Time to Serve

After a busy and exhausting week at sleepaway camp for Austin, he returned just in time for a week of service in our area. Bethesda United Methodist, which joined our church for the Retreat Mission, was having their Vacation Bible School event AND their youth service program. The twins attended their VBS in the mornings while Austin was the craft room assistant, something he enjoyed very much. At noon, all the VBS kids left and the youth headed off to serve the community. On Monday, they visited an assisted living facility where they helped residents make cupcakes, play games and just sit and talk. When I asked Austin what he did, he responded that he sat and talked. What did he talk about? "I told them all about West River"! On Tuesday, they went to the Womens and Childrens Center (they help displaced families) and reorganized the attic of all their supplies, toys, etc. Wednesday was quite meaningful as they helped preserve a piece of history. Their day took them to the Button Farm, a historical property that was once part of the Underground Railroad. There, they cleaned up the property despite the pouring rain. Austin and his friend Malik came home so incredibly dirty - covered in dirt and grass! It was a great learning experience and to be part of preserving history. Though Austin kept saying "mom, I just know they had tools that could have made this easier".....well, yes, they probably did but that wasn't the point! Their final day of service, Thursday, they made posters for "Help the Homeless" and marched through the downtown business area bringing awareness to this problem. I am very proud of Austin for sticking it out for 2 weeks of continuing mission work. He really enjoyed all of it. I hope alot of it was life changing...though he may not know it now. Way to go Austin.