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Thursday, June 26, 2008
I’m Valerie and this is my first year on Caravan. I’ve really enjoyed it so far and I’m having a lot of fun. My favorite part so far would have to be that good feeling you get when you do something good for someone else. A group of people and I helped out a lady named Shirley with her trailer home. She had just had heart surgery and lived alone and couldn’t really keep her house up. When we were all finished fixing it up, she told us how much she appreciated it and gave us all a hug. It felt really good because I knew how much we had helped her. She kept telling us how much she really wanted to be able to get up and do stuff around her house, but she couldn’t. You could tell she really loved having us there with her to keep her company, and she told us how much she was going to miss us. I knew we had done a good thing and it felt really, really good.
I’m Morgan, this is my fourth year on Caravan and I am, as McDonalds would say, lovin’ it. I have always loved everything about Caravan, the car rides, the work, the devotions; it is all part of what Caravan is. On my first and second day, I worked at a trailer home belonging to a lady named Darlene. She was the sweetest lady, and she always had a story or an idea to share. We ripped out part of her old floor that was water damaged and we re-did the roof of her porch with something that wouldn’t leak. My third day, I was on the kitchen crew with Helen Simon, Mike Solomon, Betsy Collins and Jacob Canik. We had an amazing time. Today, my fourth day, I painted at a place that is like Goodwill but you don’t have to pay. It is called Christian Help. We painted an office and we also painted a kitchen. Caravan has always been the highlight of my summer and this year is no different.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Bailee Brietzman and Erik Swanson
On our adventure to Caravan 36 we had a lot of fun helping others. On my site [Bailee] I spent about 2 days at that site. We had to tear apart the moldy floor that had absolutely no floor to it. It was like a big hole in the ground. Then we had to tear off the awning of the trailer home. It was very difficult to get it off, Brandon K. and Michael S. got on top of the roof and took all the nails out of the boards. I hammered the boards up so it would be easier to get off. When Matthew Brummond went underneath the trailer to turn off the water; a wolf-spider practically attacked him. The spider was about 4 inches in diameter. I give kudos to Lucas C. he was very brave; he went underneath the trailer about 10 times with the rodents and the spiders and hairy crabs. WHOO GO LUCAS! Matthew Brummond went on top of the trailer to tar the roof and about 15 bees we’re trying to attack him. So, he got some Raid and sprayed the bees; he even shot 2 down in thin air! Let’s just say that I guess the insects don’t like him. =] (ha ha ha) Charlie G. was very useful to us workers at Darlene’s site; his tallness was V-E-R-Y handy. Sometimes we didn’t even need a ladder. =] When Matt, Michael, and I went on the roof to tar it; I slid on the tar and almost fell off but I caught my fall. Betsy C. and Morgan S. had very mad skills on ripping up the tacky carpet and taking off the gorilla-glued tiles on the moldy floor. All of us had a lot of experience to try everything at Darlene’s trailer. I give kudos to all the workers at her site; very nice job guys.
The site that I (Erik) have worked at for the last 2½ days has been a really fun and satisfying experience. It felt good to do a hard day’s work then go back and relax with some of my friends on this trip. One of the main projects that I have been working on was putting tin over part of the roof of Shirley’s trailer home. When we finished with all of the projects going on at her house, she stood back and looked at everything that we had done for her and thanked us. That gesture from Shirley was enough to make all of my work worth it. All of the kids on the trip worked together and made any task enjoyable. The companionship of all of my friends leaves me looking forward to the rest of the trip.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Dear Friends at Rock Prairie,
I’m sorry we’re so late in updating you guys on our progress here on Caravan. We’ve been having a bit of trouble getting internet access around here. We made it safely—first to Indianapolis, where we stayed overnight at Irvington Presbyterian Church—and then to Morgantown, WV, where we’ll be spending most of our time. The following is an account from one of the kids after our first day of work, which was Monday.
Today was our first workday here in West Virginia. Today we went to our houses that we were working at and started demolition on the homes. We ended up ripping up the flooring to replace the insulation and the base boards and padding. We also ripped off the overhang that was above the door and are replacing that tomorrow. There are many things to be done but we have got half of what we needed to get done today done even with getting lost a couple of times. We are having lots of fun this year with all of the new faces. See you all when we return. Samantha Janes (my second year on caravan)
We started with two work sites at different trailers that needed a lot of TLC and have almost completed work on them already and begun some projects at Rock Forge Neighborhood House, where we are staying. Tomorrow, we will begin projects at yet another home and will update you as things progressed. For an account of today’s work, I have asked former Caravaneer and present Caravan chaperone Matt Brummond to offer a report.
