There are now endless stories, inside jokes, and friendships built from Wimauma '09. We learned what it means to persevere. What it means to love the unloveable. What it means to be awake at 1am. But most importantly, what Christ did for us. Christ saw a people, that needed love, that need salvation, that needed purpose. He did something only He could do. That is, to die on the cross for our sins so that we may be saved. The selfless love He showed us is the model that every Christian must try to live towards. This missions trip taught us that to say that we have God in our lives is much more than going to church and saying I am a Christian. But to actually role up your sleeves, pick up fly infested 3 week old trash, to do a VBS with 4 year olds who spit and punch at you, to be shoveling top soil at 11:30 pm, to minister to families with hot dogs and pop corn, that is to show we have God's love in our lives. We learned that we don't need facebook, myspace, or twitter to keep us occupied but rather a few mountain dews and a circle of friends playing signs can do the trick. We learned that nothing is more entertaining then watching the youngest member of your group talk about 1946, i mean 1949 in his sleep. Eating Bacon never tasted so good in the morning. And what ice cream that was that we ate, WAS AMAZING!

So I figure it was time that I blog.

Some of the better fun tasks we got to do is pack tooth brushes, soap and other toiletries for kids who are coming next Monday for a back to school event. We also get to play with children for about 3 hours every day. It is always an adventure.

Some of the not so fun jobs but still not complained were filling three week old trash covered with a blanket of flies. Great times. Talking about flies, Adam and Kishane had the pleasure of putting fly traps all across the campus. The thing that stinks about it (pun intended) is that you feel these bags with water and hang them. In the bags there is this powder thing that when combined with water make the smell of rotting meat. We of course encouraged them to wash there hands after handling them. The ladies didn't really like the smell.

I have seen a side of the youth I have not seen before. Each and everyone of the youth have showed me their strong spiritual maturity. Every evening in our group devotional the kids really open up and share how God is working in their lives. Our youth are very insightful and little theologians themselves. Some of the discussions we have been having over dinner or around a pile of dirt have been very insightful and encouraging. That Josh Wolcott is a smart cookie. He may be the youngest on the trip, but he pretty much planned out the best way to fill the garden beds the most efficiently.

Bethany has been the best female leader anyone could ever ask for! She has been a mom to all the youth and is great with helping plan the VBS with the preschoolers.

Well we are about to do evening group devotional so I have to get off the computer and go meet up with the rest of the youth! I believe they are mummifying the Pastors son with toilet paper and visqueen plastic.

Continue praying for the rest of the youth that they do not get whatever I have. And continue praying for the guys because I snore. LOL! They seem to find it more amusing than a nuisance.

Grace, Mercy, and Peace to everyone. Looking Forward to come back home, see wifey and share with everyone this awesome God filled experience!

Frank "The Tank" Gil

Youth Intern

Thank you all for checking in with us every day. We are so blessed to have these opportunities to serve the staff, children, and friends of Good Samaritan Mission. We all look forward to returning home with stories of how God is working among us and within Wimauma.

We’re three days in and things are off to a tremendous start!

We were put to work as soon as we stepped off the bus Monday and everyone took it with grace and humility. I have been so impressed so far by the group’s flexibility rooted in a genuine willingness to serve wherever they can.

Tuesday was a little more exciting with lines of Wimauma families eagerly awaiting weekly food baskets filled with fresh bread, rice, beans, lettuce, meat, and an occasional box of caramel corn. Petra, Mandy, and Kristen had an opportunity to develop teaching and tutoring skills with three children who needed help with some Math and English skills. The boys were up to their ears in 3 week old trash and took it like troupers, with a humble and meek spirit. At the end of the day a trip to a local skating rink allowed everyone to unwind a little, but proved to be just as much as a exercise in humility and endurance for some of us.....ahem...and i have the bruises to prove it. <:/

Today things have mellowed out. We have gotten to know and build relationships with many of the VBS 4 and 5 year olds. We have our kitchen routine down after every meal and are even starting to adjust to the early morning wake up calls. Today the whole group pitched in to fill 4 garden frames half way with sand and tomorrow we plan to top them off with good soil. The mission is going to use this as an opportunity to teach people how to plant and sustain there own organic garden.

Our most recent project has involved 500 bars of soap 800 bottles of shampoo and conditioner and other various hygiene items. We are packing bags with toiletries to give away with the hundreds of backpacks, pencils, and other necessary school supplies needed by the local large families this fall. The back to school project is huge this year and we are glad we could provide some much needed help this week.

