora
New Zealand
Australia
Niagara Falls
Martha's Vineyard
New York

(and meet the other members of our family)

Aruba, Aruba (So Amazing You'll Have to Say it Twice!)

Aruba
Aruba

so beautiful
so relaxing
so fun

that every time 

I say the name
I have to say it twice!

Visit...

My Happy Place

--------------------------------------

The Gardner Family

"The Family w/ Teens"

Newark Liberty to Aruba International
(approx. 1962 miles)

Full Disclaimer: 
It is quite possible that...

Aruba is my favorite destination

because it's where some of my
closest friends and family helped

celebrate my 40th birthday

Not your birthday? No worries.
There are plenty of other reasons to visit

1. Aruba is hot...

Enjoy

the heat
the warmth
the sun

on this Dutch Caribbean Island
while also

protecting yourself with

sunscreen
sunhats
shade

whenever possible

(Don't forget to stay hydrated!)

Want to upgrade your beach experience?
Stay in a luxury hotel!

We stayed at...

an amazing five-star beachfront resort

The best part?

surf boards
paddle boards
kayaks

and a water trampoline

are all included as part of the resort stay

Need more thrill?

Some friends from our church rode the "Great Big Mable"

and this sister practically collapsed from all of the excitement

She said... 

"My husband is gone, but I'm a widow still enjoying life. 

I don't have time to sit around and waste.  Catch me if you can!"

meet her

2. Aruba is beautiful...

beautiful sights
beautiful people
beautiful sunsets

True Story:

On our last day in Aruba...

as we were preparing to head down
for breakfast, the power went out

Solanio

(daily breakfast buffet at Solanio)

and when my hubby inquired
he was informed that

the power was out on the entire island

(so it was clear to me that)

"The island did not want to release me"

and once power was restored

I thought about

what
how
why

and the day after we returned home...

I quit my job
(kids don't try this at home)

because 10 days in Aruba
reminded me that

"the point of life, is to live"

which is another reason why...

I Love Aruba!

--------------------------------------

And...

Aruba is not only my personal favorite

vacation destination

(to date)

it is also a great

wedding/honeymoon destination

Just ask...

The Marbrey Family

"The Newlyweds"

3. Aruba is romantic...


 and is called
"One Happy Island"

for a reason




life is busy
but

Aruba welcomes you to

sit
lean
relax

and enjoy new beginnings

4. Aruba is exotic...

Cross another item off of your bucket list
and share the water with the flamingoes

at

Flamingo Beach

If you plan to stay at the Renaissance Resort, they'll be your neighbors...
otherwise you'll need to make arrangements to visit the private island

(at an additional cost)

It's their beach, but they don't seem to mind!


5. Aruba has adventure...

cliffs
caves
coves

Aruba has them all

enough variety to fill every
nature enthusiast's dream

So seek and you will find...

in the Guadirikiri Cave
(or visit one of the other natural wonders)

Their promise?

"When you embrace our beautiful island,
it embraces you right back"

(find more Family Adventures here)

Thrill or Chill.... Let's Go Dodgers!

It's the weekend

in Southern California

so...

it's sunny
it's warm

it's the perfect time

to gather your crew

for an adventure that will

have your entire family singing

"Take me out to the Ball Game!"

-----------------------------------------------

The Banks Family
"The Extended Family"

Whether it's...

during the weekend
or on a weeknight

find an opportunity to get out there
and support your local sports team

LA Dodgers' Game

Let's Go Dodgers!

Park your car
secure your seat
settle in

and then head back for snacks!

(It's dinner, really)

Pizza
Nachos
Burgers

or the infamous...

"Dodger Dog"

there's something for everyone!

Need plant-based and/or gluten-free options?
Yep, they got you!!

(see the Dodger Stadium Information Guide for full details)



and while you're enjoying time together as a family

take a moment to also learn
the history of

the players
the sport
the game

And if you really want to extend
the educational experience

plan your visit
to coincide with their special events

Jackie Robinson Day
(in celebration of his 100th birthday year)

Photo courtesy: KP Association

Fun Fact:

In 1947 Jackie Robinson became the first African-American
to play in Major League Baseball in the 20th century

Caden's "Bottle Buddy" Project- Jackie Robinson #42

Our featured family planned accordingly, and their visit
provided the perfect inspiration for their 3rd grade son's
book report and bottle buddy project assignment

proving once again

that fun and learning
really do go hand in hand!

(find more Family Adventures here)