The Holstein family spent the week at a place with several children who did not own a pair of shoes. A couple of nights ago, they shared that with the rest of the groups during our La Croix time at the end of the evening. They shared some of their experiences and there was a definite hush over the room as our kids thought about what it would be like to not have a pair of shoes when they are going across the street to Kroger a couple of times per day to get sodas and candy.
At the end of the evening, kids from every family group - not just the ones who were serving at that site - went to Shelly and gave her some money. The next morning, she had over $80!
They went and bought shoes and gave them to the kids the next day. They took pictures and videoed their reactions and we got to watch it together last night during our La Croix time. It was amazing! This one little girl didn't want to go home because she was afraid she would have to leave the shoes there. She carried the shoe box with her everywhere she went for the whole day.
A beautiful example of the true meaning of the body of Christ...
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Random Act of Kindness
My recap of a highlight told to me by Emily Johnson...
Her family group was on the way to their job site and pulled up to a stop light underneath an overpass. In a pile under there, you could see some belongings that clearly belonged to a homeless person. Sumner Sparkman asked Blake to pull the van over. When asked why, he said that he wanted to leave part of his lunch on the persons stuff so that when they got back they could eat.
Blake pulled over and the entire van gave parts of their lunch for the homeless individual and wrote a note to go along with it telling them that God loves them deeply!
You all raised them...we just get the pleasure of hanging out with them all week:-)
Her family group was on the way to their job site and pulled up to a stop light underneath an overpass. In a pile under there, you could see some belongings that clearly belonged to a homeless person. Sumner Sparkman asked Blake to pull the van over. When asked why, he said that he wanted to leave part of his lunch on the persons stuff so that when they got back they could eat.
Blake pulled over and the entire van gave parts of their lunch for the homeless individual and wrote a note to go along with it telling them that God loves them deeply!
You all raised them...we just get the pleasure of hanging out with them all week:-)
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Holstein Family
The Holstein family is led by Shelly Stone and includes: Megan Smith, Paige Messerli, Alexis Runnels, Catie Dovin, Caroline Kasten, Creigh Miles, Caleb Ambler and Lauren Sides.
This group is spending their entire week at the Avesta Drive Community Center...for pretty much the same reasons my group is at the Charleston Boys and Girls Club for the entire week. The kids at this center need consistency and want to be able to develop relationships.
Avesta is a summer day camp, where kids from the area come and play and get away from the stresses of their home lives. Many of the chilren come from broken homes, as the center is located in a rough area of town. They are getting to do lots of activities with these kids, including sports, crafts and water games.
The family groups LOVES these kids and says although they have nothing, they are amazingly well-behaved and well-mannered. This is not so much the case with the kids at CBGC:-)
This group is spending their entire week at the Avesta Drive Community Center...for pretty much the same reasons my group is at the Charleston Boys and Girls Club for the entire week. The kids at this center need consistency and want to be able to develop relationships.
Avesta is a summer day camp, where kids from the area come and play and get away from the stresses of their home lives. Many of the chilren come from broken homes, as the center is located in a rough area of town. They are getting to do lots of activities with these kids, including sports, crafts and water games.
The family groups LOVES these kids and says although they have nothing, they are amazingly well-behaved and well-mannered. This is not so much the case with the kids at CBGC:-)
The Hensley Family
The Hensley family is led by Blake Driskell and Carly Rees. Their students are Sammy Rees, Sumner Sparkman, Garret Jackson, Emily Johnson, Maddie McDonald, Drew Wilson, Lauren Uhls, Linzee Rosen and Josh Thomas.
They actually get to visit three different mission sites throughout the week. Monday and Tuesday mornings they went to Covvenant House. Then in the afternoons they went to Good Living. Today and tomorrow, they serve at Union Mission.
Covenant House is a nonprofit organization dedicated to working for justice by offering direct services for those in need and creating social change through advocacy and education. Covenant House, Inc is essentially an emergency day shelter and drop in center. They provide showers, laundry and financial assistance. At this site, our students helped with basic maintenance, landscaping and cleaning.
Good Living is a very small nursing home and has a very welcoming and home-style feel to it. It currently houses 8 residents. They needed our help with some landscaping, maintenance and painting jobs to help improve their neighborhood.
Union Mission Ministries seeks to meet the needs of WV through the provision of shelter, clothing, food, counseling, and structured programs for the poor, the needy, and those bound and bruised by addictive lifestyles. They house several ministries including food distribution, family counseling, a homeless shelter and a thrift store. Today the students helped in the thrift store - which was apparently an amazing experience...they loved it! Drew says he actually wants to work there when he grows up - because they are doing so many cool things to help people.
Union Mission is the reason we will be adding a typewriter to our cargo van (see previous blog entry), a keyboard that Sumner picked up - it was a "steal", a dress that is adorable that Maddie got for 50 cents, and also a ... oops, Emily Johnson swore me to secrecy on her "find".
