It was a pretty experiencing day; we got to meet kids that
got orphaned at a foster home. It was really great meeting them because they
were polite and really excited to watch us do what we came to do. Today I also
really bonded with my group it was quiet for a while then we started to talk
and we took off from there. The women that lived at the home we were working at
was a great role model to the kids because she really just took in the children
and started to take care of them for a mom that is graduating out of a rehab. I
guess this wasn’t really a bad trip it was great so far and I'm looking forward
to working with my group and the foster family.
-Tommy Nguyen 7/22/2013
Been a long
day I'm not going to lie. Not as hot as last year but still tiresome. Anyway it
was a great day getting to know my group a bit more and great to see the women
we help out. Over the years I've been doing this and now looking back through
all the experiences I guess I really have grown up. I never realized it really
and this year I really feel more humble and more energized to make a change in
this foster mom’s life. Hopefully I can apply all that I have learned to the
future.
-Paul Tran 7/22/13
This being my first mission I can
honestly say I expected it to be so much different. My first day was an
experience like I have never had before and was tough to finish the day. Today
has been one of the best and most inspirational in a long time! At the end of
day 1 I could honestly say I did not want to come back next year but today
giving it another chance, I don’t know what I was thinking yesterday. Breaking
out of my element has been the biggest challenge and also stepping into others
lives but I wouldn’t go back and change anything I have done so far. All I am
looking forward to now is the rest of the week except the day we go home!
-Erica Garl 7/23/13
We’re rampin it up! Third times a
charm I guess, this being my 3rd mission trip I’ve finally got the
hang of everything. With Rick and Matt as my leaders, this year our group stays
entertained and laughing and smiling even after painting and building ramps in
the 100 degree weather. This years mission is a lot different then the previous
years but at the end of the day your still giving your time and doing whatever
you can to better and to help those in need out. Just listening to the elderly
people’s stories as we are building their ramps is amazing. It is all really
humbling and makes you feel good. The previous woman who we built a ramp for
yesterday said that she had been looking forward for this day for the last 7 months
after breaking her spine in 8 places two years ago when she was 81 years old
after falling off of a second story balcony! Knowing someone had waited that
long for something like that is crazy. It’s amazing how such a small thing like
building a ramp impacts someone life so much, and seeing how appreciative she
was about it. Overall, I love doing these mission trips because you get away
from your crazy everyday life for a week and get completely taken out of your
comfort zone. You learn to live a life of simplicity and it really just makes
you stop and think and learn to appreciate what you have in your life. It just
shows that you shouldn’t take anything for granted. Be the change you wish to
see in the world.
Alexandria Knolles 7/23/13
This is my first mission trip and
it’s not exactly what I expected. First there was yesterday when we built our
first ramp for a lady who we never even got to talk to. Then we went to DQ to
use the bathroom and our group had to experience solidarity, which let me tell
you was very hard to do! When we finally got to the second house, it was hot,
we were all tired, and most of us were already cranky. However, with the help
of a big tree that gave us shade and a kind, older lady who shared her stories,
we got through the day and made the best of it. Although there were some gross
moments (the chicken poop and gross green/ brown liquid that ended up on my
hand), it was a good experience. Today we worked hard in finishing our work and
got to learn more about Lowell,
the man who taught us to built the ramps. How some people can be so selfless
and volunteer their works is such an inspiration to us all. So far, although
the work was hard and the sun was very hot, Mission has become an experience I
will never forget and has taught me how
even though you may not want to, living with solidarity and in simplicity can
make the world a much better place. Ramp it up!
~Kelly Spratt 7/23/13
I'm on my first mission trip and I
have to say it has already had its ups and downs. One of the ups I have to say
was when I was at a house with Josh, Erica, Alex, and Rick to paint a stairway
way for an elderly couple so they could get around the house better, but we
also ended up helping them out more by putting in their a/c for them, which I'm
thankful we did for them b/c first: they looked so happy! Second: we also got
to cool off for a minute! Now one of the downs was when we went to this kind
old lady’s house who had 18 kid and lord only know how many great grandkids,
the down was that there was a ton wasp and stuff to throw away which was both
scary to be around that many wasp and to be throwing away some the decaying
plants that had to be chucked, some of which smelled, but I got used to it. I
also got to experience some of what I would like to call, “the most awesome
wisdom and stories from a man named Lowell who is a magic man with tools!” And
learned a lot about what he did in New
Orleans and just how he is just so selfless of a
person to go down there and help with the clean up and how he is helping others
today! So far in the all the work I've done I feel that I'm starting to
understand what I was came down to Yakima to do and I feel that I'm doing a
good job with it. I can’t wait to see what I come leave with now and what’s
coming down in the rest of the week.
P.s: I'm happy that I haven’t
burnt yet!
-Dirk Healy 7/23/13
Today has been one of the longest days of my entire life.
This is my first time going on mission ever. It has been everything i've
expected so far and more. I've met a handful of new people as well as
rekindling with some friendships within our own church group. The first
official day of going out and doing hard work was not as bad as i expected it
to be. I expected myself to be passed out from heat exhaustion..but i didn't!
Meeting the home owner and her foster kids were interesting. It's nice helping
her out while she's helping out her foster kids. Many of my team mates have
good things to say about the family. I'm excited to see our progress on the
house and the relationship we will build with Sharon and her kids with it only
being the first day. Okay bye.
-Gretchen Lirio 7/22/13
