Charleston Mission Trip part two

Don't forget to check out part one here or the full photo album on facebook here.

Tuesday:

Lots of rearranging in their Children's building (they're now calling it Kids Cove). We took several "junk" areas and made them functioning resource closets and rooms. 

Before

After

After

Before

After

They worked on anchoring down the Auditorium pews. Yall--what a job! This was hard labor that required belly crawling, a special drill and bit, and precise measurements. 

The infamous wall painting! There are probably 50 pictures of this wall getting painted on the facebook album. It was quite the monster of a task!

 That evening, we split up and half went to do a sports camp at Park Circle. The other half of us passed out VBS fliers at New Beginnings.

While at New Beginnings, Pastor Joe and I got to rescue a lady who had a really scraped up leg and a dead moped (can't make this up). We ended up spending our entire "flier time" helping the lady, but God prevailed in the most unique way, as her son took all of the fliers and handed them out in their small community afterwards.

As a treat, many of us went to enjoy ice cream this evening after our worship/family time! Yum-o.

Wednesday:

Wednesday was a day where we had to practice our flexibility skills. Grin! Because an elder at Portside passed away, the funeral, visitation, and meal were scheduled for Wednesday. We really couldn't be at that church at all during the day. Instead, we devoted the whole day to tasks at New Beginnings. We did TONS of yard work and accomplished creating the majority of their VBS props for July! 

That evening, we split up again. Some of us went to the youth/kids services at New Beginnings and the rest went to prayer meeting at Portside. Both were such blessings and glimpses into the life of the local church there. 

Thursday:

We began each morning with personal devotions. The privilege of our hotel being on CSU's campus was plenty of beautiful open space for these devotions.

Thursday was a monster work day of finishing up! We finished the giant wall, finished a lot of yard work, finished the kids building, finished VBS props at New Beginning etc. etc. etc!

We ended Thursday with another sports camp evening at Park Circle and dinner out with our church family :)

Friday:
Friday was a half work day where we put finishing touches around all of our work. Several church members were able to deliver the community baskets the ladies had made earlier in the week, as well. We also took some "after" pictures and then we just enjoyed our afternoon before our final night of worship and family time!

We got up Saturday morning and headed home from the trip.
A final installment of the Charleston Trip Recap will be coming to the blog Wednesday! This post will have some of my personal take-aways, the trip video (if I can figure out how to link that!), and before/after collages.
We had such a special trip and I am so grateful for it!

Part one here
Photo album here
Part three here

Charleston Mission Trip part one

We left Saturday for our Charleston Mission trip. Over the course of the week, we had 41 workers (some came a tad late, some left early, etc) and worked with 2 churches.

One church really just needed help getting their VBS decor situated and fliers passed out. We predominantly did that on Wed and on some evenings. 

The other church was a unique situation. Apparently there was a church split about 10 years ago that left the remaining crowd drowning in space and work to do--but no laborers. Many years have passed and there is life beginning again in the church. The pastor and ministers, as well as the members, have a heart for young families and to grow the church. Their first youth in over 5 years joined this month and one of the members was heard saying, "he may be the first-but he's the first of many!" God is good and gave us the chance to be the hands and feet for their sweet hearts. 

Saturday:

Saturday was basically our travel and orientation day. We left our church that morning at 8 and drove straight to the downtown market area. We were able to spend a couple of hours eating, touring, and relaxing before our big week took off. 

Then, we came back to our hotel (the Wingate on CSU's campus-so nice!) to do orientation. 

Dad took us through our plan for the week and we got our schedules situated. That evening, we ate local barbecue and relaxed in a time of community worship. 

Sunday:

Our group split in two and we worshiped at each of the churches where we were to be serving this week. I was at Portside with about 20 and the rest went to New Beginnings (second picture). 

We did the mall food court for lunch-quick and easy! 

Then, we went to a local community (Park Circle) and passed out fliers. The fliers told about our Tues/Thurs sports camp. We also passed out Father's Day gifts since it happened to be Father's Day.

Sunday evening, we enjoyed a yummy seafood dinner and more worship/group time. 

Monday:

Phew! We hit the ground running hard on this day! It was our longest and hardest work day by far!!! 

Projects included: electrical work, cleaning out a 10-year abandoned youth gym and Sunday school area, organizing Children's building, anchoring down auditorium pews, working in their yard, shoring up playground equipment, making crafts for local businesses and shut-ins, and organizing their fellowship hall closet. A small group of guys also went to an orphanage to work with the young men there and do a sports outreach. 

We worked until late that evening and finished the night with supper, worship, and BED! 

I've posted the full photo album of progress on Calvary Baptist's Facebook page (Williamston, SC). 

I'll be back Monday with part two of the week and wrap up on Wednesday with some before/after shots and hopefully a video! 

What progress we made in just the first few days!

Part Two here
Photo Album here
Part Three here