Home from the Ranch

Well, its hard to believe... but it is Monday, July 28th... and that means that after months of planning and praying and working and organizing, both of this summer's youth mission trips have ended. Now its time for an update of the most recent one!



The youth and I spent last week at Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas. It was HOT. 105 degree heat index HOT. BUT... we learned a LOT, worked hard, and laughed hard! Here are some photos of our most recent travels (with my thoughts on the time we spent on the ranch coming soon!!)



On the way to Arkansas, the Sulphur Grove kids and I stopped at the Garden of the Gods in southern Illinois... which was AMAZING. Here are the kids on top of the rocks!

THe youth climbed out on this pile immediately after I took the picture... far away from me and close to the edge... no wonder I have so much gray hair!!

Then it was on to the Ranch, where we spent our week working, learning, and serving. We had a great time but also had a lot of opportunities to really evaluate our lives, our global impact, and the idea that there is enough for everyone, but not everyone has enough. It was an AMAZING week.

Our night in the global village was spent divided between two places. Half our group (and I with them) spent the night in the large Thailand house. There were a lot of us in a small space, but we were BLESSED to spend the night in such good conditions... especially since... The other part of our group spent the night in the Urban Slum, sleeping on the brick floor. THey did a great job, but I know it was hard on them!

Afterwards there was much of what has become a theme for the summer... getting inked! (I must say... you girls need to work on your tans! Look at my feet compared to yours!! OH wait... that might be dirt....)

At the end of our time on the ranch we took one last group shot... and headed back north...

Where we quite inappropriately had lunch at Lambert's Cafe (home of the throwed rolls)... and all of us struggled with the amount of waste we produced after our week of minimizing our impact! It was a GREAT meal... but it came with some guilt... which is not really a bad thing!

Finally, and creepy, we found out what happens when a water buffalo is badly behaved on the ranch! Apparently the staff had water buffalo burgers for MONTHS... and his head, well, the bugs are still working on that one!!

Remember to be nice to others folks...and enjoy the sunset... and be thankful for all that you have... and remember... we are all responsible for each other! Find a way to make a difference!