Pics from Monday Part II

Pictures from Monday

In Their Words - Tumbleweeds (Support Group 3)

Monday was another great day as Youth ROCKS officially began their mission work in Ft Worth:

Sarah Day:

Hey guys! Yesterday was our first day of working and I think we all had a really great time. Fortunately, the heat was not as bad yesterday, especially while it was cloudy. Unfortunately, one of the buildings we were working in was a little toasty. We were able to work for an organization called Beautiful Feet. We spent most of our time organizing the donated food and clothing, and doing clean-up around the building. We also got to worship with them, and afterward we served them a meal. It was really great to see a group of our size working together so perfectly and willingly. After Beautiful Feet, we broke into two different groups. One group went to the homeless shelter, but my group went to Mission Arlington. They are such a big organization that helps in so many ways. What we were asked to do was to spend time with the kids in an apartment complex. Although the kids were a little crazy and rowdy, they were still pretty fun to play with. It was amazing how a little one-on-one time with adults really made them happy. After we played around a little, the guy in charge decided to tell a bible story. I was shocked at how many kids were so willing to learn and remembered past stories. Although spending time with the kids was really cool, it was sad to see they were already being influenced by the negative things around them. My favorite part of a mission trip is always the people I meet, and I met some really cool people yesterday. I hope everyone back home is doing well, and we'll see you when we get back!

Rachel Weiz:

Hey, you there. This mission trip has been very eye-opening. Yesterday, we went to Beautiful Feet Ministries and I helped out with cleaning up the sanctuary, and then I helped to sort out clothes. There were lots of men's clothes, LOTS. Then we had a devotional thing before we went to serve the hungry people who brought their food ticket. After giving out the food, we split up into two groups, and my group went to the Presbytarian Night Shelter. We learned a lot about how many homeless they take in and all they're trying to do and how well it is working. After taking a tour of the PNS, we went to their storage house. Most people began organizing all the furniture they kept in there, but Devin, Colleen, and I had the pleasure of tagging all of the untagged items. We tagged a total of ninety-seven objects. Even though we were intensely sweaty, Mr. Mark insisted on taking our picture. We actually had a lot of fun, despite the harsh heat. We finally got home and did a game night with the church's youth group. We did a huge game of dodgeball, and we failed. I've been giving a lot of high-fives this trip with Devin. Devin and I prepared a poem for this blog and here it is:
Roses are red,
Violets are blue.
Texas is hot,
And we miss you!

Devin Rush:

Hey. We are having an awesome time here in the great state of Texas. Yesterday, we went to Beautiful Feet. I served breakfast to the homeless. They were mostly nice. We met a new friend, I dont know his name but he talked to us a lot about Star Trek and Transformers. He gave us a good laugh. We then headed over to the Presbyterian Night Shelter. On the way there we saw a bunch of homeless people. Every two feet you would see another homeless person. Even if they all hated each other it looked like to me they were like a big family just trying to stick in there. We saw the shelter and how big and what a difference it makes. We went to their warehouse and I got to tag stuff and roll around in chairs with Colleen. It was fun! Then we came back and played dodgeball with this church's youth group. I was the last one on our side left and it was quite scary but kinda cool at the same time. But, then I lost. The End.

Mark Humphrey:

In case you haven't heard, it's hot here. It's hot. HOT. HOT. HOT. HOT. HOT.

The outside temperature gauge on our van has only been under 100 a few times since we crossed the Mississippi River. But onto other things....

You would all be very proud of the attitudes shown by the youth. No matter what job they've been given, I've heard no moans or groans. Organizing food pantries, serving lunches, moving furniture, cleaning rooms...they've done it all well and without hesitation. Remember that the next time they're asked to clean their rooms.

Yesterday we toured a large homeless shelter. Looking down from a balcony at a gym floor filled with rubber mats waiting for people to spend the night reminded me of where we are staying at First Presbyterian Church. We also are sleeping in a gym filled with air mattresses on the floor. The difference is that we can pack up and return to our homes at the end of the week.

Anna Gonzales:

"Are you a kid?" This was the question asked of me by my new best friend at the Beautiful Feet service that is required of those wanting to eat lunch afterwards. She had never met any of us, and instead of seeing our group as priveledged people taking time out to serve, she saw us as kids.Kids who were sitting in the same pew, listening to the same sermon. There was no difference between us until we left the sanctuary and we became the servers and she was just one of many that we served.
After we left beautiful feet we went to Mission Arlington. We went off to meet Ben, who is doing apartment ministry at complex nearby. There we ran around, and was the major mode of transportation for pretty much every child there. About halfway through our time there a man brought his two-year old son named Caleb to play, and told me he likes to wander off. Caleb became mine for the afternoon. It wasn't till later that it hit me, what if Caleb was Luke? Where would he be spending his afternoons if there wasn't poppop and Gigi? What would all of these kids being doing if it wasn't for people like Ben and Mission Arlington? It was a very sobering thought that when school ends, so does a lot of these kids interactions with adults.

