Yesterday, after my requisite blogging and failed attempts at uploading pictures (I'm trying again right now), I spent time with Team Pentagon, headed up by Team Captains Taylor Quade and Ashley Davie and SIMYs Marcy and Nic. They were serving at A Wider Circle, that has already gotten a couple of mentions in this blog. A Wider Circle, among other things, accepts donations of used furniture and home goods and gives them away to people who need them. While we were there, several U-Haul-type truckloads arrived and Team Pentagon went to work unloading furniture and putting it where it belonged. Also, several people arrived to claim some stuff and our crew would then snap into action to load the furniture they had claimed into their vehicle. It was moments of frantic activity followed by moments of downtime. I learned several things about the group, not the least of which was that Molly is a stellar steam cleaner (she had the job of steam cleaning mattresses to kill the bedbugs). Pentagon worked hard yesterday, and just before we left, the supervisor made it a point to express to me her appreciation for how hard our team worked. I always know that we have good workers, but it's a special joy to hear it from someone else.
After wrapping up there, we headed to our dinner location, Pollo Granjero. We were early to we ducked into a coffee shop called The Potter's House, which is essentially a coffee house church. One of the ladies who is heavily involved - she may be a pastor; I missed the first part of her talk - talked to us for a long while all about the church, it's history, it's worship, and all of the ministries that they have started. It was very interesting stuff, but our crew was really tired so I'm not sure that they got the full effect from the conversation.
After a yummy Salvadoran dinner, we headed to the Lincoln Memorial for debriefing. I got separated from the group and got horribly lost, winding up on the bridge that takes you across to Virginia. After much driving around and finally finding a parking space, I made it to the Memorial...and only beat the rest of the group by about 45 minutes. They also wound up in Virginia, then made it back, then had to take a potty break, then parked entirely too far away. When they did arrive, we had a good debriefing. One concern that was mentioned by a few students was the fact that when they are on these trips, they want to make a change when they get home, whether it be in serving more, or giving more, or being less concerned about their "stuff", but then when they get home, back into their reality, there is no change. Please pray for them, that there is a real change in their hearts and actions when they return to Cape.
Here are a couple of blog-worthy stories from Kim, one of the Team Arlington SIMYs:
- While driving downtown, Cory Hogan thought we were on Embassy Row, where all the embassies are lined in rows on both sides of the street. He saw a building with a lot of palm trees out front and said, "Oh, I wonder if that's for Hawaii!"
- Arlington's pickiest eater, Corey Robertson, has really branched out this week. He has tried every ethnic food we've eaten and he especially liked the Vietnamese food. From a guy who has never eaten steak or pork chops (but he's trying one tonight) he wins the "most improved in eating" award. Alex Ellis wins the "most exotic food eaten" award because she ate a quail egg in her Vietnamese soup without gagging or choking. Way to go, Arlington!
- During our morning devotional on Wednesday, we had talked about being tired and how it could affect how we minister to or treat others. Rachel Diamond shared about how, in Luke 21, Jesus was telling his disciples that the woman who had very little to give but gave all she had gave more to God than the rich man who gave more money. She compared that to us being tired but giving all that we had to serve God well and how that we would be giving more than serving when we are well-rested and serving out of our own "wealth" or strength. Serving and loving others while exhausted requires a greater sacrifice. It was a great reminder to us about how we are to serve and she really encouraged all of us. We have great student leaders on this trip.
- (This story also come from Team Arlington, but came from Barry) While they were driving yesterday, they were on Pennsylvania Avenue and they noticed a huge, white house. They started discussing that, "Hey, I think that's the White House," and were getting excited about it. Their CSM host, Shaina, finally spoke up and said, "Guys, I hate to break it to you, but that's not the White House." They pressed on. Some time later, Barry turned to her and whispered, "When are you going to tell them the truth?" She confessed, "Guys, that was the White House." It was a perfect scam, and the youth were non-too-thrilled that they had been got.
I'll be heading to SOME (So Others May Eat) here in a little bit to hang our with Team Watergate (a.k.a. The Scandal, according to Jenn Lipe) and doing the Urban Plunge with them (more details on that tomorrow), Then tonight, it's on to Ebenezer's Coffeehouse for our debrief. I am still working on housing for us in Lexington on our trip back. If neither of my options comes through, we'll be staying at our originally-planned location in Knoxville, TN. Thanks for your continued prayers...
BTW, don't be looking for any new pictures until we get back. I am having issues with Flickr Uploader. I'll try to get that remedied when we get back home. Sorry for those of you who are visual learners...
One final thing: Houston Below wasn't too thrilled when he found out I posted the video of him doing Young MC's 'Bust a Move.' So when he gets home, make sure you mention how much you loved his rapping ability.
UPDATE: Just received these three notes via text message from Jenn, Team Watergate:
One final thing: Houston Below wasn't too thrilled when he found out I posted the video of him doing Young MC's 'Bust a Move.' So when he gets home, make sure you mention how much you loved his rapping ability.
UPDATE: Just received these three notes via text message from Jenn, Team Watergate:
- Today, Nathan was our super washer in the SOME kitchen! He was speedy, had suds a flyin', and Dave wants him to stay and work full time (Thursday).
- 80-yr-old Bennie worked as hard as the group did, clipping the hedges alongside us as we overhauled her yard (Tuesday).
- Jared almost clotheslined a guy on a moped trying to take a picture of the Washington DC architecture. (Wednesday)
From Mom : If only I could get Nathan to do that at home. LOL No, he is always willing to help his mom out. He is a great kid. I love you, Nate! (had to use your brother's gmail account to post this)
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