2024 Spring Break Mission Trip - David, Kentucky - Day 1 and 2

 

Sooooooo,  it's March 2024.  This brings another Mission Trip (a.k.a. "Learning Opportunity") for Calvin's youth group. 

This year we have three churches participating.  Calvin, Calvary and Williamsburg.  Totalling 28 people. 

 

We are headed to David, Kentucky this time.   

 

We left yesterday morning.  Up at 4:30 a.m. and ready to ride with the same van rental as last year : ) 

I picked up Jason G and Holden from home, and then Jason S from Barrhaven CRC and then it was off to pick up Nathaniel at the Rideau River Car Pool and then, finally stopping at the Duty-Free in Ogdensburg to meet up with the rest of the group of 28.  

 

We packed up all the vans and all the people.  

 

It actually all fit. 

 

And then we were off to cross the border.  Once again that went very well.  Never busy there.   

After a stop at Tim's for breakfast we were off.   5 cars in a row.  Pastor Craig lead us, and I followed at the back.   

I asked Elyssa to take a couple of pics of the vans, as Jason S seemed to not know how to use a DSLR : ) 

 

The trip is supposed to take 13.5 hours without stops : ).  But we stopped several times.  This is our first fuel stop.  Kim is doing well.    

 

When we fueled up we also filled up on snacks and emptied our bladders.  

 

It was VERY windy for the first part of our drive and I discovered that the rental van I had had CROSS WIND ASSIST, which was pretty cool.  Jason S pulled out the owners manual to see what that was all about.   

 

The drive was very long, and the music was taken care of by the youth in the van.  I got to hear many songs from my growing up as it seems they are coming back.   This one, Ladies Night, by Kool and the Gang was one we could all bop to.   Megan found my nostalgia humourous.   

 

 

 

A finger snapper.  

 

Apparently, polaroids still exist. :P )

Nice job of taking the picture Jason S.  

Nice camera Megan.   

 

Lunch was at different places, but our van went to Chick-Fil-A.  

 

It was PACKED in there.  I don't know why it's so popular, but LOTS of people seem to like this place.  I got some sauce for my daughter as well.  

 

A double lined drive through that was just lined up forever.  

 

Another group went to 5 guys.  Whoot.  

More driving, more songs, and two movies.  Top Gun, Maverik, and Lorax and tried watching the Bucket List.  I have seen Maverik 4 times already so I could use my imagination as the sound track was played, but for the Lorax, I really had to use my imagination.   

 

Then, eventually it was time for supper.  WENDY's it was.  

Everyone eating, but me and Jason S.  I just wasn't in the mood after we ate a late lunch at 2 p.m.  

 

Hey Eli and Pastor Craig.  

 

Cadie chillin with the adults.  

 

At 10:15 p.m., after a 16.5 hour drive we FINALLY pulled into the lot for St. Vincent's Mission.  

 

Here is the kitchen. 

 

Dining area. 

 

Our shoes, which are blurry and upside down I think 

 

The stairs to the two dorm rooms. 

 

The boys side.  Each side has enough bunks and a bathroom with showers.  

 

After unpacking for a bit, we gathered together just to get on the same page about when to get up, etc.  

 

 

My room on the main floor.  I snore, so this saves everyone from lots of agony : ) 

 

There are lots of games in the place, so for a bit of time before bed, games broke out.  

 

 

In bed by midnight (allowing for daylight savings time) and up by 9 for breakfast at 9:15 a.m. 

 

Megan and Elyssa, Good friends.   

 

Craig and I catching up.  The coffee was really gooooddd too : ) 

Our cooks for the week. 

Kim (left) and Janene (right). 

I took time to get some outside pics before breakfast.  

 

Our residence for the week.  Cozy. 

 

View from the front.  

 

Street near us. 

 

Time to have breakfast.  Kim and Janene are doing a great job.  

 

Breakfast is served.  

 

 

Eli and Pastor Craig. 

 

Adding Sam.  

 

They love each other so much  : ) 

 

Group shot.  

 

We will have four volunteers help clean up after each meal.   But that was after we had breakfast. Daniel and Jason S. just volunteered to do the dishes.  How sweet.  

 

Janene and Pastor Craig.   

 

Yolandi being her social self and getting to know Harold and Mary. 

The trees are in bloom here already.  

 

We went to church about 30 minutes away.   This is Erin's church, the person in charge of our week here.  

 

Pastor Wes greets us as we enter.  We doubled the size of the Congregation this week  : ) 

 

The church of the round tables.  

 

 

Singing.  

 

On our way home from church Luke wanted us to stop and check out the Battle of Middle Creek.  Interesting statue.  

 

A plaque that explains the battle.  

 

 

As we came back to the Mission, lunch was almost ready.  Nicely set. 

 

Pastor Craig helping out.  

 

Kim and Janene hard at work.  They are doing a great job.  We are going to eat well this week.  

 

Gathering for prayer time

 

Lunch was spaghetti and salad and buns. Delicious. 

 

Just a nice shot that I liked.  

And a nicer one from Mary. 

 

Luke, Megan, and Malan were up for dishes at lunch.  It took them FOREVER!! : ) 

 

We passed the time waiting for them by playing games.  

 

Janene relaxing and enjoying the fruit of her labours.  

The front of the place we are staying and the name.  

A nicer picture of the sign. : ) 

 

Others went outside to enjoy the sunshine.  Playing Volleyball by trying to get around the building without the ball dropping.  Didn't happen : ) 

 

 

 

Once Luke, Megan and Malan were done, we took a walk to the Welcome to David sign.  

 

Cars thankfully slowed down when they approached our large group.  

 

Here's the sign : ) 

 

The resident dog, Mavis,  came with us : ) 

 

Here we are without Mavis.   

 

Here we are with Mavis.   She just knew we were getting a picture.  : ) 

 

 

We continued on down a trail that used to be railway tracks.  

 

The youth of the group found a hill to climb (go figure).  They went up, we went flat.  They also found a nice cave to explore.  No one was injured in the walk.  Whoot.     

 

We who went straight discovered there are bears in the area. 

 

A small brook to observe. : ) 

 

I gave Ryne the camera to get a shot of me acutally walking,  Note to self.  Keep Ryne away from the camera  : ) Here are his random pics : ) 

 

 

 

Back at our home away from home.  A game of Basketball broke out.  

 

I took a nap before starting on the blog.  When I opened my door this is what I saw.  I haven't seen that game in a long time.   Left to right- Abby, Claudia, Leah, and Kaley had a great time. 

Jenga was fun too, though pretty loud.  Jason G is trying to figure out his next removal of a block. 

Before supper, more games.  

I am amazed at how well this group did today.  They played games and were upbeat even though we haven't started yet.   Whoot!! Cudo's.  

The game grew in size and volume as I was sorting pictures.  

And then, before we knew it, it was supper time.  Chilli, and soup and cornbread and dessert.  Very yummy.  

The dishes crew for supper was Yolandi and Leah and Ryne and Rohan.  They did it in record time. 

CRIBBAGE 

My favourite game is here  : )  Not sure I'll get a chance to play it, but maybe. 

Erin came for a short visit to share with us a bit about the area we are serving in. 

Flood damage from a 2022 flood. 

31 % unemployment rate. 

Not high education. 

But very friendly folk.  

Awe.  A cute couple with some together time.

It's time to get the group to sleep.  

Tomorrow we split up into 3 teams working on three different homes getting to know three different owners.  

Details still to be determined : ) 

Please pray for us as you read this that we will be kept save, that we will be able to serve well and that we will continue to grow together as a group.