They actually get to visit three different mission sites throughout the week. Monday and Tuesday mornings they went to Covvenant House. Then in the afternoons they went to Good Living. Today and tomorrow, they serve at Union Mission.
Covenant House is a nonprofit organization dedicated to working for justice by offering direct services for those in need and creating social change through advocacy and education. Covenant House, Inc is essentially an emergency day shelter and drop in center. They provide showers, laundry and financial assistance. At this site, our students helped with basic maintenance, landscaping and cleaning.
Good Living is a very small nursing home and has a very welcoming and home-style feel to it. It currently houses 8 residents. They needed our help with some landscaping, maintenance and painting jobs to help improve their neighborhood.
Union Mission Ministries seeks to meet the needs of WV through the provision of shelter, clothing, food, counseling, and structured programs for the poor, the needy, and those bound and bruised by addictive lifestyles. They house several ministries including food distribution, family counseling, a homeless shelter and a thrift store. Today the students helped in the thrift store - which was apparently an amazing experience...they loved it! Drew says he actually wants to work there when he grows up - because they are doing so many cool things to help people.
Union Mission is the reason we will be adding a typewriter to our cargo van (see previous blog entry), a keyboard that Sumner picked up - it was a "steal", a dress that is adorable that Maddie got for 50 cents, and also a ... oops, Emily Johnson swore me to secrecy on her "find".
The Adkins Family
First of all, since I just posted the Fisher family as well...now would be a great time for me to point out that these two families - unfortunately - are in places that do not allow photographs. So, I apologize - but the only pics you will see if your kids are on one of these teams, are pics once we are back here at the church where we are sleeping:-( I've asked both families to try to 'sneak' a few on their phone...but you know...some people are rule followers...lol.
So, on with the Adkins family. It is led by Karen Bangert and includes the following students: Parker Outman, Sam Unger, Gray Hallman, Ryan Begley, Morgan Asendorf, Emily Holman, Rachel Juhlin, and Addie Stucker.
This group is hanging out at Valley Center in the mornings and Coal Branch in the afternoons.
Valley Center is a care facility, which provides nursing and rehab care for its residents. Our students are serving them by spending time with their residents and giving them individual attention they wouldn't normally get. The nurses and nursing assistants try their hardest to make personal connections with each resident, but often their job keeps them from actually sitting down with the residents and having long talks with them. The goal for this family is to serve relationally. Listening to stories, playing board games and giving them the attention and time they need and crave.
The Coal Branch Community Center is a safe haven for kids in the area to come during the day. The kids that go to Coal Branch are often at risk kids who come from broken homes. On average, up to 25 kids come to Coal Branch everyday with ages ranging from elementary school through middle school ages. Coal Branch creates a Christian atmosphere for the kids, which includes activities, such as Bible study. The kids there love when the older kids come spend time with them, as their lives have a lot of low points since they aren't growing up in the most peaceful of neighborhoods.
So, on with the Adkins family. It is led by Karen Bangert and includes the following students: Parker Outman, Sam Unger, Gray Hallman, Ryan Begley, Morgan Asendorf, Emily Holman, Rachel Juhlin, and Addie Stucker.
This group is hanging out at Valley Center in the mornings and Coal Branch in the afternoons.
Valley Center is a care facility, which provides nursing and rehab care for its residents. Our students are serving them by spending time with their residents and giving them individual attention they wouldn't normally get. The nurses and nursing assistants try their hardest to make personal connections with each resident, but often their job keeps them from actually sitting down with the residents and having long talks with them. The goal for this family is to serve relationally. Listening to stories, playing board games and giving them the attention and time they need and crave.
The Coal Branch Community Center is a safe haven for kids in the area to come during the day. The kids that go to Coal Branch are often at risk kids who come from broken homes. On average, up to 25 kids come to Coal Branch everyday with ages ranging from elementary school through middle school ages. Coal Branch creates a Christian atmosphere for the kids, which includes activities, such as Bible study. The kids there love when the older kids come spend time with them, as their lives have a lot of low points since they aren't growing up in the most peaceful of neighborhoods.
The Fisher Family
The Fisher family is led by JT and an adult leader from one of the other churches, Brian. They have 10 kids in the group, but only 3 of them are La Croix kids...they are Josh Stone, Alex Stone and Mason Turner.
This group is spending the whole week between two places...one in the mornings and another in the afternoons.
They are going to O.S.C. and Oak Ridge.
O.S.C. stands for Outrageous Sports Camp and is a Youth Works run camp that runs 6 weeks throughout the summer. It is primarily aimed at ages 10-14, but some weeks they work with kids as young as 6 years old. The camps serve as an outreach tool for the community and focuses on a different sport each week. Through teaching and interaction, the goal is to show Christ to these young people. The sport for this week...football! The boys are in heaven...JT, on the other hand, has a really sore shoulder:-)
Oak Ridge Center is a nursing home, which also provides short-term rehab services. This family group is serving with the center - where there are great relational ministry opportunities. Whether it's a simple "hi" or sitting down one-on-one and hearing about their lives, the residents just appreciate someone taking the time out of their day to spend it with them.
