Thanks to all of our Eastern Lights family who supported our trip in any number of ways: prayer, donations, and love. We had a great week seeing how Christians are addressing the needs of the urban Atlanta area. Our two teams helped out at day camps, retirement communities, soup kitchens, thrift stores, transitional housing, and community centers. Along the way we read and reflected on various passages from Luke and pondered the question: Who is rich and who is poor in God's eyes? We also learned a great song we want to teach the congregation. We'll be leading a worship service on our trip a Sunday this summer and will share with you more of what we learned and experienced.
Once again, thank you for all your support of our trip.
Pastor Thea
PS--And I can say with complete conviction that we had the best youth group at the site!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Today my group went to the Emmus House, its like a summer camp for younger children to help keep them occupied for the day. We went around 9 in the morning, and in order to get there we had a nice little 30 minute walk from the church. There were three groups there in the morning, all from DOOR so there was alot of volunteers. but we each got a small job to do. Our group( Ben, Brandon, Matt, Elisabeth and myself) started out with a group of kids in the art center where we helped them make little paper clown cups and then plant seeds in them. After that me and Elisabeth went with a group of kids to their dance class. They danced to all sorts of different songs from Michael Jackson to Beyonce. We got the eat our lunch with the kids and some of the other groups there helping. After lunch we all went outside and played on the playground, then came free time. The kids got to go see a firetruck and practice how to exit properly if there were a fire. After that a group of girls and I played with playdoh and games for the rest of the time. The Emmus house was so fun becuase we got to interact with all the kids and see how their daily summer routine went. Now we are all back at th church and are headed out for some icecream! Talk to ya later
-Lindsey
-Lindsey
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
wednesday
today our group went to go work at one of the DOOR workers houses. the house was bought by the church and needed a lot of fixing up. we shoveled out the rocks and rubble from the back yard, and removed brush and filled up a dumpster to the brim with crap.
we then went to the Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field at 4:30 to get 1$ tickets in the third deck. i got a Braves shirt and a free bobble-head. during batting practice i missed a homerun catch by inches. just as the game was about to start it began to rain and hail. the game was delayed one hour. once the game began jose reyes lead off with a triple and scored on a ground out. in the 4th angel pagan hit a 2-run homerun over the right field fence. it then began to rain a second time and the game was delayed again. we then gave up and left Turner Field.
it was a pretty fun day overall.
Ben Hopp
we then went to the Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field at 4:30 to get 1$ tickets in the third deck. i got a Braves shirt and a free bobble-head. during batting practice i missed a homerun catch by inches. just as the game was about to start it began to rain and hail. the game was delayed one hour. once the game began jose reyes lead off with a triple and scored on a ground out. in the 4th angel pagan hit a 2-run homerun over the right field fence. it then began to rain a second time and the game was delayed again. we then gave up and left Turner Field.
it was a pretty fun day overall.
Ben Hopp
Hi All,
-Bruce here to add a few things. It is Wednesday night and half our group just returned early from a Braves game. Our "die-hard" baseball fans are still there waiting out a second rain delay. When Atlanta has a storm they "do it right". High winds, cloud to ground lightning, and marble size hail hit us just prior to game time.
Team #3 earned their keep today with their efforts to remove massive amounts of rock and dirt from the yard of Dwell House - a christian community outreach similar to our Peniel House. They had to quit when the dumpster provided for the task became too full to hold even one more rock.
Team #4 served food to about 200 people today at Crossroads soup kitchen. On arrival, we were warmly greeted by Clyde, who has run this ministry since 1987 and loves it. Crossroads is supported (in Clyde's words) 200% by the Episcopalian church it is attached to. On a side note, we were offered a brief tour that included their STUNNING sanctuary with 20 foot tall windows of stained glass depicting all the major events of Jesus' life from birth to ascension.
Both EL teams were done early today, allowing us to explore a nearby urban mall called The Underground. Us leaders also put some miles on our athletic shoes to visit Centennial Park and strategize our Friday afternoon ahead of the return trip home. We are planning a visit to the Aquarium and a tour of the Coca Cola museum.
