Happy 4th!

Nothing important to say or worthy of reading, I am just testing posting using my blackberry. Guess I should have taken a picture this morning with my phone so I could also test that. Maybe I'll take a photo at the parade today and attempt to upload it later today.

Friday, July 3, 2009

I am praying everyone is packed and ready to go … so that the team can enjoy the 4th of July festivities tomorrow! Ending the day with a magnificent fireworks display, of course, and then straight to sleep for a 6:30 am arrival at SeaTac on July 5th.

I upgraded to a Blackberry today, with international internet (for one month) with the hope that we will have adequate access in Libre Union to post pictures and blog a bit about our mission trip. We will let you know if it works (if it doesn't work we won't have a way to let you know anyway!)

Davenport Recap - Picture Gallery 3

Just a few miscellaneous Calvin team pictures:

Davenport Recap - Picture Gallery 2

Youth Outreach Picture Gallery
Flaming (well, smoking) davenports to follow:

Davenport Recap - Picture Gallery

Some VBS Pictures:

Day Five & Six in Davenport

Sorry it's been a few days since we've blogged, but so much great stuff has been happening that we've barely had time to sleep or eat, much less actually take the time to let the rest of the world know what's going on. Yesterday (Thursday) was a whirlwind of activity - besides VBS, we had our last teen outreach night, Crazy Olympics, which included Jello wrestling, Steal the Bacon with Crisco-covered watermelons, and racing couches down the biggest hill in Davenport, one of which went so fast that the wheels melted right off from the friction.

That, along with watching Kathi get thrown in the Jello pit by Peter, Greg, and Joe, was the highlight of my night. Afterwards, we heard a band from one of the local churches play, and I know a few people, not just from Davenport but from Calvin as well, had some amazing spiritual moments. We showered away the remnants of Crisco and Jello and crashed as soon as we got back to the church in order to be ready for the last day of VBS and the picnic afterwards with the kids and their parents. We were all happy to see that our presence here has had an effect after watching almost 20 of the kids accept Christ into their hearts today.

Since Stephen and Sam had to leave on Thursday, we ended up doing foot-washing Wednesday night, and even though at that point we'd only been here for a few days, it was really amazing, probably one of the best I've ever had on a mission trip. Foot-washing is always really emotional and intense, but we've already had so many great moments together after sharing our testimonies that we already had so much to say to each other, even those of us who barely knew each other less than a week ago. I thought that because the youth group "clique" - Mary, Julia, Johanna, Garrett, the Ericksons - is nearly gone and because this would be my first mission trip without them around, it would be weird. Not only that, but there's such a big age gap between Sam, Stephen, and I and most of the rest of the group, who are mostly incoming freshmen or sophomores, I came into this week thinking it was going to be really awkward for everyone. Instead, the personalities in this group just clicked, and sharing our testimonies during the first few days of the trip helped us to be really open and honest with each other. It amazes me how incredibly close we've all grown in such a short amount of time. As much as I miss the old group, now that I've experienced it, I'm equally sad about the fact that I'm going to be missing out on this great new one. I'm really excited for tonight and for the next few days, which we'll be spending just hanging out and having fun together watching the light show at the Coulee Dam and at Silverwood.

Day Four in Davenport

Hey all, Ray here!

Today's events went very well. The morning started up at 7:30am for most of us and at about 7:55 for the late risers. After a delicious breakfast of egg and sausage casserole, coffee cake (both homemade) and fruit we headed over to the community hall to set up and receive kids for VBS. By 9:00 we were underway; singing, doing hand motions and having a great time with the kids in our opening activity. Kathi did a great job of leading the assembly as usual but there was a little bit of a change in the format. Today I got the privilege of sharing a part of the gospel message in her stead, telling this room full of rambunctious, waiting kids about the life and death of Jesus and the resulting redemption of man. Needless to say I was more than a bit nervous about having to present this deep and life-changing information and not so sure how things would go... but God was faithful as usual! The words came out (hopefully in a way that at least one kid understood) and I'm trusting that God will accomplish His will in the lives of those kids, one step at a time.




