So, it was hot. It still is. Anyone who knows me knows I sweat when I think too much, so last night wasnt great... though with the fan, it wasn't that bad, honestly. Larry, sleeping in the bunk under me, had a bigger problem. Apparently his fitted sheet came off, and he stuck to the plastic mattress cover in his sleep, creating that "sscchhllllleeeepppp" sound when he moved.
Woke up early, and though breakfast was here--in the form of nutra-grain bars and Arizon Tea Orangeaide (no thank you), Larry and I walked down the block to a little cafe where he bought eggs, hashbrowns and toast, with coffee AND FRESH squeezed orange juice for $3.50. Mine was $4 for French toast, and fresh squeezed orange juice--still had pulp bits in it... the juicer was right behind the bar, it rocked.
Apparently, there is a naked french guy roaming the halls. He approached Paula in a towel, but Tim only saw him wearing the Star of David on a chain on his neck. I think his name is Jon.
Got to climb on my first fire escape ever, as the breeze felt great. If it were a movie, people would have shot at me, I'm sure.
Philip gave a little devo before we headed down to the subway station, where we were to meet up with Kendall, who works in a downtown office with Upward Basketball. She lives here in NYC, but she's really a Mississippi gal... her twang is quite intriguing. Dare I say cute with my wife reading this? Anyway, I move on.
Kendall told us that the camps were being held in Crotona Park in the Bronx, and this will be the third week in a row there. When the kids come, they recieve a shirt the first day, a Bible the next day, a watch the next and finally, a basketball on Friday. However, if a kid only comes on Friday, they get all four, which has created some issues. Kendall said last week that she saw a couple of Mamas each carrying a basketball, and a kid had three in his arms. They are trying to work that issue out.
She also told us that each week, a different church in the area has been providing help and water and snacks, but one church that was supposed to help a few weeks ago showed up the first day with four bottles of water and a big bag of chips, and didnt come back the next day. With 60 kids and a bunch of parched adults, 4 bottles dont come close to the mark. And, of course, you can guess which church is scheduled to help us out this week. Yeah, that one. Not good times, bad times, bad times.
Kendall mentioned that many kids had come before, and would probably come this week, which means that although the gospel will be presented to some of the kids hearing it for the first time, some of the kids have already got a seed planted... and we have a chance to cultivate it. She shared a few great stories about kids recieving Christ in the last few weeks, as well as some adults, including an ambulance driver that helps out nearby.
We all got our t-shirts--pale yellow (I tried to tell her that I was a winter, and I needed a darker color, but she only laughed at me.) and headed out to lunch. The group split up, and Natalie & I and Josh B went to some little diner where I got an overpriced patty melt and fries. I miss sweet tea so bad I could kick a small dog for some.
I was flipping through a NY version of Bhams City Scene, and came to the personals. I'll not share with some of you what some were, but lets just say its amazing what this world has come to in terms of God's gift of sex. Simply amazing--and heartbreaking. Moving on.
After lunch, we boarded a subway and went to the Bronx. Let me just say that there is a world of difference from the neighborhoods we saw going into the sub from what we saw coming out. The Bronx looks like a very rough place to live. Graffiti is everywhere, cars are junked up in yards, buildings look like they are going to collapse on themselves, and honestly, so many people--lost, im sure for most of them--are just there on the streets, looking as if they have nowhere to go.
We got to Crotona Park, which probably covers several city blocks in size, and saw the layout of the courts. We had been given a stack of fliers to hand out, which we split up to do. Mark, Josh B and I went off, giving out fliers, talking to people and just prayerwalking. I came across a Latino family (papa?) and told the dad about it. He was standing over a grill, with his wife at a picnic table behind him.
He said he wanted to bring his kids--in broken english--and I looked over, and there lay granny on a blanket. I said hi to her, and she smiled and called out to the man by the grill. He then waved me over and opened up the grill, offering me some of the shish-kabobs he had cooked. I first resisted, but he insisted, with the wife running over and shoving a handful of napkins in my hand. I am not sure what it was, but it looked like bacon. He said his name was Albert, and that he would try to see me tomorrow morning.
