Home!

Well, we didn't arrive home at the planned time. Unfortunately we took about a 3 hour detour somewhere in Missouri which meant we arrived home at about 1:00am Monday morning. (Note to self: Do not rely on electronic devices for navigational purposes. There is a reason people still use paper maps. They don't need batteries or a wireless signal!)

What a week! I am exceedingly proud of our young people. They are kind, hard working, smart, funny, and wonderful to be around. Thank you to all parents for sharing your children with us this week. I'm sure they will spend most of the day today sleeping, I know Brian and I will!

I will spend this week putting together a short video of our trip to show in both worship services next week. For now, however, I'm going to take a nap!

Heading Home!

What a week! We have painted, cleaned, packed, sliced and moved our way through numerous work projects. We have met new friend, solved clues, learned how to work together to create edible meals, and have had fun together.

Yesterday we spent some time at a water park to cool off and many of us are now sunburned. Our sunburned selves will be worshipping with First Christian Church in Paducah, KY this morning before one final lunch with our new friends from FCC Zanesville, OH. We hope to be home between 9-10pm tonight! Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts while on this venture.

Day 4

Yesterday was a great day! We spent the day helping a day camp with underprivileged kids at Noble Park in Paducah, KY. We ran a carnival for the kids and took them fishing. What a great experience as our kids got to feel the love and appreciation of the kids they spent the day with. Last night the kids were rewarded with a short trip to the McCracken County Fair. We were scheduled to do some garbage pick up along the river but were unable due to our car troubles. Our hope is to get that done today.

Random Act of Kindness Breakfast

This morning we completed aour annual random act of kindness meal. Our groups paid the bill for two unsuspecting tables and provided our waitress with a generous tip. When quesţioned we just shared that we are spending our trip sharing God's love in lots of different ways. IHOP Paducah...done.

Arrival!

We have arrived at our destination in Paducah, Ky!

Our base camp for the next few days will be First Christian Church Paducah.

The kids were surprised (for the most part) to find another youth group from FCC Zanesville, OH who is also, coincidentally, on a Mystery Mission Trip! They will be joining us for the remainder of the trip.

Last night, the first challenge as a new, larger group was to blindly select one aisle in a grocery store and cook dinner for another team. It was an interesting dinner with some successes and some...well, let's just say that ramen noodles will never taste the same.

We're off for a random act of kindness breakfast!

More pictures later!

Back on Track

Turns out our detour in Mt. Pleasant was due to a faulty alternator. Thanks to the kindness of Dave at D&D Automotive we are back on the road and good to go! Next stop: Missouri!

Unexpected Day 1 - The final chapter

As we were nearing Mt. Pleasant, IA the church van began experiencing mechanical difficulties. Evenutally it quit working all together.
We all pulled over on Interstate 380 and weighed our options.

Our first goal: Get off the highway.

Special Thanks to the Super 8 in Mt. Pleasant, IA for giving us a fantastic rate and allowing us to stay. D&D Automotive towed the church van and has promised to fix whatever is wrong and get us back on the road as early as possible in the morning. The good news is that we are all safe and tomorrow is a new day.

Unexpected Day 1 Part 4

Pulling weeds and painting a fence at Judy Loney's house. She has been sick for a long time and appreciated the help!

Unexpected Day 1 Part 3

Delivering FLY Lunches

An Unpected Day 1 Part 2

We posed for pictures before taking off.

Mission 1 found us packing F.L.Y lunches for children in Marion Cares

An Unexpected Mystery Mission Day 1

We got off to a rainy beginning.

Parents came to bid us a fond farewell.

We took lots of pictures.

The trailer was packed and ready to go.

Mission Trip - What to Bring

Hi all! The Mission Trip is rapidly approaching! Please meet at the church at 9:00am on Wednesday, June 23 (Please come dressed ready to work). We will return to Marion late in the evening on June 27th and will call parents when we are approaching so rides can be arranged. If you haven't paid your trip fee yet (and are intending to pay) please get it to Melanie ASAP.

What to Bring:

** Three Days Worth of Clothes you don't mind getting yucky

** Two or Three Regular Outfits

** One nice outfit

**Pajamas

** Tennis Shoes you don't mind getting yucky

** Small Airbed

** Sleeping Bag or Sheets & Blanket and Pillow

** Toiletries (Including bug spray and sunscreen)

** Appropriate Swimsuit and Towel

** No more than $30 spending money

** Books, Paper, Pens, Magazines (whatever you need to occupy yourself in the car)

** Water Bottle with your name on it

** Your best attitude and willingness to help and serve others

Please do not bring:

** Cell phones (youth will be able to use mine to call home and you may call me if you need to contact your child. My number is 312-545-0641 or you may call Brian at 319-329-9314. This helps to build community and relationships on the trip.)

** Lots of Money

** Anything that you are afraid of losing

**IMPORTANT**

Please remember, luggage space is limited. Pack as compactly as you can.