Tuesday Midday

"I did it" -- I will hear those words, in a Southern accent, in my sleep tonight! Group A spent the morning at L'Arche, a Christian-based residential community for intellectually challenged people ... mostly older adults. I spent time with an older gentleman named Wally, who was trying to match shapes and put little block pieces into a bigger block. Every time he succeeded, he said "I did it!" in a Southern accent. This went on for nearly an hour. It was an exercise in patience and understanding.

Patience and understanding ... that is a big lesson for our group this week, as we spend time at L'Arche and other ministries that are involved in the people-serving business.

I actually got to sleep in today– until 6:30! The guys in my room finally made it at 7:30! After the 5:00 a.m. shift yesterday, it was nice to have an 8:30 departure today for L'Arche! I had time to leisurely get up, shower, and dress. Then I had a good long devotional, reflection, prayer time out on the end of the dock. That is one part of past mission trip routines that I really miss, and I have determined to do it for myself while here. When we get back on the road, our group will resume its daily practice, but for now, I will go out on the dock with the pelicans – and they don’t make a lot of noise.

Now for some of the kids thoughts from Monday...

Hannah: There is still sand in my hair from the beach… I also have weird sleeping problems.

Michaela: Last night was very interesting. Holly sat up and started talking in her sleep which kinda creeped me out. But it was pretty funny cuz all she said was “Holly”. This morning I ate a blueberry poptart. The bottom tastes weird. Oh it’s also very cool cuz it’s from Winn Dixie and we didn’t even know that it was a real store. So we’re eating food from a famous place and I feel very specialJ

Holly: I wasn’t the only one doing weird things in their sleep. Michaela threw a book at Marian’s head and woke up without a shirt! Katie woke up without rubber bands in so we think she swallowed them. Hannah thinks she had a seizure in her sleep. The boys also kept flashing lights at us and talking in the middle of the night! Ali waved at us through the window. Overall it was an interesting night.

Ali: I’m eating an apple, it’s quite sufficient. I like apples. This one is dark red, crunchy, and juicy. I ate one apple last night. Now I’m drinking root beer. It’s also sufficient. Last night one of the local girls said I should wash my apple before I eat it. WHO DOES THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now there is a big bite out of my apple.

Connor M.: Last night was the first night we had the people from Mobile stay with us. Fuller and I had 2 guys with us named Henry and Win who likes Charlie Sheen. While I’m writing this everybody is nagging me about it. I rolled my ankle on Friday and it is still hurting today. That’s all I have to share today. Blog ya later.

Katie: we are on our way to GSPC for our first day of work. I had a pop tart for breakfast and some water from Winn Dixie.

Katie: Hi again! Today we started at L’Arche. We talked, danced, made cards, and colored with the residents. I drew with Eddie. His favorite color was green. We ate lunch at 15 Place. Conny and I tried to talk to a guy but he fell asleep. Then we went to Dumas Wesley. The girls went and helped with a group of girls. We colored and played LIFE with them. Tekiah did all of our hair. She told me I had hair like silk and I would make all the guys go crazy when she was done. Tomorrow we get to leave by six to help at the Coffee Club.

Nathan: Today we went to L’Arche. We met Sarah, Harry, and Willy. Harry was playing fetch with me. We went to a day shelter for lunch. Holly, Brianna, Cory, and I were talking to a man about Iowa and Alabama. Then we went to Dumas Wesley. Alestair and I were cleaning one of the classrooms. Tonight during dinner I invented a new food. It’s a tortilla with peanut butter on it wrapped over a banana on a stick. It was really good.

Ali: I’m tired, I hung out with GSPC I think that’s what it is, so we made whipped cream with pepper and chips alamode -- then night.

Holly: Today we went to L’Arche and hung out with the residents. I met a bunch of cool people. Michaela and I danced with Harry and I laughed as Willy hip bumped my dad. At lunch I talked with a really cool guy about a lot of different things. Then at Dumas Wesley I hung out with a bunch of adorable little girls. One girl said to us, “Do y’all have volcanoes in Iowa?” It was really cute. I also was given a hair style that I was told was sure to attract the fellas. We also got a cupcake, cute gift, and drawing. It was a lot of fun. I can’t wait until tomorrow!

Martha: Today group C – Connor M., Hannah, Fuller, Dakota, and Adelaide and myself – spent all of our energy as human jungle gyms with the kids from Taylor Park. We helped them with reading, spelling, and math, then spent the afternoon during free time a.k.a. free-for-all time. I was sooo impressed with how well our group jumped right in to hold one end of a jump rope, play basketball and soccer, give piggy­back rides, make necklaces, and have hair “braided.” Somehow, we gained energy.

Well, that's it for now. We just finished lunch at GSPC and are waiting to head out. Group A -- Rick, Chris, and Team are going to Taylor Park to work with the kids; Group B -- Tom, Marian, and their group is head out to a Boy's and Girls' Club. Group C -- Martha and Company are eating lunch with the GSPC kids at 15 Place -- The Homeless Day Shelter -- and then will be heading out. C and D do dinner at Baytreat tonight, while A and B will be eating at the Waterfront Place Rescue Mission. We will send more later ... also a few more pictures.

Grace and Peace,

RICK