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Sunday, June 22, 2008. Around 10:30a.m., the van doors were shut and we, the FBC Centerville youth, were on our way to Booneville, Arkansas. This would be the first mission trip for all of us. Excitement and a tinge of apprehension for the unknown captured our hearts and entertained our thoughts as we began the eight-hour drive to our mission destination. We did not have the slightest comprehension of how much this trip would change our lives. For many of us, it changed our lives forever.
“We are truly anxious to see you be the hands and feet of God.” ~Tyler Stynsberg
Seventy-two children of God occupied the dining room of the First United Methodist Church at the beginning of our stay in Booneville, Arkansas. Catholics, Methodists, Lutherans, and Baptists all gathered together in one room. We were divided into six separate crews. Our fourteen youth and four adults were placed on crews one, three, five, and six. Everything was set into place. Our week had begun. Everyday followed a basic pattern: breakfast, devotions, work projects/Kid’s Club, showers, dinner, evening activities, club, lights out. Breakfast started at 7:00a.m each morning. All of us would pack our lunches prior to entering the church’s dining room. We then went to gather our breakfast by crew number. Over the week, a total of four crews woke up at 6:30am over the course of the week to help prepare breakfast. The breakfast crew was always allowed the first trip to the breakfast table. Some of the FBCC youth served on a breakfast crew throughout the week. After breakfast, everyone would gather in the sanctuary for morning devotions. After a short word from one of the counselors, Kevin, Tyler, Kryn, or Becca, we were dismissed for around forty-five minutes for prayer and personal devotions. This time provided us with a chance to focus on God and prepare ourselves for the day ahead. Following devotions, we gathered with our crews to hear our work assignments or prepare for Kid’s Club. The work assignments ranged from yard work to painting or cleaning up houses. Crews five and six had work detail on Monday and Tuesday. Crews one and three worked at Kid’s Club on Monday and Tuesday. Kid’s club was a program that Youthworks sponsored at Booneville’s Boy’s and Girl’s Club. The program was from 1-3pm and provided the local children with games and the opportunity to learn more about Jesus. On Wednesday, the crews switched out. Crews one and three began work projects and Crews five and six went to Kid’s Club. The most unpleasant experience of the week occurred everyday from 2:30pm until 3:30pm: shower time. We were transported to the local high school’s showers. The showers weren’t very clean and they had no privacy. Despite the drawbacks, we were still thankful to be clean. J After we returned from showers, we had free time until at 6:00pm. Many of our youth had to retreat to the kitchen earlier to serve on the dinner crew. Members of dinner crews were responsible for the preparation of dinner and the kitchen clean-up that followed. Dinner concluded typically around 7:00pm. The evening activities varied each night. On Monday, members of the church’s band put on a concert for all of us. Tuesday we were allowed free time to do whatever we pleased as church groups. Wednesday we traveled to a lookout on Mt. Magazine, and then to Cove Lake for a cookout and some water recreation. Thursday we went to the local pool and enjoyed a couple of hours of swimming and fun. Club would follow each evening’s activity. Everyone met together in the small basement room under the sanctuary for a short service. Club would begin with Yea Gods and Git-r’-duns. Yea Gods provided an opportunity to shout out praises for things that God had done that day. Git-r-duns provided an opportunity to uplift or encourage someone for special efforts or things they had accomplished that day. Becca, Kryn, Kevin, and Tyler then stated any announcements or news that had come about. After announcements, we would sing two or three songs and Tyler would give a short message. After club, we met in our individual church groups to discuss the events of our day and the impact it had on us. We then had free time until lights out at 11:15. Our free time generally consisted of trips to Sonic. J On Friday, we said sad good-byes to our new-found companions. Tyler said a parting prayer for us and we all said our final good-byes, leaving behind the church that had become our home over the week. Soon, we were on our way to Lake Ouachita. We reached the lake Friday evening and got settled in to our cabins/rooms/trailers. The next two days were filled with swimming, tubing, and fun. Kandace celebrated her 14th birthday with everyone on June 28. Exhausted, but happy, FBCC youth returned around 6:30pm. on Sunday, June 29. We were glad to be home and filled with the many blessings from the week. Though home was such a beautiful sight, we knew that Arkansas would be a part of us…forever.
“Try to imagine. How would you feel if Christ Himself were washing your feet?” ~Tyler Stynsberg We were asked what our favorite moments of the week were. There was a consensus among us. The foot washing service affected everyone the most. We met on Thursday night for club and it was explained to us that we would be participating in a foot washing service. They read for us the scripture in John 13 that tells of when Jesus washed the disciple’s feet. They told us to consider all the blessings God had given us throughout the week and to imagine that Christ himself was washing our feet. First, Tyler, Kryn, Kevin, and Becca washed the youth leader’s feet and prayed over them. The youth leaders then washed our feet. Tears flowed from every eye. We just praised God for being in our lives. We told each other how much we loved one another. Everyone just felt the Holy Spirit among us. It was the most awesome experience of our lives. It is something that we will carry with us always. I believe it was the first foot washing service any of us had ever experienced. I knew that I was not expecting to feel what I felt. I began to cry long before the water basin was brought to our circle. I could see all these images of things God had done in my life. I saw just how blessed I was. That week, God had shown me what poverty looked like, the hopeless, and the beaten and down-trodden. I was just so grateful to have the life God has given me. As I was sitting there, I heard God speak to me. He simply said, “I am with you.” Joy flooded every fiber of my being. My mother washed my feet, and the tears came pouring down. As I closed my eyes, I no longer saw my mother… I saw Christ. It was the greatest blessing of my life. I am changed forever. I believe all of us are. So, on behalf of the youth of FBCC, I thank all who helped us get there. I know that I am eternally grateful. God bless all of you. To all who read these words, may this story bless you as it did for those who lived it. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age. “ ~ Matthew 28:19-20
By: Jamie Ferguson |