Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Drew in his fancy glasses! There is a story behind the glasses. Ask him!
At San Francisco Airport, waiting patiently for our departing flight home!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 Linda’s Prayer Day
Theme: Bringing God Home
8:00 am Wake up
8:30 am Breakfast (continental breakfast provided) – morning prayer
9:00 am Pack up/leave for airport
9:30 am Drop off rental vans 10:00 am Arrive at SFO 12:15 pm Depart for Grand Rapids – noon prayer Lunch provided on plane CO254 SFO - CLE 12:15 -
7:44pm – dinner prayer (dinner CLE Airport) CO3107 CLE - GRR
8:50 - 9:45 pm (Evening Prayer)

Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Theme: Bringing God Home

We arrived at SFO early! That was a good thing! We checked in, and got Linda a wheelchair so she wouldn’t have to walk. Katie volunteered to carry her bag, and we’d meet her at the gate. What they didn’t tell us was that we could go through security with her! Katie was told to return to the counter and check her extra bag. Katie and I finally got things straightened out with the powers that be, and we met the others at the gate. Next, Kellie’s name was called over the public address system, and Chris & Kellie walked back to the check in counter, because I forgot our binder of information at the counter. Too many distractions!! All was well. Prayers were said on the floor of the airport. The plane was boarded.


Daily Questions:

· Where have you experienced the presence of God on this pilgrimage?

Yosemite
In the mountains and valleys
In the people of San Francisco
In the people we saw
In the people in the hostel
In our youth group
In the homeless shelter


· How will you bring God home?

By sharing with family and friends.
By listening to what God told me.
Bringing thoughts and ideas that I learned home.
Keep the presence that we felt with Him alive.


· What will you tell the congregation of Grace?

That we were successful
We experienced God in the magic in nature.
We learned through times of trial and frustration.
To simplify and have patience.
When we were frustrated on the trip, take a deep breath, and you'll get through it.
Don't put someone down.
We grew a lot stronger as a group! (Amen)


Highlight of the day:

Getting to Michigan
Seeing the lakes again
Seeing the sunset as we took off from Cleveland


Quote of the day:

What's Chris like, a hundred?


Our "aha" moment:

Chris isn't really 100!
You can only take two bags through the checkpoint, not three!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Another part of our service project in San Francisco. This time we packed groceries for the homeless, then served lunch at the senior center.
Linda sitting with her leg elevated, while Drew is getting advice from a guest.
Lots of appreciation for the youth from the senior center guests.
Learning about the gifts within us!
Helping serve up the meals!
Learning how to handle frustration with a smile!
Eager to pass out the delicious meals.
Our chef, Charles, along with Rosario, a guest and volunteer.
What a fantastic experience.
Waiting for our bus. Not exactly in the good part of town.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 Emma’s Prayer/Activity Day
Theme: Who is Jesus?
7:30 am Wake up
8:00 am Breakfast (continental breakfast provided) – Morning Prayer
9:30-1:30 Service Project (Senior center) Mallory Hasick noon prayer
1:30- Other afternoon activities (Museum of Modern Art, Exploratorium, or Zoo)
6:30 pm Dinner – dinner prayer
9:00 pm Evening Activity
9:30 pm Evening Gathering (prayer/reflection)
10:00 pm Personal Time
10:30 pm Lights Out


What a day! We had some confusion as to what bus to take. When we figured out the bus situation, Max and Linda headed off to find a bathroom. On their way back, Linda fell and twisted her foot. She was a trooper and kept up with the group, despite the pain. We arrived at the senior center and had her elevate and ice her foot. (We found out later, it was not fractured) The kids had several heartwarming stories to tell us, after serving meals at the senior center. We met some amazing people who organize all of this, from Mallory Hasick to Charles the head chef. This program teaches a select group of homeless individuals to become chefs. They train, then intern at upscale restaurants. Charles told us that some of them compete with graduates of well known culinary schools and get gainful employment. After a pizza lunch, we caught a bus to the DeYoung Museum. Linda was given a ride around the museum with her foot elevated. After the museum it was off to Fisherman's Wharf for dinner.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Theme: Who is Jesus?

Where did you see Jesus today? What was he doing?

In the trees.
In the guy at the Sr. Center who said everyday just gets better and better. Yesterday was great, today is greater, and tomorrow will be even better. (Drew's story)
In the guy who told me that my smile shines all the way to heaven. (Kellie's story)
In the lady who was talking to Drew and I and gave us hugs. In the eyes of the lady in the green, and the chef because they really cared for these people.
In one of the clients who also helped us by showing us how to pack the food in the grocery bags.
In Raymond, one of the student chefs.
With the homeless person in the sleeping bag.
In the helpful lady on the bus. She helped us get off at the right stop and find the museum.


Why do you think you saw him where he was?

Because Jesus’ mission was to help people in need. The ones society has abandoned; the people in the Sr. Center were these types of people. He was trying to show us the Good Samaritan in the people who worked there.
He wants us to know that he is there, not hidden, but out and about.
It caught me off guard, tapped me on the shoulder, and stopped me for a reason. What the gentleman had to say was important.


What did Jesus ask of you today? Did you respond?

Patience.
Flexibility.
To serve people we did not know and would not see again.
To work outside your comfort zone.
To be smiling.
To be myself and the reward was that it made the people feel good.
Smile every once in awhile.
To listen. I almost didn’t, and then God got right in my face, and made me listen.(Drew)
To be strong.


Highlight of the day:

Kellie being waved at from a stranger outside the bus, and showing her his belly!
The DeYoung Museum
The guy at the Senior Center. (Kellie)
The chef at the Senior Center
Ben & Jerry’s
Calling Dylan, and singing Happy Birthday to him!

Quote of the Day:

“Julio, you are a very funny man” (Linda said this to a guest at the senior center)
“We’re glad you came, and we’re glad you’re leaving.” (Sr. Center guest)
“Our bangs like to have parties on the sides of our faces”

Our “Aha” moment:

Looking at the number of people at the senior center, and realizing that it was only a small fraction of the homeless people in San Francisco.
“Maybe we should listen to Barb more often”