I smiled at Albert and walked off with this big skewer stick covered in meat. Mark and Josh saw me and were both surprised at my findings, but after trying a bite (and getting some juice on my shirt, no doubt) I gave it to Josh.
We covered the park as best we could, then met back at the central location by the courts. It seems Josh C met a guy in his walkings that went to a church that had just built a gym, and he seemed excited about doing something like this at his church. He said he would be there. That is a good thing, because it seems that Tim met a large group of kids--about 60--that all were pretty excited about it. So the plans that Philip and Josh made, planning for 60-100 kids has now turned to planning for 100, 150, 200 kids. Good problem to have, really.
We broke off into smaller groups and then prayed on and for the courts, the nearby empty court, and the park area surrounding it. God is ready to do a mighty work, we can all feel it, and we are pumped about it.
The next plan was to go to the West Side Inn and change, then have dinner, then head to the Empire State Building. However, it was decided that it would be easier to go to Times Square, then have dinner, then ESB it. So we did.
I love Times Square... its an amazing place of hustle, movement and people watching. We split up once again, this time just to sight see a little, shop a little and so on. Again, Mark, Josh B and I went out, visiting Toys R Us, Virgin Music, the MTV store and a few other shops... including The Hershey Store. Holy carumbas, batman. The overwhelming scent of chocalatey paradisial goodness hits you, and its almost too much. But I resisted. We went into a gourmet popcorn shop, with my intentions on buying The Lovely Steph Leann some good popcorn, but they only sold the popped corn, not the kernals. At least I was thinking of you, honeysmacks. =)
I met a guy outside of Toys R Us who was handing out little fliers for an upcoming film. I took one, and read the title: Understanding Scientology. I smiled, handed it back and said "yeah, i dont need this." The guy smiled and said, "Okay". Then I replied, "However, I have a Bible in my backpack if you want to discuss the Truth." Suddenly, a little apprehensive, he nodded and said "Uh... um.. okay" and quickly walked away. I smiled big. Thought I'd share.
Dinner at Sbarros was greasy (but the cheesecake I split with Nat was good) and so we went to the ESB. The original plan was to break into fours, and pray over NYC from each corner of the building at the top. After an hours wait, however, that plan was thwarted as we could barely stay together at the top... the place was slammed with people. I managed to work my way through, and prayed silently over the north and south sides of the city, including where the Twin Towers stood. It was strange not seeing them, because the other time I was there on the top, in 98, they stood out so vibrantly.
The line was such that we even had to wait to get out. Anyway, sweaty, funky, hot, tired, and thirsty, the team stumbled to the subway station, and caught the train back.
Here's what you can take out of today...
--We might need more coaches than expected. Dont get me wrong, this is a great problem to have, but--and this might sound funny--pray for me, because I might have to coach. And thats not a great thing, because I can't play basketball worth my socks (which are right now sweatily glued to my feet). If I have to coach, I can imagine some kid will school me, and I'll end up letting him teach while I learn.
--Pray for this church that is supposed to be helping us. Not only that they come through, but that they do it with gracious hearts and since they will be the ones getting the decision cards at the end, that they'll be willing to follow through.
--Pray for the kids. Some will fight. Some will listen. Some will only be there for the prizes, but pray for the new kids that will hear Jesus' name for the first time, and pray that the already planted seeds in some kids will continue to cultivate.
--Pray for us. We're tired.
--Pray for Paint the Town, as I haven't a clue what we're doing with it.
--Pray for Albert and the naked French guy.
And my time is almost up! I love you guys for thinking of me, and praying, and I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU THE LOVELY STEPH LEANN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(9)
Showing posts with label Encounter Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Encounter Church. Show all posts
Monday, August 01, 2005
Sunday, July 31, 2005
NYC Entry #3: The Journey
Three states in three days. Bring it, baby, bring it.
My day started early today (4am) after ending last night at 1am. I got up, grabbed my luggage, kissed my wife goodbye...
Steph--I miss you tons... you have no idea how much I would love to have you here...
