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)

A Great Group of Students

These youth have impressed me in several ways.  Overall, they have not complained about the food, they've been willing to jump into new jobs at the Kingdom House...and they have worked very hard.

We've also had some fun along the way.  Yesterday when we were at the top of the arch I snapped this photo.  It's not a particularly great photo (or flattering, i guess), but it shows something that amazes me:  This group of kids enjoy one another and want to be together.  And, by the way, ALL of the youth are in that pile:  they really do enjoy each other.

It makes me happy to be a part of this team and it makes me pleased to be their pastor.

Tomorrow I expect even more community building, fun, and work.  Can't wait to get to it!  - Scott

fixing up a park.

so today some of my broskis  and i shoveled some rocks at a park close to kingdom house.  it was very hard work, but it  definitely made a difference.  the park went from having a TON of rocks, to having just a few pebbles.  after that my group and i went and helped a group of kids at kingdom house.  it was very fun and i am eager to help with it tomorrow morning! :) -Adam

Love in the Kingdom House

The Kingdom house today was, well,...interesting. Once we finished with lunch I went into the building to work with the kids. I got inside while the others were eating lunch. I was told to just go and pick a random group of kids so Sam and I went over to group #5 and we noticed something weird right away. These kids watched us as we approached their table and as soon as they realized we were coming to their table they erupted into cheers. This surprised me to say the least. These kids, were so happy they they were spending the day with me and Sam, total strangers to them. Sam and I quickly realized that working with the kids was no quiet task. These kids were yelling loud and at one point the whole lunch room exploded into a dance that involved shaking your booty! One thing that really stuck with me today was the kids' need of love. Kids, especially 8 year olds all craved love and affection from someone and sometimes they don't get that from their parents. That seemed to be the case here because when lunch was over, two kids quickly latched themselves to my hands and for the rest of the day I had at least one child gripping my palm at a time. When we walked into different rooms, Sam and I were begged by kids to sit by them or put our arms around them, or just even hold them. One girl in particular seemed to have a certain attachment to me. Always getting jealous when other girls wanted me to hold their hands or sit by them. This girl, after winning a game of addition bingo gave me her prize, a bracelet that I'm wearing as I type this. Kids need love. That's a huge thing that a lot of people overlook. I learned that today and it won't be something i'll be forgetting for a while. I enjoyed seeing The Lord in all the children.       -Shelby

a chance to work with kids

Today, working at the Kingdom House, we got the chance to work with kids. It was definitely a lot different than working outside doing garden work and stuff. It was really cool because you could see God in all of the kids. Some of the kids seemed like they weren't in that great of situations, but were still optimistic and really nice. 

Last night we went to the arch and it was a really cool experience. I'd never been to the top before so it was kind of scary to think there's nothing but air under you!  It was pretty awesome though once I got over the fact we were like 600+ feet in the air. You could see all of St.Louis from the top. It was really cool to see Busch stadium, that was my favorite part. I can't wait for what the rest if the week will bring!  -Elyse

Cherry Coke.

Today i woke up and found out that we actually had a little bit more time to sleep, however i couldn’t seem to fall asleep so i played wii with a few other guys. After losing 4 times in a row i decided to hand it off to another person and explore the church, i found that it was huge and like you probably guessed i got lost. I ended up finding an old room that had doors that led to a small path to the youthroom, by now most people were ready to eat and change. After we ate and packed lunches we headed to a nearby room and waited for a volunteer to talk to us about the poverty around the city. This really opened my eyes to what i didn’t realize. This put me in a more determined mood to really make an impact on the kingdom house with my peers. We headed out to the kingdom house and when we got there we were asked to take the flowers purchased yesterday and really make the front look more inviting. Through the evening we needed more mulch so we went to home depot and purchase some. When we arrived i was THRILLED to find that they had cherry coke! We got some cokes and got our selves ready to pack the truck. We got back and watered. I am having a blast and i cant wait to see what else god will show me through this mission trip!

Plus using a mac (for the first time) and “blogging” on a bus is super groovy.   -Sam

Death in the Hood

So...on a mulch run (on the way back from Home Depot), in what probably turned out to be an overloaded bus (that mulch was heavy, I must have been close to the curb and as I turned the wheel at the intersection and eased forward the bus shuttered several times.  Now there is a flat tire on the back of the bus.  Poor little guy only had a fraction of the life intended for it.  I weep that my hand killed an innocent...

