Roses and Thorns

The 2013 Dominican Republic Team has arrived in the DR.  We gathered on the rooftop space at the Hotel Colonial for our evening meeting at about 11 p.m.

Father Jim explained the format of the meeting: share successes and joys of the day - or as Jim Hunter's Boy Scout troop says, "the roses"; then share the challenges of the day - "the thorns".

We stated the obvious roses... we had gathered on time at Dulles, our flights were on time and uneventful, we arrived in Santiago and were met by Father Hipolito, Poly, Lilian and the kids. Good. Now for thorns... again, the obvious. Our suitcases DID NOT arrive with us.

But, returning to roses, we were grateful that there was a store open for emergency purchases of toiletries. We were grateful for the persistence of our hosts in finding contact lens solution. We are keeping our fingers crossed that our bags really will arrive on the 12:30 flight tomorrow and that American Airlines really will deliver them to our hotel.

We closed our meeting with scheduling announcements for Sunday and then, the Lord's Prayer. Now, it's off to bed with us. As I turn out my street front room's light, the music in the street is a familiar ballad. I can even sing along as my head hits the pillow. The thorns? Not to worry. The roses? They more than make up for the thorns.

Transitions

As the Philadelphia team settles back into their Virginia homes, they leave part of their hearts at the Stenton Family Manor. Such are the joys, sorrows, and literal heartbreak of mission trips. Welcome back, team!

St. Anne's is a busy place over the summer. We see people we don't see at other times of year because the service times change. The 7:45 early birds are invaded by the 9:00 people who want a jump start on summer Sundays. Other 9:00 people arrive at the 10:00 service to find their customary pews occupied by the 11:15 crowd. Our worship patterns are mixed up both by schedule and service music. People are out for vacations, people bring their visiting family members.

Our mission teams come and go as well. Philly folks come home; the Dominican Republic team leaves. The Mission Possible day camp program works at various spots in Northern Virginia; the Dungannon team plans for their work trip to Southwestern Virginia. We will pass each other on roads and in airports... oops, I'm sounding like the Saints of God hymn!

The point really is this: Home is here and home is there. The Holy Spirit makes us at home everywhere! (Apologies to Dr. Suess.)

Watch this space! The family of God is mixing and matching all summer long!

Day 7 - Philly Friday

Today was our last day at Stenton Family Manor. We played with the kids and did lots of fun activities like hockey, volleyball, bracelet making, and hat decorating. We decorated some bulletin boards for the staff and did anything else we could to help out.

One fun thing that we shared with some of the campers was a beat made using cups that was played while singing a song. The kids really enjoyed learning, teaching, and performing the song!

When it came time to say goodbye, we were all sad to leave behind the wonderful kids and friendships made during this week. We had many tough goodbyes and some of the most difficult were saying farewell to members of the staff. For instance our wonderful leader, Ms. Stephanie who gifted us with bags of Philadelphia treats including Tasty Kakes and Herr's potato chips. Also the joyful receptionist Ms. Hall, aka Mama Hall, who greeted us each morning with a loving smile and a warm hug.

To end our week at Stenton we circled up with Mama Hall and Elder Harrison who led us in a lovely prayer wishing safe travels and giving thanks for a fantastic and successful week. We are currently on our journey home looking forward to seeing our St. Anne's family Sunday morning!
 
With love,
Kathryn, Margaret, and Isabel

Philadelphia Mission Trip -- Day 6 (Thursday, June 27, 2013)

Thursday 6/27/13: Wow, what a day! We awoke from our food coma of Philly cheesesteaks and Rita's water ice to find a beautiful summer day. After thoroughly cleaning out our food supply for breakfast, we left for the shelter for our 4th day of activities with the kids. Arriving at the shelter, Maggie, Isabel, and Kathryn went to help the younger kids at BrightSpace while everyone else went outside ...to make crafts and play games with the kids. Today we worked with plastic lacing creating alligators, lizards, and fish that can be put on keychains and backpacks. While some kids spent the morning making crafts, others played volleyball, hockey, and volleyball. After a quick trip to the park for lunch, we returned to the shelter to find the kids chomping at the bit, waiting for our return. We spent the afternoon playing baseball, basketball, volleyball, UNO, and swinging on the swings. We were able to make it out just before the rain hit and after a quick stop to Target and Path-Mark to pick up some necessary supplies, we headed back to the hostel to enjoy a lovely meal of chicken, pasta, and fruit salad prepared for us by Isabel and Kathryn. After Compline, we headed to bed feeling excited about the prospects of tomorrow yet sad that we will be leaving our friends at the shelter. - Brodie, Eliot, James, and Trey

Philadelphia Mission Trip -- Day 5 (Wednesday, June 26, 2013)

The thirteen hard workers still can't believe today marks the halfway point with the kids at Stenton Family Manor! 

