WEDNESDAY

Summary: After leaving the church in the early afternoon, we arrived at what seems to be an old school in Bumcombe County, NC. We had an informational gathering with the ReCreation Experiences staff about basic rules and also about the client’s house we will work on.  Afterwards, we had a few hours of free time to release pinned up energy from the ride.  Next followed the Devotion and we all headed up to prepare for bed.  Hopefully we can all get some rest after a long day of play and before a long day of work.  P.S. Snoring > Peaceful sleep

Highlight: Fellowship with the group. From riding around 200 miles together to playing soccer and kickball in an open field.  The time makes me realize I’d rather be here than anywhere else in the world.  Except maybe Cancun

Low Point: Injuring an animal is never a good thing.  Injuring a human is even worse.  Playfully, I tossed a traffic cone (which was a base in the kickball game) toward an incoming pop fly.  The cone smashed into the shin of Garrett Tidsworth.  He ate the dirt. Ouch.

Quote: “I’m not going to lie, this place is definitely an asylum” — Greer Layne (on the building we are staying in)

MVP: Allie Bates. Biggest man on our van rode in the smallest possible seat in the van. For two and a half hours

Devotion: A passage from John speaks of those who believe in Jesus to drink the Living Water of the Spirit and letting it flow out of your hearts. We related this to our upcoming house project for the next day.

Biggest Surprise: The facility we are lodging in was built in 1926. In the past, it was home to a high school, a junior high school, and a professional wrestling center. Now it is home to ReCreation Experiences. P.S. There are no beds.

Good Samaritan Award: Rob Bates. Successfully driving and delivering the youth group by van to Asheville.  Everyone came out intact….physically.

Honorable Mention: The soccer field lights. Providing fireworks at their own expense. A live wire burst into flames shooting about sparks for entertainment.

THURSDAY 

Summary: After a very surprisingly good breakfast, we drove out to the site.  We began major yard renovation, we also cleaned out the bathrooms and as much dog hair as we could (which could provide several smelly fur coats). Another crew from the group headed to the roof to begin the shingle laying process. I worked on the roof and took it for granted when I was later forced to work inside the house. Rain showers began after lunch and we all took cover for the afternoon, outside.  Returning back to our living quarters later, we showered and headed to the Fun Depot (equivalent of Frankie’s Fun Park).  We then made a quick stop at Wal-Mart where everyone grabbed necessities. Red Bull, Hershey’s Bars, and Tank Tops.

Highlight: After a long day at work, it was time to enjoy ourselves. We all trekked down to Asheville’s version of Frankie’s Fun Park.  Arcade Games and Minigolf lasted for an hour. Then our excursion reached its pinnacle through two epic games of Laser Tag.  I won twice. I also discovered Laser Tag facilities weren’t built for adults. I have a knot on my head.

Low Point: After arriving on sight, we realized just how bad these housing conditions were. Imagine several years’ worth of dog urine, feces, and hair all sucked into one carpet. That’s one hellish aroma. Even the masks we used couldn’t block out the stench

Quote: “I think a little poop came out” — Michael Krochta (after being pounced on from the night shadows of the building)

MVP: Allen Bates. In seemingly supernatural fashion, Allen somehow stomached the foul odor of the project house for 2 hours. Without a mask.

Devotion: An ethical dilemma was presented to the group in the form of a question. Would you rather live in the house we’ve worked in, or in a cardboard box. To give you an idea of the condition the house was in, everyone chose to live in the box.

Biggest Surprise: Opening the shower curtain inside the house, we found an armory. A large box of guns erratically placed stood barrel down. The client whose house we were working on was previously in the Air Force.

Good Samaritan: A nearby neighbor saw all the activity around our work site. Interested, he decided to pitch in as well.  Being a mechanic, he came and changed a tire that had been flat for a few years.  All the while, wearing a poncho in a downpour of rain.

Honorable Mention: Waldo. For being so hard to find. Our group found every character in the Waldo book on all the maps. In under 60 minutes.

FRIDAY

Summary: Homemade pancakes began a promising day for the group’s goal of completing several projects on the house. The most important goal was to finish shingle laying on the rest of the roof.  Heat was present throughout the day and it showed on tar strips melting onto nails and clothing.  The day had an extremely short lunch break because the whole group was so focused on the top of the house.  At 3 p.m., the work day was done.  We had finished the roof, power-washed the porch, rid the property of trash and cleaned up our tools.  We began our final journey back to the ReCreation facility. Relieved, we all showered and played soccer and ultimate Frisbee until our legs died.  Literally, we had members who couldn’t stand anymore.  After devotion, we had our final Pow-Wow and conversations that sought to bring closure to our mission.  Tomorrow is departure day. Its hard to believe how God can work miracles in just 3 short days.

Highlight: Finishing and conquering the roof.  In 2 days, our group successfully put together a handyman’s masterpiece.  It instilled pride into everyone involved. I spent all of my time working on the roof. Maybe I can find a job now….in another profession.

Low Point: No real low point happened today.  The only downside to the day was the realization that we were on our last full day together. Its amazing how much bonding can happen in 2 days.

Quote: “Isn’t a woodchuck a bird?” — Emmy Burch

MVPs: Sarah Breland and Rachel Gardiner. They spent the majority of their day cutting roof pieces with knives for the man crew on the roof.  This is no easy task.

Devotion: We read scripture about how a house’s firm foundation helps it weather storms.  The connection we found between the project we worked on and this passage was almost surreal.  We were the client’s foundation toward Christ’s love.

Biggest Surprise: The engine started.  Allie Bates and Michael Krochta found keys to an old riding lawnmower that hat been out of commission for over a year.  After over eleven tweaks and battery changes, the roofing crew heard commotion.  The entire youth group stopped their work and looked to see what was going on.  A loud explosion of the engine churning sent both boys 5 feet into the air in joy.  The lawnmower was in business.

Good Samaritan: Over the past couple of days, the entire group has learned to be good Samaritans.  Especially today.  It was as if God was playing with us as action figures in perfect unison.  All serving each other and our mission with the fullness of our hearts.

Honorable Mention: A smile face of tar.  As I was the last person to leave the roof, something caught my eye.  Among the beauty of freshly finished shingle layers stood a vent cone to let air out of the house.  On top of the vent stood two eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Made by someone with tar.