Knee Deep in the Experience of Mission

"Experience"

Mission Team Members Celebrate Ash Wednesday

Kyleigh Curtin writes:


My experience thus far has been the most wonderful experience I’ve had so far. On our flight here to Antigua it was crazy. I’ve clicked with so many people so fast it’s weird. I’ve never clicked with people this fast. The six hour flight had me all types of crazy because for one; I’ve never been on a six hour flight before, two; take off, landing, and turbulence was just ridiculous (never again, maybe), and three; it gave me the worst stomach ache in the world. The worksites are so much fun. I think it’s because we have a good group. I feel very good that I’m here being the best that I can and doing the best I can. Some of the work is work that I’ve never done before but I learned pretty fast. I really feel like this is something everyone should do because for me it gives me joy to know that I’m doing good and helping in the best way possible. Also you learn a lot from trips like this. It teaches you great life lessons.

"Storming" the Mission

Cameron Neiblum writes:

Once upon a time there was a group of teenagers that made it to Antigua. They were not alone for their faithful and caring adults were right alongside. The days went by smoothly with oceans, smiles, and ghost stories, but as all good things do, a bump in the trip came along. Siobhan once told me that a good mission trip goes through the stages of forming, norming, storming, performing and transforming. Today is Wednesday, some people call it middle of the week, others call it "hump-day" and some storming day. Well today started off brilliant enough. Breakfast had delicious cereal and egg sandwiches, and my group got to work at Baxter Methodist Church. We plastered walls, talked to Jermaine about his truck driving dreams, and ate the most delicious rotis you’ve ever tasted.

We came back and … well I was last in line for the shower and covered in cement so I jumped in the pool and started a little fiesta. The splashing, jumping, and marco poloing ensued until dinner. Have you ever had pasta while listening to live steel drums? If not I suggest you try it sometime! Until this point in time Mike, Jessie and I were sure that the storming phase would not appear. Could it be possible that this group is so amazing that storming cannot exist? Well unfortunately we spoke soon. When the subject of cell phones came up everything fell to pieces. Anyway, let’s fast forward back to the fun times. Currently I’m sitting around the table with Carolyn, Jon, Anna, Matthew and Jerami, Claudia, Jessie, Eric with a Q and Matt … I mean Mike. (I seem to be mixing Mike and his brother’s name up.) Good night world! That’s all there is for today!