Power Cross Orlando Trip

The boys with the Christmas Tree at SeaWorld.


The group at Universal Studios

There is so much to say about our trip to Orlando! I don't even know where to begin. We took along our video camera and I'll be uploading some more clips as the weekend goes along. We were able to take about 50 kids to Orlando for a few days to visit SeaWorld and Universal Studios. We were also able to make a pit stop in Jacksonville that allowed all of the boys who had never seen the ocean the chance to visit the beach. We had all been in serious prayer about the trip for weeks. We were praying for peace among the boys, safety on the trip, good weather, you name it! In so many ways we felt God's presence there with us. We wanted to make a little list to show you how God just kept showing up while we were gone. I'll have more pictures later as well!

We want to say another Thank you to the Jones Family and to all of you who made a donation this holiday season. This trip was a trip of a lifetime for most of these boys, and for me and my family as well. Also a huge thank you to Andy Jones, Jonathan Beaver, Molly, Gabe, AJ, Brenda, and Steve for chaperoning the boys at the park and in the rooms. And our last big thank you to our bus driver Paul and his wife Vicki. They displayed a lot of patience on the ride there and back! The trip could not have been possible without all of your help and support.


Top Ten ways God was with us on the Power Cross Orlando Trip:

10. We had one chaperone who needed to pull out at the last minute. Within 10 minutes we had another friend call and ask if there was anyway he could come help and chaperone. Totally unrelated, neither knew the other person or the situation. God provided.

9. Two 15 passenger vans, 1 30 passenger church bus, and 1 suburban with trailer, made it 1300 miles with no flat tires, wrecks, tickets, and only one small broken window. (sorry Paul)

8. We arrived at one of the theme parks to pick up our tickets, with an estimated cost of $2400.00, and the status had been changed to complimentary tickets.

7. The kids wanted to eat at the NBA restaurant in Universal. It was a little over our lunch budget, so I was a little stressed. About 10 minutes later we ran into a friend of ours from Tennessee who gave us a check that covered all of the lunches. Just a coincidence?

6. 48 kids with 8 chaperone's for two full days in SeaWorld and Universal and we only lost 1 kids for about 10 minutes. He was in the bathroom a little to long.

5. We rode every roller coaster at SeaWorld and Universal with about 35 kids who had never been on any type of ride and not one person threw up.

4. On the way home we stopped at a McDonald's where the bill came to $195.00. An older gentleman and his wife were dining there and say all of the boys. He wrote us a check for $200.00 to pay for our food.

3. 48 boys between the ages of 7-13 were together for 96 hours straight and we had no fist fights, and only 1 tooth knocked loose.

2. We had beautiful weather and no rain the entire trip.

1. We see the young men of Power Cross growing in their relationship with Christ. When we sat down to eat lunch at the NBA restaurant the boys were spread among 4 tables. Andy went to lead the boys at each table in a blessing, but Caleb, TJ, Khalil, and Ausar had already stepped up and prayed with each of their tables.

The trip was amazing in everyway!!! Much more to come!!! Next week were off to ring in the New Year at the Big God Conference.



The boys and AJ starting their voyage on the Jurassic Park ride. Everyone looks excited.

My view on the "Storm Ride" at Universal. Pun trying to figure out how he can get on top of the cart and ride. Quincy on the other side deciding if he should get sick. And Darius who's always in the middle of everything with a big smile!

Everyone at the Jacksonville Beach