Day 5 - SPY Performance, Hike and Fireworks

Sunday had a great start because we were able to sleep in a bit more than usual. We put on our tie dye shirts and gathered in the Soul Cafe at Fieldstone UMC for breakfast with members of their church community. After a quick breakfast, we went into the Celebration Room to begin practicing the songs we would be singing for morning worship. We had just enough time to practice our 6 songs with our new accompanist before it was time to let members of the congregation in for the service.

The beginning of the worship service was led by Fieldstone. They shared about the joys and successes from their Vacation Bible School adventures from the week before. They also talked about how amazed they are every week at the volunteers that come to SPY. For children's time, the kids sang some of the songs they learned at VBS. For the second half of the service, the Voices of Youth provided music for the offering and then provided some songs and testimonies to awaken Fieldstone's congregation to our mission but to also let them know how excited we were to be a part of their mission work. The service ended with our choral benediction, "The Lord Bless You and Keep You".

Just as the service was ending, our bus driver Ed Richards arrived! This is the fourth year he has been driving us and he has become an important member of our team. His first job of the tour was to get Voices and some members from the other groups at SPY to the Jefferson National Park where the group would be eating lunch and then going on a hike. After a quick phone call to make sure that the bus would be able to clear a small bridge, Ed forged ahead and the group all gathered for lunch from Subway to get some energy before our hike began.


Once lunch had been cleaned up, we made a big circle and played some group building games in order to get to know members of the other groups a little better. We played a game that revealed things people liked, a "Twilight" version of rock, paper, scissors and each work group tried to solve the human knot.

After the games, we put our shoes back on and got ready for the 2 mile hike. We were given two options for the hike, the hard trail or the "easy" trail. Most of the group chose the hard trail and I'm pretty sure that if you asked any of the people who took the easy trail, they might disagree with the name.


Although the hike seemed like it would never end at times, the reward for finishing was worth the effort. The Cascade Falls at the end of the hike were beautiful and the water was "refreshing" if not freezing. The whole group enjoyed some time swimming and relaxing at the falls. The time came to leave and we gathered our things and started back down the mountain. Everyone took the easy trail this time in hopes that we would all get to the bottom at a faster pace.


When we arrived at the bottom of the trail, some adults and youth from each work group traveled to the work sites in order to meet the families and get a better idea of the type of work they would be doing in the coming week. Then everyone met at Cici's Pizza Buffet for dinner and no one left hungry. We were running a bit behind schedule so we had to eat quickly in order to make it back to SPY for evening worship. The interim director, Claire, talked to the group about this year's theme for SPY, "we have seen strange things". We discussed strange things in the gospel and how we'd be learning more about them throughout the week. We sang together and Claire challenged the other groups not to be overpowered by the Voices of Youth.

Worship had ended and then it was time to choose between staying at SPY and relaxing or going to see some fireworks near Blacksburg High School. The campers and staff at SPY had been invited by Big Joe to come see the fireworks at his house. When we arrived, we were greeted warmly by the people already at the party and we jumped right in to all the festivities. They had airbrush tattoos, glow sticks, karaoke, and lots of food and drink for everyone.

When the fireworks began, we all gathered on the hill behind the house and had a spectacular view of the fireworks. Before we left, the whole group from Voices that had gone to the fireworks had to sing a karaoke version of "Don't Stop Believing". I think that anyone who went to see the fireworks would tell you it was well worth the trip. The best part of the trip was when we were told that we could sleep in an extra hour tomorrow morning! We arrived back at SPY and headed toward the showers to get clean. Then it was time to get to bed in order to be energized at our work sites in the morning.

Day 4 - Orientation Ends & SPY Begins

Today we started the morning off with our sung blessing and enjoyed breakfast together. Then it was time to move into the gym for our morning devotions. Katie B. had the group talk about their peaks and pits of the trip so far. It was great to hear all of the peaks, whether it was the family group time, team building exercises or making music together. The pits weren't too bad either, just a random bug, tables being moved at 6 a.m., and having to hear the sprinkler controls go off every hour at night. Jeremy H. awarded the FFP button to Caitlin K.

The next activity was group building. We played a game called "Cross The Line". Katie B. and Jenn would call out a statement and you would cross over the line if it applied to you. We learned a lot about each other in a short amount of time! After that we had some fun playing elbow tag and found out that Rachel J. and Jay are really fast. Once we were all awake and our bodies were warmed up, it was time for the guys and Altos to go downstairs for a sectional rehearsal while the Sopranos stayed upstairs for mission education.

Rachel H., Katie B. and Jenn talked to the youth about their own mission experiences and the impact that they had on their lives. Then they discussed Voices of Youth and the specific role it has of "Awakening the United Methodist Church to Mission". They reviewed all of the different mission locations that we will be visiting throughout the tour such as the Henry Fork Center, Camp Rainbow Connection, CCAP, Society of St. Andrew, and others. Then the two groups switched places. By the end of the Soprano sectional, they were begging to eat!


We had sandwiches, chips, fruit, and some leftovers for lunch.


After lunch it was time to finish packing and clean to make sure that we left the building just as nice as we found it. Before our next rehearsal, we had some Pop Ice while Jenn gave us all some health and safety trips for the work sites and the rest of the trip.

Then it was time for our last rehearsal at Orientation. We sang through all of the songs, incorporating the instrumental parts and dances. Then we worked on the six songs that we'll be singing at Fieldstone UMC on Sunday morning. By the end of the rehearsal most of us could tell that we've been singing a lot for the past three days so it was time to save our voices and finish the final packing and cleaning jobs.

