Day 7 - Old Friends, Warehouses & the Olden Days

Today, we would be all back together. We ate breakfast and packed in vitamin c. We loaded up and headed out. It's not never a youth trip unless you're lost so it was fun switching across lanes and breaking the caravan. But we made it to the mission safely. The mission catered to 3 different groups. women and children and out side guests. more than a typical mission, this place also has an intnsive program. In order to stay, they must go to classes appropriate for them (ie AA), they must attempt to get a job, and they must stay clean. After we learned about the mission, we started a tour. In the dining hall, we heard squealing. One of our old youth (like my age group) Bobby Luckel, who we haven't seen in over 7 years, appeared out of nowhere. It just so happens that he works at the mission, and just so happens that he forgot to turn in his key. He came all the way back and ran into us. It was amazingly crazy. What are the chances? God has somethin' planned.

After chatting with him for a bit, we hit the warehouse. This place was comprised of all home donations. Unlike goodwill, there donations wouldn't be sold to the general public, but was soley intended for the residents of the mission. We split into three different groups. One group was so excited because we would be setting up a toy aisle for kids' birthday's! It was all our plan so we made it ours. We set up a girls aisle, boys aisle, and baby aisle and board game aisle. Fantatic. Another group sorted clothing.

 People would drop off bags and we would take those bags, sort the clothing by size, style and sex. The clothes were not washed; as part of the program, the residents learned to be independent. So, once they got their clothes, they would wash them by themselves. Great, but hot. No ac in the warehouse. It was uber hot but our kids pushed through.

 The last group stayed inside. There, we folded toilet paper and paper towels (they put the folds behind the counter so the outside guests wouldn't take several rolls.) We also made lunches for people who could sit down to the formal lunch because of work or interviews. Once that was done, we went into the cafeteria to be lunch ladies and serve lunch to the residents.

Afterwards, we got back together and headed of to lunch at Jason's deli. Lunch was delicious and fun with the kid mixing up with new friends. there, we met up with Zach. Poor Chris doesn't know how to drink, so we got good laugh from that. it was move to just sit and laugh and conversed together as one big team. We packed up and went to our final stop, Buckner retirement village. we talked out side before going in. The top owners didn't want to bring the building up to code, and so, many residents had been moved to other retirement homes as the place closed one of the wings. The home that once held over 60 residents was now empty...almost half had been relocated. A shame.

We had plenty of time to get the sets ready and set up sound. The residents came on and we mixed. Some have seen is before, others hadn't. It was nice to talk with people. Gloria was trekking us about her prized flowers...RED. They were apparently burning up in the sun. That reminded one of the fires in our own town. The ladies are praying for you too. Then we began. One lady was rivieted. Tears poured down her face during the acappella version of "be thou my vision". She nodded and smiled and cried. All were attentative and all were loving every moment. The mimes were energized and complete encouraged. The second to last song, the same lady stood to applaud.

Afterwards, the mimes went to mix and crew tore down. Soon, they went and set it the napkins as the residents came in for dinner. Some served and after, some sat and ate with the residents, others with reach other. A lot of residents told thier life stories, while others gave advice. One was upset with his niece for hording her money "you can't take it with you" so he didn't know the point. Another praised the Lord when he survived an accidental poisoning when he was a child, a poisoning that killed his brother. So many stories, not enough time. The residents were so gracious and gave us bracelets from a convention whose theme was inspire, serve, advocate. It was such an awesome time, and the mimes really enjoyed the tome with the seniors. All the way home, they talked with each other and traded the stories. A good day