Wow, what an adventure.  The CYF Youth this year traveled to Vancouver B.C. for their annual Mission Trip.  Each year the Youth gather and venture to a new city to share and learn.  This years was truly a learning experience.  

 

Day one:

The Youth worked at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.  While there they sorted through Pasta and beans.  The Food Bank receive the pasta in big boxes.  Our mission was to open the box, poor the pasta into a bin, scoop it up and place it in smaller bags for the families.  It was easy but tedious work.  Also, the Youth performed a similar task with dry beans.  Unfortunately the Food bank was short a bag thanks to Michael poring it all over the floor.  They did learn to work together and made a small dent in the enormous task the Food Bank faces each day.

 

Day two:

The Youth worked at The Covenant House.  This is a homeless shelter for teens.  The Youth did encounter a few of the residence before being escorted to the basement to sort through clothing and house hold goods.  This too was tedious work but not easy.  There were many articles donated that had to be sorted.  Our mission was to pile clothing and items teens would not want.  This pile was later taken to the local Salvation Army.  Then the remaining items had to be sorted by style and gender.  After a long day the youth made a dent in the enormous pile of donated goods.  The Youth worked hard and learned that many people donate odd things.  

Day three and four:

Early in the morning the Youth arrived at First United Church.  This was by far the most in-your-face encounter the Youth had yet.  This day was not going to be spent sorting through food or clothing but being with people whom most avoid.  It was a bit nerve racking when the group was unable to get into the building.  There apparently was a buzzer button by the door but the group did not see it due to people leaning over it.  After retreating to a safer neighborhood the Church was contacted.  They were open after all and told how to get in.  The scariest of missions the group faced turnout to be the most rewarding.  The group learned to love those people most avoid.  They learned that it is quite easy to end up in the same place as the clients of the mission.  They worked hard and learned much.

Fun Times:

The mission trip is not only about work but fun times as well.  Each night the Youth participated in a fun actives that also exposed them to Vancouver.  They played a Pitch and Put at one of the largest park in Vancouver.  They played 5 pin bowling (its a Canadian thing).  Also, they watched a Movie in one of the largest Shopping Malls around.  This mall was separated into different cities.  Finally , they got burned to death at Splash Down (a water slide park).  These fun events helps keep the kids going through out the week.  Also give them a motivation to complete the days work.  

 

This years mission trip was a great success.  A big Thank You to Cherly Walker for being an Adult Sponsor.  As always the trip would not be possible if nor for the support from the members at Englewood Christian Church.  Thanks for yet another great trip.