This group is spending the whole week between two places...one in the mornings and another in the afternoons.
They are going to O.S.C. and Oak Ridge.
O.S.C. stands for Outrageous Sports Camp and is a Youth Works run camp that runs 6 weeks throughout the summer. It is primarily aimed at ages 10-14, but some weeks they work with kids as young as 6 years old. The camps serve as an outreach tool for the community and focuses on a different sport each week. Through teaching and interaction, the goal is to show Christ to these young people. The sport for this week...football! The boys are in heaven...JT, on the other hand, has a really sore shoulder:-)
Oak Ridge Center is a nursing home, which also provides short-term rehab services. This family group is serving with the center - where there are great relational ministry opportunities. Whether it's a simple "hi" or sitting down one-on-one and hearing about their lives, the residents just appreciate someone taking the time out of their day to spend it with them.
More thoughts from your kids...
Here's a few more things I've heard from your kids...
I was really impacted by a girl I met that told me that last summer she came to this camp and she met a girl named Deborah who was with Youth Works. She told me she gave Deborah her address at the end of the week so she could write her. But then she told me that Deborah never wrote her. She said...'she must have been too busy to think about me.' I knew then that I could be different and could make an impact in some of these kid's lives even after we go home. Emily DiamondI can't believe how appreciative these little kids are for the smallest things. They have nothing. Catie Dovin
As we were leaving the nursing home, I heard this lady screaming for help. She was in a lot of pain. We went to her and called for help...but waited there for more than 10 minutes before anyone came to help her. It made me really sad that there are not enough people to give these people the care that they need. Morgan Asendorf
I loved getting to eat the same lunches as the kids at the Boys and Girls Club. Cody Likens (for those of you who do not know Cody...this "highlight" he shared with the group was DRIPPING with sarcasm:-)
Highlight of my day...
Each day when we are finished at our ministry site, we head over to a place called the Martin Luther King Center, where we are allowed to shower. Because there are only 3 showers in the ladies locker room, it's a fairly long process. So, when we get out of the shower, we all hang outside waiting and sharing stories, catching up on and comparing our days.
Today, I was standing outside after my shower, when Drew Wilson ran up to me with great excitement. His team has been working at a ministry that includes a thrift store. He says, "Angel...Angel...you are NEVER going to believe what I got at the thrift store today for JUST $2.50!!!"
He had this neat little cross necklace that I hadn't noticed before, so of course, that was my first guess. "NO...I knew you would never guess!" he goes on...
"I got a TYPEWRITER!!! Not just a normal typewriter either. This thing was ANCIENT. You wouldn't believe it if you saw it. You don't even have to plug it in! It's crazy, I'm telling you!! It uses something like...like a ribbon...or something! For $2.50...can you believe it???!!!"
I simply stared at him in awe...until I could find the words...
"No WAY???!!!!! You don't even have to plug it in??? Dude, I've SO got to see this..."
Today, I was standing outside after my shower, when Drew Wilson ran up to me with great excitement. His team has been working at a ministry that includes a thrift store. He says, "Angel...Angel...you are NEVER going to believe what I got at the thrift store today for JUST $2.50!!!"
He had this neat little cross necklace that I hadn't noticed before, so of course, that was my first guess. "NO...I knew you would never guess!" he goes on...
"I got a TYPEWRITER!!! Not just a normal typewriter either. This thing was ANCIENT. You wouldn't believe it if you saw it. You don't even have to plug it in! It's crazy, I'm telling you!! It uses something like...like a ribbon...or something! For $2.50...can you believe it???!!!"
I simply stared at him in awe...until I could find the words...
"No WAY???!!!!! You don't even have to plug it in??? Dude, I've SO got to see this..."
Thoughts and insights from some of our youth...
Our kids are on a journey...one of learning, one of growth, one of building relationships. Although our kids have been made aware of world poverty through various experiences at La Croix (Feed My Starving Children, Hope Rising, or mission trips they have been on out of the country), many of them have not experienced the drastic gap between how some people live right here in our own culture.
Many of the kids we are working with do not have shoes...they eat once a day (and that's a government meal of bologna on stale bread with some mushy carrots)...they do not get the love and affection we are accustomed to. These kids are not just physically hungry - they are emotionally and relationally starving.
It's definitely making an impact on some of our youth. It may take a few blog entries, but I want to share some of the insights and thoughts that your youth have shared with me and the rest of our team so far...
Many of the kids we are working with do not have shoes...they eat once a day (and that's a government meal of bologna on stale bread with some mushy carrots)...they do not get the love and affection we are accustomed to. These kids are not just physically hungry - they are emotionally and relationally starving.
It's definitely making an impact on some of our youth. It may take a few blog entries, but I want to share some of the insights and thoughts that your youth have shared with me and the rest of our team so far...