... and went and had a quick breakfast at Waffle House. I was at the church by 530a, and met up with everyone, loaded into a van and got on a plane at 810am. It was a Delta small plane, 52 seats, and it flew a 1:52 nonstop flight to NYC's La Guardia airport. EVERYONE had luggage with handles on it that rolled, except guess who? My suitcase has wheels on it, but the strap is missing, so I have to pick it up.
And pick it up I did, onto a bus that took us through Harlem to our hotel. Interesting what you see as you ride... we saw Blockbusters, McD's, all sorts of hair places, a woman riding a horse down the sidewalk, you know, the usual.
We arrived at hour stop, but had to walk a couple of blocks to get to the West Side Inn... everyone pulled their stuff along, I carried mine. Rough mission work, I tell ya.
So, from what I understand, the West Side Inn doesnt look as good in person as it does on the 'net, so sayeth Josh & Staci. They didnt have all of our rooms ready yet, so they got us one. In a very tiny elevator, we pushed luggage into it, then ran 5 floors up to get it. We put it all in one room, then headed back out for lunch. There was this KFC/Pizza Hut combo joint that everyone wanted to go to, but Natalie, Geryl & I went down the block to a little place called Carne's. We had real burgers and real fries, and it rocked. We alos met Leslie, the bartnder, who told us she had just moved to Harlem after years in the Village. She was very sleepy, because gunfire in her neighborhood had kept her awake all night. Love it.
After lunch, we caught a subway ride to Grand Central Station... the place is majestic. In two trips here, I had never been there before... it was awesome. We even indulged in a little Ben & Jerry's to pass the time. We dozed on the train over to Stamford, CT, where we met up with Todd & Sharon, who are working to plant Encounter Church there in Stamford.
Facts:
--Stamford is home to several of the 1,000 biggest companies in the world, like Xerox, Clarol and Pitney Bowes, even though it is a community of only 120,000 people.
--55% of people here claim no religion whatsoever, while 94% of people say they dont attend a church service of ANY kind
--It is a mostly affluent kind of town, where a decent apartment runs you around 1200 per month or so. Todd said if you made $50K per year, you would struggle to survive.
We prayer walked with them around parts of Stamford, praying over the UBC headquarters, part of the UConn-Stamford college campus, one of the government buildings and more. We stopped and had lunch at Luckie's, which was alot like Johnny Rockets. We walked and prayed some more, then headed back to NYC, riding in the now-defuncy "bar car" of the train.
On the subway, we were treated to a semon of a Jamaican preacher, who was walking the car saying out the Truth of Jesus. It was fascinating to watch reactions of people, as some ignored him, so listened, one lady put her hands on her ears, and one drunk guy shouted "Shut up!" before stumbling off at the next stop. Rev. Jamaica kept bringing it, though.
We stopped at the drug store for some supplies, and then came back to get the rest of our rooms. Well, it turns out, there are only two bathrooms per floor. Apparently, the West Side Inn usually houses foreign soccer players, and the building is styled after European dorms. Also, some of the rooms dont have AC, which is sad, because I have dont nothing but sweat like a pig today, just walking.
So, Natalie, Staci and Paula are in one AC room, Josh, Josh, Mark & Brandon are in an AC room, while the Harringtons have a fan, Colby and Philip have a fan, and Larry Long and I have have a fan. This is good for me, though, because Steph's allergies cant take those fans... so I will have one blowing on me all night long!!!! Good times, good times.
God is already bending the man-made plans we have, and I'm eager to see what happens. Josh's internet connection isnt working right, either, so i'm using a "pay for surf" computer downstairs in the lobby... $5 for 50 minutes. So if the spelling is bad here, know that this computer is slow, the clock is running, and I cant copy and paste, so I've had to type today's events twice... once for posting on valleydale.org/nyc, and once for you fine people here.
Prayers?
--Todd & Sharon, for their continued commitment to the calling
--Leslie, for a beginning with Christ, and Rev. Jamaica, for his boldness to continue
--Continued team unity for us (this is the best team i could imagine being with)
--Safety
--High spirits when--not if --things dont go as planned
Love you guys... if you dont get a post tomorrow, its because i couldnt get to a computer!
