Below is a picture of the group and the city. Behind our photographer are the steps in the Rocky movie Rocky climbed up!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Final Day!
We had a great week of serving in Philadelphia!!! We look forward to coming home tomorrow!
Below is a picture of the group and the city. Behind our photographer are the steps in the Rocky movie Rocky climbed up!
Below is a picture of the group and the city. Behind our photographer are the steps in the Rocky movie Rocky climbed up!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Day 4 (Letting Go)
Today we had to say good bye to our newest friends from Harold Oaks Summer Camp. After a fun filled 4 days with the kids, it was finally time to say our farewells. During the week we hepled the kids with crafts, spelling, and math; when we weren't teaching we thoroughly enjoyed just hanging out with them.
One of the kids who caught our attention from the beginning was a young vibrant energetic and lovable boy named Kevin. He is an 8 year old who is obssessed with WWE and never has a negetive thing to say about anyone. late on Wednesday Kevin enthusiastically said, "Are you coming swimming tomorrow with us?!" We were glad to hear that the kids, especially Kevin, were looking forward to swimming just as much as we were. We had been doing a lot of work this week so a nice dip in the cold pool would feel great!
Today we went to the public pool down the road from the camp. As we neared the pool Kevin exclaimed, "There it is" as he sprinted towards the pool; the others followed. Once we got to the pool, Mrs. Maddox, the camp counsulor, told us all to wait at the edge of the pool while the life guards got set on their chairs. As the life guard blew his whistle all the kids jumped in, while cheering for joy! We then spent the next hour playing and swimming with all the kids. Once we finished up we walked back to the camp.
Finally the moment we had been dreading was at hand. As we said good bye to the kids we gave them hugs and took as many pictures as possible to remember the great times we shared. As we pulled kids off of us one kid stood out once more... Kevin ran towards us with open arms and a massive smile. We hugged and told him we would never forget him.
As we pulled away from the camp in our bus we couldn't help but remember the good times we shared with Kevin and the rest of the campers at Harold Oaks Summer Camp.
Nick Strauss &
Reece Belmondo
One of the kids who caught our attention from the beginning was a young vibrant energetic and lovable boy named Kevin. He is an 8 year old who is obssessed with WWE and never has a negetive thing to say about anyone. late on Wednesday Kevin enthusiastically said, "Are you coming swimming tomorrow with us?!" We were glad to hear that the kids, especially Kevin, were looking forward to swimming just as much as we were. We had been doing a lot of work this week so a nice dip in the cold pool would feel great!
Today we went to the public pool down the road from the camp. As we neared the pool Kevin exclaimed, "There it is" as he sprinted towards the pool; the others followed. Once we got to the pool, Mrs. Maddox, the camp counsulor, told us all to wait at the edge of the pool while the life guards got set on their chairs. As the life guard blew his whistle all the kids jumped in, while cheering for joy! We then spent the next hour playing and swimming with all the kids. Once we finished up we walked back to the camp.
Finally the moment we had been dreading was at hand. As we said good bye to the kids we gave them hugs and took as many pictures as possible to remember the great times we shared. As we pulled kids off of us one kid stood out once more... Kevin ran towards us with open arms and a massive smile. We hugged and told him we would never forget him.
As we pulled away from the camp in our bus we couldn't help but remember the good times we shared with Kevin and the rest of the campers at Harold Oaks Summer Camp.
Nick Strauss &
Reece Belmondo
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Day 3
This is Ben and Brenna, from Group 2. Today began like any other day, with devotions at 7:15 am and breakfast afterward. We headed out at 9:00 to our destination: somewhere in Philly (we are not very good at directions). We were working with Ray of Hope, a non-profit whose mission is to provide free home repairs for families with low income. We met Ray and Omar (the founder and his successor, respectively). They were cool guys B-) Our project was to clear out a lot that was filled with five-foot high thistles. It was tough work, but we did it!
Next, we went to visit the kids at Harold O. Davis Summer Camp. They were pretty wound up, but happy to see us :-) We spent most of the time working on animal masks (materials: paper plates, lots of pipe cleaners, gobs of glue, and creative genius). Snack was delicious watermelon.
Sadly we had to leave early for our next destination: Broad Street Ministry. There, we had a nice dinner of garden salad and pasta salad with some folks suffering from homelessness. We were a little nervous at first, but we talked to some very friendly people, like Kevin, Carmin, and Deborah. We even met a sweet elderly Russian lady (who spoke no English whatsoever). After dinner we helped clean up, and then we had a talk with Pastor Erica in the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary was amazing place, and it had the most amazing art installations. There was a mural in the back and a painting in the front, and the ceiling had many windmills hanging from it, surrounded by chains of colorful paper cranes. It was an inspiring sight.
