Home ... But Not Finished

The Grace Youth in Mission team returned to Trinity Pres in The Colony at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday night, July 5. We are home from our excursion to the land of Cyclones and Hawkeyes, but definitely not finished. The experience of 11 days in the summer of 2009 will last for some time.

Our collective memories will remember people:

• The Friends from Ankeny Pres, including Mary and Doug, Jay, Jeff, Cooper, the Praise Team and others
• The Children from Hope Ministries' Family Shelter
• The Staff at Bethel Mission and Door of Faith -- David, Larry, Matt, Tom, Bud, and those courageous men, engaged in treatment programs, who have stories of faith and hope to share will anyone who will listen.
• The countless folks who come to Hope Cafe to received both physical and spiritual nourishment and shelter.
  
• The newlyweds -- David and Teenah
• The Staff and Kids at the Freedom Center -- especially Mark, who ran over Rick, Trish and Company's bricks, and Gary who has a real passion for that ministry.
• The Habitat Folks

We will also remember happenings:

• "Spirit Midwest"
• Worship on Sunday at Ankeny Pres -- especially the messages delivered by Taylor, Calvin, Kevin, and Sarah; also the way that Jake said, "Children of God ... Welcome Home"!
  
• Trekking 2.5 miles round trip from the picnic shelter to the beach at Saylorville Lake -- Jesse doing the return uphill trip barefoot, having blown out a sandal
  
• Visiting a homeless camp on the Raccoon River
• Riding the Salvation Army Breakfast Truck at 5:00 a.m.
• Moving a young couple into a new apartment, and the Air National Guard jets that flew over in formation during our house blessing.
• Making "We Care" kits -- and the Wal-Mart clerk who rang up each of 463 items individually. The receipt was taller than Taylor!
• Taking a group of very hyper 4-12 year olds miniature golfing at Sleepy Hollow.
• Playing "Capture the Flag" with the Ankeny youth -- and the walking wounded that the game produced.
  
• The Senior-led last night worship in Wichita -- with Olivia and Jason sharing communion leadership with Rick.
  

We will remember the work and the effect that it will have on the Des Moines community in big and small ways.

Finally, we will remember each other...

• Nine Graduated Seniors -- a very gifted group who brought spirit and leadership in diverse and special ways -- Alec, Ainsley, Chantal, Fulton, Olivia, Calvin, Kevin, Jason, and Leanna. They will be missed, but they will have new opportunities to carry on the mission trip spirit in such far-flung places as New Haven, CT; Evanston, IL; Liberty, MO; Maryville, TN; and places across Texas.
• Sixteen Young People who hopefully will be back for more in 2010 -- Kody, Kreig, Chelsea A., Audra, Kameron, Jake, Kellie -- the next group of Seniors; plus Christine, Chelsea M., Paige, Taylor, Racheal, Mary, Randy, Lee, and Eric.
• Our Leadership Team -- Marianne, Jim, Trish, Wes, Jesse, Sarah, and of course this author.

We were quite a sight travelling through Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri. We tried hard to reflect the way of our Lord and be his hands, feet, head, and heart along the way. Some days were better than others, but we kept on trying.

The journey may have ended, but there will be stories to share. "Hope and Encouragement" will have more to share. Stay tuned!! We are not done!!