I'm amazed at how the kids totally fell in love with us so fast - even though they don't even know us. They really just want someone to pay attention to them. Amanda Webb
I fell in love with this little boy who totally followed me around all day and clung to me constantly - it was awesome! Also, when the kids had to get on a bus to go to the pool, they were banging on the windows and hollering for me and Cody. They didn't want us to leave. Riley Knight
I was really surprised at how appreciative this elderly lady was - when all we did was simple stuff like clean and paint for her. Drew Wilson
I saw a glimpse of myself as a child...no literally, this kid looks JUST like me! Mason Turner
I just loved sitting and talking with and listening to the amazing stories of these people in the nursing home we visited today. Rachel Juhlin
I loved how the kids faces lit up as soon as we walked in the door on the second day! Sammy Rees
There were only two boys at the place my team is serving and I took them and played basketball with them all day just getting to know them and develop relationships with them. It was really cool. Parker Outman
I loved how all of the kids gave us hugs when we were leaving - after only hanging out with them for one day. Creigh Miles
I was just heartbroken by some of the stories these kids were telling me. Lauren Sides
Psalm 119
The theme of Youth Works this year is "Be Different". However, within our La Croix group (there are two other church groups serving with us), JT has assigned Psalm 119 to us to read. We are reading about 25 verses each day and discussing it as a group each evening. We will not be finished with the whole chapter by the end of the week, so we are hoping that they will continue reading once they get home. The entire chapter stresses the importance of God's word...thus we are using it to not only emphasize that importance to them but help them get in the habit of reading the Bible daily and taking the time to reflect upon it.
We would love it if you would join us in this experience. Pick up your Bible - flip over to Psalm 119 and spend a few minutes reading and reflecting on what God may be saying to you. When your youth get back in town, encourage them to keep reading and take a few minutes each night to discuss and reflect on the reading with them. I believe your relationships will be enhanced because of it...your relationship with God and your relationship with a teenager who needs to see that this is important to you too!
We would love it if you would join us in this experience. Pick up your Bible - flip over to Psalm 119 and spend a few minutes reading and reflecting on what God may be saying to you. When your youth get back in town, encourage them to keep reading and take a few minutes each night to discuss and reflect on the reading with them. I believe your relationships will be enhanced because of it...your relationship with God and your relationship with a teenager who needs to see that this is important to you too!
The Gandee Family
As I mentioned, all of the teams this year are called families, as we are named after popular names out of the phone book.
My group is called the Gandee family - led by me and Windall. It includes Emily Diamond, Jessie Muir, Taylor Janota, Amanda Webb, Riley Knight, Cody Likens, Caleb Likens and Riley Duncan.
Our family group is spending the entire week at the Charleston Boys and Girls Club. The CBGC is run by the Salvation Army and works with underprivileged youth and children in the area. In the summer time, they offer a day camp, which is what we are helping with.
We were divided to working with different age groups and will stay with our assigned groups the whole week. These kids need consistency, something many of them are lacking in the rest of their life. Our being with them for the entire week allows us to form closer and stronger bonds.
The age groups are 6-7 year olds (Cody Likens and Riley Knight), 8-9 year olds (Caleb Likens and Taylor Janota/Amanda Webb), 10-11 year olds (Emily Diamond and Jessie Muir), and 12-14 year olds (Riley Duncan and Taylor Janota/Amanda Webb). Windall is primarily with the 10-11 year olds, I am primarily with the 6-7 year olds - but we are trying to help out wherever we are needed most.
There is a crazy amount of kids shoved into this facility and they are extremely understaffed. Yesterday, my 6-7 year old group had 43 students with only 1 paid adult staff member! Without us...I think they may have not had a staff member at all by today:-)
That's pretty much the scoop for the Gandee family. I'm going to try to get all of the families listed tonight...so keep checking in...
My group is called the Gandee family - led by me and Windall. It includes Emily Diamond, Jessie Muir, Taylor Janota, Amanda Webb, Riley Knight, Cody Likens, Caleb Likens and Riley Duncan.
Our family group is spending the entire week at the Charleston Boys and Girls Club. The CBGC is run by the Salvation Army and works with underprivileged youth and children in the area. In the summer time, they offer a day camp, which is what we are helping with.
We were divided to working with different age groups and will stay with our assigned groups the whole week. These kids need consistency, something many of them are lacking in the rest of their life. Our being with them for the entire week allows us to form closer and stronger bonds.
The age groups are 6-7 year olds (Cody Likens and Riley Knight), 8-9 year olds (Caleb Likens and Taylor Janota/Amanda Webb), 10-11 year olds (Emily Diamond and Jessie Muir), and 12-14 year olds (Riley Duncan and Taylor Janota/Amanda Webb). Windall is primarily with the 10-11 year olds, I am primarily with the 6-7 year olds - but we are trying to help out wherever we are needed most.
There is a crazy amount of kids shoved into this facility and they are extremely understaffed. Yesterday, my 6-7 year old group had 43 students with only 1 paid adult staff member! Without us...I think they may have not had a staff member at all by today:-)
That's pretty much the scoop for the Gandee family. I'm going to try to get all of the families listed tonight...so keep checking in...
