We had the opportunity to join the young people at Flipside on their annual mission trip. This year it was to San Diego. We based ourselves at a KOA campground in Chula Vista. Each day they would take mission excurions into the city or to Mexico. Here is the chronicle of our adventure.
The calm before the crowd
We arrived a day early to settle in and get things ready. Here we are just kicking back.
Our first night we had to work out a place to stay before our cabin was available. So we made a little tent on one side of our van. It was cozy! 
Jasen enjoyed a night on his own in the tent over the bed of Ken & Pam's truck! Prestin stayed in the Murdocks trailer. Deron was off with Scott for the weekend.
Shellie & Pam inside their 5th wheel trailer. They know how to do the camping thing in style!
Prestin waiting for the group to arrive. 
The group's arrival
It's time to unload - everyone jumped in to help!
Jasen & Shellie
The young people went down to the beach. Though not quite the same as our beach in Australia, it will do!
Cheers to the end of a good day!
Prestin getting into his role as camera man!
The official Amos Project manual
First full day together
Breakfast for champions - pancakes galore!!!
Steve Schmidt wins the Artistic Design Award! This pancake reads AMOS.
Morning session of worship.
Jasen listening in while up in the tree nearby as the session goes on below. 
Jasen now having his quiet time - while everyone else does the same.
Prayer walking in the city of San Diego 
Another prayer walking team 
Jasen eating his "shepherd's pie" at an Irish pub while the others were prayer walking. By the way, Larry Murdock, Steve Schmidt and Steve were with him.
Jasen back at the campground doing a boy thing - playing with the bulldozer in the sand.
Stef & family came down for the day!
Steve speaking in the night session - having the attitude of a risk taker for Jesus! Yes it was pretty dark and that flash light was quite handy.
A day in Mexico
Deron drove our van and he led all the other vehicles through Tijuana to the orphanage. Here he is wanting for the other vehicles to caught up after a toll booth. By the way, he did a fantastic job both driving and leading the way! 
We spent a full day in Mexico at the Door of Faith orphanage (DOFO). This was Shellie first time there and she got initiated! We arrived just before noon and they dove right into making a couple hundred sandwiches. Here Shellie is with Mallory, Ashley and Sarah (from DOFO).
Prestin pushing the spinning thing.
Lunch time!
Our three hijos (sons) in la cocina (the kitchen)!
Eating...
Prestin doing the cameraman thing! They will be putting together a video to show at Flipside sometime soon.
Progress with the construction of the nursery
Prestin pushing some of the kids on the swings.
Deron head butting the ball in a game of soccer.
This little boy wasn't feeling very well. Shellie ended up finding where his dorm was and they put him to bed.
Shellie and a new friend...
Worshipping with the kids in the courtyard. 
Jasen took the hike up to the top of the hill where the cross overlooks DOFO.
Prestin doing more of the video cameraman thing from at the foot of the cross.
Deron playing with these kiddos....
Steve & a new amigo (friend)...
Shellie will never need to have her nails done again. She truly got her initiation.
Of course, others wanted to help out!
The finished product!!!
Deron giving some skin to Jasen on the swing
Nathan leading the train
Justin, Kevin Ibanez and Steve, just before we had a prayer time in the playground.
No worries, this guy wasn't after us! 
Day in San Diego
While the young folks were ministering in various places through out San Diego we took a drive through the city and parked at Seaport Village. 
Jasen got Jalapeno Cheese Fries for lunch. 
Deron got Chili Fries.
Shellie & Steve with the Coronado bridge in the background.
Jasen with an aircraft carrier behind him.
Last moments
Jasen getting just a few last moments on his Gameboy before bed. 
The Amos Shirt - distributed on the last day!
Shellie & Pam packing up.
The last day finished up with the amazing race. Team were broken into vehicles and they chased clues all over San Diego, communicating via cell phones. They ended up at Seaport Village.
The Taylor Guitars Factory in El Cajon
On our way home we detoured just a bit. While Prestin participated in the Amazing Race, Shellie & Jasen explored the antique district in La Mesa, and Deron & Steve visited the place where Taylor Guitars are made. We were astonished by the volume of these guitars that are cranked out each day - like 300! And these are high quality instruments that are pretty much hand-made! Sadly, there we no free guitars to take home when we were finished!
Deron played this 915ce as we waited for the tour. It was sweet!
The coveted pass that gave us access! Sadly, we had to give it back after the tour!
Deron checks out the rare woods that are used to make special order and top end guitars. Note that they are locked up! Deron trying to picture which one he would prefer!
Deron listening to the tour guide through the head set.
Deron checking out the completed fret work.
Taylor has mastered the art of perfectly bending the woods into shape!
Bodies galore!
Note the handiwork around the sound hole. This we all hand inlaid!
Almost complete...
Finished product
They had loaded all their things into two "pods" that would somehow make their way to Flowery Branch over the next few months.
Scott was pleased they got it all in.
Things also were packed into their car. By the way, a caravan of vehicles joined them when they departed at 4am on Saturday 16 August. Ken & Pam, and Gene & Wanda drove in their truck. And Bren & Sue (Jenny's folks) followed along in their truck, on this three day nearly non-stop drive.
Saying good bye!
They had loaded all their things into two "pods" that would somehow make their way to Flowery Branch over the next few months.
Scott was pleased they got it all in.
Things also were packed into their car. By the way, a caravan of vehicles joined them when they departed at 4am on Saturday 16 August. Ken & Pam, and Gene & Wanda drove in their truck. And Bren & Sue (Jenny's folks) followed along in their truck, on this three day nearly non-stop drive.
Saying good bye!
