Work Camp '08 Day 4!

This blog was written by the members of the family group led my Josh Elders and Anna Auker.

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

Marissa Cozza- Today, I worked with Mr. Lewis and “team awesome” for another long day of labor on the roof. Because there was no dumpster this week, we had to keep piling up the debris and old roofing material in one huge pile. Today, we moved the pile (all 50-60 garbage cans full) and we also finished laying all the strips down. I’m experiencing the pleasures of what fiberglass does to bare skin! Despite the difficult work, there’s nothing like working together, as a team, to accomplish one goal. Our goal is to make the roof stronger, and safer. Although it’s hot and uncomfortable, we work hard together and keep each other strong. As a change of pace, we visited Niagara Falls. The vast beauty of the falls forced me to reflect on the “bigger picture” of God’s creation. No matter how big, or small a job is, it’s necessary and appreciated. I realized then that we weren’t just doing Shalom Zone work, but we were doing God’s work.

Molly Patterson-Today some of us, including me, got the opportunity to work with another church sorting products that had been donated by companies. There were boxes and boxes of shampoo, soap, and makeup. The girls definitely had a lot of fun with that job! After we sorted the products, we took plastic bags and put a mix of different kinds of products in them to be donated to people in need. Tonight, we got to experience the power and beauty of Niagara Falls. It was my first time there, and it was something I will never forget. It was a great reminder of God’s almighty power and majesty. I thank Him for giving us this beautiful world and all of its wonders. It has been a great trip so far and I am very grateful for this awesome opportunity.

Kian McCollum! - Some 15 of us met an extremely jovial man named Pastor Angel. While on his cell phone he would say such things as “I love yuh Brothuh!” or he would look at the sky and point and say “Thankya Lord!” We then worked at his church/ warehouse and feasted upon the best pizza and wings ever made. Glorious. Afterwards we met 3 young boys who mirrored the personalities of Joseph Krafczynski, Tom Luketich, and myself. They were pretty darn cool. We played around and they married our sisters. Many pictures were taken before we left for Niagara Falls (which was even more glorious) Thankya Lord, and I love yuh Brothuh!

Kory Beardshall – Today I got to go with several others to work in a different location sorting different products and then bagging them. We got to met people and youth from other churches and talk to them which was cool. It was a good break from smashing metal in the basement of the Shalom Zone. After we got back we got ready and went to the falls where we ate dinner and then went on the cave of the winds tour. It was a really great experience and a beautiful site that I’m glad we got to see!

Julie Christman- I joined Team Tetanus today and helped them to complete their mission of cleaning the 4th floor. We scrubbed the floors until they were clean. Also we went to visit Niagara Falls and we took a tour. It was very wet (obviously!) It was fun to have a picnic dinner and a worship service out in the nature.

Joe Krafczynski- Well, today I went to a warehouse on the outskirts of town and sorted soap into piles. About halfway through the day we realized that these three small chilluns’ acted like us (Tom, Kian, and I) so we hung out with them and had a foam battle. We were also told that we were going to have to eat beans and such since it was a poorer neighborhood, but instead they ordered pizza and wings that were scrumptious.

Tom Luketich – On today, myself and some fourteen other individuals went to a Churchish warehouse in a disreputable section of town to sort various soaps and shampoos and whatnot. The gentleman who drove us there was a joyful man named Reverend Angel who would often raise his hands to the sky and thank the Lord, and was fond of ‘bear hugs’. Whilst at said warehouse, much important work was done, and also we had the best pizza and wings to ever grace my palette. The drink I had with this fine meal was Faygo redpop, I also had a mysterious drink called Loganberry, which was actually really good. Kian, Joe, and I also met three young children who mirrored our own personalities. It was a party! Then we went to Niagara Falls! Hooray!

Haley Roberts- Today, I worked on the fourth floor with Team Tetanus. We swept the floor all morning to rid of the vast amounts of dust. Then we took a lunch break and hydrated ourselves from all of the work we did. Afterwards, we mopped to floor to ensure extreme cleanliness. We worked so hard that we finished early and got to be the first group for showers at the Harvest House . Then we ate dinner at a park near the Niagara Falls and had devotions on a really pretty site near the river. The Cave of the Winds tour was so awesome and I got soaked! Today was such a fun day, and I hope tomorrow will be just as fun.

Rachel Bachri- Today I went to a warehouse with about 15 other people. Pastor Angel drove us there. He was very friendly and gave us a bible quiz on the way there. After we got there we helped sort out hair products and skin products. They were products that were damaged and returned, but could still be used. Then we filled bags up with a couple of each item, and on Saturday the people at the warehouse will give the bags to people who need them.

Anna Auker- Today, I was working up on the 4th floor with “Team Tetanus.” We finished clearing out the garbage in the room, did as much sweeping as possible, and then pseudo-mopped the floor, meaning that we used brooms to scrub the floor with a mixture of water and Pine-Sol. It was a great sense of accomplishment when we mopped the whole warehouse floor in only an hour and a half! Everyone worked really hard and we were all so incredibly proud of the work that we completed in three days. The room looks so much better now. During the night, we went to Niagara Falls and did the Cave of the Winds tour and it was awesome! Our family group had a group hug up on the Hurricane Deck and it was intense. I’m so glad we got the chance to have that experience!

Our family group says hello to all of our families and friends from home and we'll be seeing you soon! Keep on praying!