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Another La Croix First...
Totally forgot to mention this yesterday, but definitely worth mentioning...
Lights out every day is at 11pm, but it seems to be a very difficult task to get the kids to go to sleep - especially the boys - even though the rest of us are totally exhausted.
The first night we were here (after meeting at La Croix at 5:30am for quite a long road trip), lights out was at 11:15pm, as they are trying to fit in a few extra details. As it turns out the big detail is that the Youth Works staff comes around to each sleeping room and reads over the rules of safety for the week.
Apparently, our fearless male leaders - JT and Windall (this is Blake's first year, so he didn't know any better) - forgot about this minor detail and went ahead and turned the lights out early, in attempt to get the boys to calm down.
When the Youth Works staff came by to read the rules, they turned on all of the lights and nearly all of our boys were already asleep! Now, this could be the first time ever that the boys would have all been asleep, giving our adult leaders an opportunity for a full night of rest.
But thank you Youth Works for bringing that 'first' to an abrupt halt!!!
Lights out every day is at 11pm, but it seems to be a very difficult task to get the kids to go to sleep - especially the boys - even though the rest of us are totally exhausted.
The first night we were here (after meeting at La Croix at 5:30am for quite a long road trip), lights out was at 11:15pm, as they are trying to fit in a few extra details. As it turns out the big detail is that the Youth Works staff comes around to each sleeping room and reads over the rules of safety for the week.
Apparently, our fearless male leaders - JT and Windall (this is Blake's first year, so he didn't know any better) - forgot about this minor detail and went ahead and turned the lights out early, in attempt to get the boys to calm down.
When the Youth Works staff came by to read the rules, they turned on all of the lights and nearly all of our boys were already asleep! Now, this could be the first time ever that the boys would have all been asleep, giving our adult leaders an opportunity for a full night of rest.
But thank you Youth Works for bringing that 'first' to an abrupt halt!!!
Charleston, West Virginia
This is Youth Work's 8th summer in Charleston, WV. There are lots of pre-existing ministries within the city ranging from Boys and Girls Clubs to elderly homes. Here's some info about the city we will be working in this week...
- current population is 50,478, which is down from 85,796 in 1960
- it is the largest city in West Virginia and is the state capital
- it is a river city at the junction of the Elk and Kanawha rivers
- 24.5% of those under the age of 18 in Charleston are living below the poverty line
the racial make up of the city is 80% white, 15% African American, and 5% other
Each year, after arrival, we are divided into groups based on the culture of where we are serving. This year is no different. Last year, we were in groups named after cheeses...this year, it seems there are some REALLY popular family names in this area - based on the number of times you find them in the phone book...so for this week, we have family names.
Today, each time I can get wi-fi (which may not happen again until tonight) I will try to post a family name, the group and tell you a little about where they are serving this week.
Also, I have a few other things to post - a little at a time.
So, keep checking in...
- current population is 50,478, which is down from 85,796 in 1960
- it is the largest city in West Virginia and is the state capital
- it is a river city at the junction of the Elk and Kanawha rivers
- 24.5% of those under the age of 18 in Charleston are living below the poverty line
the racial make up of the city is 80% white, 15% African American, and 5% other
Each year, after arrival, we are divided into groups based on the culture of where we are serving. This year is no different. Last year, we were in groups named after cheeses...this year, it seems there are some REALLY popular family names in this area - based on the number of times you find them in the phone book...so for this week, we have family names.
Today, each time I can get wi-fi (which may not happen again until tonight) I will try to post a family name, the group and tell you a little about where they are serving this week.
Also, I have a few other things to post - a little at a time.
So, keep checking in...
Monday, June 13, 2011
One day in Mission Field down...3 more to go...
Well, Monday day ONE is finished...although we still have a full evening of stuff going on...our mission projects for the day are finished. The first day is often the toughest, as everyone is getting settled in to new environments, learning what they are supposed to be doing, etc.
Once again, we need every single SIMY (servants in ministry to youth...a.k.a. adult leaders) leading a team at a site, there are none of us to spare. So, my visions of being able to update the blog regularly and upload pics, etc just aren't panning out as planned. So, whenever I get a few minutes, I'm trying to get you all a little info.
First of all - we are all safe - no injuries - no illnesses - no homesickness (except for the adult leaders, ha, ha).
Second - everyone is eating. No child is going to starve (now granted, some of you were smart enough to pack some food for your kids!) but seriously, we are across the street from a Kroger's, so the picky eaters in the bunch are in heaven. It seems that there is a HUGE attraction to going to Kroger's, so I decided to investigate. As it turns out, there is a self-check area there. Now I know that many of you shop at Schnuck's and I know these kids have seen these things before...but you would NEVER know it. They act like we brought them straight out of the back woods and this is their first visit to the big city! Quite humourous...
Finally - everyone is getting along great and the groups worked out really well. I'll post more about that later. I'm hoping I can get wi-fi at my job site, so maybe I can write some more stuff tomorrow during the day.
