Monday evening

I forgot to mention that this morning Lauren, Jessica and TJ got up super early to go running with a youth leader from another church. They ran about 3 miles I think. I am really appreciative that another leader is willing to take them running in the morning. I really don’t run!

This morning the Haters went to War Memorial Hospital to spend time in the long-term care wing. We will stay here all week. Some of our group began the day cleaning up trash around the grounds while the others got a tour. We visited with the residents entering the activity center for the Monday morning sing. At 10:30 a group from a local church came in and we all sang along to many old hymns with the residents. Luckily there were songbooks, as many of the songs were unfamiliar to the kids. Most of the residents didn’t even need the books; they knew all the words. Since the hospital is directly across the street from the church where we are staying, we came back for a long lunch. After we ate, we had time to play some games and get to know the other members of our crew a little better. After lunch, back at the hospital, we helped the residents make pudding treats and chatted with them until it was time to go shower.

The Losers spent the day at the Youthworks Kids Club in Kinross. Kinross is a town filled with prisons. Most of the children attending were children whose parents are either in prison or work at the prison. Kids club had about 45 kids today. In the morning the groups planned for when the kids came later, prepping the rooms. When the kids arrived after lunch, the Losers spent some time getting to know them. They had a little free time then matched a few youths to each child attending. Kids club offered skits, and arts and crafts and gym games, (dodegeball!!) outside activities. Billy was part of a group that put on a skit about Jesus being the Light. Drew mostly worked at the arts and crafts area helping kids create fun projects with foam and feathers and popsicle sticks. She also did some face painting with the kids. Many of the kids were very challenging. This ministry is very much needed in this community where the kids aren’t getting as much love and attention that they need.

The Singles spent the day at an adult day car facility called the Community Action Center for the Take 5 program. They visited with the seniors who come and spend the day. They played games, put together puzzles and did some art projects. They even participated with the seniors in chair bowling. Another group of seniors came in just for a lunch program. The Singles helped prepare lunch (upper peninsula specialties—pasties.) They also packed lunches for meals on wheels. They also got to eat the pasty lunch at the facility with the seniors.

This evening, afer a pizza dinner, we went back to the re center where we are showering. A local Wesleyan church hosts a youth program there. We joined their youth group playing games in the gym together, then singing some songs and listening to a message by the youth pastor on the theme being followers of Jesus.

Since I"m posting this earlier than normal, I can't tell you how Club and our church group went tonight. I should be able to post more on that tomorrow.

Thanks again for praying for us!