Someone asked me already what happened to the posts from Day 1-4. Group Cares Mission Trips asked me yesterday to take some of the content down because of my comments regarding my personal struggles with a few folks (although unnamed), so I did. Maybe I was too real.

Anyway, I took the content down out of respect for a great mission organization. They do great work and the people mean a lot to me.

So if you’re wondering why Day 1-4 are gone, that’s why.

Stephanie

Yeah, well camp is over for Littleton, NH 2011. It was great!

Today’s adventures involved the highway patrol, the Ryder truck, our Materials Manager…and that’s all I’d better say.

Left camp tonight instead of tomorrow due to a ridiculously early flight. Looking forward to the seat upgrade; not looking forward to the layover.

Really loved the campers at this camp. An interesting bunch of all types but good kids. Really good kids.

Never saw a moose or a bear. Bummed.

REALLY tired after back to back camps and a cold/congestion. Glad to be able to be on the mountain…but glad to go back down into the valley, too.

Tomorrow: my own bed and meat loaf.

Its Thursday at Workcamp. That means tonight’s program has a serious intent to share the Gospel in a clear intentional way.

Its a good program. (Doesn’t hurt that its low-maintenance in prop set up either! I love the Vine and Branches theme and the students are really connecting to it.

Snuck out for an hour to visit the world’s largest candy counter, Chutter’s, in Littleton, NH. Its awesome and I got candy I hadn’t seen in a number of years. Fun times!

BIG NEWS: I now have clean clothes. Thanks to the school folks who let me use their w/d. I needed clean underwear desperately.

All is well. Red shirt staff is awesome, everyone’s getting along famously and the kids are fabulous.

Stephanie

Took forever to finally get to the camp. Two hour flight delay and two hour drive into the App Mts from the airport.

Saturday night is always an interesting dance of personalities. People are sizing up who’s who and what’s what. Brand new Summer Staff are slightly nervous since tomorrow’s their first camp. I have to be careful to not roll my eyes; just because I’ve done it a trillion times doesn’t mean they have.

Meet the Site Coaches. They go to sites and trouble shoot the work projects. I haven’t been here four hours and I’ve already rubbed one of the guys the wrong way but then its visa versa. He’s gonna be one I work at to win over. Needs prayer, that one. He didn’t like that I suggested we should all worship together as a staff tomorrow am and not split up. Seems to me that us worshipping together makes sense; sends a message of unity and gives us a joint blessing. He continued the “discussion” later on and wouldn’t let it go. I just listened and smiled.

There may be a control issue there. Just not sure if its mine or his or hopefully, His.

More from Day Two – the Campers Arrive!

Took forever to finally get to the camp. Two hour flight delay and two hour drive into the App Mts from the airport.

Saturday night is always an interesting dance of personalities. People are sizing up who’s who and what’s what. Brand new Summer Staff are slightly nervous since tomorrow’s their first camp. I have to be careful to not roll my eyes; just because I’ve done it a trillion times doesn’t mean they have.

Meet the Site Coaches. They go to sites and trouble shoot the work projects. I haven’t been here four hours and I’ve already rubbed one of the guys the wrong way but then its visa versa. He’s gonna be one I work at to win over. Needs prayer, that one. He didn’t like that I suggested we should all worship together as a staff tomorrow am and not split up. Seems to me that us worshipping together makes sense; sends a message of unity and gives us a joint blessing. He continued the “discussion” later on and wouldn’t let it go. I just listened and smiled.

There may be a control issue there. Just not sure if its mine or his or hopefully, His.

More from Day Two – the Campers Arrive!

I had a time period yesterday where I lost my mind.

I got an email from Group Workcamps that one of the MC’s (speaker for evening programs) had lost his voice. Could anyone jump on a plane and fill in the rest of the week? I like to be team player and I was available so I emailed, “Sure, I can do it.”

It took a few hours to finally hear back if they were gonna need me or not and by that time, I was grumpy. It was already dinner time and gee, I volunteered and all. I would have to bustamove to pull a mission trip pack job off…not to mention what it takes to get my fam ready for me to be gone.

My grumpiness turned to…grumpier when I thought I was going to have to ride a very UNfavorite airline whose name I won’t mention but they are a direction on a compass. After all, I was doing them a favor!

#7 finally put it back into perspective. “Aren’t you going to help people, Mom?” Crap. She nailed it and I had lost sight of that. Ironic that our Workcamp Staff inner theme this year is “Its not about you.” Meaning me.

I have repented and apologized.

Please use this as an example of how not to act when getting ready to head out this summer.

S

I am weird for writing this…but then you clicked here so who’s weirder?