(8)
My day started early today (4am) after ending last night at 1am. I got up, grabbed my luggage, kissed my wife goodbye...
Steph--I miss you tons... you have no idea how much I would love to have you here...
... and went and had a quick breakfast at Waffle House. I was at the church by 530a, and met up with everyone, loaded into a van and got on a plane at 810am. It was a Delta small plane, 52 seats, and it flew a 1:52 nonstop flight to NYC's La Guardia airport. EVERYONE had luggage with handles on it that rolled, except guess who? My suitcase has wheels on it, but the strap is missing, so I have to pick it up.
And pick it up I did, onto a bus that took us through Harlem to our hotel. Interesting what you see as you ride... we saw Blockbusters, McD's, all sorts of hair places, a woman riding a horse down the sidewalk, you know, the usual.
We arrived at hour stop, but had to walk a couple of blocks to get to the West Side Inn... everyone pulled their stuff along, I carried mine. Rough mission work, I tell ya.
So, from what I understand, the West Side Inn doesnt look as good in person as it does on the 'net, so sayeth Josh & Staci. They didnt have all of our rooms ready yet, so they got us one. In a very tiny elevator, we pushed luggage into it, then ran 5 floors up to get it. We put it all in one room, then headed back out for lunch. There was this KFC/Pizza Hut combo joint that everyone wanted to go to, but Natalie, Geryl & I went down the block to a little place called Carne's. We had real burgers and real fries, and it rocked. We alos met Leslie, the bartnder, who told us she had just moved to Harlem after years in the Village. She was very sleepy, because gunfire in her neighborhood had kept her awake all night. Love it.
After lunch, we caught a subway ride to Grand Central Station... the place is majestic. In two trips here, I had never been there before... it was awesome. We even indulged in a little Ben & Jerry's to pass the time. We dozed on the train over to Stamford, CT, where we met up with Todd & Sharon, who are working to plant Encounter Church there in Stamford.
Facts:
--Stamford is home to several of the 1,000 biggest companies in the world, like Xerox, Clarol and Pitney Bowes, even though it is a community of only 120,000 people.
--55% of people here claim no religion whatsoever, while 94% of people say they dont attend a church service of ANY kind
--It is a mostly affluent kind of town, where a decent apartment runs you around 1200 per month or so. Todd said if you made $50K per year, you would struggle to survive.
We prayer walked with them around parts of Stamford, praying over the UBC headquarters, part of the UConn-Stamford college campus, one of the government buildings and more. We stopped and had lunch at Luckie's, which was alot like Johnny Rockets. We walked and prayed some more, then headed back to NYC, riding in the now-defuncy "bar car" of the train.
On the subway, we were treated to a semon of a Jamaican preacher, who was walking the car saying out the Truth of Jesus. It was fascinating to watch reactions of people, as some ignored him, so listened, one lady put her hands on her ears, and one drunk guy shouted "Shut up!" before stumbling off at the next stop. Rev. Jamaica kept bringing it, though.
We stopped at the drug store for some supplies, and then came back to get the rest of our rooms. Well, it turns out, there are only two bathrooms per floor. Apparently, the West Side Inn usually houses foreign soccer players, and the building is styled after European dorms. Also, some of the rooms dont have AC, which is sad, because I have dont nothing but sweat like a pig today, just walking.
So, Natalie, Staci and Paula are in one AC room, Josh, Josh, Mark & Brandon are in an AC room, while the Harringtons have a fan, Colby and Philip have a fan, and Larry Long and I have have a fan. This is good for me, though, because Steph's allergies cant take those fans... so I will have one blowing on me all night long!!!! Good times, good times.
God is already bending the man-made plans we have, and I'm eager to see what happens. Josh's internet connection isnt working right, either, so i'm using a "pay for surf" computer downstairs in the lobby... $5 for 50 minutes. So if the spelling is bad here, know that this computer is slow, the clock is running, and I cant copy and paste, so I've had to type today's events twice... once for posting on valleydale.org/nyc, and once for you fine people here.
