Greetings from the land of cool temperatures (today, it did not hit 80 degrees) and cheaper gas (89 octane gas is $2.27) At noon today, we hit the midpoint of the trip. Things seem to be going very fast around here. I suppose that's a good sign, as I guess that it means things are going well, but at the same time you want to slow things down an savor the moments that you have with such a terrific group.
Taylor 's Reflections from Tuesday...
WOW each day keeps on getting better and better! We went to Freedom for Youth and it was awesome. The youth that go their don't stay there at night but spend the day there for something to do. We went up there in the morning, and at first I didn't feel like I was doing much. Me, Jake, and Kellie were working together, but what we were doing I couldn't do very well, so I felt useless. Our morning devotional and scripture this morning was about having patience, the Lord will find you something to do, and everything you do is important. Much later in the d
ay, still feeling useless, I saw a little boy and went up and talked to him. His name was Ahmani from Tanzania. He was very shy at first, but after a while he warmed up to me and started talking to me about his background. He ended up working as much, if not more, than some of the mission trippers. It's just amazing to me that someone who has lost so much, could be open to so much, and do so much to help others. He was only 12, but I've learned so much from him, and I'm getting so much more thankfull for everything I have every day I'm here.
ay, still feeling useless, I saw a little boy and went up and talked to him. His name was Ahmani from Tanzania. He was very shy at first, but after a while he warmed up to me and started talking to me about his background. He ended up working as much, if not more, than some of the mission trippers. It's just amazing to me that someone who has lost so much, could be open to so much, and do so much to help others. He was only 12, but I've learned so much from him, and I'm getting so much more thankfull for everything I have every day I'm here. Kevin's Tuesday Reflection...
At 4:45 AM I had the pleasure of going to help the Salvation Army feed homeless people around downtown Des Moines. It was great weather and I was estatic to get started. Inside the truck, I got to cook quiche and give out all types of food to different homeless people. Although I felt bad for just giving handouts, I learned that to some, I was 
giving more than just a meal. I was giving them warmth and love with simple words as "hello," "how are you," and "have a great day." The next place to do God's work was at a place called "Freedom for Youth." There I met a great person named Gary who was a professional drummer at age 13. The work they do there, which is helping refugee kids get bikes and helping homeless kids make it out into the world on their own was...Phenomenal.
giving more than just a meal. I was giving them warmth and love with simple words as "hello," "how are you," and "have a great day." The next place to do God's work was at a place called "Freedom for Youth." There I met a great person named Gary who was a professional drummer at age 13. The work they do there, which is helping refugee kids get bikes and helping homeless kids make it out into the world on their own was...Phenomenal.Fulton's Tuesday Reflection...
I crawled my tired butt out of bed at 4:15 am, got dressed, and climbed in the van to deliver meals to people in Des Moines, Iowa. I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful person, Jim, who was the Salvation Army Distaster Relief Van Driver. Even though we only visited a total of 3 or 4 sites we spent about 30-45 mins at each talking to and filling orders of the needy customers. Quiche, cereal bags, cinnamon rolls, granola bars, yogurt, and lemonade cartons were the choices 
for the people. Since I'm such a people person I got to work the window and talk to the people face to face greeting them, giving them their bags of food, and reminding them to have a blessed week. After having an amazing talk with Jim I asked him how I could get his job, his response was "why?". I just laughed. I explained in the past my family had been in the same position as these people standing in line. Life doesn't always go as planned and even though asking for help may be degrading to some, its needed. I told him I could honestly wake up every morning at 4:15 for the rest of my life if it meant helping people like this. The smiles and "God bless you" responses made my heart skip beats. I'm going to college in Missouri in the fall to major in missionary work and this is exactly what I want to do. He gave me a number to contact and the first chance I get I'm going to contact a Salvation Army near me. This is my calling, this is what makes me happy and what I have my heart set on. I knew there was a reason I lucked out and got a chance to do this job this morning. Out of 32 people I got to go. This is my 4th and final mission trip with Grace and I wanted it to be the best, maybe to the point where my expectations where high, but this day made a wonderful finale to my mission trip that isn't really even over until Sunday when we get back home. The people we served said they were blessed, but I think it was the other way around, I was blessed with this amazing experience. Thank you God and Rick.
for the people. Since I'm such a people person I got to work the window and talk to the people face to face greeting them, giving them their bags of food, and reminding them to have a blessed week. After having an amazing talk with Jim I asked him how I could get his job, his response was "why?". I just laughed. I explained in the past my family had been in the same position as these people standing in line. Life doesn't always go as planned and even though asking for help may be degrading to some, its needed. I told him I could honestly wake up every morning at 4:15 for the rest of my life if it meant helping people like this. The smiles and "God bless you" responses made my heart skip beats. I'm going to college in Missouri in the fall to major in missionary work and this is exactly what I want to do. He gave me a number to contact and the first chance I get I'm going to contact a Salvation Army near me. This is my calling, this is what makes me happy and what I have my heart set on. I knew there was a reason I lucked out and got a chance to do this job this morning. Out of 32 people I got to go. This is my 4th and final mission trip with Grace and I wanted it to be the best, maybe to the point where my expectations where high, but this day made a wonderful finale to my mission trip that isn't really even over until Sunday when we get back home. The people we served said they were blessed, but I think it was the other way around, I was blessed with this amazing experience. Thank you God and Rick.
I think more and more people should stand up and be counted and help homeless people. There are a lot of car donation program that we can support. The only thing lacking is inaction.
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