Matthew Morris:

This place is fun! ya
but as real as it gets
Yesterday, the number 1 day of our actual work: we went to a few good places. We helped out a Christian food shelter for the homeless. We then went on in Group B to a night shelter so we could help sort the items to be donated to the homeless people finally getting a home. It felt good to help.

Pictures from Sunday

In Their Words - Super Spurs (Support Group 5)

We had a great day yesterday!! We attended two worship services, went on a scavenger hunt, played games, had a Bible study, and much more.

Each day, one support group will write their thoughts on the previous day. Today the Super Spurs will be posting:

Matt Day:

Yesterday we had a good time going to church, playing games, and going on a scavenger hunt. We first went to St. Luke Cumberland Presbyterian Church and had a tour of the building. After that we went out to lunch at Rosa's Mexican restaurant. Then we came back to the church where we're staying and played games and learned what we would be doing this week. We then left and went to the 6:08 church service at 1st Prespertyrian church.

Emily Ghianni:

Our arrival to Texas was amazing. We got here and unpacked everything then got settled in and went over the schedule for Sunday. OMG! Sunday was better than Saturday. The suprising part was the heat. I know Texas is hot but I did'nt know it would be above 100 degrees! So we first went to church service at St Luke Cumberland Presbyterian - then we went to eat at Rosa's Cantina then went back to the church gym we are staying at and had some free time and met our sponsor, Kate. We had a lot of fun getting to know her. Then we headed out to a cattle stockyard and played a scavenger hunt. We should know the results by tomorrow. After that we had a delicious dinner made by a Sunday school class at the church we were staying t. Then we went to another service which I really enjoyed. Finally, we came back and had some more fun, then went to bed reading a very nice letter from Ms Rhonda. I hope the rest of the week goes so good. Keep reading and remember the Super Spurs are the best group!

Gwen Keiser:

You could easily spot the bright yellow mission trip t-shirts bobbing in and out of the tourists milling about The Stockyards as the youth hustled to find items for the scavenger hunt. It was a joy to see, knowing the kids were filled with purpose and having a great time as they gathered facts and photos to complete the task. Every one of the youth have been polite and courteous in each setting they've entered. I am very proud of them.

Gina Wattenbarger:

Well we made the trip safe and sound. We have met some wonderful people at the church services that we attended. I have to say we have a great group of youth kids. It is really hot here so we're making sure everyone has plenty of water. Now we're off to our first day of work. I know it's going to be a wonderful experience. I feel blessed to be a part of this mission we are on.

Colleen Winslow:

We started off our first full day in Texas by going to a church service. They had a more contemporary way of doing things, so it was interesting to see how they worshipped. I really enjoyed it. Then we went on a scavenger hunt in the cattle stockyards [where they hold live cow auctions]. The hunt included finding different stuff in on the street and getting your picture taken while square dancing with a stranger. It was SO hot!! But it was really fun. We came home and had dinner that was made by the sunday school class from the church we are staying at. It was so good! We played games and then went to bed. We had a great day yesterday and I'm looking forward to the rest of this week!

Ashley Leisure:

Sunday: We got 3hr of sleep the night before. All of us had to wake up before church service, and then walmart. And then we had to go to a stockyard it was really, really hot. I did not like it at all! But it was fun and then another service.

WE HAVE ARRIVED!!!!

YouthROCKS arrived in Fort Worth, Texas at approximately 10:30 p.m. (in case your child did not call you!)

As you can see, the trip started out with an adventure as our first challenge, as a group, was to break into our rental van and retrieve the keys that were locked inside.
Everyone is up and moving (and singing) this morning, and we are excited to begin our adventures!

Check back later today for more news.

So, where are we going???

Fort Worth Facts:

• Population: 534,694


• Median resident age: 30.9 years


• Median household income: $37,074


• Median house value: $71,100
  
• Dallas was first settled in 1841


• Average daily temperature — January: 45.5 F, July: 86.2 F


• Average annual rainfall — 37.5"
  
• Average annual snowfall — 2.6"

Our Hosts:

First Presbyterian Church hosts youth groups from around the country each summer in an urban work camp experience.

The Urban Gifts and Passions (GAPs) program is designed to challenge participants to find their strengths and support each other while providing worthwhile assistance to those who have fallen into the "gaps" of our society.

Brenthaven's Youth ROCKS cannot wait for the opportunity to experience this urban plunge!!! While we are serving in Fort Worth, a different group of youth and adults will blog about their experiences each day. Be sure to check back often for new blog updates!!