After the opening program all the age groups went to their separate activities, my group to craft followed by bible lesson then snack and recreation. To say that I saw the wonder of God in the eyes of those kids today would be an understatement. Watching them play and laugh and sing and RUN, RUN, RUN was a great thing and I could actually see them processing and integrating the things we've been saying this week throughout the day. After VBS we cleaned up and headed back to First Pres. for a delicious lunch of tacos and brownies provided by one of the many families who have lined up to share with us through their cooking this week. After lunch there was a short meeting to talk about the morning's events and plan for tonight and tomorrow and to hang out a little bit with the youth helpers from Davenport and nearby Harrington. Afterwards we loaded up and went to the homes of a couple of church families for showers and general R&R (thanks so much to Gary and Alice for sharing your showers, your bikes and your hearts) and just recently got back to the church to cook and set up for a spaghetti dinner and the youth outreach event tonight down at the Harrington Pool. As a matter of fact I have to hurry up and finish here so I can at least pretend to help!

Before I go though, Calvin, please continue to pray and think of us this week as we continue attempting to share with and love on our brothers and sisters here in Davenport. See you all in a few days!

- Ray

P.S. HEY to my fellow trainees/sisters back in Shoreline. I've missed you guys this week and can't wait to get back to the quote board!!!!!!

Day Three in Davenport

Day three was almost more like day one and two, for we had our second day of VBS and our first day of the youth outreach for junior and high school students in the evening. In VBS, the kids focused on the letter E, for Endurance. The alternative sport of the day started out as Broomball (hockey with brooms and a rubber ball), but quickly found out that the brooms did not have the endurance that we imagined. Thankfully we were able to buy some emergency brooms to keep them going, however. After VBS, we took our first official Davenport siesta, in the form of a napping period to regain our strength till the outreach. When rested, we headed to the park to meet up with our older teenagers and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner. A game of Bigger or Better than followed, where groups would start with a paper clip and go into the community, asking different houses to trade for our paper clip for something bigger, or better. By the end, groups brought back everything from large bugs to small children to a used basketball. Finally, to finish the night, several people shared their testimonies to the groups (including myself). It was a long day (including the first rain for the town in apparently two months!), but attendance levels grew and we got to meet many new people.
-Stephen Erickson

Tonight was SO fun! It turned out a lot different than I was expecting,which was a really great thing. We had a GREAT turnout, with kids of all ages. Dinner was super yummy (and I'm not just saying that 'cus I grilled the burgers, haha), and the game was really fun, and a great way to get to know some kids from Davenport, Rearden, and Harrington. My favorite part of the evening was when we shared our testimonies in small groups. After i shared mine, my group was super mature and supportive, and it was an amazing feeling to have these kids that I didnt even know express such love to me. Many of the girls in my group were excited to share theirs as well, and although there was some tough stuff that we talked about, I feel that overall it was a good thing for them that they did. I cant wait to see what the turnout is for tomorrow's pool outreach in Harrington!
God Bless,
Katherine Naten

Prayer Request for our first Youth Outreach tonight!

Kathi here - we had another great day in VBS, despite gremlins in the sound system and brooms that failed to "Endure - our word for the day" some serious broomball fun ... but I will let the youth tell you about that.

I just wanted to ask for prayer tonight for our first youth outreach. Please pray for the youth of Davenport to come out to the park tonight. We know there is a real need in this community for the saving love and grace of our Lord, and we know that God has been working in the hearts of those who need to hear and feel is His love. Earlier in the week, our park decorations were maliciously destroyed ... we pray that these young men (there was a camera going in the park) come tonight, and that we can show them God's compassion and love!

Finally, please pray for the Calvin youth who will be sharing their stories tonight (of what Jesus has done in there lives). Please pray for the Holy Spirit to give them courage and boldness, to help them to share honestly, and to speak the Truth. We have been sharing our stories each night, during our team devotional time - the sharing has been very deep and meaningful. In fact we are all pretty drained this afternoon and are taking our first siesta! I think I will now join the team myself!

More later ....

Day Two in Davenport

Today was the first day of VBS and it started out great! The kids showed up bright and early for a morning of fun, bible study, snacks, and worship! We were expecting around 100 kids, and sadly only 50 were there, but we are praying for an increase in numbers in the coming week. The theme of the day was Hope, and the kids made frisbees, and learned to play Ultimate Frisbee! We had a lot of down time after lunch, but we spent it making Jello for Thursday's Crazy Olympics, and preparing brooms for Broomball tomorrow. After that were graciously given the opportunity to go over to two of the helpers from VBS and members of the church's house. While there we got to play with month old kittens, ride a four-wheeler, hot tub, and HOT SHOWERS!

