Travels

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There may soon be a new game called, "Catch Dave ................If You Can"

Taking stories (and string figures) from around the world, around the world.
Click on each picture to view a larger version and Dave's comments.

Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and Kenya

Since we are a team of people working together, I will talk about "our" mission trip. It can’t happen without the garage sale monies and other fund raising events. Others who have given monetary gifts are a big part of this effort. The ones that take care of things at the church when I can’t be there to help are also a part. And what about those who fed the fish, checked the house, watered the flowers and kept me informed of the goings on at home. Oh, I can’t forget the prayer warriors; I rely on you so much. Let’s also recognize all those hosting me everywhere. Therefore, "our" mission trip was amazing.

It started in Germany for six weeks working mostly with Methodist Churches, youth groups, Kid’s Clubs and Wesley Scouts. I also presented for about 35 Chinese engineering students at a bible study, five church services and worked with a Methodist Chaplain in the US Army. A highlight was a weekend workshop with youth leaders from inside and outside the Methodist church. They really grasp the concept of String Ministries and want my new book to translate and print in German.

I am indebted to my friends Kevin and Carol Seckel who are missionaries to Germany. Their home was my base of operations in Frankfurt. I also got to stay with Mary Leonhart one night and we went to dinner and a play. I had a great visit with her.

I spent ten days in The Netherlands and Belgium giving a spiritual weekend retreat on the coast of The Netherlands and working with people in both countries. I also made some good connections for another trip. Altitude there is below sea level.

God works in mysterious ways and I ended up in Kenya, East Africa for an additional ten days on my way home. "It is kind of on the way home." When I was in Nairobi I stayed in the Seventh Day Adventist guest house. It is so good to have safe and reasonably priced places to stay in some of these countries. Nairobi altitude is one mile.

I worked with some groups in Nairobi and then went north about three and a half hours to Nyahururu where I stayed in a L’Arche home. It is a home for mentally challenged adults where they live with full time volunteers. It is an amazing situation and there are about 150 such homes around the world. I had nice guest quarters and they were free since I was working with the folks there. One of the residents amazed her friends by showing me a new figure that I had not seen before.

Sometimes we sell people short.

About 20 minutes from there was Thompson’s Falls. The river below the falls is where the elephants come to drink and the lake that is about 10 minutes above the falls is where I saw at least five hippos. I also saw baboons, zebra, Thompson’s Gazelles, Dik Diks, and eland. Altitude is two miles. Walking was difficult…pant…pant.

I also worked with kids in a home for the homeless. They can’t have a garden because the monkeys from the forest come in and destroy it.

They were pleased to show me that they each had their own towel. (Are you appreciative that you have your own towel?) There was another drop-in center where new street kids come for 3 weeks to 3 months to learn how to get along together, eat with some manners, and generally become social beings.

There is a home for AID’s orphans that had about 80 kids. They were so receptive to the string games. They were orphaned because of AID’s and many of them also have the condition. I found out that was one reason each had their own towel.

In The Netherlands I stayed with a man who is a vegetarian…I am a carnivore. When I got to Kenya I found out that the Seventh Day Adventists are also vegetarians…and they do no coffee or tea. Culture shock. In Nyahururu the shelters, homes, and orphanage only serve meat once a week because they don’t want the kids to get used to it.

Do I need to say that when I got home I have enjoyed meat? I have also enjoyed my car keys and the privacy of my own home. It was a great trip and I thank you all for helping make it happen but I am glad to be home for a while. - Dave Titus, December 2012

South Africa

The Atlantic and Indian oceans come together at the Cape of Good Hope. Lunch was cooked for the kids at the schools in iron pots. Life is much simpler there. I saw about 150 elephants in a protected area, the Addo Elephant Park.

Mongolia

As you can see, everyone does is doing strings. I took 20,000 strings to Mongolia. Saw many people living in Ghers. (The Russians call them Yerts.)

England

This was a youth club on the South coast of England. By the way, they still thatch roofs.

Finland

The Lutheran church is beautiful, but so is the Methodist church.

Latvia

Old buildings, good food and a ready audience.

Canada

The Winnipeg Folk Festival was fun. I was booked there for a couple of years running.

Mexico

The "Church of the Dump" serves those living on the city dump.

Germany

Well, you have to shop when in Frankfurt. The Christmas Market is fabulous.

Belize

The Belize Zoo has things to touch and the animals are just a fence away.

Lithuania

The "Hill of the Crosses" is awesome. Thousands of crosses.

Korea

Estonia

Fat Margaret, View of Tallinn Seaport and Old Town.

Thailand

Ancient culture but they have fast foods in Bangkok.

Nepal

Nepal 1999
In May through June of '99 David traveled throughout Nepal to tell stories and teach string figures to children. Dave also had the rare opportunity to visit the infirmed at two Leprosy Hospitals. The physicians found that learning and practicing string figures was a good form of physical therapy and would help to increase blood flow to affected digits. The patients enjoyed having a visitor as well as learning string figures. This was one of the few times many of these patients have been exposed to the world outside their area.

The woman below did not have enough digits to make most string figures. She could, however, make the Mosquito with help. Every day for one week, whenever I would enter the women's' ward she would hold up the string and we would make the Mosquito - then squash it.

The children below are from a village near Jumla, Nepal. They are showing off their new strings and the things they can make with them.

The hearth at a typical home near Jumla.

On the trip over the pacific, I traveled with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. They enjoyed learning string figures. Here is a picture of the Boston Philharmonic String Quartet with visiting David Titus.