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Location:Philly
Friday, August 12, 2011
Pictures
Today was our last day at Herald O. and I actually remember to take pictures. Before I post the pictures I just want to remind you to ask your kids about their experience at Herald O. because all of the kids touched our hearts this week. We hope to stay connected through out the school year with herald o because they have an after school program ever day from 3-6. And our students are really excited about staying connected with kids at H.O.D.
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The fifth day
Yesterday was an incredible day serving in Philadelphia. Once again our day started out at herald o. spending time with the kids, singing songs, laughing, and having them hang all over us in the pool! And yes another day went by that I forgot to take a picture but that is what today is for.
After herald o. we went to a place called Inglis House. Inglis house is a community for people living in wheel chairs. It was an awesome opportunity for our students to meet new people and for them to break down stereotypes that they previously had. We all meet people who made us laugh, this one lady, Melissa loved to tell this one joke and here it is, "what did the chicken and the hen say? Cluck cluck coo coo happy halloween." yes it makes no sense but that is why it is so funny. We also happy the opportunity to help a number of the residents practice for their keen games (there version of the special Olympics) which was a lot of fun. I could go on for a long time about all of the people that we meet but you will just have to ask us more about them when get home.
Our day wasn't over yet because last night we got to make some bag lunches and go down to Logan Square and pass them out to the homeless. There is no way that we would have been able to pass out dinner to everyone there but that was not the purpose of last night. We were just using the lunches as a mean to start a conversation with the homeless. We split up into two groups with six lunches each and it took us almost 2 hours to pass them out because of the awesome conversations that we got to have to the people we meet. This was another incredible experience where stereotypes were broken down for our students.
I could go on but I have to go down stairs and make my lunch before we head out for our last day serving this week. I don't think today is going to be easy for our students to say goodby to the kids at herald o so you can be praying for that. Thanks for all your prayers and we will see you tomorrow morning.
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After herald o. we went to a place called Inglis House. Inglis house is a community for people living in wheel chairs. It was an awesome opportunity for our students to meet new people and for them to break down stereotypes that they previously had. We all meet people who made us laugh, this one lady, Melissa loved to tell this one joke and here it is, "what did the chicken and the hen say? Cluck cluck coo coo happy halloween." yes it makes no sense but that is why it is so funny. We also happy the opportunity to help a number of the residents practice for their keen games (there version of the special Olympics) which was a lot of fun. I could go on for a long time about all of the people that we meet but you will just have to ask us more about them when get home.
Our day wasn't over yet because last night we got to make some bag lunches and go down to Logan Square and pass them out to the homeless. There is no way that we would have been able to pass out dinner to everyone there but that was not the purpose of last night. We were just using the lunches as a mean to start a conversation with the homeless. We split up into two groups with six lunches each and it took us almost 2 hours to pass them out because of the awesome conversations that we got to have to the people we meet. This was another incredible experience where stereotypes were broken down for our students.
I could go on but I have to go down stairs and make my lunch before we head out for our last day serving this week. I don't think today is going to be easy for our students to say goodby to the kids at herald o so you can be praying for that. Thanks for all your prayers and we will see you tomorrow morning.
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Location:Philly
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Day 4
Well the third time wasn't a charm because I still forgot to take pictures at Herald O. but hey we are still there for two more days so instill have time. Yesterday (yes I said yesterday because I was to tired last night to stay up and type the blog post so right now it is Thursday morning) after the morning devotions and lots of singing with all the kids we got to go swimming at a community pool. Since the vast majority of the campers can not swim we were all pretty tired after the hour and half of carrying kids around in the water but it was such a blast. It is s good thing that we had so much fun because we are doing it again today!
After Herald O. We went to the 3300 block of 9th street to meet up with founder and president of Ray of Hope, Ray. I have worked with ray in past years so I knew that we were going to be working hard yesterday afternoon. Ray of Hope does a variety of projects and yesterday we were helping beautify a city block that had just become littered in trash and weeds over the years. Our students work their butts off for almost 4 yours picking up almost every kind of trash that you can think of. Just as we were packing up the van when we were finished I heard someone say "I am never going to litter again!". Here are some before, during and after pictures of our work day.
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After Herald O. We went to the 3300 block of 9th street to meet up with founder and president of Ray of Hope, Ray. I have worked with ray in past years so I knew that we were going to be working hard yesterday afternoon. Ray of Hope does a variety of projects and yesterday we were helping beautify a city block that had just become littered in trash and weeds over the years. Our students work their butts off for almost 4 yours picking up almost every kind of trash that you can think of. Just as we were packing up the van when we were finished I heard someone say "I am never going to litter again!". Here are some before, during and after pictures of our work day.
