Junior High Mission Trip - Day Three!

It seems like each day is better than the next.

We successfully survived "hump day". Everyone is exhausted, but we are all well-fed and well-worked by the end of the day. It's no surprise that all are in bed and almost sleeping already :)

Today, we all switched work sites and had a lot of success, once more.

The Yellow Team started of the day at the Food Pantry where the initial goal was to unload, clean and sort cans and dry goods onto the shelving units. They wound up going through LOTS of boxes of goods, paying close attention to the proper location of each good - but only after a rigorous inspection for dents, holes, and potential "yucky" things. 

The second part of their day was spent at the New Door ministry. There, they cut up over 100 tomatoes to be cooked and served for dinner to the homeless population that this ministry serves each night. They also sorted donations, cleaned the kitchen and dining space, prepared utensils for dinner, and cut huge pans of cornbread. 

The Green Team began their day at Common Ground. where they spent the morning cleaning and preparing the facility for guests. They did the shopping for our dinner, and worked at the Christian Service Hospitality House where they helped serve and prepare a meal! They worked SO hard, and we were all so proud!

The Blue Team worked at Mr. Joe's house, painting, all day. They worked so hard and quickly, though, that they got to come back a little earlier than everyone else to take first showers! They finished scraping the house, and finished painting three of its sides! The house looks so much better now!

(Pictures coming soon! Like, tomorrow! We are still in pursuit of the correct cables!)

After the work day, everyone came back for some fun free time. We had breakfast for dinner (especially loved the chocolate chip pancakes!) and had some very fun family group time. We played several group games, including Jenna's personal favorite (and family pasttime)...BLOWBALL! 

After some fun and games, we had ice cream sundaes and another great night of devotion and worship. 

Today, we talked about what the cornerstone of our lives would be. After watching another segment of "Big", we named the things that bring us joy, and started talking about what it meant to set a firm foundation for ourselves, and how we could ensure that our foundations didn't wear away or get cracked with the chaos of life. We referenced the story of the Prodigal Son, as well as Romans 8:28-31, and really got into what it meant to make choices that kept us from holding ourselves back. The big question of the night, though, was "what now?". If we are spending all of this time building a foundation, what do we do once we get home? How will we be changed?

After some really great time of contemplation and personal reflection, each youth was invited to some individual prayer time, or time with Christopher or Jenna to talk about what is going on in life and to pray together for those individuals. 

It was a powerful night, followed quickly by lights out and bed.

Personal side note from Jenna:

I am just in awe of the depth and maturity of these kids. While at  times they push my buttons and wear on my patience, it's nights like tonight that really take my breath, and my words, away. I personally had an incredibly moving evening of prayer, followed by some intense spiritual awakening. It's crazy that even in my role as spiritual leader, I am blessed enough to experience my own spiritual growth. I learn more from these kids than I do anyone else. 

To you parents, thank you for trusting your child with me, and with Christopher. They are all so valuable to me. As I tell them often, I love them so much I can hardly stand it! Tonight, I feel no differently. So thank you. 

With love.