15 People in a 15-Passenger Van - for 13 hours - each way

Fifteen people in a 15-passenger van is a tight fit. Everybody makes some sacrifice in comfort and personal space. (Thank goodness for the trailer from Becca's family for luggage and sleeping bags!) Given the long ride and the close quarters, I am grateful to everyone that the climate inside the van was civil - mostly.

I understand that the farthest row back was the least convenient and least comfortable. I'd lke to acknowledge those who endured the extra sacrifice and sat in that back row either on the way up or the way back. Thanks.

F.M.

A Bed Time Story (sort of)

This is the St. Luke corner of the men's sleeping room at Thunder Bay Christian Fellowship. I learned that it was much coveted by the other groups because of the 9' by 12' (estimate) carpet that was already there. The remainder of the near-gymnasium size room was linoleum tile floor. Our guys arrived there first and quickly staked out their sleeping places on the carpet. I was a little slow in getting there, so I placed my sleeping bag on the tile floor next to the carpet where I slept each night. It really wasn't all that bad.

About mid-week I started to prepare mentally for the long return drive home. Naturally I wanted to be as rested and alert as possible for a safe trip home on Friday. I thought it would be nice - if on the last night - I could sleep on that carpet.

Sometime Thursday, at one of our regular group meetings, I asked the guys if they wouldn't mind making a little room for me on the carpet. Sure enough, that evening, they cleared a spot for me - so I moved my sleeping bag there and then went downstairs to brush my teeth.

I returned to a dark sleeping room, since all the lights had already been turned off. So I crawled into my sleeping bag and hoped that I would quickly fall asleep. I was amazed at just how comfortable that carpet felt! I remember thinking "Wow! I should have asked for a spot on the carpet much earlier." I soon fell asleep and had the best night of sleep that I had all week.

It was only when I awoke the next morning and began to roll up my sleeping bag that I noticed 2 foam pads - strategically placed to cushion my sleeping bag. Thanks guys!

- F.M.

Home!!! (Aug. 7, 2009)

We were all tired & hungry but the trip home went well. All arrived safely at church, Friday evening, 10:15 p.m.

Last Day at Thunder Bay (Thursday, August 6, 2009)

Matt and Emily paint windows at the "Our Kids Count" children's center.

The "Last Day of Kid's Club" party attended by neighborhood children.

The St Luke Presbyterian group playing "gangsta" at the pavilion in Marina Park.

A group picture of volunteers from all six churches that participated this week at the YouthWorks camp in Thunder Bay.

Tomorrow we pack and head home.

More work at Eagles Cove & More Kids Club

Matt & Lisa were a big hit with their new young friends on the field at Thunder Bay Christian Fellowship Church (our home base!).

Molly, Jessica & Chante on their newly leveled front yard at Eagle's Cove ministry house.

John, Hank, and Max still clearing brush around the ministry house at Eagle's Cove.

Eagle's Cove + breakfast (Aug. 4, 2009)

A variety of work at Eagle's Cove today: cementing stone, cleaning the family camp cabins, and clearing more brush. The second picture is the area we cleared on Monday. We also had to rise and shine especially early since we had breakfast duty at 6:45 a.m.

Eagle's Cove (Aug. 3, 2009)

Ten of the St. Luke youth were assigned to go to Eagle's Cove, an aborigine center around 40 min. away from our home base. We will be working there all week. Eagle's Cove is over 150 acres of beautiful forest surrounding a small lake; this ministry serves the aborigine population. We learned about the sad history of the First Nation people in Canada and how this site is ministering to the aborigines. We cleared a LOT of brush, moved big rocks, rotten logs, and levelled the topsoil in a front yard. At the end of the day we were very excited because we could actually see a large clearing where there had been thick brush. (Sorry, pix from Vida's camera didn't download to Fred's laptop...we'll use Becca's camera tomorrow!)