Finishing Up

Last week was a great week with our team. I wish that I had had more time to post pictures, post thoughts, etc. Of all the weeks that you all would like constant "stuff", last week would've been it and it was the toughest week for me to get stuff posted!! I think we all understand "why", so I can breathe a bit, but I just wanted to follow-up from last week.

If something needed to be done at the last minute, people stepped up no questions asked. People were flexible and had great attitudes! It was clearly evident that they established relationships that impacted the children (not only the children, but themselves as well) and even if they kids only remember one new English word or phrase from the whole week, they'll remember their teachers.

Myself, Ed, Elizabeth and Mary Ellis gave the morning devotions for the staff meetings. Barbara, Brad, Rachel and Ed taught the morning Bible lessons. Then following our English classes in the morning, some of the group hung out with the handicap group and talked politics, made some crafts, played games and even practiced English. Two times a day for an hour, they had "watch" duty...which basically meant they either sat at the basketball court, playground, deck overlooking the river, bridge or tent that has carpet ball. This may have been the only "free" time they had, but they willingly took on those duties.

Following a busy week (that literally flew by!), we left early Saturday morning on a packed bus for Auschwitz and Krakow. We weren't 10 minutes on the road and we had someone throw up! Not to mention that the team had been battling a stomach virus (it was going around the camp) and two had been up during the night in the bathroom! We then left sunshine and drove into rain. Despite walking through Auschwitz in the rain., being cold, etc., I know everyone was glad to have gone. The sicknesses seemed to subside (or at least they made it through!) and we left with the sun peaking out of the clouds. They got to shop in Krakow and check out some really old churches. Josh and I enjoyed a "date" (we had a babysitter with them at camp) at a really good Italian restaurant in Krakow. Just the two of us!!! Others ate pizza, kebabs from a street vendor or something from the many outdoor cafe's (although it was better to find something indoors because of the rain!) All in all, it was a great day and they were troopers through it all.

Both churches (Westside Christian and Rochester Christian) should be proud of those who represented them. Thanks, team, for making it a great week!