Past
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Education, art, culture, tradition, faith and family all describe the village of Bluffton, Ohio where Ken & Greg Amstutz were born. This community shaped the lives of both brothers and laid their personal patterns of care and giving to others. In addition, they were surrounded by a large and loving extended family, agriculture and wide-open spaces. There were constant opportunities to explore and discover nature while using their imagination. Learning about hard work and responsibility on their grandfathers' farms (along with valuable lessons stemming from such things as running into electric fences while chasing each other) has provided the foundation to serve others.
As brothers often do, Ken and Greg went in different directions in their adulthood, each gaining a variety of experiences. Greg headed for California with his love for the sea while Ken remained in Ohio as a teacher. However, life brought them back together in California when Ken's wife was offered a position there with a software developer. Thus, years later, Ken and Greg combined their complimentary strengths with the shared community lessons of their upbringing. Their shared explorations of Baja transformed their original plans from individual business-related adventures to Service and Mission Adventures for Baja's impoverished and displaced children. Through God's plan instead of their own, they were led to establish Genesis International Orphanage Foundation (formerly known as Genesis Expeditions) and GenesisDiez, A.C. One example of a transforming experience is the following:
The Beach Story
On a planned month-long excursion deep into Baja to locate remote sites hours away from human habitation, they came upon an isolated beautiful crescent beach. The only access to the beach was a long steep sand hill. They tested the sand and found it to be packed. Therefore, they felt they could proceed to the beach. Little did they know... there had been an early rain that had created a thick crust over the top of the loose sand. They arrived at the beach with no problem, since it was all down hill. After spending time on the beach checking out the possibilities for snorkeling, tidepooling, and ecological sensitivity, it was time to go. Or so they thought. Upon trying to pull away from the beach, their tires broke through the crust and dug themselves in. After some time (which included letting air out of the tires, digging ramps, packing sand with seawater, and cutting up carpets for traction), they came to the conclusion that they would soon be in trouble. The tide was rapidly approaching their truck. A decision was necessary. It was impossible to back out the way they came. The only hope rested in making a large slow arc on the beach towards the rising tide in order to reach a dry alluvial plain some 50 yards to the right. So, they completely unloaded the truck of it's 2000 pounds of gear. Ken hopped into the drivers seat, decided on four wheel high gear, and Greg started pushing. Any interruption in forward momentum would mean immediate immersion in the ocean.
They made it to the alluvial plain just as the water started washing their tracks from the sand. They now faced the hill. They again repositioned the truck and built a ramp for a smooth transition to the angle of the hill. They would only have one chance, as the tide was now approaching the edge of the alluvial plain. Again, Ken got behind the drivers wheel and kept it in four-wheel high as he backed to the approaching edge of the water. Greg took up position behind the truck and on the count of three, Greg started pushing as Ken quickly accelerated trying not to loose traction. Upon hitting the ramp, the truck began it's ascent, fishtailing and jumping until Ken felt the tires starting to dig in. At the point where he thought the truck could no longer go forward it suddenly lurched into the air and accelerated even more swiftly up the hill. It was as if a large hand had pushed it from the back the last 100 yards.
At the top Ken staggered out and looked down at Greg's small image against the water. How is it possible that at the time of the greatest need there was immediate help? Both Greg and Ken ran to meet at that point on the hill. As they looked around they realized that out of all the areas on the hill, their tires had gripped a sand covered flat rock about the size of the truck. They could not believe it. They looked at each other and thought the hand of God had been there with them. As the sun was now setting they started to carry the 2000 pounds of equipment up the 200 yards of sand hill. Many trips later, and completely exhausted, they sat by the edge of the truck and looked back at the small crescent bay illuminated by the light of the full moon. As they watched, a lone Dolphin began a series of leaps, turning in the air with each leap as if to wave at them. This was the beginning of many not-so-coincidental indications that they were to follow God's plan and not their own.
They both feel strongly that Gods' intention was for their separate paths to meet again in order to bring each of their journeys together. This enabled their gifts and experiences to mesh for the purpose of serving orphaned and impoverished children who are growing up under much less fortunate conditions than their own. These children have far fewer options than exist in the United States and do not have the type of family-based experiences that can foster self-fulfillment. Genesis was formed to change that.
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