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Location:Philly
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Day 3 in the city of brotherly love
Today was another great day. I have to apologize because I totally forgot to take some pictures at Herald O. They say the third time is a charm so we will see if that comes true tomorrow. It is amazing how much our students have have connected with the kids at the camp at Herald O. and it is such a blessing for me to take a step back every once and awhile and seeing our students help a child work on their craft, tie their shoe, play basketball, take them to the bathroom, it doesn't matter what the task is they are right there to help the kids out. Tomorrow we get to go swimming with the kids at a community pool, as long a we don't get another crazy rain storm like we had today.
This afternoon we went and volunteered at City Team Ministries in Chester. City Team provides a number of different services to the community and the homeless but the project that we were helping out with was their back to school project they have. Every year they hand out over 2,000 book bags filled with school supplies to kids who other wise would not have any supplies for the new school year. We had they opportunity to play a small part in this great ministry by sorting though donations they have received and taking innovatory on everything that we sorted which included and counting over a thousand pencils. Here are some pictures of our time at City Team.
Our CSM host, Nora, shared with us a quote by Mother Teresa and I thought the quote really connected with not only the work that we were doing today at City Team but everything that we are doing this week. Mother Teresa once said, "it's not how much you do...but how much love you put in that action. We were just played a tiny part in the work that the city team ministry is doing for the kids in the community but our students really put a lot of love into the work they did.
We headed to south street for dinner and at at Jim's steaks for dinner even though I tried multiple times to get our host to take us to Pats for cheese steaks because they are the best at Pats! But trust me I am not going to pass up a cheese steak and everyone else was excited about getting a real Philly cheese steak too. After dinner I thought I would take everyone out for ice cream so we walked down south street in the rain to the dairy queen that I ate at last year to find out that it was closed, not just the day but closed for good. So we walked back to this frozen yogurt place we saw and it turned out to be a create your own dessert and boy was it DELICIOUS! The only problem is that you pay by the ounce so by the time everyone was done we had over 5 pounds of frozen yogurt and toppings but it was worthy every penny!
So that was our day in a nutshell. Thank you for all of your prayers and you should be proud of your kids because they have been such a blessing to be serving with and have done everything and more that has been asked of them to do!
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This afternoon we went and volunteered at City Team Ministries in Chester. City Team provides a number of different services to the community and the homeless but the project that we were helping out with was their back to school project they have. Every year they hand out over 2,000 book bags filled with school supplies to kids who other wise would not have any supplies for the new school year. We had they opportunity to play a small part in this great ministry by sorting though donations they have received and taking innovatory on everything that we sorted which included and counting over a thousand pencils. Here are some pictures of our time at City Team.
Our CSM host, Nora, shared with us a quote by Mother Teresa and I thought the quote really connected with not only the work that we were doing today at City Team but everything that we are doing this week. Mother Teresa once said, "it's not how much you do...but how much love you put in that action. We were just played a tiny part in the work that the city team ministry is doing for the kids in the community but our students really put a lot of love into the work they did.
We headed to south street for dinner and at at Jim's steaks for dinner even though I tried multiple times to get our host to take us to Pats for cheese steaks because they are the best at Pats! But trust me I am not going to pass up a cheese steak and everyone else was excited about getting a real Philly cheese steak too. After dinner I thought I would take everyone out for ice cream so we walked down south street in the rain to the dairy queen that I ate at last year to find out that it was closed, not just the day but closed for good. So we walked back to this frozen yogurt place we saw and it turned out to be a create your own dessert and boy was it DELICIOUS! The only problem is that you pay by the ounce so by the time everyone was done we had over 5 pounds of frozen yogurt and toppings but it was worthy every penny!
So that was our day in a nutshell. Thank you for all of your prayers and you should be proud of your kids because they have been such a blessing to be serving with and have done everything and more that has been asked of them to do!
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Location:Philly
Monday, August 8, 2011
Philly Day 2
This post might end up being little shorter then I intended it to be and that is because I had the post almost finished and I hit the wrong button and lost the first draft that I had. So boo on me.
Before the day got started i was excited about what God had in store for us because in previous years i have served at both the Herald O. Davis day camp and the Mary Jane Enrichment Center, the two ministry sites were scheduled to serve at. My expectations did not let me down because today was a great day serving in Philadelphia.
As soon as we walked in the doors at Herald O. the kids we giving us hugs, asking our names, playing games, they were so excited to see us that they got up from eating their breakfast to spend time with us. The rest of the morning until about 1:00 we sang songs, played games, did crafts, and just spent time loving the kids. Our students are so excited to be going back every day this week and really forming relationships with the kids. We we so busy with the kids that I totally forgot to take pictures so I promise to do my best and take pictures while we are at Herald O. tomorrow.
After we at lunch at a park off of Kelly drive we were off to Mary Jane's Enrichments Center. I am not sure if words can really describe Mary Jane's it is one of those places that you just have to serve at to get a real understanding of their incredible ministry. The ministry is run by an amazing woman, Ms. Williams and her son John. Mary Jane's provides housing for anywhere between 20 and 30 people as well at 3 meals a day. We had the opportunity to help serve dinner. Even though out students worked hard bring in a van full o bread, rolls, and donuts. Made gallons of ice-tea and helped serve dinner they felt as though they received more by just being a part of that ministry then they were able to give and I believe that is a great testimony to what God can do in our lives if we are able to allow God to use us and serve others.