Now we are getting ready to sleep. We have to be ready for the adventures that await us tomorrow (whatever they may be)!
P.S. We miss you, Hewers and Darrochs!
Brenna: Shan and Liam, I hope you're having fun training to be the best actors Franklin Middle School's stage has ever seen. I also want to hear about more broken butterfly records (from both of you)! Also I think you guys should do the Jeremiah Project next year.
Mommy and Daddy, I miss you a lot but ill see you soon!
Ben: Miss you guys! John and Claire you'd better not be driving mom and dad too crazy ;)
P.P.S. were being good we promise ;)
Next, we went to visit the kids at Harold O. Davis Summer Camp. They were pretty wound up, but happy to see us :-) We spent most of the time working on animal masks (materials: paper plates, lots of pipe cleaners, gobs of glue, and creative genius). Snack was delicious watermelon.
Sadly we had to leave early for our next destination: Broad Street Ministry. There, we had a nice dinner of garden salad and pasta salad with some folks suffering from homelessness. We were a little nervous at first, but we talked to some very friendly people, like Kevin, Carmin, and Deborah. We even met a sweet elderly Russian lady (who spoke no English whatsoever). After dinner we helped clean up, and then we had a talk with Pastor Erica in the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary was amazing place, and it had the most amazing art installations. There was a mural in the back and a painting in the front, and the ceiling had many windmills hanging from it, surrounded by chains of colorful paper cranes. It was an inspiring sight.
Now we are getting ready to sleep. We have to be ready for the adventures that await us tomorrow (whatever they may be)!
P.S. We miss you, Hewers and Darrochs!
Brenna: Shan and Liam, I hope you're having fun training to be the best actors Franklin Middle School's stage has ever seen. I also want to hear about more broken butterfly records (from both of you)! Also I think you guys should do the Jeremiah Project next year.
Mommy and Daddy, I miss you a lot but ill see you soon!
Ben: Miss you guys! John and Claire you'd better not be driving mom and dad too crazy ;)
P.P.S. were being good we promise ;)
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Day 2 - (The Afternoon)
PART II - DAY 2
After lunch until bedtime
Ok so the second part of the day consisted of lots of sweat. Our group drove about an hour after lunch to Camden. Camden lies just across the Deleware River and is the poorest city in Jersey and has the highest crime rate in the world. Some words I would use to describe are desolate, helpless, deserted, and suffering. We spent our afternoon at the one building in Camden used to revitalized the community. The Neighborhood Center provides Day Care, bible studies, senior groups, and a soup kitchen. Our task was to mulch a playground. While this may seem like a menial job of littel significance, it just showed us how much work the volunteers have to put into this center.
Five things that surprised me/I learned today:
1. The attitude of Tim, the man who ran the Neighborhood Center
2. The joy that can be found in such discouraging situations
3. How easy it is to fall into sin
4. How much grace God pgrants us everyday
5. Everyone of God's children has sinned, and he will gladly restore us
Quotes I liked:
"We might be the only face of Christ someone ever meets....Can they see Christ in you?"
- Tim
"God's promise is bigger than our problems."
- Mrs. Williams
After that, we left Camden and went to a Thai resturaunt. We then debreifed in a park near some river I cannot spell. Overall, it was a great day.
(Miss you Dad and Anna)
Emily
After lunch until bedtime
Ok so the second part of the day consisted of lots of sweat. Our group drove about an hour after lunch to Camden. Camden lies just across the Deleware River and is the poorest city in Jersey and has the highest crime rate in the world. Some words I would use to describe are desolate, helpless, deserted, and suffering. We spent our afternoon at the one building in Camden used to revitalized the community. The Neighborhood Center provides Day Care, bible studies, senior groups, and a soup kitchen. Our task was to mulch a playground. While this may seem like a menial job of littel significance, it just showed us how much work the volunteers have to put into this center.
Five things that surprised me/I learned today:
1. The attitude of Tim, the man who ran the Neighborhood Center
2. The joy that can be found in such discouraging situations
3. How easy it is to fall into sin
4. How much grace God pgrants us everyday
5. Everyone of God's children has sinned, and he will gladly restore us
Quotes I liked:
"We might be the only face of Christ someone ever meets....Can they see Christ in you?"
