Day 5!

Today was another day full of smiling faces and laughter. A woman from the Wissahickon Nature Center came and took the kids on nature walks around the shelter. She gave them all bug boxes that they really enjoyed playing with! They loved walking around and finding interesting bugs in their own backyard. Others made animal masks out of paper plates, construction paper, and feathers. Some of the kids played with balls while others drew themselves in chalk on the pavement. After a full day of playing with the children, the group went into the heart of Philadelphia and ate some delicious Irish Ice in Mango, Cherry, Lemon, and Blue Raspberry flavors. After the Irish Ice, we travelled to Pat's for some delicious Philly Cheese Steaks, except for Mike and Kelley who are vegetarian, and Hayley who doesn't care for Cheese Steaks. They ate Chinese food instead. Overall, we had a full day of fun with the kids and stuffed stomachs.

Mike Sills and Kelley Ficklin

Day 4

Today was a very eventful day at the Stenton Family Manor. For some reason there were about 70 volunteers and about 50 kids. We don't have the excuse to say that we were outnumbered anymore! The biggest reward of the day by far was seeing the happy, smiling faces of the young children we helped. During the afternoon we all played outside with the kids that ranged from about 5-12 years old. We drew pictures with sidewalk chalk, and enjoyed games of basketball, soccer, football, and four square. Overall, by the end of the day we were all extremely tired but walked out with smiles on all our faces. :)

Sam Allen, Kyle Jeffries, and James Allen

Day 3

After an early rise of 7am, the group all piled into the kitchen. There we ate our cookie crisps and frosted flakes then packed our lunches for the long day ahead of us. Once we arrived at the Stenton Family Manor shelter, we met up with the Clayton United Methodist church volunteers. We learned that this shelter was one of two in the entire country that grows their own vegatables in their "Hope" garden. After sketching out our day, we met some of the wonderful children. Finally after a few hours of intense outdoor play, it was time for lunch. We went inside and enjoyed our nicely packed lunches in the "employes" room, while the kids devoured their hot dogs with gusto in the back lawn. Next we ventured out to the pools while some stayed back with the preschoolers. After a funfilled day it was time to leave. On our way back we were hit with an enormous rainstorm, in which Grace and Hailey sprinted about. For dinner, Kyle, James, and Sam prepared a magnificent feast of salad, fruit salad, bread, and chicken alfredo. (With a little assistance from our Tunisian chef friend who's also at the hostel.) All in all it was a fufilling day. Off to compline now.

-Emma Toomer & Grace Gillen

Philadelphia Mission Day 1&2

The first two days of the Philly Mission Trip were very entertaining. The car ride there was 3.5 hours and we made it in time for Ghana's last goal. After we became aquainted with the Chamounix Mansion, we went shopping. Groups of 2 and 3 went shopping for various supplies we needed to get through the fun and exciting week! Our dinner on the first night was make-your-own pizzas, and it was a mess. Then we had fun with compline lead by the fabulous James Allen, and it was truly inspirational. Day 2 we went to church at the Philadelphia Cathedral, and it was a "different" approach on church. There was a lot of movement from the baptismal font to the lectern to the altar and lots of singing! After, we went to the Reading Terminal Market to eat our lunch. Then we traveled as far as New Jersey to experience the Historic Philadelphia area (i.e., we got lost). The two days that we have been on this mission trip have been great! Tomorrow we start to help at the homeless shelter, so we did a lot of planning tonite.

Written by,
Scott Waters