Prayers?
--Todd & Sharon, for their continued commitment to the calling
--Leslie, for a beginning with Christ, and Rev. Jamaica, for his boldness to continue
--Continued team unity for us (this is the best team i could imagine being with)
--Safety
--High spirits when--not if --things dont go as planned
Love you guys... if you dont get a post tomorrow, its because i couldnt get to a computer!
(8)
Thursday, July 28, 2005
NYC Entry #2: The Prayers
Got an email from Philip the other day, right after I wrote my last entry. Seems changes are already afoot... Morris High, the school we were schedule to be in, is actually finished due to the hard work of other mission teams. We'll be working now in PS 63, an elementary school. I'm guessing that won't be the only thing that will be different from our plans...
Several people have asked me what they should specifically be praying for... well, here is your list.
For the team itself...
--That God would fill us with hope and love and joy and peace and mercy and kindness and understanding and forgiveness and grace and power and strength and courage every day of the trip.
--That God would continue to keep out Satan from our team. Some of us are just getting to know each other, so pray that our friendships will grow and bond quickly.
--That God would take care of our families and loved ones, providing comfort and provisions while we are away
--That God would allow all of us to be totally flexible.
For Upward Basketball...
--Kids would come. And keep coming.
--Kids would be receptive to hearing the Truth in Him
The Bronx area...
--That God will grant us many opportunities to be bold in Him, telling the others about his love
--That God would do an unbelievable work around us while we are there in the neighborhoods
Stamford, CT...
--That God would begin to open the hearts and minds of the affluent communities, helping them see that riches without Him is worthless
Encounter Church...
--That God would plant this church in just the right way, time and place to bring the most Glory to His Name
Two full days before we get on a plane. I'm getting more and more excited as the hours tick by!
(7)
Several people have asked me what they should specifically be praying for... well, here is your list.
For the team itself...
--That God would fill us with hope and love and joy and peace and mercy and kindness and understanding and forgiveness and grace and power and strength and courage every day of the trip.
--That God would continue to keep out Satan from our team. Some of us are just getting to know each other, so pray that our friendships will grow and bond quickly.
--That God would take care of our families and loved ones, providing comfort and provisions while we are away
--That God would allow all of us to be totally flexible.
For Upward Basketball...
--Kids would come. And keep coming.
--Kids would be receptive to hearing the Truth in Him
The Bronx area...
--That God will grant us many opportunities to be bold in Him, telling the others about his love
--That God would do an unbelievable work around us while we are there in the neighborhoods
Stamford, CT...
--That God would begin to open the hearts and minds of the affluent communities, helping them see that riches without Him is worthless
Encounter Church...
--That God would plant this church in just the right way, time and place to bring the most Glory to His Name
Two full days before we get on a plane. I'm getting more and more excited as the hours tick by!
(7)
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
NYC Entry #1: The Cast
We're a few days away from lift-off. Sunday morning, the Valleydale Church (an sbc fellowship) Team of 16 heads to NYC to spend the week working Upward Basketball camps in the morning time, painting in Morris High School in the afternoons (more on that later) and doing some prayerwalking there, Manhattan and in Stamford, CT, right across the NYC border.
The plane leaves at 825a Sunday, and we are scheduled to arrive at La Guardia around 1130a, we eat lunch, catch a train, drop our stuff off at the hostile/hotel, then head to Stamford, CT. Landon Reesor is up there, planting a church called Encounter Church. Just know that Stamford is a very affluent community with lots of people who have lots of money and live in lots of houses and drive lots of big cars. Several of the worlds wealthy companies are based there, and can be a major place of influence when its won over for the Kingdom of God.
There will be lots to tell you over the next several days, so lets keep it brief as we can right now (riiiiight...)
First, let me introduce you to the cast of characters for this trip:
New Hope New York - An organization set in NY that sees NYC as a focal point of ministry, as in "you win NY, you have a launching pad for the world"
Paint-the-Town - An organization that works in schools to help paint and repaint them, especially in tough areas of town (The Bronx for us)
Upward Basketball - A program that the fundamentals of basketball to youth that might not otherwise be able to recieve such training, but more importantly, it stresses the virtue of teamwork, built in a foundation of Christ
Landon Reesor - He got the call to take his family to Stamford, which is what he's doing now. He's planting Encounter Church. Very likeable guy, obviously strong faith.
