Boston, Day 1

We were able to sleep in a little because of our late arrival to Boston. Our wonderful hosts at Univeristy Lutheran have great facilities for us to use and are very hospitable. We were able to explore Boston. We walked around the city taking lots of pictures and learning some interesting facts. We took the “T” to get around Boston, and having to stop walking a lot because people needed to go to the restroom. We then proceeded to go on a Duck Tour, which was 45 minutes on land then into Boston Harbor. It was a lot of fun and learned some things about the city.

Boston, Day 2

Before church we all went to Dunkin’ Donuts and ate a healthy breakfast of coffee and doughnuts. We then went to church at University Lutheran Church and it was a very traditional service with some things that we were unfamiliar with, but we made the best of it. We were a part of a goodbye for the pastor of 15 years, it was a familiar feeling, and we could tell she was well loved, as well. Everyone there was so honest and open it set a great feel for the service and rest of the day. We headed to a beach in Lynn, MA (the town of our mission work/week) for lunch and some relaxing time. And then headed to Washington Street Baptist Church where we are currently staying for the week. Then we had some orientations and then it was off to bed!

Boston, Day 3—Fourth of July

Day four was a different type of day. It was just a day of getting to know everyone and become comfortable in our surroundings. We were able to enjoy lunch at the local soup kitchen in Lynn. Similar to Matt Talbot. Conversations were held between our youth and the folks of the kitchen. We were able to catch a glimpse of some fireworks in the alley by the church—so it could feel like the 4th was happening here, too.

Boston, Day 4

Darien Lagge says: “Our youth was split into two different groups. One of the groups (named “Dancing with the Stars”) went to a place called Briarcliff Lodge, which is a day program for older adults with memory loss and severe mental problems or that have suffered strokes, etc. All of the people there were very welcoming and inviting. Even though they would ask the same questions over and over again, you just had fun with them and hung out with them. They may have needed a little more help but the experience was priceless. Glad to be going there all week!”

Hailey Frost says: “The other half of our group (named “Top Chef”) went to a day camp for kids, ages 6-14 called Creighton Pond Camp. We get to go swimming, and go out on the row boats on the lake, do science and crafts, and other games. The kids’ favorite thing to do is swim! They were very quiet when we first got there but when we jumped in the pool with them they warmed up quick!  We also learned a new game of Nuke ’em. After helping out at the camp we went to showers, may I add only ten minutes! We had a pizza dinner and headed to the subway to experience it once again. We walked to through Quincy Market as a big group. I think by the end of the day everyone was ready for a good night sleep.”

Boston, Day 5

Sam Kazda says: “Today seemed to be earlier than the rest, even though we got about the same amount of sleep as we had been. “Dancing with the Stars” headed back to Briarcliff Lodge to hang out with the adults again. It was an amazing feeling walking in and having everyone’s faces light up because some of them remember you, some of them can’t. I had a long conversation with a wise lady named Fran who gave me a life story on how to use self-control and pace my life perfectly. I heard certain tips more than once as expected, but the fact that these adults care so much about us as a group is one of the most life changing feelings I have ever encountered. Some of us did Karaoke with the residents, which they highly favored “La Bamba.” After we warmed them up to the idea, a resident named Kathy wanted to sing songs for us. Before we knew it, the men from the audience came up and asked all of us girls to dance. There we were, dancing with some of the most handsome men of Lynn Massachusetts  . And of course, your gentlemen from Sheridan Youth went around and asked the beautiful women to dance too. Matt and his “girlfriend” Myra got to slow dance to some Celine Dion. How romantic right? Tomorrow is the last day we will be seeing the residents and let me tell you, I’m not very excited to say good bye to some of the sweetest people I have ever met. Easily the most life changing experience I have ever had.”

Julian says: “On this very hot sunny day the “Top Chefs” went back to day camp and we had free time in the pool and later on we all had a grueling game of Capture the flag, as it was all of the kids at camp against all of the staff. But in the end the staff took the win by a hair. Next on the agenda was splitting all of the age groups up and we did different activities with them, such as swimming in the pool, playing in the arcade room, (which has almost every type of sporting equipment you could imagine), boating, arts and crafts, and the playground. I made a connection with one of the campers named Emilio. He wants to arm wrestle and wrestle to prove his strength and that he is tougher than me, but I’m not showing him any mercy. We have really built a bond in two short days.”

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