We had another wonderful day today, including a cook out commending all of the volunteers at the shelter. Along with the many, many, many God's eyes that we made in craft today. After the barbecue lunch there was a DJ and a dance crew that kept us all occupied. We, of course, appreciated the break, but were involved in this string of events more than you will ever understand. Kami was one of four winners (the Virginia rep) of the hula hoop event, hula hooping with one and two hula hoops. Then the whole crew was picked up for the 19 minute dance party on the blacktop promoting healthy eating and exercising (and how they go together like spaghetti and meatballs... not red sauce). For most of us, we were hotter in those 19 minutes than the whole day combined. Although this dance party was amazing fun, we were exhausted and very hot.

After heading back to the hostel to shower, we were off to Pat's for the annual cheesesteak night. With these awesome sandwiches devoured (more than one for some of the boys) we had to have a sweet treat. It was off to Rita's for the traditional water ice of Philadelphia. With some cheese wiz and some sugar, it was homeward bound for these tired thirteen souls. But nothing stops our athletes on the trip, they still work out as late as 10:45 at night! We love them so much, and love that they can be here with us and putting kids on their shoulders tirelessly!

 We thank you for all your prayers and continued support for the Philly mission trip, and can't wait to report back in person on Sunday!

With love,
Kami, Emma and Grace

Philadelphia Mission Trip -- Day 4 (Tuesday, June 25, 2013)

Wow! Tuesday...WHAT A DAY! It was not only a terrific day at the shelter but also Rev. Laura's  One Year Anniversary at St. Anne's!!

Today at the shelter we started with a fun craft that involved making decorative string backpacks which we later saw someone using to go to the pool with! While the others were working their fingers to the bone with this craft, James, Trey, and Maggie were meticulously de-germing a bright space so the youngest children could enjoy their summer in a spotless environment.

 

After these activities, we drove over to a nearby park to celebrate Rev. Laura's one year anniversary and enjoyed some down time away from the shelter. After lunch a volunteer group came by to teach the kids to play tennis, and afterwards we continued to play with kids, giving countless underdogs and piggy-back rides. Later that day, we headed to an Evensong service at Old Swedes where the Edgerton's Great Grandfather was Rector!! The service was lovely and the music was captivating. After the evensong we headed to Pietro's for some top-notch pizza! Then, we were treated to the worlds greatest gelato ever...literally! Soon after we headed home and snuggled into bed!

 

It's been such an amazing trip and we can't wait until tomorrow!!

 

Reporting from Philly, it's James, Brodie, Trey, and Elliot!!

 

After a long, but fun day, the Philly Mission teams enjoys some pizza at Pietro's.

Philadelphia Mission --- Day 3 (Monday, June 24, 2013)

Wow! Monday came and went about as fast as the rain clouds did yesterday!
Today was our first day at Stenton Family Manor. We met about 20 of the approximately 55 children we are working with throughout this week. Before all of this started though, we met Ms. Stephanie and Elder Harrison and were given a tour of the complex. All of the returners were very happy to see that the playground we repaired last year is still working and the kids still love it!

After our very exhausting first day of work, including piggy back rides and races and the infamous games of UNO, we ran our errands and came back to the hostel to relax before dinner. Grace, Maggie, and Papa Gillen made a wonderful chicken dish with pasta and vegetables which was followed by an experiment of Nutella, marshmallow fluff and twizzlers by the girls (that turned out yummy!). 

 All in all it was a great first day and a wonderful start to the week. Thanks for all of your continued prayers and support for our ministry here in Philadelphia!

 Yours truly,
Kami, Emma, and Grace

Philadephia -- Day 2 (Sunday, June 23)

Happy Sunday! Today we attended the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral for their 10am service. It was an interesting contemporary service including lots of movement around the sanctuary. We then went farther into Philly to eat lunch and explore the Reading Terminal Market! On a wonderful tour of the city on a double decker bus we were enjoying the view when a sudden downpour soaked us. But it was enjoyable none the less! We ran some errands and ended the day with dinner and worship.
All together; a lovely day in Philadelphia!
 
From Philly with love,
Kathryn, Izzy, and Margaret:)

Philadephia Mission Trip -- Day 1 (Saturday, June 22, 2013)

A quick update from the Philadelphia mission team:
 We arrived safely yesterday; unloaded the vehicles, shopped for groceries, and settled in to the hostel we'll call home this week. The boys on our trip - Brodie, Eliot, Graham, James, and Trey - led us in a beautiful service of Compline to end the day.

For 7 of the 13 of us, this is our first Philly mission trip; and for some it is the first miss...ion trip they have ever experienced. Others are seasoned veterans and their knowledge of this mission - and, more importantly, their understanding of what it means to live in mission - is great and a great example to all.

This morning we will worship downtown at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral...but I won't tease the rest of today's activities. I'll let tonight's bloggers tell you all about it.

Keep us in your prayers as we continue to keep you in ours. And God bless your worship this morning with Bp. Griselda Delgado Del Carpio at St. Anne's!

God's peace,
Rev. Laura (for the Philly mission team)