It has been seven years since I was a youth Caravaneer, and I am happy to report that the program is as strong as I remember it being back then. Decade old traditions and inside jokes are still around, but most importantly the Christian ethic that drives young people to take a week out of their summer vacations to work hard and challenge themselves physically and spiritually continues to make Caravan the unique institution that it is. Today, I had the pleasure of supervising Rock Prairie’s youth in a variety of tasks including the re-tarring a roof, constructing a porch awning, and repairing a rotted-out floor in a manufactured home. The jobs were tough, but the Caravaneers continue to rise to the challenge just as my friends and I did years ago. Now, as a chaperone, I feel a whole new sense of pride, not from my own work but from watching today’s youth Caravaneers accomplish so much, while still having the energy to confront difficult questions of faith openly and honestly.
Hopefully, we’ll be able to connect again throughout the week to update you again on our progress. Thank you so much for your prayers. We appreciate all your support!!
Sincerely,
Gretchen (for the Caravan Crew)
Caravan XXXV left Rock Prairie on June 23, 2007 for Rapid City, SD. After spending one night midway in Worthington, MN, we arrived at a small Presbyterian camp set in a valley in the Black Hills with cliffs on both sides and a rippling creek running down the middle. What it lacked in size and amenities, it made up for in pure beauty!
After some organizing and dividing of work teams our work began early Monday morning. We designed and built a labyrinth in the shape of a very large cross. This included moving hundreds of large rock out of the cold creek bottom onto shore to be hand placed along the edges of the cross. We built fourteen "cubbies" for either side of the seven cabins, so that campers have a place to store their personal items. We constructed three large shelves for storing tents, etc. which filled one end of their Recreation Bldg. This was constructed around the existing windows and with slat shelves for air circulation. We strung clothes line between each of the cabins, built and painted an inner tube hanger, and painted the exterior of the Rec. Bldg., including trim. We worked hard but made sure there was time for play and devotions as well.
Friday we took off for a Fun Day which included an underground waterfall inside a cave, the Cosmos Mystery Area, a presidential tram and slide, Mt. Rushmore and hiking and swimming.
Our devotions centered around Choices. The first choice we stressed was the choice to "Choose Christ, Choose Life." The other choices included friendships, language, attitude, respect, self-esteem, wisdom and self-control.
As always, we could not continue this most important tradition called Caravan without the prayers and support of so many. For that we are thankful to each and every one of you who have helped the youth of Rock Prairie Church throughout the years. God's Blessings to you all!
Caravan XXXIV went to Burghill, OH this year, and we had a great work and mission experience. Joseph Badger Meadows Camp was the location for our trip and they were in great need of our work, as we were in great need of their hospitality.
The scope of work ranged from drywall, painting, demolition, paneling, building decks, clearing trails, and many other various jobs. There was rain, mud, and a little sunshine, but over all we had a wonderful stay at the camp.
The building that we stayed in was air-conditioned, had a large meeting room, and it's own kitchen, very acceptable for our group. We again had devotions twice a day, and worked about 8 hrs. per day.
For our fun day we went to Cedar Point, an amusement park with more than 20 roller coasters, the youth and adults had a wonderful time.
In summary Caravan XXXIII was a great experience for all who attended, and I can only hope that all of the youth will repeat next year, maybe with our new Pastor.
Respectfully submitted by Marcus Scharine
To say our faith was stretched would be an understatement. We weren't sure we liked being split up . . . we were pretty sure we didn't like the contemporary worship services and we weren't sure what to expect from some of the campers who called us "Yankees". But, we continued to work and talk and pray throughout the week and came to the conclusion that this is where God led us and we would finish the task set before us. Our youth made new friends with the area campers. Some even decided they liked this arrangement of work groups. We touched many peoples' lives and they in turn touched our hearts. The food was great and the people were very appreciative of our work.
I was personally very proud of our youth's attitudes, even during some difficult times. The young people of Rock Prairie are inspiring to other youth, to the adults they worked for, and to us as chaperones. During our daily devotions they share from their hearts. They give hope to others and encouragement to us all.
Caravan would not be successful without the continued support of all members of Rock Prairie during Chili Dinner and Car Wash, which help to offset the costs of going on Caravan. Also the chaperones give up vacation time/family time to go on these trips, and for that we are always thankful. This year's chaperones included: Margie Joiner, Connie Haag, Dave and Pat Brummond, Helen Simon, Marcus Scharine, Ben Hammelman and Dee Talley (interim pastor). To each of you who have helped support this mission in large and small ways, we say "Thank You!”
