2018 Mission Trip Day 7

Last Day

Today was our last day on the job site and we were able to finish up the projects that we started.  We repaired the collapsing roof and replaced the shingles on the front house and repaired drywall that had water damage.  Also, drywall was taped, mudded and sanded in two additional room to prepare them for paint.  In the back house the entire roof was re shingled as well as repairs to a side deck with a ramp and another side wall of the house resided.  New stairs with railings were replaced on the front of the house.  After completing our work the students took their showers and headed back to the church for snacks and free time.  We then gathered to have our last group session and students were asked to find a quiet spot where the could think over their week.   Then it was time for dinner and one of the residents and her neighbor joined us as our guest.  Everyone had a great time with wonderful food and fellowship.  After our guests left we had a small church service with communion.  Then came the traditional revealing of the mission trip t-shirts and more free time until lights out.  It will be an early morning tomorrow to get Christ St. Paul's parish hall back in order, the bus loaded and on our way home.  So, hopefully the students will get some sleep tonight.  There has been another tradition of trying to stay up all night.  The adults are not part of this, we need our beauty sleep.  Overall we had a fabulous week here in Hollywood SC.  The students worked so hard and accomplished so much! We look forward to coming home to our family and friends to share our stories and experiences and we thank you all for your support and prayers!

2018 Mission Trip Day 6

After our rainy day everyone was eager to get to the job site this morning and work.  We had crews on the roof of the first house getting the structure ready for shingles tomorrow.  We had a crew inside the same house mudding and tapping the drywall.  On the second house, we had a crew on the roof nailing shingles, one on the side repairing the foundation for an entry ramp and porch, and one working on replacing a patch of siding.  It was a very busy and productive day!

2018 Mission Trip 
Day 5
Happy 4th of July

Independence Day

Well, what God had in store for us today was rain and lots of it!  We woke up to a down pour and for the first time in mission trip history we did not go to the job site as a group.  Just a few of the adult leaders and students went to re cover the exposed roof with thicker plastic.  Water was leaking through into the home and onto her furnishings.  But God works in mysterious ways.  While fixing the roof it was discovered that a previous group had an electrical wire in front of a stud and a drywall screw had been put through the wire.  This could have caused an electrical fire and the house to burn down.  It had already begun to smolder.  So they fixed that to make the house safe and prepped the site for the full crew for tomorrow.  

Now, what to do with a bunch of kids on a rainy day in Hollywood SC? Well after much discussion with the adults, the senior student leaders made a proclamation that all cell phones be turned in and they have a day of fellowship, games, and rest.  What no cell phones???? The adults were not sure how this would go over with the rest of the group.  Surprisingly all willingly handed them in and we began our rainy day.

We started with our discussion group and talked about ways we show and defend our faith both through our words as well as our actions.  The small groups broke out for further talks and then it was time for games.  Some students played Uno, others played an intense game of indoor balloon volleyball while others went straight to the resting part of the program.  Later in the afternoon the sun came out and they played a spirited game of Frisbee.  The students then took their showers to get ready for dinner.  The kitchen crew made another wonderful meal of hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, potatoes and watermelon.  After dinner we loaded up onto the bus and went to the Riverfront Park which was the old Charleston Naval Base to see fireworks. Everyone enjoyed the different food and drink vendors and a spectacular display.  We got back to Christ St. Paul's around 10:30 and got ready for lights out.  Hopefully no rain tomorrow!  

We hope everyone at home had a wonderful 4th of July!

2018 Mission Trip Day 4

Everyone is starting to get into the mission trip routine.  Wake up early, eat breakfast, do chores, and off to the work site.  This morning for breakfast we had pancakes and bacon as well as yogurt and fruit and then loaded up onto the bus to go to the job site.  When we got there the students unloaded and started to look for jobs.  Roofing crews were formed and up they went to try and get as much accomplished before another afternoon rain.  The dry wall crew gathered their supplies and worked on taping and mudding wall seams.  They got a little carried away with the mud and somehow ended up having clay facials.  As predicted the afternoon thunder showers rolled in and work stopped immediately.  For safety, the students gathered in the house until the stormed passed and the adults packed up the supplies.  That ended the work for the day.  Time for showers and then the annual trip to Rural Mission's for their seafood jamboree.  This is a favorite night for mission trip folks not only because of the delicious food but more importantly the spiritual fellowship with inspirational music.  Students and adults joined in singing, clapping and sharing a very moving time of christian communion.  After dinner, everyone gathered outside for a beautiful sunset on the water.  We then loaded up onto the bus and headed back to Christ St. Paul's. Lights out at 10:30 to rest up and recharge for what God has in store for us tomorrow!

2018 Mission Trip Day 3

Today was a fabulous first day on the work site!!  Everyone woke up to another beautiful sunny day and was excited to start work.  We ate a delicious breakfast, gathered for prayer and we're off.  This year’s work site consists of two houses right next to each other and both need sections of the roof replaced and some interior drywall work.  The students arrived at the site, unloaded the bus and trailer and got straight to work.  Tarps were laid out around each house to catch debris and students scrambled up ladders onto the roof and started taking off the old shingles.  Everyone worked efficiently and very cohesively for the first day on the job and much was accomplished until a rain shower slowed things down.  Hopefully all will dry out overnight enough to continue working on the roof tomorrow.  After a long first day, the students were bused over to the local high school again for showers.  Once back at the church, students had free time until dinner.  After dinner we all played a fun and friendly game of kickball until it was time to have our Christian formation and small group discussion.  Tonight the students were asked to think about and discuss questions on repentance, reconciliation and forgiveness.  Then it was time for bed with lights out at 10pm so everyone will be well rested for tomorrow's work.