I'm having a difficult time uploading to the flickr account (by difficult, I mean - IT'S NOT WORKING...), so I am uploading pics onto my facebook page. If you are not friends with me on facebook, just send me a friend invite (Angel Hillman). Also, Shelly Stone and Carly Rees have been uploading pics to their facebook pages as well.
Stay tuned, I'll get you more stuff as soon as I can!
Once again, we need every single SIMY (servants in ministry to youth...a.k.a. adult leaders) leading a team at a site, there are none of us to spare. So, my visions of being able to update the blog regularly and upload pics, etc just aren't panning out as planned. So, whenever I get a few minutes, I'm trying to get you all a little info.
First of all - we are all safe - no injuries - no illnesses - no homesickness (except for the adult leaders, ha, ha).
Second - everyone is eating. No child is going to starve (now granted, some of you were smart enough to pack some food for your kids!) but seriously, we are across the street from a Kroger's, so the picky eaters in the bunch are in heaven. It seems that there is a HUGE attraction to going to Kroger's, so I decided to investigate. As it turns out, there is a self-check area there. Now I know that many of you shop at Schnuck's and I know these kids have seen these things before...but you would NEVER know it. They act like we brought them straight out of the back woods and this is their first visit to the big city! Quite humourous...
Finally - everyone is getting along great and the groups worked out really well. I'll post more about that later. I'm hoping I can get wi-fi at my job site, so maybe I can write some more stuff tomorrow during the day.
I'm having a difficult time uploading to the flickr account (by difficult, I mean - IT'S NOT WORKING...), so I am uploading pics onto my facebook page. If you are not friends with me on facebook, just send me a friend invite (Angel Hillman). Also, Shelly Stone and Carly Rees have been uploading pics to their facebook pages as well.
Stay tuned, I'll get you more stuff as soon as I can!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
We made it safely...
We have arrived safely...four 12 passenger vans and a cargo van...with only 3 stops!!! If this is any indication of how the rest of the trip will go - we are going to have a great week!
Leaving at the crack of dawn has some advantages...a lot more 'quiet' going on during the first 3 hours of the road trip:-)
Our first stop was a bathroom break - and as luck would have it, we chose a gas station that had one bathroom - which gave us plenty of time to be the salt and light of the world to everyone that stopped, saw the enormous line, turned around to leave, and then were allowed to move to the front of the line by our amazing teenagers! (I know that many of you parents reading this right now are saying to yourselves..."why don't they ever act like that with their brother or sister?"...but seriously...they are a great group of kids!)
One stop for lunch and then one last stop and we arrived at our destination: Charleston, West Virginia. After setting up our rooms, we went to 'Club' (where we will have our daily devotionals, worship and debriefing each night) and played a few games before dinner. Tonight's meal was pizza from a local pizza place - Gino's - it was really good - so all of the kids actually ate tonight:-) Food tends to not be the yummiest (we are on a mission trip after all), so alot of kids survive on PBJ for the better part of the week.
We haven't divided into groups yet - so once we know who is in what group and what mission site they will be going to - I will try to post that info.
Leaving at the crack of dawn has some advantages...a lot more 'quiet' going on during the first 3 hours of the road trip:-)
Our first stop was a bathroom break - and as luck would have it, we chose a gas station that had one bathroom - which gave us plenty of time to be the salt and light of the world to everyone that stopped, saw the enormous line, turned around to leave, and then were allowed to move to the front of the line by our amazing teenagers! (I know that many of you parents reading this right now are saying to yourselves..."why don't they ever act like that with their brother or sister?"...but seriously...they are a great group of kids!)
One stop for lunch and then one last stop and we arrived at our destination: Charleston, West Virginia. After setting up our rooms, we went to 'Club' (where we will have our daily devotionals, worship and debriefing each night) and played a few games before dinner. Tonight's meal was pizza from a local pizza place - Gino's - it was really good - so all of the kids actually ate tonight:-) Food tends to not be the yummiest (we are on a mission trip after all), so alot of kids survive on PBJ for the better part of the week.
We haven't divided into groups yet - so once we know who is in what group and what mission site they will be going to - I will try to post that info.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Final Full Day...
Team Asiago spent the last day at Village at Manor Park. By today, we knew a lot of the residents really well and were looking forward to seeing them. It was really sad when we were leaving today, knowing we would likely never see these folks again.
One lady in particular, Judy, really touched us. She is only 62 and very coherent. She was so on top of her game, I assumed she was just there to rehab an injury. Turns out, she has been there 7 years. Her husband visits her every single night - only missing 9 days in 7 years...wow! I was totally touched.
Judy really took to our kids and by the time we left, had asked them to write to her and keep in touch. She is a very strong Christian and a super positive influence in the middle of a lot of negativity. I was totally inspired and have to believe that the reason she is in that nursing home is to spread the love of Jesus to those around her.
