Rocky Mountain Mission Trip - Work Day 3

Yesterday was one of the days when you wake up feeling wonderful and about half way through the day realize you are really tired!  Adrenaline can only take you too far.  Fortunately yesterday was also the day the youth stepped up, committed to get their work done.  One of the things I love is the energy the youth generates.  I know it's surprising as we think of young people as sitting around, listening to IPODs, or playing video games.  But for the most part, this group of youth comes to work.  Long ago trip organizers Jim McClary, Jim Olson and Scott Edwards planted seeds that these trips are about building relationships, serving others with the projects we do and most importantly growing spiritually.  Jim and I were talking last night after a worship bonfire, that one of the things that makes the Savoy/Macomb Missions trips different that others we know about is the bonding and friendships that come from working side by side for 6 or 8 hours a day on a hard project.  Personally it's the best part for me as I have gotten to know some wonderful young people from Macomb and Savoy as well. 

I especially enjoy four young men from Macomb.  Sam, Phillip, Matt and Cordell are as different as any 4 young men can be.  Sam is very athletic, Phillip a huge sports fanatic, especially the Cardinals, Matt is an artist, musician and Cordel is just a smart kid who you love to have around all the time.  Yet they fit together nicely and love to spend time working, talking, playing cards and just having fun.  Left to there own towns and lives, these 4 surely would have never met.  But through the mission trip experiences have been brought together and become "brothers".  They are respectful to all the adults here and try hard to get to know every one of us.  In a way, they help us to feel a part of the "young crowd."  There are about 10 other examples of small groups here with kids that have become life long friends and are a joy to spend time with every day.  And that goes back to building relationships.  It's fun to watch and fun to watch grow over the years as we come back to mission work annually.

As for yesterday's work, we are one day closer to finishing.  It was a beautiful day, the first without mist and fog in the morning.  The temps were perfect and the skies were blue.  I found myself stopping and just looking around more yesterday than any before as each hour the sun hits the mountains slightly differently and you just admire God's handiwork.   Today we finish, whether the job is done or not.  And tomorrow is another free day, with hiking, fishing, shopping and our wrap up services planned. 

We talked last night that we wish we had more than a week a year to spend together.  The mission trip teams have become like family, and our work and spiritual growth is a sort of annual family reunion we cherish in our lives.  In fact I'm sure there are many things we share with each other we don't share with family.  God has chosen to assemble us together and work, learn and grow.  I'm just happy he choose me!