Closing Words

The trip is nearly at its end.  We are packed up in the bus and Anthony is driving us home.  It has been a fun time & we want the members of the team to share their favorite parts of the trip:

I have had a blast on this year's mission trip, getting to know the kingdom house workers, bonding with the youth and connecting with god. This mission trip has been a little different then any other mission trip I've gone on before, but that's not a bad thing. I've enjoyed the museum and the arch and I'm so glad I went!-SAM 

As we are nearing home a few thoughts rest on my mind. The week (though short) was pretty fun and I felt that we did help Kingdom House somewhat. I don't know about the others but I for one had some fun and did make some good memories;). A part of me doesn't even want to leave (though I will be glad to sleep in a room WITHOUT boys nearby and take a nice long and hot shower). I suppose all good things must come to an end at some point. We must focus on the fact that we all are coming home in one piece(we are a bit banged up and bruised though and some people have some pretty severe bug bites-CONNOR-) and the bus isn't too messed up. Thanks for reading! 

                     Yours truly, Shelby <3

Now that the week is over I just want to give a big thanks to Pastor Scott and Anthony for planning and setting up this little adventure of ours. I also want to give Mrs. Herrera and [Rev.] Mrs. Carnes a shout out, because without them our trip would've been canceled and I would've been very disappointed. The week was tons of fun, we experienced the city, learned about the circumstances some people have to live with, and most importantly, we made a difference. I loved this mission trip 

-Connor

I have had a blast this mission trip. It was a lot of fun. I'm still warming up to helping children but it was fun. I really loved the arch but the elevators were incredibly cramped. I am very tired at the time of writing this so I got not sound real enthusiastic but I assure you I am. We also went to the best custard place of all time. The lines were insane but it was worth it. All in all it was a very fun trip and I am excited for next trip.

-Wallace (Jake)

We had doughnuts this morning.

-TJ

I had a lot of fun this week getting closer to the rest of the youth group and getting closer to God.  I can't wait to go again next year :)

-Brenna

I got me some swag shades -chandler

Doughnuts this morning that were good.    

               -max

The kids at the Kingdom House were amazing!!!

                -Ben

The mission trip was really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really REEEEEEAAAAALLLLLYYYYYYYYYYYYYY YY good.

                -Adam

These kids were fantastic, I feel I have gotten to know them better & feel privileged to have shared in community, mission, faith, devotions & 2 communion services (2 open & close the week).  -Scott

The week has been an amazing experience.  In addition to experiencing the fun St. Louis had to offer, our missions work and educational sessions at the Kingdom House have been eye opening and humbling.  I have particularly enjoyed spending time with just the jr. high youth and growing closer together as we serve the kingdom.  Our youth are a blessing and I look forward to growing in faith with them.  Blessings, Anthony

Some photos and video clips

Church family, here are a few photos and videos you might enjoy:

A boy at Kingdom House is clearly excited by this game.

Playing a game as they 'wind down' tonight (do jr. highers ever really 'wind down').

Exploring the City Museum

*throws hands in air*  AAHHH  I give up!

The group really has fun together!

Some of the boys hanging poolside.  It was a tough evening...

Presenting a check to Kingdom House to support their on-going ministry.

Scott and Carrie (btw, they were watching youth go down slides from there)

The group pool party at Carrie's Parents.

a haitian dance class at Kingdom House.

Look at the boys go!

630' up at the top of the arch!

back on the ground...

at Kingdom House

at Kingdom House 

at Kingdom House 

at Kingdom House

at Kingdom House

Custard: A Great End to an Amazing Day!

With all the blogs you might have a sense that the kids have only had fun.  Not true.  They have worked very hard.  They have cleaned, mulched, gardened, assisted in classrooms, and, just as importantly, had learning sessions about poverty throughout the week.  They have learned a lot about society, education, and economics - just to name a few.

In addition to our learning sessions and mission work during the day, we also planned several fun activities.  We went to the arch, city museum, and had a barbecue and pool party at my wife's, Carrie's, parents.  Due to last-minute chaperone complications we had two substitutes split the week, but needed to shorten the trip.  That meant that we lost our trip to the zoo and a homelessness / poverty walkabout, but we packed a lot into the days we had!  By the way, Danell and Carrie, who stepped in at the last minute have been awesome!  How great that they would up-end their week to make this trip happen with only a few days notice.

In many ways it was nice to have more flexibility in our budget because it allowed us to make a stop at the renowned Ted Drewes custard shop in St. Louis.  It was a great treat to end a wonderful week and an amazing day.  As I type this, the youth are sleeping (although we allowed them to stay up later tonight) and I am about to settle in, so time to sign-off.

I want to thank Kirkwood United Methodist Church for hosting/housing us, The Kingdom House for allowing us to work with their precious children, the Berry family for cooking and playing with us, and, of course, all those who supported the group to make this happen.

Most importantly, I thank all who came on this trip.  It was only so great because of these kids and adults!  Oh, parents, this is important.  We are planning to be at the church around noon.  The youth will call from springfield with an ETA on the adult cell phones.

blessings,

Scott

A Custard-Filled Day

So today we went to the city museum and we climbed and rode slides. Anthony got back at me for shaking the buss shaking a metal tube over a hundred feet off the ground (at least it felt ), but all over a great custard filled day.      -max

Right Up My Alley

Today i was thrilled because we were going to the city museum! although we woke up a little bit earlier, i was still excited. we traveled for a little while and finally got there. we got our tickets and separated into groups. There was so much to see and so much to take in. One thing i noticed was the compassion in this town. A sister helping her brother, families having fun and the staff wouldn’t let kids on slides and such for our safety. I probably spent too much time wandering but finally snapped into it, we went everywhere like inside a whale and in caves. I got stuck a lot in the tiny walls and i fell on flat surfaces a lot too. We went to the top floor...by stairs. Considering there was a sign that said it was the short way. ya it wasn’t...we went up 17 flights of stairs and finally arrived. there was a giant slope that you could slide down and a school bus hanging off the side of the building. Super mainstream and cool by the way. We went down the famous 10 story slide and had enough time to got to the gift shop. I got some pretty cool and sciency stuff, like straw glasses that you could drink with, a bubble flyer thing, tablets that make water soda, and glasses since  mine broke. I would love to come back to this town not only for the fun but for the kingdom house. Which definitely made a bigger impact on me then i probably did on them.   -Sam

Super Awesome Super Duper Amazing Awesome Fabulous Fantastic Astounding Phenomenal Extraordinary Week

We worked. We ate. We slept. We woke up. We worked. The End.    (TJ)

On the way to a not-museum

This mission trip has been going quite awesome. At the time of writing this we are on our way to the city museum which doesn’t sound like a museum at all. It sounds more like a gigantic playground for anyone who likes playgrounds. And it doesn’t really sound like a playground either it just sounds awesome. The rest of the trip is really awesome too. For the first time in a while I have actually felt good about doing good deeds. Cleaning the park and sprucing up the outside did actually look good which I was happy about. And tonights the pool party which will only add to the fun. Singing off -Wallace (Jake)