My Journey

Some reflections from our youth and staff

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 14:42:16 -0400

I just wanted to start by saying that this Mission Trip down to Nashville,
Tennessee with LutheranHANDS, even though it being my first, was one of the best
experiences in my life. It was my first Mission Trip that I attended and I
wasn't really sure what to expect. Even though it was a very hot week I enjoyed
working out at the lake and helping out as much as possible with rebuilding the
trails. This whole trip really made it clear as to how lucky and fortunate I was
to not have to go through some of the tragic things that had happened to many of
the people in Nashville. I was proud and I thank god for giving me this
opportunity to go down there just to help out those people that were in need.
The people were so thankful for all the hard work that we were doing and were
extremely appreciative, which made this experience even more enjoyable.

-Ryan Beaver

This year in Nashville, there were some things that didn't go according to plan. The sleeping arrangements, for one, were not a mile-a mile and a half away from Scarritt Bennett. They were at least two and a half miles away. Each night, we had to get our beds out of a closet, and when we woke up, we had to deflate them and put them back. In the beginning, this was frustrating, and we wished we would have gotten some kind of warning. After the first day or two, we started to notice the good parts about the church. We could walk down the street to Broadway every night (which we did,) we could go running by the river in the morning, and we could play pool, ping pong, and roller skate. At some points I was annoyed that we had to schlep our things everywhere, but in reality, it could have been much worse, and so I was very grateful for what we were provided with. I really got to know the people I stayed with at the church, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

The actual working aspect of the trip was not completely what I was expecting. Last year in Indiana, I had helped rebuild a basement, and found it very rewarding. This year, I was placed in a large group of around 50, and we were sent to Radnor State Park to mulch some trails there. In my mind, I was wondering how this could possibly be helping the people of Nashville. But, as I dropped my expectations (thanks lindsay) and enjoyed it, it became clear that we really were helping. Each person that walked by us on the trail welcomed us to Nashville and thanked us graciously. I didn't realize how many people walked on the trail each day, and how much it meant to them that we were improving it. In the end, we finished a large part of the 1.3 mile long trail. We had an assembly line to make work easier, drank lots and lots and lots of water, and had a few wheelbarrow races.

I had a lot of fun this year. I got close with so many new people, and even closer with those I have known for awhile. The best part about these trips is the work you do, but even more, the relationships that you create. I had so many funny moments on this trip: playing music and goofing off during free time, meeting Violet, waking up in the morning with aileen and ryan, inflating our mattresses (and watching them deflate) and learning to love the smell of mulch. I am glad I had to write journals for english each day, because there is no possible way I could remember all of the great memories that made up the trip. Each year it's an adventure, and after it's over I can't wait for the next.

--grace

Mission trips are parts of my year that I look forward to months in advance, but the experience I had on this particular trip was much different than what I have experienced in the past. I was faced with new challenges, both physical and emotional, and though a good part of the week was spent questioning our accommodations, work sites, etc., we enjoyed ourselves, and I think I (and the rest of the group) worked through everything rather well.

Though the work I did was somewhat disappointing and the living circumstances were unfavorable for us, I still had a great time. I said before we left that I participate in these trips because I want to be inspired and I want to inspire other people. I think that both aspects of my passion for mission trips were fulfilled last week. A large group of us worked in a state park, and numerous people approached us everyday saying how grateful they are for our service. I met members of the congregation of First Baptist Church where we stayed, and their stories touched my heart in many inspirational ways. That same night, I visited the incredible sanctuary of the church. As a musician, I was thrilled when I saw a Steinway piano at the front of the sanctuary…Of course I had to play it. I played and sang a couple favorite songs, and that was just the coolest moment for me. The incredible acoustics and beautiful stained glass created an awe-inspired sense of peace. It was amazing.

Nashville is just a cool place to visit, and it was really fun to explore the city with our little group. We spoke in southern accents all day, played games, and just witnessed the wonder of the music city. Almost fully recovered from the mission trip exhaustion, I can’t wait to see what’s in store for my next LutheranHANDS adventure…

--Robyn

My time in Nashville was a lot different than what I experienced last year in Indiana. I knew from the beginning I had to drop all expectations and let whatever the work week had to offer take it's course. This of course meant staying at the church rec center and having to be shuttled everywhere as well as sharing showers and inflating/deflating my mattress EVERY night. I also got stuck in the debris clean up group. It was really tough work, coming home each day with dirt everywhere on my body. However it was an awesome feeling to see the streets clear of all the fallen brush and have people full of happiness to see their sidewalks again. Overall I had a super week in Nashville. I met lots of new people and was able to be myself in a new environment. This is one week that I will remember forever.
--Gabby Scott

--Aileen Beaver (Writing coming soon)

