Today's the day! As this entry posts, we will be a couple of hours into the trip from PA to TN!!!! (Automatic scheduling on a blog comes in handy!)
Since some of you may be new the blog, I thought I'd re-post some information from earlier to fill you in on the details of the trip.
*The trip is organized through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program. You can click here to find them on the PC(USA) website.
*We'll be staying at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, which is a PDA head quarters for the Nashville flood relief efforts.
*If you want to see some pictures of where we'll be staying, you can click here.
*If you'd like, you can check out a bit of Nashville's background info.
*Here's an article about the good work of the PDA volunteers at Westminster Church.
*And here's a video to show you what Nashville looked like in May 2010.
Next time you hear from me, it will be from Nashville!
Showing posts with label preparing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label preparing. Show all posts
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Flexibility is the Name of the Game!
I learned a long time ago that, when it comes to ministering in God's name, FLEXIBILITY is the name of the game.
See? Like this guy.
When I was in college, I went on a mission trip to an Indian reservation in northwest Ontario. We departed from Grove City College thinking we were going to be talking to the high schoolers on the reservation about the importance of education, since few of them attend college after high school. We had prepared a few skits and some presentations, among other things.
Well, en route to Canada, we discovered that our focus would radically change, due to unforeseen circumstances which I won't get into here. Suddenly, we were going to be working with KIDS! Like, elementary school kids! So, there went our plan RIGHT out the window.
Fortunately for us, our leaders were prepared AND experienced in entertaining small children for hours! (Ever heard of the cup game?!)
See what I'm saying? It pays to be flexible.
Our group just received an email from the PDA coordinator in Nashville letting us know that our plans for the week might need to be tweaked. The details aren't important. (I'm sure I'll be blogging about them in a few days anyway!)
What IS important is that we as a group arrive in Nashville with hearts prepared to serve, whether it's as planned or not.
FLEXIBILITY, my friends, is the name of the game!
See? Like this guy.
 |
| Err, maybe not. |
When I was in college, I went on a mission trip to an Indian reservation in northwest Ontario. We departed from Grove City College thinking we were going to be talking to the high schoolers on the reservation about the importance of education, since few of them attend college after high school. We had prepared a few skits and some presentations, among other things.
Well, en route to Canada, we discovered that our focus would radically change, due to unforeseen circumstances which I won't get into here. Suddenly, we were going to be working with KIDS! Like, elementary school kids! So, there went our plan RIGHT out the window.
Fortunately for us, our leaders were prepared AND experienced in entertaining small children for hours! (Ever heard of the cup game?!)
See what I'm saying? It pays to be flexible.
Our group just received an email from the PDA coordinator in Nashville letting us know that our plans for the week might need to be tweaked. The details aren't important. (I'm sure I'll be blogging about them in a few days anyway!)
What IS important is that we as a group arrive in Nashville with hearts prepared to serve, whether it's as planned or not.
FLEXIBILITY, my friends, is the name of the game!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Project: Packing
If there was anything I learned from my trip to Greece a couple years back, it's that PACKING IS PARAMOUNT! Particularly, smart and EFFICIENT packing!
(Sidenote: Would you believe that I actually threw away my carry-on suitcase in the middle of my Greece trip?? Talk about inefficient packing--if I could fit my carry-on stuff into my big suitcase. Add to THAT...one of the leaders of the trip asked me to take some BOOKS back home for him since he was continuing to travel with his wife after our trip was over! Sheesh. I vow to be more efficient this time!)
And what do I do when I need to learn how to do something? I "google it up"--a phrase that is popular in the Bauer household. My searching turned up this article, which had a few helpful suggestions.
And this site has an "interactive packing list," which is cool. All you have to do is pick from their list of all the items you'll need (and you can add up to 10 more that they don't include), then hit print--and, BOOM, you've got a personalized packing check list to help keep you organized! (We have a packing list from the group, but this personalized one is uber-detailed. Aaand if you bring it with you, you have a list of what you had in case your luggage gets lost, which won't really be a problem with this trip but would be helpful when flying!)
Now, this mission trip is only a week long, and we'll be doing mainly construction work, so I'm not too worried about choosing color coordinated outfits, like that first article mentioned. But I AM mentally preparing myself for the possibility that some things may need to be thrown away before packing to come home if they're ruined beyond saving--even a favorite old t-shirt (*sniff, sniff*).
