Operation St. Cloud*
On June 16th (Sunday) through 22nd (Saturday), a group of about 12 students and 5 leaders from our youth group went on a local missions trip. The first thing we did was we went to Lake George to kick off our trip with some reflection. We then went to the Place of Hope (POH), the shelter and church where we would be sleeping and helping out. We went on a prayer walk through part of downtown St. Cloud. We spent that night hanging out and preparing ourselves for the week ahead. One thing I must say before I continue is this: I didn't even want to go on this trip, but God made me.
Anyhow, the next day we got up went straight to breakfast ( I had to take meds as I had gotten an infection days before leaving), from there to devotions and orientation (we were introduced to the staff), and from there we went to our different stations to work. Us girls (5 of us total) went to the kitchen (definitely the most fun place to work at POH).
Then we had lunch, got ready to go, and went to a local park to bask (and burn) in the sun for two straight hours teaching local kids basketball, football, soccer, and volleyball (got any guesses which one I was on?) and teaching them about God and the Gospel. Then we came back to POH (very tired and hungry I must add) for supper. At supper it took us a couple days, but we tried to scatter and sit with some of the residents and the community that POH was serving and get to know them. Then we went to the park (or sometimes Lake George) to wrap up our day with some worship and reflections and prayer. Then it was off to bed and getting up again for another day of the same.
Monday and Tuesday were basically the same. Breakfast, devotions, kitchen, lunch, sports camp (we were blessed to have girls who sat quietly respectfully while we spoke about God). Then back for supper and off to the park. Wednesday, though, us girls ended up at POH's thrift shop, Expressions of Hope. We actually bought gag gifts for all of the guys... LOVED 'EM!!! Then it was back to POH for lunch, off to sports camp, back for supper, and then off to Lake George for Summertime at George.
After Summertime at George, we walked to downtown and split up into groups, walking around trying to bring people the good news ( I was terrified!). We met many people in need of God. First we spoke with Telerocku (that was the name he gave us). He said he had tried out Christianity and gave up on it because if God is as good as everyone says He is, He wouldn't have let his grandmother suffer the way she did in her last days on Earth. My heart was breaking for him. Then we met Brittney, who didn't seem to know what she wanted, and after that we met Chris and Chainey, who seemed like they were more just trying to rebel. Afterwards we came back to POH and talked about our experiences that night until about... Well, REALLY LATE.
On Thursday we got to sleep in until 8 or 9 (anyone who knows me knows that for me to say that, then we had to be getting up really early). We then chaperoned the kids from the kids program at POH to a waterpark (I rode a waterslide for the first time!). We got back in time to actually nap for about an hour or so. Oh, I loved that nap! Then we walked to the park and spent a good fifteen minutes (or more) in worship. Then we got in a circle and went around giving affirmations to each other in regards to how we had seen God work in and through each other during the trip so far. When we got back to POH, the other girls and I brought up the gag gifts and presented them to the guys... They loved them! Then it was hangout and off to bed.
On Friday, we spent the morning packing to leave. We went to lunch at the Somali Café... I was surprised to discover that I LOVE it! Then we went to spend the night at the Holiday Inn. We swam, played volleyball (indoor volleyball courts right outside the girls' room), ate at a fancy restaurant, began debriefing, more volleyball, shoe dying, and to bed. The next day, we slept late (YESSSSS!!!!!), packed and got our stuff on the trailer, finished debriefing, and lunched at Chipotle. Then we went back to the church for our parents to pick us up.
This trip has done so much for me: It has opened my eyes, and changed my perceptions. God also pushed me to do so many things that I would not have done otherwise (like the waterslide). I am definitely going next year!
*Pictures here.
Anyhow, the next day we got up went straight to breakfast ( I had to take meds as I had gotten an infection days before leaving), from there to devotions and orientation (we were introduced to the staff), and from there we went to our different stations to work. Us girls (5 of us total) went to the kitchen (definitely the most fun place to work at POH).
Then we had lunch, got ready to go, and went to a local park to bask (and burn) in the sun for two straight hours teaching local kids basketball, football, soccer, and volleyball (got any guesses which one I was on?) and teaching them about God and the Gospel. Then we came back to POH (very tired and hungry I must add) for supper. At supper it took us a couple days, but we tried to scatter and sit with some of the residents and the community that POH was serving and get to know them. Then we went to the park (or sometimes Lake George) to wrap up our day with some worship and reflections and prayer. Then it was off to bed and getting up again for another day of the same.
Monday and Tuesday were basically the same. Breakfast, devotions, kitchen, lunch, sports camp (we were blessed to have girls who sat quietly respectfully while we spoke about God). Then back for supper and off to the park. Wednesday, though, us girls ended up at POH's thrift shop, Expressions of Hope. We actually bought gag gifts for all of the guys... LOVED 'EM!!! Then it was back to POH for lunch, off to sports camp, back for supper, and then off to Lake George for Summertime at George.
After Summertime at George, we walked to downtown and split up into groups, walking around trying to bring people the good news ( I was terrified!). We met many people in need of God. First we spoke with Telerocku (that was the name he gave us). He said he had tried out Christianity and gave up on it because if God is as good as everyone says He is, He wouldn't have let his grandmother suffer the way she did in her last days on Earth. My heart was breaking for him. Then we met Brittney, who didn't seem to know what she wanted, and after that we met Chris and Chainey, who seemed like they were more just trying to rebel. Afterwards we came back to POH and talked about our experiences that night until about... Well, REALLY LATE.
On Thursday we got to sleep in until 8 or 9 (anyone who knows me knows that for me to say that, then we had to be getting up really early). We then chaperoned the kids from the kids program at POH to a waterpark (I rode a waterslide for the first time!). We got back in time to actually nap for about an hour or so. Oh, I loved that nap! Then we walked to the park and spent a good fifteen minutes (or more) in worship. Then we got in a circle and went around giving affirmations to each other in regards to how we had seen God work in and through each other during the trip so far. When we got back to POH, the other girls and I brought up the gag gifts and presented them to the guys... They loved them! Then it was hangout and off to bed.
On Friday, we spent the morning packing to leave. We went to lunch at the Somali Café... I was surprised to discover that I LOVE it! Then we went to spend the night at the Holiday Inn. We swam, played volleyball (indoor volleyball courts right outside the girls' room), ate at a fancy restaurant, began debriefing, more volleyball, shoe dying, and to bed. The next day, we slept late (YESSSSS!!!!!), packed and got our stuff on the trailer, finished debriefing, and lunched at Chipotle. Then we went back to the church for our parents to pick us up.
This trip has done so much for me: It has opened my eyes, and changed my perceptions. God also pushed me to do so many things that I would not have done otherwise (like the waterslide). I am definitely going next year!
*Pictures here.
Anna-I read your blog, and I love that you did this! It's so sweet to see the way the Lord is working in your life. Keep following Him with all your heart! Great writing-I enjoyed reading it :) ~Carly Mott
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