We had some pizza, salad and fruit for dinner and then headed off to Project SPY.


Everyone took their bags and headed to their respective rooms to get settled in. Then the leaders had a meeting to get the schedules and discuss all the logistics of the week while the youth played some ice breaker games to get to know some of the kids from the other churches at SPY this week (Trinity UMC in Puquoson, VA and Gloria Korean Presbyterian in Glen Burnie, MD).


We all received a tour of the facility and then gathered together to listen to tips about Safety, Sensitivity, and Stewardship.

Then each group came up with a skit to demonstrate one of those categories.



After the skits were over, we had some free time and for our group that meant SHOWERS! 10:30 came quickly and then it was time to go to bed and get rest for our first performance tomorrow morning.

Day 3 - Orientation Continues...

Morning came quickly and it was time to start another day. Some decided to kick off the day with a run while others chose to stay in bed as long as possible! We enjoyed breakfast and some early fellowship together once we gathered all the stragglers.

Then we headed out for some morning devotions led by Rachel. We talked about our hopes for the trip and the hope we have in God to use us to truly awaken the church to mission throughout our journey.

After our devotions we enjoyed some group building. The first activity was led by Katie B. and involved pairing up with someone else from the group. We were asked to turn back to back and change something about our appearance. Then we had to turn around and find out what was different about our partner. We soon learned how important it is to pay attention to the small things and notice the people around us. Katie encouraged us to use this skill throughout the trip with anyone we encounter.

The second group building activity involved each family group working together to cross the lava swamp with the magic puzzle squares. Let go of the square and it would sink into the lava. Sometimes fire alligators would come and eat them or a tidal wave would wash one away. The family groups had to work closely and hold on tight to ensure safe passage through the swamp!

Now that we all made it safely across the swamp, it was time to go inside for another rehearsal. We continued working on our music and then divided up for sectional rehearsals. While one group sang, the other group went to take showers and finally get clean! When we returned, it was time for lunch. We enjoyed a great meal and some fun activities including the cup game. We also had a great group to help clean up after lunch was finished.

Another rehearsal went by and we had a chance for some free time. Some decided to try the dancing ribbons that were lent to the group for one of our songs. Others decided to discover the art of braiding hair. The most exciting part of the afternoon was getting the finished tie dyed shirts back. We were very pleased with the results!

In the evening we had a Mexican dinner and Jeremy's group helped to clean up afterward. They did an amazing job and seemed to have a good time doing it!

Each family group went off to plan their devotions and then later we all gathered to collate the 1,500 programs for the tour. One of the last group activities of the evening was a water war outside. We had some water balloons and water guns to distribute among the youth. While there were some that tried to avoid getting wet, they were NOT successful in their efforts to remain dry. Rachel and Jordan both were "baptized" by the youth with tubs of water when they least expected it. They seemed to handle it pretty well and were excited to see the youth enjoying themselves so much.

After some time bonding in small groups, it was time for evening devotions. Jordan talked about hope and read from Romans 8:24-27. He reminded us that sometimes we hope for God to help guide us but we don't always know what exactly we should hope for. We have the Holy Spirit interceding for us, searching our hearts and helping us hope for what we truly need. It is our hope that every person on the tour draws closer to God over the course of this mission and shares their experiences willingly with those God puts in their path.

Day 2 - Orientation Begins!

Day 2 of Voices of Youth began as the staff prepared for Orientation at the Blacksburg Christian Life Center. Time for unpacking shirts, making buttons, organizing music, making posters and practicing skits, which are all in a day's work. Later in the morning, we were joined by Rev. Brad Dulaney who talked to the staff about how to help the youth hear God's calling in their lives.

The wait was finally over and the youth started arriving. The staff were ready and waiting to greet them with open arms and smiling faces. It was time to check-in and then see if the youth were really able to carry all of their belongings that they will have with them for the rest of the journey.

Once everyone had arrived and settled in, we had a time of worship with the parents. The youth staff shared a brief explanation about why they love Voices of Youth and how they see the program impacting their lives. Rev. Dulaney spoke about his mission experiences and how our lives can be transformed by the simple gestures demonstrated by people we come in contact with. We joined in song, celebrated with communion and were led in a commissioning service for all those involved.

After the service was over, it was time to say goodbye to the parents and begin our group time with the Rules Skit. The youth staff helped all of us remember why it is important to leave our cell phones behind and be fully engaged in our mission and the relationship opportunities presented every day. Most importantly, they helped remind us that "purple" is not allowed.

Our next activity was a group rehearsal. We could tell right from the start that they were listening to every word that Jordan said.

We had a great time singing and the group is really sounding great. We were blessed to have two different accompanists join us for the day (Carter Edmondson and Brandy Buckels) to help complete our adult staff and allow us to make the most out of our rehearsal time. Once the rehearsal was finished it was time for the family groups to get together and learn more about each other. These pictures are evidence that we get to know each other pretty fast!


Later in the evening we enjoyed some fellowship and ice cream sundaes as we planned our next family group activity.

After the plans had been made and the shirts had been rubber banded, we had a great time tie dyeing our white VOY t-shirts. We're anxious to see what they will look like. Only time will tell...


Now it is off to bed so we can dream about the great experiences will have and the many friendships and blessings that God will bestow upon us in the rest of the journey to come!