Sanford: Day 3

We had an awesome day on our first day of ministry here in Sanford!

We were able to send three groups out in the morning to serve at various places in the community. One team went to serve an organization that helps disabled children and adults. They got to some much-needed gardening and mulching for them, and the difference was incredible! They will continue to help weed, mulch, and plant flowers for this organization.

Another crew headed to a homeless shelter in Alfred where they began one of several painting projects to help improve the outside appearance of their facilities. Today they tackled the painting of the stairs and ramp that lead to the front door.

Our third crew worked on installing drywall in an old community center at the park where we had our afternoon camp. This community center has been in a state of disrepair for many, many years, and was once the center of a bustling community park. As the neighborhood declined, so did the park. Evergreen Covenant has been hard at work to help a community organization restore this building and provide the community with a functioning community center.

Our afternoon camp was a lot of fun, as we played games, made crafts, and loved on 11 kids from the neighborhood. We had some kinks to work out, but I think we have a great plan for tomorrow.

Tonight we enjoyed dinner at Pat's Pizza, and took the kids on a shopping trip to Marden's. Both are Maine institutions. The kids did some shopping for their "Secret Servant Project." Every student has been assigned another person in the group to secretly serve and encourage this week. It's been a lot of fun so far, and it should get even better as the week goes along.

We talked a little bit today about how it's so easy to have a great attitude and servant's heart on a missions trip but the second we get home we are whining about dinner or complaining about our parents or being jerks to our siblings. I challenged the students to take the attitudes they have been developing on this trip home with them.

Tomorrow will be much the same thing. We are all having a great time and the students have been AWESOME. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Steve