We could not post on Day 3, but it was fanstastic. We began working at the Dorcas House. The kids continued painting, washed dishes, labeled the food pantry, organized the children's library, sorted more donations, and other odds and ends. We wrapped up serving at the Dorcas House around lunch and took a break at Chick Fi La.
It was then time to head out to Heifer Global Village. It took about an hour to reach Perryville. Once we arrived we went through an intense learning and group activity time. We looked at our current situation with living and food conditions. We looked at other parts of the world and how food, population, and money is dispersed. It was eye opening to say the least.
Then our group took a tour of the entire village. We made stops at the Urban Slums, Applachia, Zambia, Refugee Camp, Thailand, and Guetamala. At each stop we looked at the housing and a real life situation for each culture. Our groups were divided up into Guetamala, Urban Slums, and Thailand. Each group was given a random amount of supplies and had to barter and trade to survive the night.
The next morning, each group did jobs that people in their culture do on a daily basis. Some washed dishes, cut wood, hauled water, and cared for animals. It was incredible to immerse ourselves into the living conditions, diet, and work habits of another culture.
Students were given an opporunity to serve and to open their worldviews. Mission accomplished! The real measure of success will be to watch the students implement new found truths into their everyday lives!
7.29.2008
Missions 101...Day 2
We all woke up, got dressed, grabbed a bite to eat, and met out at the bus. We headed over to the Dorcas House to begin our day of serving. The Dorcas House is a ministry of the Union Rescue Mission. It is geared specifically for women and children of domestic abuse. You can access more information about this organization at http://www.urmission.org/
At our arrival, the girls were divided into 2 teams. One group of girls reorganized, cleaned, and stocked the food pantry. It was a mess until they got done with it! The Union Rescue Mission serves thousands upon thousands of meals per year. The other group of girls cleaned, sorted, and stocked the donations that the shelter receives. These items range from clothes, toys, and household items.
The boys started a painting project. This began with cleaning walls, taping, and laying down plastic. Then everyone got a brush or roller and went to work. The boys covered ugly green walls with a fresh coat of brown.
Our group took a break and ate lunch with the residents at the Dorcas House. We had hamburgers, hotdogs, and chips. We also took 15 minute breaks in-between to refresh and hydrate.
After lunch, the girls headed upstairs to work in the ladies’ library. They cleaned the entire area and alphabetize the books. The library is accessed often by the ladies of the shelter. The boys kept on with painting and began work on an additional hallway.
After serving, we went to Wal-Mart. Each group was given a $50.00 limit. They had to pick up gifts for 9 different people who are a part of the Dorcas House. We will share these gifts tomorrow. It will be a great blessing to the people.
Our group came back to the hotel and cleaned up. We then went to dinner at Jason’s Deli. This was followed up by catching a Traveler’s Game. The Travs had a great night, but not as good as we did! We wrapped the day up with Missions Debriefing. We reviewed the day and talked about the remainder of the week. We also looked at James 2:14-17.
Tomorrow, we wrap up Dorcas House projects and get ready to go to the Heifer Global Village. More to come!
At our arrival, the girls were divided into 2 teams. One group of girls reorganized, cleaned, and stocked the food pantry. It was a mess until they got done with it! The Union Rescue Mission serves thousands upon thousands of meals per year. The other group of girls cleaned, sorted, and stocked the donations that the shelter receives. These items range from clothes, toys, and household items.
The boys started a painting project. This began with cleaning walls, taping, and laying down plastic. Then everyone got a brush or roller and went to work. The boys covered ugly green walls with a fresh coat of brown.
Our group took a break and ate lunch with the residents at the Dorcas House. We had hamburgers, hotdogs, and chips. We also took 15 minute breaks in-between to refresh and hydrate.
After lunch, the girls headed upstairs to work in the ladies’ library. They cleaned the entire area and alphabetize the books. The library is accessed often by the ladies of the shelter. The boys kept on with painting and began work on an additional hallway.
After serving, we went to Wal-Mart. Each group was given a $50.00 limit. They had to pick up gifts for 9 different people who are a part of the Dorcas House. We will share these gifts tomorrow. It will be a great blessing to the people.
Our group came back to the hotel and cleaned up. We then went to dinner at Jason’s Deli. This was followed up by catching a Traveler’s Game. The Travs had a great night, but not as good as we did! We wrapped the day up with Missions Debriefing. We reviewed the day and talked about the remainder of the week. We also looked at James 2:14-17.
Tomorrow, we wrap up Dorcas House projects and get ready to go to the Heifer Global Village. More to come!
7.28.2008
Missions 101...Day 1
Our group met up at the church at 4 pm. We had a brief orientation, loaded up, and hit the road. Each student brought 15 nonperishable items to donate to the Dorcas House. We arrived at the Dorcas House and took a grand tour of the facilities. It was at this time that our group learned about the function, the mission, and the building of the Dorcas House. We were also filled in on the projects that we will be tackling over the next two days.
After the Dorcas House, our group went to eat downtown at the Flyin Burrito followed by a trolley ride. Our trolley ride took us around downtown North Little Rock and Little Rock. Then we checked into our hotel. We are staying at the Jameson Suites in West Little Rock. The students were able to swim and play for an hour or so.
Next on our list was Missions Debriefing. It was at this time that we discussed the tour of the Dorcas House and homelessness. We talked about the misconceptions of missions, looked at Acts 1:8, and the story of Dorcas in Acts 9:36-43.
Day one was brief, but set a good pace for the week. Tomorrow, we dive into projects at the Dorcas House.
After the Dorcas House, our group went to eat downtown at the Flyin Burrito followed by a trolley ride. Our trolley ride took us around downtown North Little Rock and Little Rock. Then we checked into our hotel. We are staying at the Jameson Suites in West Little Rock. The students were able to swim and play for an hour or so.
Next on our list was Missions Debriefing. It was at this time that we discussed the tour of the Dorcas House and homelessness. We talked about the misconceptions of missions, looked at Acts 1:8, and the story of Dorcas in Acts 9:36-43.
Day one was brief, but set a good pace for the week. Tomorrow, we dive into projects at the Dorcas House.
7.24.2008
Missions 101...Coming
Missions 101 is just around the corner. It is set for July 28-31. This event will mark the 3rd ever Middle School Missions Experience. This year our students will be serving at the Union Rescue Mission, which will include the Dorcas House.
We will conclude our trip by going through Heifer International's Global Village. Our goal this year is plain and simple..."empower students to serve and create an environment to open their world views. "
Please pray that God would do the following for Missions 101:
1) Engage students in projects where they truly make a difference.
2) Open students' eyes to other people and realities.
3) Provide a safe, healthy experience.
We will conclude our trip by going through Heifer International's Global Village. Our goal this year is plain and simple..."empower students to serve and create an environment to open their world views. "
Please pray that God would do the following for Missions 101:
1) Engage students in projects where they truly make a difference.
2) Open students' eyes to other people and realities.
3) Provide a safe, healthy experience.
7.19.2008
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