Brian Boyer, Northbrook UMC

San Marcos, Texas was the destination for Northbrook UMC's Senior High Mission Trip.  Six adults and 16 youth spent a week putting their faith into action by working on homes of the very poor, elderly or disabled.  This San Marcos River Work Camp was run by a Methodist organization, Southside Community Center,  which also operates a homeless shelter and a thrift shop.  We worked and worshiped alongside 45 other workers from UMCs in Dallas and Waverly, Nebraska.  Most of the homes we were rehabbing were over 50 years old and had been in the same family for many generations. Work days began with a 6:15 AM wake up call and were especially challenging due to the 100-degree heat.

Other challenges of the worksites included encounters with fleas, cockroaches and notorious Texas fire ants.  In spite of all these issues, everyone worked incredibly hard and was very committed to their various projects. The beauty of these mission trips is that they combine several different elements to create a very rich experience...hard work, worship/devotions, and great fellowship and fun.  Everyone returned with a sense of accomplishment, grateful hearts, a closer connection with each other and with God.