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie Joiner, Youth Chairperson
For the next five days, we resided in a castle-looking resort at Clearwater Presbyterian Forest Camp. The accommodations were pleasing to us all. God's Gang accomplished various tasks during our five days such as: cleared and spread bark under an obstacle course, stained and cleaned various sheds, built and stained benches, built horseshoe pits, cleared a new trail and parking site, groomed a camp site, and removed debris from a water front. The children completed each task with endless energy.
Every day we shared devotions in the morning and evening. Devotions is a time for sharing God's Word and our own with a blend of laughter and tears. We also took a tic count.
It is always surprising to see how we each grow through our faith on these Caravan trips. If I could express one highlight of this trip, it would be the reaction and gratefulness the camp manager expressed upon receiving the mission check and all the tasks that were completed by the members of Caravan XXXII.
Our last stop before reaching home was a shopping spree at Mall of America. Our vans reached Rock Prairie on June 27th and family and friends warmly received us.
Caravan functions throughout the year, such as the Annual Chili Dinner, Spaghetti Dinner, and car wash help fund this youth mission trip. The youth and chaperones would like to express their thanks to the congregation for helping promote and support this youth program.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie Joiner, Chairperson of Youth Ministry
We were blessed with a congregation who supported our efforts by giving additional funds to sponsor a semi-load of food delivered to this warehouse during our stay! The youth also cleared and cleaned up parks, assisted in a pet shelter, visited with residents in an elderly housing unit, painted and re-roofed a youth center, and helped teach Vacation Bible School, to name a few.
This year we prepared our own food, so each day a different "crew" shopped, chopped, cooked, and served a delicious meal. We even delivered lunches to some of the crews. We all came together in the evenings (which were hot) to share in some of the day's events and talk about our next day's activities. Most importantly, we came together morning and evening to share during devotions and learn about God's Word and what that means in our lives.
Our "older" members guided and lead by example, while the "new" kids observed. By the end of our time together, it made little difference as to who was new and who was experienced. It is always encouraging to see some of the youth "step up" and become the leaders. We hope these days with Caravan will be meaningful to our youth as they continue on their journey in life.
Our main fundraisers are the Chili Dinner and a car wash. Again, many thanks to our congregation for their continued support for this most important investment in our youth. We could not continue without your support.
Chaperones this year included Cliff Grenawalt, Margie Joiner, Diane Landherr, Marcus and Shelly Scharine, Helen Simon, and John Torpy. We appreciate these adults for their dedication to this mission.
We had 8 travel days, which included one day of fun at Niagra Falls N.Y. God really has brought a spectacular thing to N.Y. and Canada.
Our days at Camp Aldersgate at Brantingham, N.Y. were full of work and challenging situations. We did our best at completing the work that the camp had for us, and we accomplished that, in about 3 days. We then hunted around for more projects to do. We tried to keep busy at camp, and through building a floating swim platform, wheel chair trails, clearing brush, clearing trails, cleaning freezers, building shower decks, staining and repairing benches, building fence, putting up tents, and digging latrines, we did have work.
The trip was long, and that makes it tough because we all missed family, but many great things happened on this trip both fun and spritual. The benefits of this trip are still going on, thanks to the great youth involved in the Church.
There have been many youth organized functions, breakfasts, campouts, and just friends getting together since we returned. The credit for these functions goes to the youth of Rock Prairie as does the success of Caravan XXX.
Harry Johnson started this excellent program, but now the real goal of Caravan has been achieved, the youth of Rock Prairie have come together and bonded into an inseparable group, and they have made lifetime friends. Thank you to all that support this group, and we pray that God continues to bless this program for years to come.
submitted by Marcus Scharine
We balanced on a tree trunk, swing on a rope, climbed through a tire, held onto each other and learned to depend on someone else. The purpose was to build trust and respect before going to work. And work we did!
We built picnic tables, fire benches and decks. We dismantled rotted decks and an old porch. We stained, painted, and stenciled. We dug rocks out, moved rocks over, and put more rocks in. We learned new songs from the young campers and taught them a few too.
We strengthened old friendships and made new ones. We shared our faith and gained new insights from each other. We laughed and cried, we worked and played hard. Add it all up... and it spells SUCCESS!
In His Love,
Margie Joiner
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