SO, even though the trip is 10 days away (and I'm totally a last minute kind of person!), and since thinking things through seems to be step one of packing efficiently, I started packing today.
See?
Yeah, I know it's not much ... but it's a start, right? I've picked a suitcase, dug out my trusty Tevas (for shower shoes), found my only set of twin sheets (Rugrats from my college dorm room!), and added the PINK tape measure my sister got me for my birthday and the mini-lantern someone at the church gave me, also for my birthday.
Look! The lantern even flashes red! (In case I get lost in the church looking for the bathroom in the middle of the night, I guess!)
Other things I need to acquire for the trip include some steel toe work boots (ordered online!) and EAR PLUGS! Not so much because I plan on running loud equipment all day long, but mainly because I have a feeling there's going to be a whole lot of snoring going on in the dorm rooms. (Yes, including me.) Although, I HAVE run a saw a time or two in my life ... in shop class ... in seventh grade ...18 years ago ... yikes.
At any rate, I was talking with another member of the "Frankfort Five" the other day about a training regimen for the trip. We concluded that the most important preparation for this trip just may be getting on an "early to bed, early to rise" sleeping schedule. Other things I need to work on include sleeping with the ONE pillow that will got to TN with me and sleeping with the ear plugs in!
Based on what I have written today, apparently I am more concerned about being well-rested than I am about the fact that I have relatively little construction experience! Which, as I reflect, is probably a good thing. I imagine there are those who wanted to go on this trip but aren't because they worried about being useless at the work site. But I am convinced that God will gift me with what I need and use me as He needs me. And I am convinced that God will do this for others on the trip as well.
(Sidenote: Would you believe that I actually threw away my carry-on suitcase in the middle of my Greece trip?? Talk about inefficient packing--if I could fit my carry-on stuff into my big suitcase. Add to THAT...one of the leaders of the trip asked me to take some BOOKS back home for him since he was continuing to travel with his wife after our trip was over! Sheesh. I vow to be more efficient this time!)
And what do I do when I need to learn how to do something? I "google it up"--a phrase that is popular in the Bauer household. My searching turned up this article, which had a few helpful suggestions.
And this site has an "interactive packing list," which is cool. All you have to do is pick from their list of all the items you'll need (and you can add up to 10 more that they don't include), then hit print--and, BOOM, you've got a personalized packing check list to help keep you organized! (We have a packing list from the group, but this personalized one is uber-detailed. Aaand if you bring it with you, you have a list of what you had in case your luggage gets lost, which won't really be a problem with this trip but would be helpful when flying!)
Now, this mission trip is only a week long, and we'll be doing mainly construction work, so I'm not too worried about choosing color coordinated outfits, like that first article mentioned. But I AM mentally preparing myself for the possibility that some things may need to be thrown away before packing to come home if they're ruined beyond saving--even a favorite old t-shirt (*sniff, sniff*).
SO, even though the trip is 10 days away (and I'm totally a last minute kind of person!), and since thinking things through seems to be step one of packing efficiently, I started packing today.
See?
Other things I need to acquire for the trip include some steel toe work boots (ordered online!) and EAR PLUGS! Not so much because I plan on running loud equipment all day long, but mainly because I have a feeling there's going to be a whole lot of snoring going on in the dorm rooms. (Yes, including me.) Although, I HAVE run a saw a time or two in my life ... in shop class ... in seventh grade ...18 years ago ... yikes.
At any rate, I was talking with another member of the "Frankfort Five" the other day about a training regimen for the trip. We concluded that the most important preparation for this trip just may be getting on an "early to bed, early to rise" sleeping schedule. Other things I need to work on include sleeping with the ONE pillow that will got to TN with me and sleeping with the ear plugs in!
Based on what I have written today, apparently I am more concerned about being well-rested than I am about the fact that I have relatively little construction experience! Which, as I reflect, is probably a good thing. I imagine there are those who wanted to go on this trip but aren't because they worried about being useless at the work site. But I am convinced that God will gift me with what I need and use me as He needs me. And I am convinced that God will do this for others on the trip as well.
Monday, March 7, 2011
A Message From Ann
Here's a little note from our guest blogger Ann, one of the mission trippers...
I'm really happy and honored to be among the "Frankfort Five," who will soon be heading to Nashville!
The more I learn about the ongoing PDA mission in Nashville, the more excited and sure I am about wanting be part of this effort to rebuild a city ... and radiate the Light!