Howdy Y’all!
Going back to Tennessee this summer was very different from the trip I attended in the winter with LutheranHANDS. It was rewarding in different ways however. I worked at Radnor State Park where I volunteered for lugging buckets of rocks around for three days instead of moving mulch. Basically I picked rocks up and put rocks down. Oh man was I sore but I was building those arm muscles up. I didn’t really get to work with my assigned work group seeing as this was a volunteer site but that doesn’t mean I didn’t make good connections with those working around me. After talking to our park ranger James several times about multiple things I was reassured that even though I wasn’t at a house painting or rebuilding helping one family, this job was going to help a larger community. With hikers and bikers of all ages passing each day while we worked I realized just how much of an impact we would make in their lives, even if we didn’t get to hear each of their stories. The last half of my week was spent working on specific LutheranHANDS tasks to eventually serve the group at a later time. By this I mean I rode around with Mike Brommer jamming to country music shuffling groups around, running errands, and videotaping work sites and the city to be used for LutheranHANDS advertisement.
Like past trips I’ve been on, this one did not fail to give the group and myself hiccups that fortunately we dealt with using humor. With having to inflate and deflate our mattresses, live out of our suitcases, shove our stuff in a closet each morning, as well many other unexpected things that popped up it teaches you to truly be appreciative of simple everyday luxuries.
One of my favorite parts of the trip would have to be finding the sanctuary of First Baptist church with Robyn Murray and Sarah Canning. Seriously if you’re ever in Nashville find this church. The sanctuary is absolutely breath taking with many stained glass windows, words cannot describe it and pictures just don’t do it justice.
Like I said earlier this trip was very different for me. I took on a lot more responsibilities than just attending the trip, which is a job in itself. Before the trip even started I met with Jesse and a couple other people to write the small group curriculum which congregations would use during family time on the trip. I also helped organize, print, and copy forms as well as a million other tasks that needed to be completed for the trip to run smoothly. When finally on the trip I helped run large group every night, video tape our worship by the river, and was even the point person for the place we stayed at(basically this meant I had say on when lights out was each night but hey someone’s got to do it). A lot of “behind the scenes” stuff but things that need to be done so trip goers can get the same experiences I’ve been given before. Each trip really helps me grow in my faith and as a person. I thank Jesse for giving me these opportunities to serve on these trips in these ways.
Thanks to LutheranHANDS, our church family, and my family for blessing me to go on this rewarding trip once again.
A big thanks goes out to the city of Nashville for welcoming us with open arms to work, worship, and play there.
--Peace & Love, Lindsay Madara

I guess this would be where I should write my reflection, but I do think I already have had that opportunity the last 6 days. So I will not be saying much more, at least in words. I will say, though, that I am very thankful that we have a home congregation that helps greatly to make these kind of opportunities possible. Your thoughts, prayers, and financial assistance are so appreciated by each and every one of us. I hope that these blogs, THIS VIDEO, and our photos help to show how much we have seized the moment in Nashville. Thank you, also, Pastor Stickley, for your continuing guidance, especially in the last few weeks. Those youth who didn’t make it this summer: There is always next summer, not to mention all of the other events we do all year long. Interested in learning more, check out our group page on Facebook, or come find me at school. I’m always around somewhere. Here are a few more images, mainly taken by youth. I always treasure the memories that are made without me even seeing them at the time. Here are a few. Thanks, group, for banding together, and being so special!
Peace and Love,

Michael

“Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night.” --Philippians 2:15

A Day To Appreciate

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:08:57 -0400

Friday morning, many people were able to go to Raynor Park to actually enjoy all of the work that had been done. They walked the new paths and took photos of the lake. There were deer spottings and a lot of laughs....and no more hauling of rocks and tanbark. Here are some scenes:

Other folks worked on some urban gardens:

Others worked at the Food Bank.

And what did I do during this time? Honestly, I slept. In a bed. Scandalous. And I was typing up a bunch of stuff and helping with the LutheranHANDS slideshow.

After everyone was cleaned up and showered, we headed to downtown Nashville. Once there, I took a photo of the large group and then we split up into congregations. The first thing on our minds: FOOD. We hit the Broadway Brewhouse for some affordable pulled meats and nachos first.

After eating, we hit various stores, mainly for souvenirs. We also hit a pretty legit record shop. I think only Robyn and I enjoyed this. I bought Bob Dylan’s “Nashville Skyline.” Seemed only appropriate.

The heat was really getting to us, so we decided to stop in the Wild Horse Saloon, where, yes, they have 3-D horses stampeding across the ceiling. Here we enjoyed sweet tea and some desserts, as well as line dancing, foos ball, and some kind of shuffleboard game.

VIDEO of Ryan learning how
to line dance.

VIDEO of a bunch of the group
dancing.

Next we hit some more stores and finally the Charlie Daniels Museum. And then the rains came and we ran. Fast.

And thus our last full day in Nashville came to a close.......

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
--Romans 12:10

blazing a new path

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:08:18 -0400

Today my group had one goal in mind: finishing Otter’s ramp. We showed up at 8:30 and decided we would work till we were done. No lunch break. Just work. It was a total group effort. My favorite moment: When we had about an hour to go, Otter positioned himself just on the other side of the kitchen door. He was ready to go. He wanted out. This was exactly the push a group of 2o tired workers needed in the degree sun. Otter was getting out of that house. And we were going to make sure of it.

