We Have a TEAM!!!

Anyone who has walked much with us in this journey knows that for 6 years, we have been praying for a team.  And when I mean praying, I mean begging...pleading...beseeching God with SWEAT and TEARS for a TEAM.  It's even been our "fleece" at times..."Lord, if you bring us a TEAM, we will quit everything and GO!"  There was one thing for certain in this process, unless God decided to supernaturally instill in our brains the technical knowledge and expertise equal to a mechanical engineer, it was IMPOSSIBLE for us to go this road alone.  Yet for 6 years we prayed, and no team...

Then in February of this year, God said "GO."  Of course, our response was, "But Lord, we have NO TEAM.  If you bring us the team, we will quit everything and go!"  But God said "GO. And I will provide what you need."  To be honest, this was a little bit unnerving.  We didn't know if we would be figuring things out on our own (aka: enlisting Tobin's lego constructing skills to design a 3 wheeled vehicle for rural Africa).  We didn't know if we would be traveling to Ghana alone and He would provide someone there.  We had no idea...  But we knew GOD...  We knew He could do more than we asked or imagined... We knew He loved the people we desired to serve and was calling us to join Him in that... And we knew that He loved US and we could trust Him to provide everything that we needed on this journey.  And so we decided to quit everything and go...

And guess what?!?!?!

7 Months later...We have a TEAM!!!

Not just 1 or 2 people but THREE AMAZING FAMILIES are joining us on this journey.  This first 3 month trip will just be the Harms family but when our family returns in the spring...

FOURTEEN PEOPLE will be MOVING to Ghana to start Vytrak!

The tears are streaming as I write that...  I am in AWE of His Goodness to us...

So without further adieu...

Introducing...

The VYTRAK TEAM!

(Top Row L to R: Ryan & Josi, Don & Erin, Melissa & Pat, Kim & Adam

Bottom Row L to R: Libby, Jordyn (Kim & Adam's daughter), Kady, Ally, Toby, Chloe)

We had our first Vytrak Team retreat a couple weekends ago at one of our favorite places, THE Lake House!  It was an amazing time of fun, laughter, and getting to know each other.  It felt very surreal to be spending the weekend with these people who would be walking so closely with us through the next couple of years.  Don and I wanted to pinch ourselves the whole time.  We couldn't be more thrilled!

In case you thought we might have worked all weekend, let me put your minds at ease...

We did some work talking logistics here and there and even practiced our crazy "Magic Candy" skills...

(In case you were wondering, with skills like this on the team, this whole business thing is 

IN THE BAG!)

...but we mostly just played!

Canoe Races

Pat organized a canoe race for the kids which included floating buoys made out of water bottles with instructions, tasks, and clues to finding a hidden princess.  The kids had a blast!  I was super impressed...

Fishing

Pat taught the kids how to fish off of the dock.  They had begged us for weeks so we were very thankful to have an expert in town.  :)

By the end of the weekend, they had mastered stick pole fishing and Mr. Pat was holding classes on casting with "grown up" rods.  He's an excellent teacher and great with the kids.  He even had my big girls reeling some in completely on their own.  (And in proper Harms girl style, each fish was properly cuddled, caressed, and given a unique name before being returned to the water.)  The girls were totally "hooked!" (pun intended) and are excited to see if we can find some fishing holes in Ghana to hold their next classes!

Paddle Boat Rides

Our kids always love them some Uncle Ryan & Aunt Josi time, especially both at once!

On a side note...this picture makes me happy!  We have a team!  (*insert giddy giggle here :)  )

Hiking Castle Ruins

One afternoon we went exploring an early 1900's castle that burned in the 1940's.  It was a gorgeous day and the views were amazing.  

We were all entertained watching the guys strategize how to throw the football from one side of the castle to the other through the various window and door openings.  Incidentally, this resulted in several trips behind the fences to retrieve said ball.  However with much determination, their mission was accomplished...

(This is Don's brother Adam, his awesome wife Kim, and my precious niece Jordyn.  I am so in awe that God is not only sending some amazing people with us but He is blessing us with family in Ghana as well...more than we could have asked or imagined.  So thrilled!)

I can't believe how much I LOVE these people already and am SO excited for all that God has in store for us.  We cherish your prayers as we continue on this journey!