The sun is hot, the work is tedious, and energy is beginning to wear thin. But we are not losing our momentum! We are constantly thinking of new ways to reach the Mission kids and are taking every opportunity to encourage the staff around us. Tonight over 80 flyers for the movie night were passed out and we cannot wait for Friday to arrive as the suspense builds!

Thank you all for your prayers!

In Him,

b.e.l.

Well first off, the people here are really easy to get to know there so friendly and the meals are really good. I feel like I am getting to know part of the youth group a lot better.

The work that we are doing feels like we are helping the people out a lot. They have a lot of dishes and it seems like we taken a load off there shoulders with helping out with the dishes and like the miscellaneous jobs.

There having a back to school thing where they give the kids backpacks with toothbrushes and soap and and other things kids need for back to school. So we were able to help with loading all the toothpaste/toothbrushes and other things. It’s been really awesome to get to know Frank, Adam and Kishane better. They are really good guys to get to know.

I have had a lot of fun so far.

Looking forward to seeing you guys soon!

Joshua D. Wolcott

In the past two days there has been barely no idleness. You are constantly doing something. Wether it’s cleaning or packing food and supplies, you are always on your feet. These things that we are packing, go to families who can’t afford much. It’s really neat to think about and see all the lives that we’ve been blessing and still are going to bless.

Here at Wimauma we have been privileged to meet so many kind, welcoming, sweet people, who have humbly dedicated most of their time serving and helping people who are not as fortunate as we are. It;s amazing to see all the school supplies, food, and needed things (tooth brushes and toothpaste, soap, etc.) that have been donated and we have helped pack. As busy as we’ve bee, I feel no stress, frustration, or must tiredness. I believe that’s definitely God!

VBS has been a ton of Fun! The kids (about 20) warmed up to us immediately (although a few haven’t quite broken out of their shell yet). They are all bundles of joy and have the cutest smiles. Although some can be a bit more difficult than others, we work thought it and pray for patience. LOL!

Hey It's Kriss!

Blog: If your like my mom read this blog from the bottom to the top to read my day in order. If your like my dad start here and read it as you please.

*Skating rink: I was ensured tonight that I was NOT born to skate. I didn’t fall but those who I griped to for my life did, But maybe I didn’t fall because I wasn’t actually skating I was more like, walking on wheels. It was a-lot of fun. The music was great (all of it was Christian) We danced like cinderella and twirled like sleeping beauty. Oh yes, the cha-cha slide! To the left and to the right, now reverse and go right. It was way more complex than you could imagine. I finally got it down before the song was over. : )

*Dinner: Oooh la la. Potato soup with melted cheese and crispy bacon on top. If your mouth isn’t watering your crazy. Sorry Mom but it was THE best soup I’ve ever had.

*VBS: They say laughter is the best medicine. So if your in a room with 18 4-6 year old kids your going to be pretty healthy. These kids were not shy today. They were spaz-nuggets. Plus their honest, More laughter.

*Back to School Bags: My word would be shocking. It was shocking to see how much stuff had bean donated for “back to school bags” for the needy. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, wash clothes, soap, and tracks upon many other items. we packed about 250 gallon sized bags and there is deffinetly tons more to do.

*Lunch: Again, Delicious. Rice with chicken and beans, Vegatables with a cheesy sauce and some sort of mashed dressing.

*Helping prepare for F-CATS: It was such a joy to be able to help kids learn and practice how to read, write, and multiply. There were three kids, Ben (6th grade), Kevin (5th grade) and Princesa (3rd grade). Mandy, Petra and I all were able to help with these three kids and help develop their knowledge. I was amazed at how fast these kids were learning. Princesa (My Student) Just learned how to do her multiplication tables last week and is already up to her 13’s, And they only meet once a week.

*Packing Potato Salad: Messy. And there was a-lot of it. Okay so maybe Mandy wasn’t as messy but it won’t really matter when we get to heaven.

*Breakfast: Mmm-mmm-mmm! Today Wonderful and Caring Mrs. Karen made us french-toast, and sausage. It really is such a wonderful thing to wake up and know that there is food, waiting on you.

*Rising and getting ready to shine for Jesus: As a teenage girl I’m going to be honest, getting up this morning was no easy task. I was looking forward at the day and was ready to start, I just didn’t want to get out of bed.

It is really amazing to watch the ladies that work here. Devoting their personal lives to serve for the glory of god by reaching out to the needy. I am having a blast on this journey but it is magni-fecent to watch these other people serve. It is also exciting to watch cars and trucks pull up with stuff to be donated to the needy. Just about everything in this building has been donated by people.

This Is such a great opportunity to bond with my youth group. I am looking forward to making friends and meeting new siblings through my savior.

Thanks!