6th Grade Mission Trip: May 2010

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Today was rafting day! Everyone had breakfast and devotions, and then got ready to raft. After life jacket and helmet fitting, we were given a safety course in rafting. We loaded up the college's school bus to go down to the river.

Each raft had 7 to 8 people plus their guide. After hauling their raft to the river, everyone loaded up and learned how to row together as a team. The rapids were awesome but the guides also had fun things planned for the calmer water. We swam, tested balance and trust, shot water cannons at each other and acted like pirates invading the enemies raft. We pulled over to the shore and had a great lunch prepared by our guides. Our guide leader shared a little about how life is like the river and how God is like our guide. Our guide leads us down the river and God needs to lead us through life. We also need to make sure to use all the tools that God has given us. After lunch we went back into the rafts for a couple more hours of rapids and fun. After everyone hauled their rafts to shore we boarded the bus for the ride back to the college.

After everyone showered up and had some free time, we loaded our tour bus to go to dinner at Ryans! Now everyone is having fun in the gym - playing volleyball, basketball and climbing the indoor climbing wall. We will see everyone tomorrow with a bunch of tired, happy servant students (and leaders)!!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Riding back to the college after a very long day. Everyone is ... exhausted, joyful, and filled with the Spirit. We started off the day by going to breakfast and having Bible Study togther before going back to The Father's House to work with Pastor Hill. Student's were divided into different groups to begin: finishing the rooms that they began painting the day before, move trash out to the curb. clean around the church, and pass flyers out in the neighborhood.

In the afternoon students were able to meet Pastor for the block party. Since it was raining the block party was held in the rec center. A record number of people from the neighborhood came to enjoy face painting, a jumpy, parachute games, basketball, door pries, and hot dogs! The kids had a great time meeting the children and their parents and helping everyone have a great time!

After the block party we went back to The Father's House to have a delicious dinner prepared for us by some of the women of the church. After dinner everyone went up to the chapel for a church service. The members of the church led part of the worship and our group led the other part. We had students come up as they wanted to and share about what they had been doing this week. Many of them shared about the work that they were doing (pulling weeds, painting, cleaning out an attic) and talked about how much they enjoyed it. Pastor Hill said that he was going to tell their parents that they said that they enjoyed it because the parents wouldn't believe it. Mrs. Long spoke about a verse that God had given her during her morning devotions. Then Signs of Love did a song for the congregation. The 6th Grade Choir led 2 worship songs. Pastor Hill got up and spoke about Paul and his conversion. Mrs. Long said that her baby kicked really hard for the first time during the church service. Pastor Hill had all the women of the church come around Mrs. Long and pray for her and her baby. The teens of the church did 2 skits. They finished the service with a new song and they had our Signs of Love lead some signs with the song. After the service, they had an informal jam session around the drums.

The students loaded the bus to go back to the college. They got a special treat! We went to McDonalds and everyone got an ice cream.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The morning started with devotions after breakfast. Everyone packed up their lunches and got on the bus ready for a day of serving. Pastor Hill met us at his church and was ready for us to start working. It was raining in the morning, so the students working outside had to be flexible with their schedule and come inside when it was raining too hard. Other work included painting 2 large room and a bathroom, washing windows and blinds, and cleaning the baptismal. The students worked very hard and surprised everyone (even themselves) with how much they accomplished.

We took the bus back to the Appalachian Bible College to clean up and get ready for dinner. We took the bus to CiCi's for dinner. After dinner the whole group met in the meeting room and played a game. Then the kids were able to share about their day with each other.

They thought that it was so much fun and were really tired at the end of the day (there were a few sleeping on the bus). Nathan couldn't believe how long he could keep going without taking a break, even in a hot, difficult job. Kristin commented on how doing a small job could give you such joy. Rebekkah said that she enjoyed hearing the story from Pastor Hill about how he came to the church. God made everything fall into place when the Pastor and the congregation didn't know how they could get to the vision they had from God. Mrs. Long said that it was the first year that she didn't have to tell one student to do something because they weren't working. Students were coming up to her asking what they could do.

We finished the day with a campfire, songs and s'mores! Everyone says that they are having a lot of fun and send love to their families.