Sunset Gap 2003

Today it houses a thrift shop and provides the community with a place to gather for events.

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Day 2: Monday July 7th

The bus arrived in Sunset Gap just after midnight. In quick order the bus was unpacked and the stage was set, literally, for an early start this morning.

After our personal devotions, group devotions (led this morning by Ellen Holt), and breakfast the team was ready to get started by 9:00 a.m.

Over twenty five children came today for the day camp - our teachers and youth were able to match their enthusiasm. Tomorrow we will share some photos from this aspect of our mission.
Today, we share pictures from our construction site. We are adding on two small rooms to two separate trailers. Work outside was wet today making the site preparation and the pouring of the footings particularly challenging. Our crew is tough and up to the task.

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Day 3: Tuesday July 8th

Today work continues both in the day camp and on the construction site. In yesterday's update (above) it was mentioned that two rooms were being built onto trailers. A little more about this work The first trailer is owned by a single mother who has a child with a heart condition. The room will provide needed space for this little guy who is getting bigger. The second trailer also is getting a room added for a daughter. This trailer is nestled way back in the holler - the road leading to it is rough and rocky and winds way back from the road. Today, upon the footings that were laid yesterday joists were placed. The floor was next and framing walls is on the way.

Meanwhile at the day camp, the children continue to share their smiles and giggles. During the opening program, songs were sung, magic done, and stories told. Today we worked on the parable of the lost sheep - God will always love us and seek us out to bring us into community. Below are just a few photos from our work.

This evening the team will be heading into town for a dinner and a movie. Our community continues to be strong and strengthened by God's presence. The interaction between staff, teachers, construction crew, and youth is both edifying and fun.

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Day 4: Wednesday July 9th
Family connections are an important part of the community that lives at Sunset Gap. It was a good surprise to learn that the house we are adding a room onto is the home of one of the kids who has come to the day camp for the last six years! What a joy to be able to build a new room for little C. She was telling us today about decorating the room with blue curtains and blue sheets after it is painted blue - I wonder if it is her favorite color? Progress continues on the room with the roof being added today. The team made a decision to finish this job and leave the other with only the footings in place; the alternative would be to have two unfinished rooms… not a good choice.

The Day Camp continued it teaching and feeding today. We served "golden -chicken- nuggets" to the kids today. Of the four bible schools that are being offered throughout the summer, ours is the only full day program with lunch for the kids. They were simply delighted to have lunch; the older kids were eager to help clean up saying "you fed us well and we want to thank you". Today's lesson was the Good Samaritan and we talked about how God wants us to help our neighbors, even those who are different from us.

Tonight, our entire team will be heading to the mini-golf course (the nearest place of this kind is well over an hour away) and BBQ at Buddy's. The golf tournament is one of the highlights for the group. Here are photos from the day's work….

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Day 5: Thursday July 10th

Today was our final day of work both at the Day Camp and the construction site. The room was sided and the interior dry walled. Electrical work and two windows were also installed. Given the connection that we have with the little girl whose room it is, our team decided to buy linens, curtains, sheets, a new pillow, a comforter, and a novelty pillow - all in blue of course! She was absolutely speechless as were all of us.

The last day of Camp is always the hardest - our teachers really get to know the kids and so goodbyes are always hard to say. Over the past six years strong relationships have been built with the kids. We had one of the older kids - who 'graduated' - come back to say 'howdy' today. Seeds have been planted, lives enriched, and memories made that will last for the years to come.
This year we had fifteen high school aged youth and two recent college grads as part of our team. They are a vital asset to the mission. Saying goodbye is hard for these young men and women. Again seeds have been planted that will produce a bounty of fruits in God's kingdom.
One of our last day events is a carnival for the children. We handed out over three gross of prizes as the kids played games. Our Rodeo Roundup was a huge success. The kids went home with bags bulging with stuff.

Here are pictures from the final days work.

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Days Six and Seven,
It's Friday morning, not yet 6:30 and our group has already been up for over an hour, catching breakfast, cleaning and loading our bus. We're on our way to Baltimore, a ten hour trip, where we're scheduled to arrive at the College of Notre Dame at dinner time. We'll be spending the night here, but first we're off to Fort McHenry where we have a personal tour. Then we're on to the National Aquarium where Joyce and Ray Thomas, Family members who now live in Baltimore have gotten us all passes. We'll spend the evening here with dinner in the food court. No, we won't be sleeping with the fishes-we're back to Notre Dame for the night. But before we retire, we gather for what is always a wonderfully moving moment, our closing Eucharist. It is a deeply emotional experience as Team members recount how this week has impacted their life and their faith. Midst tears and hugs, thanks is shared with God for the blessing this week has been and for the relationships that have grown.

Saturday sees breakfast at the College and then we're back down to the Inner Harbor to historic Christ Lutheran Church. We visit with staff to learn of their wonderful stewardship and innovative ministry. Then we go next door and meet with our old friend, Rollie Deffenbaugh, Executive Director of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Rollie shares the overwhelming crisis in refugee resettlement and the story of our ELCA involvement in sharing Christ's love. Then we move on to Lutheran World Relief and learn how thousands of tons of goods are shipped around the world from Lutheran Churches in America. Powerful exposure to anti-poverty ministries to round out our week in Tennessee.

Then we're on the bus for our last leg home. We unload and then we gather for a word of prayer. Time for thanksgiving-time for new beginnings. Time for celebrating the blessing the Family is to each of us and to the world. Thanks be to God!

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