I'm grateful to the Presbytery for this opportunity to serve and for the grants that make it possible for Larry & me to be part of it. I'm so thankful to our pastor Allison for leading us on another one of her Great Adventures ... and for encouraging us and teaching us to "Be the Light." Or, as she tells us (quoting from our Savior): "You are the Light of the World." Wow!!
Look out, Nashville! Here we come!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Mission Trip Meeting #2
Wednesday night Larry, Ann, Ruth, and I traveled to Butler for the second of two info meetings for the Beaver-Butler Presbytery Nashville mission trip for small churches. (Thought I'd mention those details again in case you had forgotten/wondered who we were!) Joyce, Ruth's friend, wasn't able to come but assures us that she is already packed and ready to go! (And we still have 2 weeks before we leave for the trip! Can you tell she's excited?? :0)
Almost all of us who were going on the trip were able to attend the meeting, which was really neat. 45 people is alot! I tried to sneak some pictures as we were meeting...
These are our fearless leaders...Joyce (L) and CF (R).
...there are a variety of ages going on this trip. I didn't get an exact headcount, but I'd guess there are probably a dozen teenagers going on this trip. And the Frankfort folks were very impressed by not just the enthusiastic participation of the teens, but also the quality of the contributions they made. I personally enjoyed the obviously loving interactions they had with some of the older members of the group with whom they have been on a trip previously.
For the final part of the meeting, Joyce shared with us some pictures she had taken with her son Luke on their scouting trip down to Nashville. Among the pictures she took was this one...
In the picture, the man is standing in front of his home. He is showing them how high the flood was...it was incredible to hear the story and to see all the damage left behind after the floodwaters receded.
The water has long since dried up, of course, but the damage still remains even after almost a year.
And in just a couple weeks, we'll be traveling from PA to TN (and back again) to be the church for them because "...the Lord has anointed me ... to bind up the brokenhearted...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Is 61:1, 3) (one of the Scripture passages from the meeting!)
Almost all of us who were going on the trip were able to attend the meeting, which was really neat. 45 people is alot! I tried to sneak some pictures as we were meeting...
These are our fearless leaders...Joyce (L) and CF (R).
 |
| (We did a lot of laughing last night!) |
One of the activities we did was, of course, a "get to know you" game where everyone was given a brown lunch bag with an object in it. Then you had to go around and find the piece that goes with it. Ruth and I lucked out because I had a lock and she had the key (feel free to pause for a moment to sing the Madonna lyrics, if you know them! :0) ...and we were sitting right next to each other! Larry on the other hand, had a green gardening glove in his bag and had to search for the mate...
...and he found Bob, who had the other green glove! Bob is a contractor who has gone on a number of mission trips already. In fact, his wife and kids are all going on the trip this year! (They also have already offered to host the reunion party after the trip is over!)
After that game, CF passed out some Scripture passages for each group to study. (In case you are wondering you can find the Scriptures here, here, and here.) We were supposed to 1) read the passage together, 2) talk about what words or phrases that struck out to us, and 3) talk about how the passage applies to the mission trip. Here's a picture of a group studying their passage:
As you can see from these pictures (like the ones above and this one from the get to know you game...)
...there are a variety of ages going on this trip. I didn't get an exact headcount, but I'd guess there are probably a dozen teenagers going on this trip. And the Frankfort folks were very impressed by not just the enthusiastic participation of the teens, but also the quality of the contributions they made. I personally enjoyed the obviously loving interactions they had with some of the older members of the group with whom they have been on a trip previously.
For the final part of the meeting, Joyce shared with us some pictures she had taken with her son Luke on their scouting trip down to Nashville. Among the pictures she took was this one...
The water has long since dried up, of course, but the damage still remains even after almost a year.
And in just a couple weeks, we'll be traveling from PA to TN (and back again) to be the church for them because "...the Lord has anointed me ... to bind up the brokenhearted...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Is 61:1, 3) (one of the Scripture passages from the meeting!)
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Music City...Here We Come!
Today I'm trying to learn more about Nashville. So to get started, I clicked here to check some things out. And frankly, it makes me want to go even more on the mission trip, but also STAY for a vacation! Of course, we won't have much time for site seeing since we'll be busy from morning until night doing the Lord's work, but a girl can dream, right?
