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I went to Texas thinking that the trip wouldn't be that great. I come back, and I wish I had never left.
The first day we get there and Global Expeditions welcomes us. We register and find out the other groups we're working with, a group from New York and a group from New Mexico, and our project director and chill the rest of the day. Day two, we learn about how to talk to people about God and stuff and have quiet time, where we sit down and read out Bible or pray or something for an hour. More sessions and stuff after that. Day three, repeat everything we had done, but, this time, practice a little skit for about five hours. Did I mention that this was Texas? xd :
Day four. Our groups get together early and we ship out to Port Arthur, Texas. We get there and the church we're staying at, The Rock Community Outreach Center, welcomes us. We put our stuff in the rooms that we'd be staying in and talk to the pastor of the church and his wife. We get ready to do a soup kitchen, which they do every Wednesday, to feed people and talk to them and stuff. I was a greeter. xd :
After, church. Then a little session thing and bed.
Day five. Wake up early and eat breakfast and have quiet time and find out what we're doing. One group works at one thrift store while the other works at another. Can't remember quite well what happened after that, but it was cool. The rest of the time went kinda' like this: Wake up, breakfast, quiet time, labor, lunch, labor, dinner, session, bed. We worked with Habitats For Humanity and helped build a house and we did a Night Strike, where we gave a free meal and clothes and a foot wash to the people in need. Talked to them about God and stuff. Went to the mall to minister to people twice. One night, the leaders of the groups had a special little night with their husband/wife where they had dinner and stuff. We also made cards for out leaders. Mine was so beautiful, it made them cry. I love Nick and Alicia so much. (They're the Youth Pastors to the church I go to every Saturday night.)
And while all this was going on, the groups were getting tighter and tighter. Everyone was so close and loved each other so much. When someone was in need, they helped. When someone needed courage, they encouraged them and told them everything was okay. Everyone got to know each other so well that, when it came time to leave, I cried so hard. I wished, and still do, that the groups could have just stayed together forever and get tight with God and touch people's hearts like we did. I'm praying every day that we would all see each other again someday. I LOVE YOU, NEW MEXICO GROUP!! I MISS YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!
And then, the next day, our group and the New York group went to Six Flags. And, you won't believe this, but, I rode every roller coaster I could. Everyone being there with me and Annika giving me the courage to ride them, always sitting beside me and giving me the strength to get on helped me to finally, after fifteen long years, overcome my fear of roller coasters. I rode Batman (twice) and Mr. Freeze and The Titan and Shock Wave and a whole bunch of others! It was amazing! And it's all thanks to Annika! THANK YOU, ANNIKA! I LOVE YOU! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AND COLLIN AT CHURCH TOMORROW NIGHT!!
Then we came home and stayed at Nick and Alicia's house for a couple hours. They interviewed us about the trip and chilled. Mom eventually came to pick us up and then we came home. I cried a little bit. I still feel sad, remembering the awesome time I had with all those awesome people. But, remembering the love everyone had for each other and how much strength every one instilled in each other, all the great memories and conversations, that totally makes all of it worth it.
 · Fri Jul 24, 2009 @ 07:43pm · 0 Comments |
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