Slump Day

So today was definitely the day that the Lord had made...let us rejoice and be glad in it!!!! --Madison

Day three of our mission trip, aka "slump day." Fatigue is starting to settle in, as well as soreness and aches from never ending piggyback rides and "dog-piles." Slump day defines the trip and the people participating. Will we keep going, no matter the aches and pains, or will we give in and nap under a tree? Today we proved that this team does not give in....

From the Stewart Center:

It started like any other regular, Wednesday morning, with pyramids and dog-piles. We had barely been trying five minutes when we realized that the human pyramid was a failure and someone first yelled, "DOG-PILE ON ZACH!" For the next ten minutes, each and every member of our team had been tackled and body slammed into the ground enough times that we probably left body-prints behind.

After morning exercises, about twelve of the kids, along with Samantha and Katie, left on a field trip to the botanical gardens. The 15 minute drive turned into over an hour when two major roads were shut down because of a threatened suicide. They ended up only spending 45 minutes in the water park part of the gardens, but both Sam and Katie agreed that the ride was the best because of the time they got to spend with the kids.

Back at the blue center, the kids were reading and we were working. Somehow, Zach, who likes to tease that the role of women is in the kitchen, ended up cooking, while Aly and Katie helped James and T.J. clear the brush from the edges of the center. He needs a major reality check.   

After lunch, the kids rotated stations, from worship to crafts to recreation to teaching. Each group went a little better than it had gone on Monday. The kids loved the dum-dum suckers in worship and teaching, as well as the relaxation they enjoyed in recreation. They also loved the shirts they were able to tye-dye (as I'm typing my hands are still blue and green from the dye --Aly). 

We were able to connect to kids on a whole new level today, as it was our second time at the center. Many of them opened up to us about their home lives and the kinds of things they are witness to every day. Not only did this make us realize how good we have it at home, it brought us closer to these kids than ever before, and got us more than excited to come back on Friday. 

From Walton Reserve:

As soon as we got to Walton Reserve, which we easily found this time, and said hello to the leaders, we began to place Fruit Loops and a little carton of Orange Juice at the tables for the kids. After a little bit of playing, breakfast was served.

Then, of course, we had to go outside and play (something that is very popular at Walton). You could tell from the very beginning of the day that the kids remembered us and were ready for a great day. A fun little game of capture the flag in the "woods" turned into a 2 hour long sweatfest. Some of the younger kids didn't want to play, so Mallory, Melinda, Kristin, and Lindsay stayed back and played on the playground and in the nice air conditioned computer room with them.

Then it was time for everyone to gather again for a devotional. Mallory and Melinda told the story of Jonah and the whale, and let the kids act it out. We sang a couple songs and were ready to go back outside. 

Lunch was served. Eating with the kids is something I really enjoy. Its a time to sit and talk to the kids while enjoying a great turkey and cheese sandwich, orange, celery, milk, and some animal crackers.

After lunch, and a craft of beaded bracelets (hosted by Evan and Kristin), we went outside to play again. Mr. Van Dyke had a game planned for a hot summer day. The kids had to run across part of the yard, stick their hand in a bucket full of ice, pick out one marble and place it in another bucket. The first team to get all 45 marbles won.

It amazed me that the kids were willing to play a game of dodgeball versus the leaders. All of the kids stood in the middle of a circle of all the leaders and got pounded with a ball. This was all while having freezing cold water dumped on top of them. They loved it!

When the kids had to leave, you could tell a closeness that wasn't as present on Monday. Many of them asked if we would be here again next week or if we would see them again. It breaks my heart to have to tell them that we may never see them again after Friday.  

Tonight was all about relaxation. We went to a shopping center where we got to walk around and shop, and even see Brian propose to Lindsay (surprise, mom and dad). We ended the night at Grant Park, in front of Zoo Atlanta, debriefing and sharing experiences from the day. I think we are all beginning to understand and appreciate the time and effort the workers at the Stewart Center and the Walton Reserve put in. God has been tugging on a lot of hearts this week and we are excited to come back home and bring our work and efforts to Louisville.