- Tim
"God's promise is bigger than our problems."
- Mrs. Williams
After that, we left Camden and went to a Thai resturaunt. We then debreifed in a park near some river I cannot spell. Overall, it was a great day.
(Miss you Dad and Anna)
Emily
Day 2
Hello,
Today was our second full day in Philadelphia. This morning after Devotions we headed out to the Harold O. Davis summer camp like we did yesterday. The kids are so adorable and its so rewarding to see their smiling faces when we walk in. It's also really great when they remember your names and give you big welcoming hugs. Each day of camp they start out with Christian songs and other fun songs that get them up and moving that are led by the kids themselves. Then the we sing some of our own songs from church. After that, the kids all quiet down and they work on some sort of academic assignment. It's so cute to see them learning and really trying hard. We helped them whenever they needed it; it was nice to teach them something and feel like we are really helping them learn.
The kids work hard but thye get bored easily and want to play games or just goof around with us. The little girls love to play with our hair. They say its so soft and different from theirs. We played all sorts of games like Monopoly, chinese checkers, connect four, and hang-man. We always eat lunch with them and its adorable to hear their prayer before eating and to see them really appreciate what they are recieving. I love the little kids, its the best part of my day and I can't wait to see them tomorow.
Jules
*Hi mom, dad, sara, and jake! I miss you guys and tell the dogs I miss them too. I love you!
Today was our second full day in Philadelphia. This morning after Devotions we headed out to the Harold O. Davis summer camp like we did yesterday. The kids are so adorable and its so rewarding to see their smiling faces when we walk in. It's also really great when they remember your names and give you big welcoming hugs. Each day of camp they start out with Christian songs and other fun songs that get them up and moving that are led by the kids themselves. Then the we sing some of our own songs from church. After that, the kids all quiet down and they work on some sort of academic assignment. It's so cute to see them learning and really trying hard. We helped them whenever they needed it; it was nice to teach them something and feel like we are really helping them learn.
The kids work hard but thye get bored easily and want to play games or just goof around with us. The little girls love to play with our hair. They say its so soft and different from theirs. We played all sorts of games like Monopoly, chinese checkers, connect four, and hang-man. We always eat lunch with them and its adorable to hear their prayer before eating and to see them really appreciate what they are recieving. I love the little kids, its the best part of my day and I can't wait to see them tomorow.
Jules
*Hi mom, dad, sara, and jake! I miss you guys and tell the dogs I miss them too. I love you!
Monday, July 12, 2010
1st Full Day in Philly
Our first day in Philly was a great one full of lots of fun and eye-opening experiences. We started our day by going to a local church summer camp where we got to play and learn with some of the kids living in Philly. As soon as we walked into the door they took no time warming up to us, it was like they had known us forever. Eventually we all had our own circle of little kids to play with, talk to, and create memories. The kids were so happy we were there to play with them and were extremely excited to learn that we were going to be coming back every morning this week to be with them. When it came time for lunch we all ate together at the church where the summer camp was held. During the afternoon we went on something called an "Urban Plunge" in Kensington, one of the worst areas in Phillly. We were each given two dollars and our challenge was to make someone's day brighter. Some groups bought flowers and handed them out to people, and others offered to pay for people's purchase in local shops. We got to interact with some of them as well. At the end of the plunge we circled up and prayed, two strangers off the street came and joined our circle. Lastly we went to Mary Jane's Home Enrichment Center where we made millions of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to give to people who were in need of the food. We got to meet an amazing woman named Mrs.Williams who runs Mary Jane's. She truly was an angel who gives everything that she has to God and we learned a lot from her. To end the day we had AMAZING Philly cheesesteaks that filled us up after a long day of hard work! We can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings.
In Christ,
Marie Meador and Katie Athearn
In Christ,
Marie Meador and Katie Athearn
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Philly Here We Are!!!
Hey guys- we all made it here safely. We unpacked the vans, moved into our rooms and then had a nice orientation presented by our CSM leaders. Afterwords, we went out to eat at a small Indian resturaunt called New Dehli. It was awesome! But what was ever more awesome was the great prayer tour we had of the city. The prayer tour was basically a tour of the city, good parts and bad, trying to view it from God's eyes. We ended the tour with a group prayer in field with an amazing veiw of the city at around 10 oclock at night. All in all it was a great first day, and I have a feeling it will just get better.
God Bless
Kevin Cronin
God Bless
Kevin Cronin
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