Ok, in order to make parents feel better, let me clarify it is one of two tires (the back of the bus has dual tires) so there was no immediate danger.  A special thanks, today, goes out to Leta Buhrmann, Mary Caisley and Sara Halihan who have someone en route to come fix the bus and get us back on our way for a Gateway Arch adventure, tonight!   -Scott

So far its been pretty awesome

Last night when we got to the church we’re staying at from Kingdom house where we washed the playground and play toys and got a tour, I got lost while going to the youth room, so I decided to just kinda wander around the church and figure out a mental map (it’s really hard to concentrate and type when the boys are yelling and playing foosball).  I found the sanctuary pretty fast, but the doors were locked so I looked through the windows of the cry room to see the stained glass windows, which were absolutely beautiful.  I went downstairs and found a pepsi machine, so I looked for cherry pepsi for Sam, but they didn’t have any.  At one point I heard piano music, so I followed the sound, and a younger boy was having a piano lesson.  Mostly I had figured out where everything was so I went in search of a piano.  It took almost half an hour, but I finally found a piano in the chapel, where there was also an organ.  It smelled really good in the chapel, like easter lillies and lilacs.  After that I pretty much just hung out with the rest of the kids on the trip.  So far its been pretty awesome (everything is covered in glitter *cough*Sam*cough*)    -Brenna

Being Community

Tonight's devotional was the story of Mary and Martha and a reminder that relationships are the primary concern for us during this week.  We should not let the busy-ness of our worktrip become a distraction from relationships:  relationships with one another, relationships with this community, and relationships with God.

A concern for relationship above all else is what brought Christ to us and took Him to the cross.  As we took communion we were reminded of this as we touched the bread and tasted the juice.   -Scott

Rev. Scott Carnes is the Associate Minister at First United Methodist Church of Normal.

OUR Mission Trip

It is interesting to me that my introduction to the wide world of mission trips has involved both ends of the spectrum in a single summer.  With the Sr. High two weeks ago, we went with a company that had everything set and figured out--from worksites to lodging and transportation.  Now with the Jr. High, we set out on a trip out together by hand by Pastor Scott--WE were the people who had to figure everything out...and as for transportation, it’s on me to drive the bus, haha.  I suspect Scott “forgot” to get his certification to stick me with it...

It’s tempting to prefer the flashy, all-inclusive mission trips that involve simply cutting a check and letting a company do all the work.  But this week, this is OUR trip.  We have ownership of our service and we work for the Kingdom how we want to.  What we sacrifice in convenience is more than made up with fellowship, purposeful missions, and the triumph that comes from dealing with adversity and solving problems.  Why should we let mission trip companies have all the fun?

It has been a joy to see the youth dive excitedly into service.  Whether it’s washing, scrubbing, organizing, planting, sweeping, or more scrubbing, it’s incredible to see them so excited about missions and to work with servant’s hearts.  We are excited to see what the week brings, and all send our love home.

Blessings,

Anthony

Anthony Harrison is the Director of Student Ministries at First United Methodist Church of Normal, IL

Cleaning, Scrubbing, and Spraying

Today was a good day to be getting wet (we weren't supposed to, but we requested to be sprayed anyway) because it was relatively hot outside. We were cleaning, scrubbing, and spraying (as the name suggests) the playground at the Kingdom House. We also scrubbed the walls of gymnasium there plus the little trike/ridable toys. When we were done we went to the church we were staying at. It was HUGE!!! They had a room for everything; a coffee room, classrooms were dedicated to a individual class, and they even had several air management units (whatever those are) to top it off. There are 3 floors. It kind of looks like a small hospital. The rest of that wasn’t even close in comparison to the youth room. It had a big screen TV, a wii with some amazing games, there are 7 separate couches, a fireplace a small kitchen type of thing, it has a popcorn machine, a pool and fooseball table, and a big fridge filled with soda. Once we were unpacked and settled we went out to explore the building we didn’t even finish before we got bored. When we got back to the youth lounge we took communion and took showers.  -Ben 

First Day

Today was a great day. The bus ride went smoothly with minimal annoyance. When we arrived here it was really cool to see the St. Louis arch right in front of us. we got there really early and played at the park outside the place we are working at. There was this big rocket ship we could climb in but it was completely covered in and people kept splashing water on top of people but its not a trip without some of that stuff. We started working at the place almost immediately cleaning every inch of little kids toys and play ground. It feels good to do good stuff but only if we did a good job. And i’m not sure if we did but we’ll see. Once we got to the church it was a combination of a frat house and a man cave. But it suits my needs. We had loads of fun here and I alone set up the wii. I’m having a wonderful time and we gladly stay here forever  -Jake

The great first day

 

Today was a very great first day! We had a fun bus ride and we managed to keep ourselves busy (that’s a first :) Then we had our sandwich lunch at a park and they had a rocket ship!!! Highlight of the park! After that we got a tour of the kingdom house and worked outside cleaning the playground and cleaned the gym. It was actually very fun! Then after a wait (Scott takes a looong time at shops), we went to the church. We explored and found many cool places! For dinner we had pulled pork, fruits and vegetables (Just for the parents to know). Then we went back to the room and had some fun with the wii! It was a great first day.  -Chandler

The First Day (original title right?)

This morning started with a good little workout, carrying all of our food and drinks for the week out to the bus. Everyone got involved (even the parents) so we got it done quickly, and after several pictures and a prayer courtesy of Anthony, we were on our way to St. Louis. Despite having no electronics, we are somehow managing to find a way to have fun on the bus ride. At this point, I’m totally bummed out because I forgot my Uno cards but I have been reassured that there will be games to keep our free time fun-filled when we get to the church. Thankfully, we will be working most of the week anyway, so I’m very excited to get started. We will continue to share our experiences over the next couple of days, but that’s it for me, have a good week everyone!  -Connor