Hey there everyone,
We are now 3 days into Oklahoma City Servant Leadership 2011 and have just completed our first day on the work site and I think it’s high time for an update!!
I will post a bunch of pictures in a seperate post after this one, and I’m sure that you will get the chance to hear the nitty gritty about the trip from one of our students or leaders soon, so I am just going to spew forth some high points and observations from the trip so far.
- Amazing group of students and leaders. The sense of purpose and the desire to serve and grow with this group is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before with high school students. All of you parents and loved ones have a lot to be proud of!
- One of our vans smells like shrimp. Thanks Know Sweat crew 
- Spending our first night in Joplin was an eye opener. We booked our hotel arrangements months ago, before the tornado, and after seeing some of the devestation in person, I’m simply amazed that the death toll wasn’t significantly higher.
- Amidst that devestation, it’s impossible to avoid the signs of hope in Joplin. Speaking with people in our hotel and at the restaurant, nearly every person told a story of God’s Grace and a community that has banded together to get through it all. One billboard entering town said it best. It said, “No tornado can destory our love for each other”.
- Our group did a great job on our first day at the Tapestry project. Cleaning rehabbed apartments that will soon be occupied by people in need, mowing lawns, going door to door to invite children to summer camp, teaching a lesson on Daniel and the Lions Den to about 20 neighborhood children, preparing and serving lunch, and having an epic waterballoon fight were all among the days activities. The kids went after their work with enthusiasm and excitement.
- 103 degrees is unbelievably hot! Wow!!!
- This is just the beginning. Tapestry tells us to expect as many as 50 children to show up for day camp now that the word is out and there are lawns to be mowed, apartments to be painted, and weeds to be whacked. Can’t wait!!
Please continue to pray for our group. Pray that God will continue to stir in our hearts and use us for his good work.
Adam