Here are some pictures of our time at Mary Jane's
Mmmm mustard and relish
After a yummy Vietnamese dinner and shooting tapioca balls at each other we went to the rocky steps for the days debrief and prayer. As well as some fun on the rock steps and other statues. Take a look.
Okay well maybe this post ended up being just long enough. Thanks for all of the prays. Please leave a comment because I will pass the messages on to the students. God Bless.
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Before the day got started i was excited about what God had in store for us because in previous years i have served at both the Herald O. Davis day camp and the Mary Jane Enrichment Center, the two ministry sites were scheduled to serve at. My expectations did not let me down because today was a great day serving in Philadelphia.
As soon as we walked in the doors at Herald O. the kids we giving us hugs, asking our names, playing games, they were so excited to see us that they got up from eating their breakfast to spend time with us. The rest of the morning until about 1:00 we sang songs, played games, did crafts, and just spent time loving the kids. Our students are so excited to be going back every day this week and really forming relationships with the kids. We we so busy with the kids that I totally forgot to take pictures so I promise to do my best and take pictures while we are at Herald O. tomorrow.
After we at lunch at a park off of Kelly drive we were off to Mary Jane's Enrichments Center. I am not sure if words can really describe Mary Jane's it is one of those places that you just have to serve at to get a real understanding of their incredible ministry. The ministry is run by an amazing woman, Ms. Williams and her son John. Mary Jane's provides housing for anywhere between 20 and 30 people as well at 3 meals a day. We had the opportunity to help serve dinner. Even though out students worked hard bring in a van full o bread, rolls, and donuts. Made gallons of ice-tea and helped serve dinner they felt as though they received more by just being a part of that ministry then they were able to give and I believe that is a great testimony to what God can do in our lives if we are able to allow God to use us and serve others.
Here are some pictures of our time at Mary Jane's
Mmmm mustard and relish
After a yummy Vietnamese dinner and shooting tapioca balls at each other we went to the rocky steps for the days debrief and prayer. As well as some fun on the rock steps and other statues. Take a look.
Okay well maybe this post ended up being just long enough. Thanks for all of the prays. Please leave a comment because I will pass the messages on to the students. God Bless.
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Location:Philly
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Philadelphia Day 1
Well our road trip to Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, was about 14 hours and 40 minutes shorter then our trip two weeks three weeks ago Chicago however I heard the question "are we there yet" about 10 more time in the short drive tonight. Anyway we made it safe and sound to the CSM (center for student missions) housing site in west Philly.
After we got unpacked, beds made, quick orientation, we were our way to dinner at New Delhi, an all you can eat Indian. I was very impressed with our students willingness to try some new foods and every one enjoyed dinner. The best part was when I jokingly told them that they were all out of vanilla and chocolate ice-cream so they would have to branch out and try something new for dessert and everyone loved the new dessert they got.
After dinner we went on a prayer tour of Philadelphia to start our ministry this week. Our prayer tour took us to all different parts of the city. Common places like love park and city hall, all places our students have been before. We were also driving in Kensington under the L and other parts of philly that our students have never been too.
During one portion of the prayer tour we had the opportunity to get out of the van and sit under a bridge and talk about homelessness with our students. The image that I remember the most from the prayer tour is watching everyone try and figure out where they were going to sit on the dirty ground and then watching them come to a realization that this could be where someone is going to have to sleep tonight. God has blessed us with so much and I am so thankful for the opportunity that we are going to have this week to be a part of the great work that God is doing in this great city.
Thank you for all of the prayers.
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After we got unpacked, beds made, quick orientation, we were our way to dinner at New Delhi, an all you can eat Indian. I was very impressed with our students willingness to try some new foods and every one enjoyed dinner. The best part was when I jokingly told them that they were all out of vanilla and chocolate ice-cream so they would have to branch out and try something new for dessert and everyone loved the new dessert they got.
After dinner we went on a prayer tour of Philadelphia to start our ministry this week. Our prayer tour took us to all different parts of the city. Common places like love park and city hall, all places our students have been before. We were also driving in Kensington under the L and other parts of philly that our students have never been too.
During one portion of the prayer tour we had the opportunity to get out of the van and sit under a bridge and talk about homelessness with our students. The image that I remember the most from the prayer tour is watching everyone try and figure out where they were going to sit on the dirty ground and then watching them come to a realization that this could be where someone is going to have to sleep tonight. God has blessed us with so much and I am so thankful for the opportunity that we are going to have this week to be a part of the great work that God is doing in this great city.
Thank you for all of the prayers.
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Location:Philadelphia,United States
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