The Gouda team spent their last day at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. This is a place where homeless people can live, work and eat...but they must attend worship, classes, etc. Our team spent the day in the basement sorting towels, which started out somewhat boring and disappointing because they were not able to interact with people...enter Darlene. Darlene is the volunteer coordinator at the rescue mission - with an amazing testimony. She went from being in a very successful career with four boys, to being suddenly unemployed and unable to secure employment because she didn't have childcare. Long story short (the kids on this team can give you much more detail:-), thru a series of events, she got a job at the rescue center - and was actually working two separate jobs just to make ends meet...and now, she's in charge. Her faith has gotten so much stronger throughout...even though she admitted she fell far from God during the roughest spots. Now she can't wait to share her testimony with everyone she meets.
More updates later...
One lady in particular, Judy, really touched us. She is only 62 and very coherent. She was so on top of her game, I assumed she was just there to rehab an injury. Turns out, she has been there 7 years. Her husband visits her every single night - only missing 9 days in 7 years...wow! I was totally touched.
Judy really took to our kids and by the time we left, had asked them to write to her and keep in touch. She is a very strong Christian and a super positive influence in the middle of a lot of negativity. I was totally inspired and have to believe that the reason she is in that nursing home is to spread the love of Jesus to those around her.
The Gouda team spent their last day at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. This is a place where homeless people can live, work and eat...but they must attend worship, classes, etc. Our team spent the day in the basement sorting towels, which started out somewhat boring and disappointing because they were not able to interact with people...enter Darlene. Darlene is the volunteer coordinator at the rescue mission - with an amazing testimony. She went from being in a very successful career with four boys, to being suddenly unemployed and unable to secure employment because she didn't have childcare. Long story short (the kids on this team can give you much more detail:-), thru a series of events, she got a job at the rescue center - and was actually working two separate jobs just to make ends meet...and now, she's in charge. Her faith has gotten so much stronger throughout...even though she admitted she fell far from God during the roughest spots. Now she can't wait to share her testimony with everyone she meets.
More updates later...
Note from a SIMY (Servants in Ministry to Youth)...
Note from Karen Bangert, one of the adult leaders:
"My guys, Matt Moore, Josh Stone, Truman Kinsey, and Mason Turner; are working so very hard. Matt and Truman are herding large groups of small children, lots of smiles! Josh and Mason are helping disabled adults in their activities and meals, amazing! I also believe, from their heartfelt prayers, that they are encountering Christ in a whole new way. Praise be to God for answered prayers!
His,
Karen"
"My guys, Matt Moore, Josh Stone, Truman Kinsey, and Mason Turner; are working so very hard. Matt and Truman are herding large groups of small children, lots of smiles! Josh and Mason are helping disabled adults in their activities and meals, amazing! I also believe, from their heartfelt prayers, that they are encountering Christ in a whole new way. Praise be to God for answered prayers!
His,
Karen"
Busy Day...
Yesterday was cram packed...they kept us busy from the word go. Our only free time (which still was planned out for us) was an hour at the park. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed back in the building we are staying until after 8pm, so I was unable to get my laptop...thus no updates.
I don't have much time right now - as we'll be leaving for our mission sites shortly...but I wanted to briefly share with you all a testimony from one of the students on the trip who shared his journal entry with me from yesterday and agreed to allow me to post it for you all as well...
Mission Trip Day 3; Truman Kinsey
"Today I cried...simple as that. God is AWESOME! I played catch with a little boy named Manex. He was so cute and would chase me and stuff. Going back to me crying...
I felt Him. It was like...nothing I've ever felt before:-) He loves me sooo much and He'll never stop. And I'll never stop loving Him either. Well, bed time...nite."
Parents - you would all be so very proud...I know we are:-) There are so many stories just like this one that we are hearing from the students...I hope that by the end of the trip, more of them will allow me to share them with you.
Yesterdays pics are below...(if you don't see pictures of your child at their job site, their only camera at their site may belong to one of the Colorado team - and I just haven't been able to get them from them yet.)
MILWAUKEE MISSION TRIP - WEDNESDAY
I don't have much time right now - as we'll be leaving for our mission sites shortly...but I wanted to briefly share with you all a testimony from one of the students on the trip who shared his journal entry with me from yesterday and agreed to allow me to post it for you all as well...
Mission Trip Day 3; Truman Kinsey
"Today I cried...simple as that. God is AWESOME! I played catch with a little boy named Manex. He was so cute and would chase me and stuff. Going back to me crying...
I felt Him. It was like...nothing I've ever felt before:-) He loves me sooo much and He'll never stop. And I'll never stop loving Him either. Well, bed time...nite."
Parents - you would all be so very proud...I know we are:-) There are so many stories just like this one that we are hearing from the students...I hope that by the end of the trip, more of them will allow me to share them with you.
Yesterdays pics are below...(if you don't see pictures of your child at their job site, their only camera at their site may belong to one of the Colorado team - and I just haven't been able to get them from them yet.)
MILWAUKEE MISSION TRIP - WEDNESDAY
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The Rapture...
I debated about whether or not to post this...but I just have to share...