Philip Waters - Team leader of the trip. Tall, lanky guy. Strikes me as the kind of no-nonsense guy with a very dry sense of humor. He'll need to be with some of us.
Mark Warner - Deacon at church, 9 year old Star Wars fan trapped in a 36 (will be 37 on trip) year old body. Plays Gordo at KidStuff, a children's ministry at church. Married to Cindy... knowing Cindy, I tend to think that Mark got the good end of that deal =)
Paula Mackey - I consider her my team mom. Yes, Philip's the leader, but leader or not, if I come down with spinalmeningitis or something, I'm not hollerin' for Philip, I'm calling Paula to mother me. She's the same "I'll get it" lady from WalkAbout dinner theater (previous post).
Josh Blackburn - Son of Paula. Good kid. Acted in our dinner theater this past weekend, seems full of energy, should bring alot to the trip. Wears AC/DC flip flops.
Brandon Blackburn - Younger Son o'Paula. Seems like another good kid, though in my opinion, he seems to have a young Fred Weasley aura about him. Could be wrong.
Colby Barnett - I have no clue who this guy is, met him for the first time a few weeks ago, have only seen him like, twice. Seems nice enough.
Josh Caldwell - Recreation pastor at Valleydale Church (an sbc fellowship). Leader of Upward Basketball, and co-leader of the trip with Philip. Very likeable easy going guy... big dude, gruff voice, hubby to Staci.
Staci Caldwell - Very small wife to Josh. She's the co-host of KidStuff, and a ball of weird energy. Likes slicky pants. And puppies.
Natalie Valentine - Single mom to Ariana. She probably thinks its weird, but I'm excited about Natalie coming on the trip, really because I look forward to getting to hang out with her. I like cool people, and Nat's just a cool chick.
Chuck McCammon - Childrens pastor at Valleydale Church (an sbc fellowship). Married to Tamara, the KidStuf leader. Chuck's a real likeable guy, laid back and seemingly fun to be around.
Daniel McCammon - Young son to the aforementioned Chuck. At 4 (?) I'm guessing this might be his first mission trip, unless they have a newborns journeyman program I dont know about.
Larry Long - Pops to Megan & Anna Long, twins who were on WalkAbout last year (Theta class, I think). Good guy.
Tim, Geryl & AnnaLynn Harrington - Coming on the trip as a family, which I think is just great. I hope that Stephanie and I can take the twins, Lorelei and Daisy, on a family mission trip together one day. I dont know the Harringtons, but they seem like good folk, so I'll go with that.
The Lovely Steph Leann- My lovely wife who isnt coming on the trip... but I don't want to pass up a chance to tell her how much I love her, how much I'll miss here while I'm gone, and to say thanks for supporting me on this venture.
There you have it... those are the involved folk. Now you know the names... check back soon for the adventures.
Oh, PS...
Here's some stuff about Morris High School
Grade levels 9 - 12
Enrollment around 250
Ethnicity is 60% Hispanic, 39% black, 1% white and 1% Asian
They offer free lunch to 81.2% of their students
Overcrowding stands at 115.9%
Only 8.9% of 9th graders read at grade level
Their graduation rate is 3.09%
Apparently from what I'm reading, this school is being phased out, but a number of smaller schools are being set up in the building.
I'm pretty excited about getting into this school... you can click here to see what it looks like...
(6)
The plane leaves at 825a Sunday, and we are scheduled to arrive at La Guardia around 1130a, we eat lunch, catch a train, drop our stuff off at the hostile/hotel, then head to Stamford, CT. Landon Reesor is up there, planting a church called Encounter Church. Just know that Stamford is a very affluent community with lots of people who have lots of money and live in lots of houses and drive lots of big cars. Several of the worlds wealthy companies are based there, and can be a major place of influence when its won over for the Kingdom of God.
