FUMC-A2 Missions: 2016

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Tennessee 2016 - Wrapping up on Friday

Thursday's post went up before the picnic, but it was a great event that deserves a little more press. We had about 150 people gathered at the Newport city park for burgers and dogs. While the grill masters were doing their thing, each of the work crews performed their "theme song" for the crowd. It was silly and not very musical, which is to say that everyone was laughing and having a great time. After we'd eaten, there was music and dancing at the front and serious conversation in the rear. For several of the work crews, this was the first time that they had been able to have an extended conversation with their homeowners. Many of our kids (and adults) reported that these conversations were the highlight of their week.

Friday was kind of bittersweet. Several of the crews actually finished their projects, and even if your crew didn't finish, the sense of accomplishment is very gratifying. On the other hand, we've come to be attached to these families and it's sad to leave them. There were group photos, gift exchanges, lots of hugs, and even a few tears.

Back at the camp, ASP brought us all together in a large circle to give everyone a chance to say what had touched them during the week. It was very rewarding to hear.

After that, the ASP staff filled a gutter (yes, that kind of gutter) with ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup. We all contributed and certain "volunteers" got to eat the ice cream blindfolded and with no hands. It was quite a hoot.

Then it was time for the FUMC-A2 tradition - paper plate awards. Every trip, the seniors make "awards" by decorating paper plates. Everyone gets a special memento of something memorable about their mission week. It's one of the things that the kids really look forward to. Well, the adults look forward to it, too.

Whew - a long day and a late bedtime, but we all went to bed happy. Today, it's drive, drive, drive and everyone looking forward to being home.

We'll see y'all soon.

At the Gigglin Pig

Singing Youth Group songs at morning devotions

With Great Grandma Etta (88 years young)

Hand prints on the T-Shirts

Making Lunches

Painting the new drywall

Signing the drywall before we hang it

The finished staircase

The signed drywall

Tight spaces

Under the trailer

Waiting for showers

Work crew on a hot tin roof

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Tennessee 2016: Theme Song Thursday

All the work teams were required to come up with a "theme song" to perform at the Thursday picnic. It was great fun. More on that tomorrow. For now - more pictures.

Building frames for under the trailer

The steps are almost finished

Cutting drywall

Inspecting termite damage

Lunch time

More lunch

Crafting a "creation"

Posing on the ramp

Picturesque Scenery

Taking a selfie under the trailer

A tour of the garden

The ramp is finished

In the gutter between two trailers

Preparing to install the frames

What the frames are really for

Zeba 2016: Thursday, June 30 Photos

Ashlyn & Sammy

Sam & Isaiah

Balloon games inside the Zeba UMC sanctuary

Ozzie & Sophia pass the ball

Joey, Isaiah, Ian & Juan Pablo watch the skits

Zebalympics confinement challenge (rainy day fun)

Are we in?

Toss the (pipe cleaner) ring!

Even rain doesn't stop us from playing 9 Square!

Zeba 2016: Thursday

Today was our final day for VBS. Sadly, it was raining heavily this morning so instead of heading to the outdoor campground, we held VBS at the Zeba Church. There was a good turnout and we managed to have a lot of fun even in a small small space. There were lots of hugs at noon!

The rain continued through the afternoon with possibly thunderstorms so we did not go to Canyon Falls due to safety concerns. Fortunately, we already had two great waterfall hikes this week, albeit mostly dry versions and the youth were looking forward to jumping off the "cliff". We created our own Zeba Olympics at the Ford Center to keep ourselves entertained for a while and then had free time for crafts, 9 Square, and general relaxing.

Shortly we are leaving for the Zeba Community Center for a potluck with local families, a tradition begun last year when we celebrated the 20th anniversary of this ministry.

Photos to be posted later this evening!

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Zeba 2016: Tuesday & Wednesday, June 28 & 29

Yesterday (Tuesday) we had a great day of VBS with a couple new kids arriving. We have around 30 total, many are familiar faces. Then we took a scenic drive northbound to Copper Harbor. Fresh rainbow trout and whitefish was purchased for a cookout at the state park, Fort Wilkins. After dinner we drove to the top of ~~Broccoli~~ Brockway Mountain for a stunning vista of Lake Superior and more. The sun set as we drove home admiring the views of Superior along M-26.

Today (Wednesday) was day three of VBS at the Zeba Campground and we studied the Body of Christ. The crafts we had involving clay are especially popular as the children love to create with it. Google eyes are also a bit hit and usually end of all over faces.

Then the pastor took us for a special hike to the Sturgeon River Gorge. We drove southwest of Baraga into the middle of nowhere and took a 20-minute hike down the side of the hill, steep enough to involved a number of switchbacks, to a phenomenal waterfall. What an amazing example of God’s creation! Many enjoyed wading in the pools of cool water after the invigorating hike and in preparation for the return uphill. Phew…we made it!