2014 MTrip - DAY 6 (by Megan)

Friday DAY 6 (Megan)

Today was our last day at camp.  By breakfast time at 7:45 we were expected to have most of our stuff ready and packed for our departure later in the day.  After breakfast, we headed down to the whitewater rafting place.  Although it was sprinkling a bit and a little nippy out, it still was fun.  We broke up into 3 rafts of 6 people each and headed out on the Ocoee River.  We traveled approximately 5.1 miles and dropped a total of 245 feet throughout the rapids.  After the bus ride filled with music back to camp, we had some free time to get all of our things together.  We quickly ate lunch and headed back out on the road.  Everyone seemed to be tired out and most of us slept on the way to our next stop, Wittenberg University.  We arrived around 11pm (later than expected) and we all got our own dorm room keys.  Most of the girls had their own dorm to themselves and some of the boys roomed with each other.  After everyone was settled we all gathered in the common room area.  As tradition, the seniors got to reflect on all of their past STAGE experiences and say their goodbyes.  It was an emotional night despite the fact that it was 1 in the morning!  Overall, the day was packed with fun-filled times and meaningful conversations.  Leaving camp in Tennessee wasn't necessarily easy, but the times that we had there will never be forgotten.

-Megan Kossak

ps. For an album of 100+ pics from the mission trip, go to flickr.com/stageyouth

2014 MTrip DAY 5 - by Eric & Connor + Andrew

Thursday DAY 5 (Part 1 by Eric)

                This Mission trip has been one of the best in my five years of going on these wonderful one week getaways for others. This year instead of being separated and broken up into other groups, we instead worked together for the last four days, which has provided a variety of new and unique challenges. In my past four mission trips I have been mostly working with those who I do not know as well STAGE members. This week has forced me and many others to work as a team and to work as hard as everyone knows that you can.

-Eric McChesney

                                                                                Thursday - Part 2 (by Andrew and Connor)

                Today, after we got back from the worksite, we had two hours of free time before we started our first activity of the week, Paint Ball.  We filled the time with plenty of Euchre, Spoons, and Hold Em.  For some of us, this was our first time playing paintball, and we were nervous and excited. Once we got to paintball we broke into teams, MC DREAM and Get Real.  Even though Get Real dominated most of the games, it was still a fun and enjoyable experience for the whole group.  After everyone cleaned up, we left for El Rio, a nice Mexican restaurant in the city.  We were able to walk across the Tennessee-Georgia border while we were waiting.  The food was great, and we were all happy to enjoy a good meal before chapel.  Our stomachs didn't agree.  It is great to be part of a great group like STAGE that can be brought even closer together just by paintball, Mexican foods, and long frequent trips to the bathroom.  That day ended by the best Chapel service of the week, followed by prayer circles out in the field, bringing the group closer to each other and to God. After the prayer circles we all went and sat around a campfire and sang songs. one of the best things about this campfire was that our group leader Ashley came and joined us. Whenever we would start a new song her face would light up with joy and I think this was one of the best examples of how God brings joy into our lives. 

-Andrew Bourgeois & Connor Barash

 

2014 MTrip DAY 4 (Shannon & Tyler)

Wednesday DAY 4 (Part 1 by Shannon)

                Today was a very successful day! I’ve worked mostly on the roof and today we started scraping shingles off on the other side of the roof, and we finished laying down the black layer of roofing paper as well. We started to lay shingles over the roofing paper and got four or five layers put down. On the deck we’ve gotten the railing on the ramp put up and tomorrow I think we’re working on the railing going up the stairs. This was our last full day to work and even though we’ve been working really hard I’m not sure if we’re going to finish the shingling or the railing. Today Ashley mentioned that in the past groups she’s worked with Wednesday is normally the worst day in the way that everyone gets frustrated with each other and just want to get the project done. At the end of the day though she mentioned that we were the best group on Wednesday she’s had so far. All in all I think we work together really well and I’m constantly laughing, everyone in the group is so funny. This experience has been really enjoyable and I’m so glad I get to spend it with everyone in this group.

-Shannon Schafer 

DAY 4 - Part 2 by Tyler

                From what I hear, sounded like everyone had the best sleep so far on the trip and it might’ve been from all of the hard work that we’ve all done, plus compared to the hot days before, this felt like Michigan weather so I was feeling right at home. Also from what I’ve heard, that Wednesday is one of the toughest days at this mission site camp area place thing. Nope... nothing like that at all. Not only were we working hard but we all continued to get along with each other. While some were up on the hot, blazing roof replacing the shingles, easy to see that that is exhausting to endure through, the rest were working hard on the ground rebuilding the porch deck, organized into groups adding the railing measuring and cutting and putting in the spokes between the edge and the railing. I really wish that we had at least another full day working, not only that I fear that we would need a little more time to finish everything in time, but I have really enjoyed the time we all had together working our hardest. I can go on and on but I’ll just say that I’m super confident that with how amazing this group is we will accomplish our goals together with the most positive attitude.

                -Tyler Vincent

2014 MTrip: DAY 3 - by Jamie & Sarah

Day 3 (Part 1 by Jamie)

Today, we got a ton of work done on the house! A bunch of people helped out working on the roof and the deck and everyone was a trooper working in the hot sun. We were a little worried about the rain because it would make things a little slippery on the roof but it only sprinkled and we were able to continue working. I painted a portion of the house and finished what we needed to get done. However, when I was finished I was covered in paint. I showered and I still have paint on me. It was worth it though, and I feel great about getting that accomplished. It’s really beautiful where we’re staying. There are mountains everywhere and it’s breathtaking. I get absolutely no phone service and I am kind of enjoying it. I also feel like everyone is really getting along. I’m having a great time and everyone is super funny. I think my constant laughing is probably getting annoying but I can’t stop. So excited to tell everyone more when I get home!

Jamie

Day 3 (Part 2 by Sarah)

                Well today was a pretty successful day. We finished the whole entire porch and little pathway thingy and even somewhat started the railing. We even had some help from the neighbors across the street when we didn’t know what to do and that was really nice. They’ve helped a lot by giving advice and tools and they are just in general some kind folk. And of course the roof, we got a lot done on the roof and all the hardworkers up there are really amazing. I went up there for a little and yeahh hardwork up there in the heat! I lost my retainer then found it so that’s good. And when I got back maddie chloe and I went on a long run and got lost in the trails but found our way back and it was quite the adventure then good thing as soon as we got back it started raining and not while we were running. We also ran into our new friends who we met this trip. They are from texas! All in all it was pretty good day of fun and hard work soooooo yesaaaahhh!!

 -Sarah Hart