Joe- Today was really fun, and I enjoyed VBS a lot. However, my favorite part of the day was the kittens at Wade and Miranda's house. They were so small! The four-wheeler was really awesome too, but I went to fast so Katherine got scared and had to get off. Im really looking forward to see what happens in the rest of the week.

Day One in Davenport

Our week in Davenport has had a great start! This morning we greeted the members of Davenport First Presbyterian for Sunday service, and later drove down to Lake Roosevelt for a church picnic, where we experienced great food, fellowship, and fun water activities.

Lena here.... the church was just what we expected... small. The worship though was just AMAZING! No other words can explain it. The whole church (about 30-40 people or so) was SO into worshiping. Everyone was clapping, and singing praises to the Lord. It sounded almost as loud as Calvin... which is a BIG thing. I don't know if it was just because we were there, but everyone walking in with big pearly smiles, and warm welcomes to us even though we were the ones greeting. After the whole day in the water, (I learned to water ski, and knee-board) we went to go decorate the park for V.B.S tomorrow. Later at dinner to our dismay... we got a call from Kathi telling us the park/decorations had been vandalized. Not to mention the bus got sprayed by a skunk. So we had a interesting first day but the hot, warm showers at the end of the day made it worth it!

-Lena Kirkman

Its Briell now.... This morning was a nice time when I was greeting the people of the church. The picnic after the service was the best part of the day because we got to sit in the sun and eat food while talking to the church members. It was nice to listen to Karl tell us what he thought the direction of the mission should go. He was also telling us a little bit about the town and some of the school kids and what they do. I was shocked to hear that some of the kids used drugs and did thing that they thought was okay. This is a day that I will never forget!

-Briell Mitchell

What's up, Greg here, we had a blast today. First we went to church, well, we were kind of already there. But that was fun. Next we went to lake roosevelt and I went innertubing but it was really rough and i flipped. next we went to someone's house and they had a trampeline. overall it was a good day.

Greg

All in all today was a fun, and interesting day. We are all looking forward to getting up bright and early tomorrow morning and welcoming the first day's kids for vacation bible school! Keep us in your prayers, that God may give us strength and patience to deal with these fun-loving first through sixth graders!

God Bless

-Katherine Naten

Hello Davenport! After waiting for everyone to arrive at the church (coughLenacough) the Calvin Youth Team headed out on the long road to Eastern Washington. With one rest stop, and after stopping at The Blustery Drive-In (in Vantage) for burgers and fries, we made pretty good time, arriving in Davenport around 7:45 p.m. We got settled quickly and went for a tour of the town. It didn't take long to reach the edge of town before we turned back towards the church. We finished the night with exploring the church, chatting, and worship and devotions. Tomorrow we are all looking forward to greeting people at the door for church, helping with the praise and worship band, and experiencing church in a new way. After that will be the church picnic, and planning and set up for VBS for the rest of the week. Keep us in your prayers as we jump into this great adventure!

God Bless,

Katherine Naten

p.s. Sorry about the size of the picture, we are having technical difficulties, that we hope to fix in the VERY near future! Stay tuned

July 23, 2008 - Davenport Blog Kickoff!

Davenport, HERE WE COME! In a matter of days the youth of Calvin Presbyterian will be taking off in the church bus for the small town of Davenport Washington. Equipped with VBS supplies, crazy Olympics games, fun plans for the week, and big smiles, the twelve of us are just about ready to go! We will be leaving Saturday the 26th of July, and making the trek across Eastern Washington, planning to arrive around 7, in the little town just West of Spokane. In the months leading up to this journey, the Calvin Youth team has hosted multiple fund raising events, such as the church rummage sale, and Cinco de Mayo dinner. (Thanks to everyone who supported us by coming out!) We have also gone up to Tall Timber for a day of bonding, preparation, and service, to get us ready for this mission. Everything so far is looking up, and all are excited to get on the road, come Saturday morning! Updates will be added daily, containing the day's schedule, along with testimonies of those attending, and pictures. So stay tuned, and keep updated on the happenings of Calvin Presbyterian's Youth Mission to Davenport Washington!
God Bless,
-Katherine Naten