There will be lots to tell you over the next several days, so lets keep it brief as we can right now (riiiiight...)
First, let me introduce you to the cast of characters for this trip:
New Hope New York - An organization set in NY that sees NYC as a focal point of ministry, as in "you win NY, you have a launching pad for the world"
Paint-the-Town - An organization that works in schools to help paint and repaint them, especially in tough areas of town (The Bronx for us)
Upward Basketball - A program that the fundamentals of basketball to youth that might not otherwise be able to recieve such training, but more importantly, it stresses the virtue of teamwork, built in a foundation of Christ
Landon Reesor - He got the call to take his family to Stamford, which is what he's doing now. He's planting Encounter Church. Very likeable guy, obviously strong faith.
Philip Waters - Team leader of the trip. Tall, lanky guy. Strikes me as the kind of no-nonsense guy with a very dry sense of humor. He'll need to be with some of us.
Mark Warner - Deacon at church, 9 year old Star Wars fan trapped in a 36 (will be 37 on trip) year old body. Plays Gordo at KidStuff, a children's ministry at church. Married to Cindy... knowing Cindy, I tend to think that Mark got the good end of that deal =)
Paula Mackey - I consider her my team mom. Yes, Philip's the leader, but leader or not, if I come down with spinalmeningitis or something, I'm not hollerin' for Philip, I'm calling Paula to mother me. She's the same "I'll get it" lady from WalkAbout dinner theater (previous post).
Josh Blackburn - Son of Paula. Good kid. Acted in our dinner theater this past weekend, seems full of energy, should bring alot to the trip. Wears AC/DC flip flops.
Brandon Blackburn - Younger Son o'Paula. Seems like another good kid, though in my opinion, he seems to have a young Fred Weasley aura about him. Could be wrong.
Colby Barnett - I have no clue who this guy is, met him for the first time a few weeks ago, have only seen him like, twice. Seems nice enough.
Josh Caldwell - Recreation pastor at Valleydale Church (an sbc fellowship). Leader of Upward Basketball, and co-leader of the trip with Philip. Very likeable easy going guy... big dude, gruff voice, hubby to Staci.
Staci Caldwell - Very small wife to Josh. She's the co-host of KidStuff, and a ball of weird energy. Likes slicky pants. And puppies.
Natalie Valentine - Single mom to Ariana. She probably thinks its weird, but I'm excited about Natalie coming on the trip, really because I look forward to getting to hang out with her. I like cool people, and Nat's just a cool chick.
Chuck McCammon - Childrens pastor at Valleydale Church (an sbc fellowship). Married to Tamara, the KidStuf leader. Chuck's a real likeable guy, laid back and seemingly fun to be around.
Daniel McCammon - Young son to the aforementioned Chuck. At 4 (?) I'm guessing this might be his first mission trip, unless they have a newborns journeyman program I dont know about.
Larry Long - Pops to Megan & Anna Long, twins who were on WalkAbout last year (Theta class, I think). Good guy.
Tim, Geryl & AnnaLynn Harrington - Coming on the trip as a family, which I think is just great. I hope that Stephanie and I can take the twins, Lorelei and Daisy, on a family mission trip together one day. I dont know the Harringtons, but they seem like good folk, so I'll go with that.
The Lovely Steph Leann- My lovely wife who isnt coming on the trip... but I don't want to pass up a chance to tell her how much I love her, how much I'll miss here while I'm gone, and to say thanks for supporting me on this venture.
There you have it... those are the involved folk. Now you know the names... check back soon for the adventures.
Oh, PS...
Here's some stuff about Morris High School
Grade levels 9 - 12
Enrollment around 250
Ethnicity is 60% Hispanic, 39% black, 1% white and 1% Asian
They offer free lunch to 81.2% of their students
Overcrowding stands at 115.9%
Only 8.9% of 9th graders read at grade level
Their graduation rate is 3.09%
Apparently from what I'm reading, this school is being phased out, but a number of smaller schools are being set up in the building.
I'm pretty excited about getting into this school... you can click here to see what it looks like...
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