Last night at the Scott Christian Youth Center, the pastor was a super excited African American young man. He was fired up for Jesus and had a contagious energy and enthusiasm. He was yelling "Amen" and having the kids repeat it, and yelling "Praise the Lord" and having the kids repeat it.
Then he says..."Are you READY for the Rapture???"
At which point, Cody Likens looks at me with an inquisitive look on his face. He leans over and whispers in my ear..."I thought that wasn't until Wednesday?"
Does he know something I don't???
Turns out, Cody thought the rapture was the name of the soup kitchen we will be serving at Wednesday night...which BTW is called The Gathering:-)
A Typical Day...
So, you know a little about where we are serving...but what does our normal daily routine look like?
YouthWorks is very structured, so there's not much left to guessing.
Each day, there is a 'cheese' group assigned to breakfast crew. That crew meets in the kitchen at 6:45am to start prepping. At 7am, those not up yet are awakened (although I must say we have a LOT of early risers in this group...myself NOT included). Everyone meets for breakfast at 7:15am.
At 7:45am, there is a crew that is assigned to clean the building (bathrooms, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming throughout building, etc). Everyone else has 1/2 hour of free time.
At 8:15am, the entire group meets for Devotions. At the beginning of the week, we were each given a devotional guide - each day we have 1/2 hour of quiet time to work on this.
At 9:00am each day, we all go to our various ministry sites until 12p. We break for lunch, then 4 of the 6 groups, go on to their afternoon sites from 1p-3:30p, at which time they head over to the showers and get back to Unity Lutheran Church (where we are staying) at 4:30p. The other 2 groups shower at lunch time, then head to their afternoon sites from 2p-4:30p.
4:30p-5:30p - free time - unless you are the dinner crew, who starts cooking at 5p.
6:30p - we do various activities each night. Last night was the prayer drive, tonight they went to the United Community Center - an anti-drug and anti-violence center where they will hear stories from ex-gang members and former drug-users about how God has completely transformed their lives. (I'm actually skipping this activity so that I can update the blog for all of you...so I hope someone is actually reading all of this!)
At 8:45p each night we have snack and then at 9:00p we have Club. During Club time, we worship together and have a Bible study lesson.
Following Club, we break into church groups (so the Oklahoma group is with us at all other times), so that we can give the students time to debrief and talk about their days. It's amazing to hear some of the insight these kids have...I mean, how old are they???
Every night at 11pm is lights out. And unlike most overnight trips with the teens, they go to sleep VERY quickly...as they are pretty much exhausted by then.
So that's about it. There's a lot cram packed in there...but it's worth it:-)
I posted what pics I've collected so far from today. I haven't heard many stories yet, since we won't be meeting until late tonight...so if there's anything overly exciting...I'll post it tomorrow.
For pics, check out this link
MILWAUKEE MISSION TRIP - TUESDAY
YouthWorks is very structured, so there's not much left to guessing.
Each day, there is a 'cheese' group assigned to breakfast crew. That crew meets in the kitchen at 6:45am to start prepping. At 7am, those not up yet are awakened (although I must say we have a LOT of early risers in this group...myself NOT included). Everyone meets for breakfast at 7:15am.
At 7:45am, there is a crew that is assigned to clean the building (bathrooms, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming throughout building, etc). Everyone else has 1/2 hour of free time.
At 8:15am, the entire group meets for Devotions. At the beginning of the week, we were each given a devotional guide - each day we have 1/2 hour of quiet time to work on this.
At 9:00am each day, we all go to our various ministry sites until 12p. We break for lunch, then 4 of the 6 groups, go on to their afternoon sites from 1p-3:30p, at which time they head over to the showers and get back to Unity Lutheran Church (where we are staying) at 4:30p. The other 2 groups shower at lunch time, then head to their afternoon sites from 2p-4:30p.
4:30p-5:30p - free time - unless you are the dinner crew, who starts cooking at 5p.
6:30p - we do various activities each night. Last night was the prayer drive, tonight they went to the United Community Center - an anti-drug and anti-violence center where they will hear stories from ex-gang members and former drug-users about how God has completely transformed their lives. (I'm actually skipping this activity so that I can update the blog for all of you...so I hope someone is actually reading all of this!)
At 8:45p each night we have snack and then at 9:00p we have Club. During Club time, we worship together and have a Bible study lesson.
Following Club, we break into church groups (so the Oklahoma group is with us at all other times), so that we can give the students time to debrief and talk about their days. It's amazing to hear some of the insight these kids have...I mean, how old are they???
Every night at 11pm is lights out. And unlike most overnight trips with the teens, they go to sleep VERY quickly...as they are pretty much exhausted by then.
So that's about it. There's a lot cram packed in there...but it's worth it:-)
I posted what pics I've collected so far from today. I haven't heard many stories yet, since we won't be meeting until late tonight...so if there's anything overly exciting...I'll post it tomorrow.
For pics, check out this link
MILWAUKEE MISSION TRIP - TUESDAY
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