Personally, I am impressed by Atlanta and its people. This is a beautiful city with a rich history and culture. In turn, they are impressed by some of us, too. The director of Emmaus House mentioned her favorite volunteer group hails from Grand Valley State University.
We are grateful to our Eastern Ave brothers and sisters for supporting our mission experience and look forward to sharing more or our adventures with you soon!
-Bruce here to add a few things. It is Wednesday night and half our group just returned early from a Braves game. Our "die-hard" baseball fans are still there waiting out a second rain delay. When Atlanta has a storm they "do it right". High winds, cloud to ground lightning, and marble size hail hit us just prior to game time.
Team #3 earned their keep today with their efforts to remove massive amounts of rock and dirt from the yard of Dwell House - a christian community outreach similar to our Peniel House. They had to quit when the dumpster provided for the task became too full to hold even one more rock.
Team #4 served food to about 200 people today at Crossroads soup kitchen. On arrival, we were warmly greeted by Clyde, who has run this ministry since 1987 and loves it. Crossroads is supported (in Clyde's words) 200% by the Episcopalian church it is attached to. On a side note, we were offered a brief tour that included their STUNNING sanctuary with 20 foot tall windows of stained glass depicting all the major events of Jesus' life from birth to ascension.
Both EL teams were done early today, allowing us to explore a nearby urban mall called The Underground. Us leaders also put some miles on our athletic shoes to visit Centennial Park and strategize our Friday afternoon ahead of the return trip home. We are planning a visit to the Aquarium and a tour of the Coca Cola museum.
Personally, I am impressed by Atlanta and its people. This is a beautiful city with a rich history and culture. In turn, they are impressed by some of us, too. The director of Emmaus House mentioned her favorite volunteer group hails from Grand Valley State University.
We are grateful to our Eastern Ave brothers and sisters for supporting our mission experience and look forward to sharing more or our adventures with you soon!
Hey y'all it's Kacie, here to give you a brief summary of my week so far. Monday after a hot, sweaty clean up of the mass amounts of garbage found on the streets, we were then given the opportunity to hang out with the kids in the Emmaus House program. Even though they had just gone on a field trip to a place equivalent to Bounce Party, they were full of energy. When I walked in, I was surprised by the tug on my arm to go play candyland with a few girls. Following that I was asked to color flowers and read a couple books. And finally, concluding the day, was a game of musical chairs.
Yesterday was a whole new experience; we drove to an old folks home to give company to those staying the complex. Right as we walked in, we were greeted by a wonderful woman who gave us a better idea of what their home called Calvin Court was all about. We were then lead downstairs to a work out room, and then a couple minutes later joined by the amazing 65-95 year olds who somehow find the energy to work out. A man who worked in this work out room had given me a list of questions to interview someone with, and right away I was greeted by a man willing answer every question I asked about his life, experiences, and faith. When we finished, he asked me to go upstairs to his yoga class to join about 5 other older women. Let me tell you it's harder than I thought. Finishing the day hanging out with a knitting group, proud to show me their work and willing to teach me how to croche (which I struggled with), we decided it was a relaxing and entertaining day.
Today was definitely a powerful day. We went to a soup kitchen to serve those who needed it. When we got there, the man in charge was excited to tell us all about the organization and show us around thier facility. Then we were put to work. I was in charge of passing out the bowls full of soup, which was just one of the many main dishes they recieved, including hotdogs, sandwiches, and more. To see the gratefullness and smiles these people shared with me made my day. Its nice to see the direct impact you can make on peoples lives.
Since today was only a half day of work, we are now off to the Underground and then it's baseball time. Lets go mets!