Going on your first mission trip? Not your first trip but just wanted to snoop? I’m leaving Friday for my first mission trip of? Summer 2011. Its a Group Workcamp in Littleton, NH. I’ve been working with Group Workcamps since 1994. My? guesstimate is that this is my 50+ mission trip with them.? This list contains those things that make the trip comfy, at least for me.?

For me, its ALL about a good night sleep. This is what I don’t want to survive without:? earplugs – for me and others, mini-fan, nightlight, short extension cord, book to fall asleep by, little water bottle, two emergency snacks,? Tylenol PM for the first night, fresh D batteries for the pump to my air mattress (Don’t store them in the pump during travel? since the pump can get jostled,? turn on and run the batteries down. Make that mistake only once.), fresh sheets, 2 travel pillows, new air mattress…guess that’s about it. Plus clothes and minimal toiletries/makeup.

What I don’t take? Jewelry.? Any? hair appliances. More than 2 pairs of shoes or? more than 3 pairs of pants. Anything that’s already on my phone. (No computer, alarm, calendar, address book, Bible, etc.)

Besides…a Walmart run is a mission trip staple if your trip is a domestic one.

Stephanie

I’m at the playground at B Concourse in SLC killing 3 hrs with two kids in tow. Its not the greatest airport kids venue…but it doesn’t seem to matter.

At this moment my two blondies are playing with 2 french-canadians sisters, an asian boy, a hindu little one and other assorted small travelers.

No one knows anyone’s name; they don’t all speak the same language. Apparently – they don’t care. They are having a ball!

I think churches could follow this example. Who cares who is from what denom? Really – who cares what language or tongue believers use to talk to the Almighty? These kids aren’t divided into church political camps so why do grownups?

Uh-oh. I may have spoken too soon. A bigger, bossier girl has taken over the play house and won’t let anyone inside, including my g-babies. Kids are hanging around the play building looking sad. Bossy says its because she’s trying to make it nice and everyone will mess it up.

Sounds like some churches I’ve been to and their response to youth ministry: Kids on the outside looking in.

S

Like I said in my previous post, youth groups across America are/have/will hit the road. Its a HUGE deal…lots of things can go wrong. One of the worst? You get sick!

But you? can’t get sick; you’re the leader! Who else knows the seating chart in each van? Who else can use the church’s credit card? You’re in charge of the evening devotions!? The whole thing will crumble around you! Parents will line up in your inbox and at your door to demand a refund on the trip money!

Ridiculous, right? No one is that indispensable. But you may get sick ‘cuz summer colds happen. Flu bugs lurk at every rest stop. Germs fly through the airplane. Maybe this is silly, but here are my fave “survive the summer” tips for staying alive:

1) 1000mg of Vitamin C daily!

2) A great multiple.

3) Wash your hands like you’re Howie Mandel.

4) Tape up a holder of anti-bacterial gel at the door of each youth trip vehicle.?

5) Share your love but not your stuff.? Brushes, cups, pillows, snacks, etc.; keep them to yourself. ?

6) Last but definitely NOT least?? Make sure all the adults know what you know.? Cross-training is your friend, so make sure that a few others can do what you do and everyone knows what’s happening.

You’re not indispensable. I found that out when I got the flu? and stayed on my air mattress for an entire mission trip. The other adults were? heroes and God did His thing. All I could do was pray that trip. Hope that was enough.

Stephanie

Youth Trip Volunteers, I hope this catches you before you head out.

Youth Group Travel Season has begun across America. For a small church, a summer youth trip is a BIG deal for everyone. Everyone pitches in with fundraisers and scholarship. Tools and coolers were gathered from far and wide. Since there’s no church bus, luggage rack rentals abound…and you’re off.

I’m right there with ya. I’ve already got one trip down and three more mission trips to go myself. One summer, I? had 6 trips in a 10 week season. (Don’t do that, btw.) About 5 years ago, I did 5 mission trips in one summer. (Don’t do that, either.)

Here are my best “Youth Trip Volunteer” tips for maximixing and minimizing your efforts while on your? trip:

1) If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. Grow up.

2) Just like parenting, the adults have to align together.

3) Give the youth leader a break. He/she is just as tired as you are.

4) Enforce the Lights Out rule. A tired team is a useless team.

5) Sleep across the doorway. Trust me on this one.

6) If you loan money, you won’t get it back.

7) Don’t be a “freak-out” adult!

Don’t expect kids to do what you’re not doing. So…sit with them, sing, do the motions, buckle up, throw away garbage, have quiet time, keep to the schedule, don’t gossip, obey the trip guidelines, put away the cigs, etc.

9) Dress appropriately.

10) PRAY!!!!!!!

Anyone have? any more to add?

Stephanie