First Week of Day Camp

Throughout all summer long the teams in Philly will be holding Day Camp. It is in the afternoons from about 3-5pm. And you would never beleive it but I was put in charge of facilitating it :)

At 2:30 we send groups of three out to pick up the kids at their houses. As the kids filter in they get name tags and there are some activities going on; kick ball, duck duck goose, crafts, soccer, relay races. Then they all come together for songs and a story. The kids get a snack and then we walk every child home.

We pick up the kids and drop them off because while they are under our care we want to make sure they are safe.

So Monday of Day Camp... well... it did not go so smooth. I made some changes and Tuesday was just a little better. Wendesday was even better but Thursday...man that was a great Day Camp. There was no structure or plan just a vision for something great. Good thing God gifted me with organizationsal skills.

During the week of Day Camp a few of the children felt comfortable sharing peices of their lives with the teenages that had come from South Dekota. It was brought to our attention and made very real for our teens that abuse does happen. Please be in prayer for the children that have to endure, the teens that it was made real for, and the staff that is figuring out how to handle it.

Our God is good, even in the troubled times.

Door to Door

Tuesday and Wednesday I lead a group that specifically went out into the community to build relationships. Our focus was to find partnerships with schools, businesses, recreation centers, library and restaurants in the area. Our desire was that we would volunteer at their facilities in efforts to build up the city as well as show them the love of Jesus Christ.

Amious, Austin, Lauryn and I walked up and down the street of Philly. God really opened doors and guided our paths. We build relationships with three of the schools in the area, the public library, a salon, a barber shop, the express pizza, a grocery store and an auto shop.

Right away when we walked into Lou's Auto Shop we saw his need for organization. After some convincing, Austin got up the courage to walk over and ask if Lou needed some help around the shop. Amious game of suggestions on thing we could help with. Then Lauryn looked over and suggested we helped organize his desk. Lou's eyes light up.

After two hours of organizing we only got half way through the papers before it was time to walk back. Lou was very gracious of our efforts to help him. The group wants to go back tomorrow to finish the job.

What a great experience for all of us.

Team from SD

To clarify the church did not have the girls showered finished until Saturday but it was just in time for the teams to start coming. We have not had a team here yet, we have just been preparing for them to come by cleaning, building relationships, learning the community, contacting places to do work projects and lots of praying.

After a 28hr bus ride all 50 students and leaders arrived at 10:30pm. We unloaded the bus and had orientation. It went very well and they loved our 'rules' video. We then prayed for the week, set up for bed and off to sleep.

Today we had church and then we are going out into the community and passing our fliers for the children's camp they are having, praying and getting to know the area. I love to do this. It will be great!