Team Gambier Takes Action

Today our intrepid team members woke early, gathered for an energizing breakfast and then hit the ground running. Their ministry adventure for the day took them to the rural community of Gambier where they came prepared to love on and to encourage the young people in this village. This outreach opportunity was about sharing the love of friendship and companionship as our students became "human jungle gyms" and played and played and played with the young students from this school. The universal language of love and hope was shared through smiles and open hearts. The observations from the adults on the team revealed that our students completely opened themselves up to these kids and that many of our team members who are usually quiet and reserved really opened up and connected with these kids. Three of our team came prepared with a skit that they had written themselves and had the opportunity to share this message during a chapel time with the Gambier school students. They were able to share the message how each is fearfully and wonderfully made and how precious each student is in the eyes of God. They then shared a sack lunch together on the hillside outside of the school. After lunch our team members took on a rigorous community service project. They spread out over the village neighborhood and cleared debris around the school area and out across the fields of the village. They removed rocks , trash and junk and together were able to put a clean new face to the area. Their new community friends were certainly blessed and encouraged by their efforts. (Now parents you can only hope that they will be able to duplicate this effort in their own rooms!) This visit was special because this little village is in a poor rural area that does not usually get special visitors. They played hard and worked hard and made many new friends. Our Team Gambier then returned to the ALC for an extensive tour of the grounds and then prepared for the evening meal......and that my friends is a story for its very own blog entry.....stay tuned for what happened at dinner.