Yesterday was a whole new experience; we drove to an old folks home to give company to those staying the complex. Right as we walked in, we were greeted by a wonderful woman who gave us a better idea of what their home called Calvin Court was all about. We were then lead downstairs to a work out room, and then a couple minutes later joined by the amazing 65-95 year olds who somehow find the energy to work out. A man who worked in this work out room had given me a list of questions to interview someone with, and right away I was greeted by a man willing answer every question I asked about his life, experiences, and faith. When we finished, he asked me to go upstairs to his yoga class to join about 5 other older women. Let me tell you it's harder than I thought. Finishing the day hanging out with a knitting group, proud to show me their work and willing to teach me how to croche (which I struggled with), we decided it was a relaxing and entertaining day.
Today was definitely a powerful day. We went to a soup kitchen to serve those who needed it. When we got there, the man in charge was excited to tell us all about the organization and show us around thier facility. Then we were put to work. I was in charge of passing out the bowls full of soup, which was just one of the many main dishes they recieved, including hotdogs, sandwiches, and more. To see the gratefullness and smiles these people shared with me made my day. Its nice to see the direct impact you can make on peoples lives.
Since today was only a half day of work, we are now off to the Underground and then it's baseball time. Lets go mets!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Hellow Eastern CRC the atlanta trip has been very rewarding and interesting. Today we went to the MLK natanal landmark and saw his church, his home and were he is burried with his wife. we allso listened to his last serman wile sitting in the pewes of Ebaneser Baptist Church. I do not know about the other youth members but I got a whole new perspective on civil rights. Hope to be home soon Matthew.
Tuesday
Elisabeth Keen
Today, the group and I went to a neighborhood of houses owned by an orginization called homestretch. They give homes to homeless families. Recently, 7 families just moved out so they were getting them ready for the next people. We helped with 2 of those homes. Me and Lindsey taped and painted walls. Ben and Brandon cleaned the bathroom and Matt, Nancy, and Bob cleaned the kitchen. The family that is going to move in is a single mom with her kids. She lost everything after a nasty divorce. Sadly, we will never meet them but I hope that the little we did helped. After we went to the King center and learned about Martin Luther King Jr. It was very interesting. We also saw his tomb and the house he was born in. It was a good day.
Today, the group and I went to a neighborhood of houses owned by an orginization called homestretch. They give homes to homeless families. Recently, 7 families just moved out so they were getting them ready for the next people. We helped with 2 of those homes. Me and Lindsey taped and painted walls. Ben and Brandon cleaned the bathroom and Matt, Nancy, and Bob cleaned the kitchen. The family that is going to move in is a single mom with her kids. She lost everything after a nasty divorce. Sadly, we will never meet them but I hope that the little we did helped. After we went to the King center and learned about Martin Luther King Jr. It was very interesting. We also saw his tomb and the house he was born in. It was a good day.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Monday
Bob Here on Monday evening
Today our group (Nancy, Bob, Ben, Matt, Elizabeth, Brandon, & Lindsey) worked at a St. Vincent DePaul Thirft Store. It was a short ride out of downtown to the store. We worked there for over 5 hours and did pretty much everything. As the store manager told us: If it isn't on the floor, it isn't making money! Some of us sorted and tagged incoming donations. Others organized the racks and pulled some of the older clothes out that haven't sold and made room for the newer items. We worked together with the store's regular volunteers, who were very happy to have us there helping them out.
The other group (Thea, John, Bruce, David, Kacie, Gabe, and Steven) worked at Emmaus Center, a cummunity center not far from where we're staying. They walked to the worksite. First they had a Peoplestown neighborhood tour and cleaned up an immense amount of trash an litter. Then they played The Game of Life, a poverty simulation game (David couldn't get out of the homeless shelter and Steven was a millionaire, compared to everyone else.) After lunch, they trimmed bushes, pulled weeds, and cleaned up the property. After that they joined the children at their youth center and played games and read together.
Our devotions tonight were from Isaiah 61 and Luke 4 about the year of Jubilee. We discussed how we can free the oppressed, bring sight to the blind, and set the prisoner free.
It might be hot outside, but it's amazingly frigid in the AC'd gym-that's-not-a-gym where we're staying (it's our dining room and our bedroom). We didn't bring enough warm clothes.