From what I've read about Nashville--especially my favorite quote from an earlier blog entry: "This ain't no country club baby, this is Nashville" (you can read that post here)--it sounds like the ethos of Music City is an awful lot like Pittsburgh, the city of Steel. Pittsburgh, though quickly becoming a technological hub, historically has been been a blue-collar, mill town with a hard-working attitude and a gritty outlook to go with it.
The "down-to-earthness" that frequently accompanies country music appears to color the local scene of Nashville as well. The Lonely Plant website (where the quote above is from) describes it this way: "It [Nashville] also has friendly people, a lively university community, excellent fried chicken and an unrivaled assortment of tacky souvenirs." See? Couldn't that phrase describe Pittsburgh too? (Of course, one must substitute pierogies for fried chicken.)
I THINK Nashville is gonna feel a little bit like home for those of us who have been city-dwellers. We'll know for sure on the Thursday night of our trip...that's the day we quit early and hit the town! Westminster Church, where we'll be staying, has provided us with a list of handy places, including some "safe" honky-tonks!
Can't wait to post pictures of THAT night! :0)
From what I've read about Nashville--especially my favorite quote from an earlier blog entry: "This ain't no country club baby, this is Nashville" (you can read that post here)--it sounds like the ethos of Music City is an awful lot like Pittsburgh, the city of Steel. Pittsburgh, though quickly becoming a technological hub, historically has been been a blue-collar, mill town with a hard-working attitude and a gritty outlook to go with it.
The "down-to-earthness" that frequently accompanies country music appears to color the local scene of Nashville as well. The Lonely Plant website (where the quote above is from) describes it this way: "It [Nashville] also has friendly people, a lively university community, excellent fried chicken and an unrivaled assortment of tacky souvenirs." See? Couldn't that phrase describe Pittsburgh too? (Of course, one must substitute pierogies for fried chicken.)
I THINK Nashville is gonna feel a little bit like home for those of us who have been city-dwellers. We'll know for sure on the Thursday night of our trip...that's the day we quit early and hit the town! Westminster Church, where we'll be staying, has provided us with a list of handy places, including some "safe" honky-tonks!
Can't wait to post pictures of THAT night! :0)
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Westminter PDA on the Web!
Guess what I found? Westminster's PDA site is on Facebook! You can go there for more information on what's going on even now! (PS Garth Brooks just raised $5 million for flood relief!)
And...I found a blog that another church did of their PDA trip to Nashville! Check it out if you want to see the kinds of things we're getting ourselves into!
(And here's another one but it's a lot longer than the first one and it doesn't have any pictures.)
And here's an article the local media did about the great things Westminster Church is doing through PDA!
And...I found a blog that another church did of their PDA trip to Nashville! Check it out if you want to see the kinds of things we're getting ourselves into!
(And here's another one but it's a lot longer than the first one and it doesn't have any pictures.)
And here's an article the local media did about the great things Westminster Church is doing through PDA!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
See our Digs!
Want to see a slideshow of where we'll be staying? Just click here!
Not exactly roughing it, is it? :0) There is a plethora of bathrooms at WPC...but not so much with the showers! So team leader Joyce L. has arranged with the local YMCA to set aside time in the AM and PM where we can go over and use their showers!
How many days can Allison go without a shower?! (Longer than you might think--she did work at a summer camp, you know!)
Find out the results at the conclusion of the trip!
Not exactly roughing it, is it? :0) There is a plethora of bathrooms at WPC...but not so much with the showers! So team leader Joyce L. has arranged with the local YMCA to set aside time in the AM and PM where we can go over and use their showers!
How many days can Allison go without a shower?! (Longer than you might think--she did work at a summer camp, you know!)
Find out the results at the conclusion of the trip!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Do you know the way....to Nashville?
Want to know how to get to Nashville, TN??
OK, so maybe this isn't EXACTLY the route we'll be taking...but I bet it's close!
I have some friends who have traveled pretty extensively and highly recommend the "Lonely Plant" tour guides. So I began to search for an online version for Nashville...lo, and behold, here it is! (My favorite quote from this web page is: "This ain’t no country club baby, this is Nashville.")
Thursday night of our trip is "Nashville Night" when we quit early and hit the town for dinner and whatever else we can get ourselves into! This should be an adventurous night! (Or will we all retire early because we're so beat?) Guess you'll have to check the blog on Friday the 25th to find out!
