Loaded up and full of energy, the teams head out for
Rosebud. The excitement is really peaked and despite kids saying they didn’t
get a lot of sleep, almost everyone is wide awake the whole ride there.
Unfortunately, upon arrival, our counterpart was not there to meet us. A mix up
in communications meant all the time we had gained for the morning, was spent looking
around the area and getting the lay of the land. Once Kieran arrived, we popped
open the doors to the Aaron Clarke Center and began the day’s preparations.
Before we knew it we had everything just right and it was time to head out into
the neighborhood and pick up the kids.
The van quickly filled with many of the youth who joined us
last year; and some new kids too. Old friendships were quickly renewed and some
could not wait to get back and see the rest of the team, asking if this person
or that came up this year. As we turned into the street heading to the church,
the kids quickly saw our team standing outside the building waiting to greet
them. A whole bunch of high fives, numerous hugs, and great big smiles,
everyone made their way to the lunch line where Sharon and her youth team
served up a couple of really good tacos. We have found this to be a kid
favorite (and an adult one too).
Lunch went on a little longer than usual as everyone caught
up on the last year, but with the meal behind us, it was time to head across
the street to the church for a short bible story and sing along. Our team could
not help but notice how quickly the youth picked up on the actions in the song
and how they were so engaged in the story. Yet there was no time to sit still,
it was off to a nearby field for a little kick ball and duck, duck, goose,
goose. It was really great to see everyone having so much fun. After a little
while, everyone headed back to the community center for a cool drink and craft
time. The crafts Karen and Claire coordinated went over wonderfully and the
kids really had a great time putting them all together.
We had one more treat in store for the youth here, one of
our groups took the day’s bible story and had turned it into a skit and when
they performed it, everyone joined in and at the end the team received a
standing ovation. No skit is complete without a snack to go along with it; and
as today’s bible story was the parable of the good soil, the kids gathered back
in the community center to put together Mud Pies for dessert. The combination
of pudding, crushed Oreos, and gummy worms hit the spot. Before we knew it, it
was time to take the kids home and pack up for the day.
As we headed back to Valentine, the teams laughed and shared
stories of the day’s successes, and excitement began to shift towards “Pool
Time”!!! Trailer unloaded, swim suits on, it was off to the pool for a couple
of hours of fun in the sun. Returning to
St. John’s, everyone walked down the street to check out the local Dollar
General, pick up some snacks, and enjoy the nearly perfect temperature as they
waited for dinner. Despite the snacking that went on, when Sharon pulled out
the pulled pork, the oohs and aahs began. While there were some leftovers,
there wasn’t that much left, hungry teenagers are like that. Another hour of
free time after all the dishes were done before gathering around the dinner
table in our teams for a bible study using the scripture for tomorrow’s
lessons, a look back at the day’s successes, and a reflection on what we could
do better in the future.
Sounds like it was one thing after another today, and it
was, but when asked, the kids said it was all good and they were ready to go
back and do it again tomorrow. But before they can, there was another skit to
prepare, some craft prep needed, and some quiet time with Jesus as another team
led us in the evening’s Compline service.
All in all, a very good day. For those adults who have been
on a few of these trips, we were impressed by the level of teamwork we
witnessed, and how quickly things seemed to come together. One young lady
(during our daily reflection) noted it was because they remembered us and we didn’t
have to jump through hoops to be nice to them. They knew who we were and that
we had always gotten along. Someone then shared it sounds more like a
friendship, a relationship then a mission trip. What an ah-ah moment that
comment was for all. Well, the lights are out, the place is quiet, and it is
time for all good bloggers to catch some zzzzs. God bless this day and tomorrow
too.