And then it was done.....and Otter came out........And you can see it HERE.

Feeling pretty satisfied, we headed back and showered, changed, and ate dinner. Then we headed to the waterfront to worship. It was incredible.

Pastor Jim Person preached on looking for the Cross everywhere (see example he is carrying....made from debris from the recent storm) as well carrying one another’s burdens.

As we were worshipping, the sun was setting and this huge boat came by. We sang and they responded, clapping and offering thumbs up. Flash bulbs went off. They heard us and we appreciated them. Click HERE to go to the scene.

After worship, we once again hit the town....and I even scored a special NOLA surprise to bring back for Lindsay.......

Yes....beignets!!

All for now....tomorrow is our half day of work/half day of play....talk to you then!

Michael and the gang

“Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” --Galatians 6:2

A New Assignment and Some New Friends

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:36:27 -0400

The photo above was the back porch of the home we had been sent to for our new assignment. I’m sure it looks sturdy enough and is, in fact, in pretty good shape. However, to one of this home’s inhabitants, it is completely worthless. Otter, as he is known, has never been able to exit his home on his own. He has had to be carried and then loaded into the family’s van. Otter suffers from cerebral palsy. He is 30 years old. 30 years of being trapped in his own home. Our mission: to work with Hands on Nashville to build him a ramp so that he can leave his home on his own. We have 48 hours to get it done.

When we arrived, we met John, our supervisor, as well as Colleen from Hands On Nashville. Tezak, Hank, and I were put in charge of all of the measuring and sawing. Luckily, Tezak knew what he was doing. But Hank and I learned quickly. The rest of the group would do all of the construction of the ramp. None had any experience in this area. John, however, was a real pro. He not only had the knowledge to get things done, but he also was great in terms of giving direction and working with inexperienced, but motivated youth. In that first day, we got a good portion done. Here is the evidence:

And here is a video of us at work.

And here is a video from a local tv station.

After knocking off work for the day and showering, we shared stories. The other members of CLY filled me in on their progress. Here is the summary, as most looked completely beat. On Raynor Park: “We hauled wheelbaroow after wheelbarrow of stones and mulch for miles and miles.” On Debris Pick-up: “We picked up hundreds of branches and put them in the UHAUL. I got cuts all over my arms and legs.” Yes, some jobs appear to be more glamorous than others. But it all matters.

On Wednesday night, we headed to First Baptist Church for a dinner of sweet fruit tea, fried chicken, carrot souffle, salad, and biscuits. (Huge portions, like every eatery in the south.) We made sure to sit with members of the church and to listen to their stories. This is a HUMUNGOUS church with a couple thousand baptized members. Mainly, on this night, the room was filled with elderly women who were incredibly gracious and friendly. After dinner some of us worshipped in that space, others visited the glorious sanctuary, and still others checked out the youth service. Here are a bunch of highlights:

After our time at First Baptist, we had free time....so some of us decided to scout out the downtown area and also hit up what would become one of the group’s favorite food stops:

I brought some sweet potato fries with Carolina bbq sauce back for family time and we all agreed--this was was our best day in Nashville yet!!

“.....so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

--Romans 12:5

Reflections on some work

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:01:54 -0400

Most of what I write about and photos you will see are from personal experience. This year, we do not have the opportunity to really blog as a group, except at the end of the week. I will check in with the youth to see what they are up to, but, mainly, you will see the next couple days through my eyes. I will make sure youth post their photos on Facebook so that you can better understand the week from their eyes. (Although, due to the nature of most work, the youth probably don’t have many opportunities to take photos.)

On Monday, we were split into work groups. Work groups are going to the following places: The Habitat for Humanity Home Store (where they clean, price, and sell used furniture, tools, and other household wears), Raynor State Park (where youth will be mulching a several long path that was washed away), Debris Clean-up Crew (People will be cutting up debris into smaller pieces, loading it on a U-Haul, and then taking it to the dump....this is from a big storm that occurred right before we arrived), and the Warehouse group (This is the group I was in charge of....details to follow.)

Our work group was taken to a warehouse near the airport that serves as a hub for all donated goods. There was brand new furniture there, as well as clothes, and, mainly, household goods donated by Cracker Barrels all over the country. Our job, in a nutshell, was to box the goods up, stack them on palettes, and then wrap them for transport to another site. The warehouse were working in was just a temporary hub, as the original site was being rebuilt from the flood. On Wednesday, they would move our palettes to this location. Here are some action shots:

And here are a few shots from other sites that were provided to me:

In the evening, a woman came to speak about her role during the floods. She ran a retreat center that took anyone and everyone in that needed a place to stay or to escape. Pretty awesome lady and story.

Goodnight y’all!

“Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.”
--Galatians 6:4-5