OK, so maybe this isn't EXACTLY the route we'll be taking...but I bet it's close!
I have some friends who have traveled pretty extensively and highly recommend the "Lonely Plant" tour guides. So I began to search for an online version for Nashville...lo, and behold, here it is! (My favorite quote from this web page is: "This ain’t no country club baby, this is Nashville.")
Thursday night of our trip is "Nashville Night" when we quit early and hit the town for dinner and whatever else we can get ourselves into! This should be an adventurous night! (Or will we all retire early because we're so beat?) Guess you'll have to check the blog on Friday the 25th to find out!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
What We'll Be Doing
You may be wondering, "So, what will you be doing?" I'm so glad you asked!
Our team leader, Joyce L. (and her teenage son), visited Westminster Church and the PDA people with whom we'll be working. She was told that we (meaning those outside of Tennessee) didn't hear much about the Nashville flooding because tourism is such a vital part of their local economy. They didn't want to go through what New Orleans is still enduring with rebuilding their local economy. So they didn't want to make a big deal about the flood damage, and worked to rehab a lot of the sources of tourism (like the Grand Ole Oprey) so that visitors would continue to visit.
Joyce L. also told us that those who have the money to fix their homes have done so. The houses that are left belong to people who are either living upstairs because their downstairs is unlivable or are staying elsewhere until their home can be fixed.
Some of us (like Larry!) are bringing helpful skills with us; others of us can, um...well...we can paint! But we ALL bring willing and teachable spirits. And we pray that those who are not going along on the trip will bring prayers to God for us and our safety...but mostly that we could "be the church" to those who are hurting and need a little bit of hope.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Countdown Begins!
Five Frankforters are embarking on a Beaver-Butler Presbytery mission trip (for small churches like us!) to Nashville, TN to help with the clean up efforts from the 2010 floods.
Allison Bauer, Ann Butler & Larry Zellers, Joyce Wills, and Ruth Zakutney are preparing to make the 10 hour trip (13 hours with stops for eating and *ahem* using the "facilities") to the land of the Grand Ole Oprey!
Last night (Tues, Feb 22), we had an organizational meeting at the Mt. Chestnut Presbyterian Church (Butler, PA) with others on the team. We are, in total, a group of 45 who will be traveling to the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN. (Check out their website here: http://www.nashvillewpc.org/home.cfm ) There will be another group of 15 staying there at the same time, which should make things a little interesting...
At the meeting last night, we went around the room and introduced ourselves by name, by church, and by how many mission trips we've been on. For me (Allison), this is my third mission trip (one as a participant and one as a youth group chaperone.) For Ann, Larry, Joyce, and Ruth, it is their first trip--and they each received a round of applause from the group for being brave enough to embark on their first trip! (And there are several teens for whom this will be their 3rd, 4th, and even 5th mission trip!)
I am personally grateful to the Beaver-Butler Presbytery for their grant that made this trip possible. I am also grateful to all the Frankforters are stepping out in faith for their first mission trip!
I've got lots more info to share (and stories to tell!) but I'll save those for later. Suffice it to say, I think this trip gonna be life-changing!
Allison
Allison Bauer, Ann Butler & Larry Zellers, Joyce Wills, and Ruth Zakutney are preparing to make the 10 hour trip (13 hours with stops for eating and *ahem* using the "facilities") to the land of the Grand Ole Oprey!
Last night (Tues, Feb 22), we had an organizational meeting at the Mt. Chestnut Presbyterian Church (Butler, PA) with others on the team. We are, in total, a group of 45 who will be traveling to the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN. (Check out their website here: http://www.nashvillewpc.org/home.cfm ) There will be another group of 15 staying there at the same time, which should make things a little interesting...
At the meeting last night, we went around the room and introduced ourselves by name, by church, and by how many mission trips we've been on. For me (Allison), this is my third mission trip (one as a participant and one as a youth group chaperone.) For Ann, Larry, Joyce, and Ruth, it is their first trip--and they each received a round of applause from the group for being brave enough to embark on their first trip! (And there are several teens for whom this will be their 3rd, 4th, and even 5th mission trip!)
I am personally grateful to the Beaver-Butler Presbytery for their grant that made this trip possible. I am also grateful to all the Frankforters are stepping out in faith for their first mission trip!
I've got lots more info to share (and stories to tell!) but I'll save those for later. Suffice it to say, I think this trip gonna be life-changing!
Allison
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