Today our group (Nancy, Bob, Ben, Matt, Elizabeth, Brandon, & Lindsey) worked at a St. Vincent DePaul Thirft Store. It was a short ride out of downtown to the store. We worked there for over 5 hours and did pretty much everything. As the store manager told us: If it isn't on the floor, it isn't making money! Some of us sorted and tagged incoming donations. Others organized the racks and pulled some of the older clothes out that haven't sold and made room for the newer items. We worked together with the store's regular volunteers, who were very happy to have us there helping them out.
The other group (Thea, John, Bruce, David, Kacie, Gabe, and Steven) worked at Emmaus Center, a cummunity center not far from where we're staying. They walked to the worksite. First they had a Peoplestown neighborhood tour and cleaned up an immense amount of trash an litter. Then they played The Game of Life, a poverty simulation game (David couldn't get out of the homeless shelter and Steven was a millionaire, compared to everyone else.) After lunch, they trimmed bushes, pulled weeds, and cleaned up the property. After that they joined the children at their youth center and played games and read together.
Our devotions tonight were from Isaiah 61 and Luke 4 about the year of Jubilee. We discussed how we can free the oppressed, bring sight to the blind, and set the prisoner free.
It might be hot outside, but it's amazingly frigid in the AC'd gym-that's-not-a-gym where we're staying (it's our dining room and our bedroom). We didn't bring enough warm clothes.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Well, we have arrived. We are staying at Central Presbyterian Church which was built in 1889. It has four floors with lots(!) of stairs. And we thought it was hard to navigate Eastern!!! We are staying on the 4th floor in a gymnasium with a railing bordering the top. Very cool!! We are here with 3 other groups from around the country which was a bit of a surprise to all of us. It's all good tho. Within the hour the groups were mingling in big circles playing cards. They are excited to get to know some kids from other churches. We have 5 showers total for 46 people so girls shower at night, boys in the morning. So far so good tho. We're all excite to begin tomorrow. I'm going to go find my earplugs. Good night!!
day 2
David-
we made it to atlanta. the ride from cincinatti took FOREVER. about half way through some random rain came while it was still sunny. every time we got out at a rest area it got progressively hotter. by the time we made it to tennessee it was atleast 90 degrees. we got unpacked and did some get-to-know-you activities. there are 3 other youth groups here with us. we are staying in a gym at the church that looks like the Quest Center at Christian High, but not as glamorous and 80 years older. tommorow is our first work day, we will divide into 2 groups. my group is going to Emmaus House to work with their programs. the other group is going to St. Vincent de Paul to help in the donation warehouse.
we made it to atlanta. the ride from cincinatti took FOREVER. about half way through some random rain came while it was still sunny. every time we got out at a rest area it got progressively hotter. by the time we made it to tennessee it was atleast 90 degrees. we got unpacked and did some get-to-know-you activities. there are 3 other youth groups here with us. we are staying in a gym at the church that looks like the Quest Center at Christian High, but not as glamorous and 80 years older. tommorow is our first work day, we will divide into 2 groups. my group is going to Emmaus House to work with their programs. the other group is going to St. Vincent de Paul to help in the donation warehouse.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
First day
After the mindless eating of delicious snack food and many cases of beautiful landscape we finally made it to the wonderful city of Cincinnati, the home of our 6th District Court. "Jim Dandy's" A BBQ restaurant was very scrumptious indeed with ribs and pulled pork sandwiches at the reach or your fingertips. after a long drive we finally make it to the hotel where we quickly noticed the pool, the water was very refreshing and the games were intense, I think it is time to call it a night.
Gabe D.H.
Pictures and longer stories and comments will be here. Shorter comments can be found on twitter here #elmission
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Leaving this week
Eastern Lights will be leaving this week Saturday for Atlanta. Please keep them in your prayers.
Pictures will be posted on this blog. This year we will also be using twitter. The hashtag is #elmission
Pictures will be posted on this blog. This year we will also be using twitter. The hashtag is #elmission
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