Day 3

Dear people, 

Jessica - weeding around the new office

Today was a fine day of labor and fun. At the beginning Greg Kanagy gave us a short tour of camp (we didn't go in the back 90). He talked a lot about camp and about what they do. Our eyes were opened and we realized how well our lives are. He talked about how they trust in God and he provides for the camp. It was really amazing. We weeded garden beds beside the new office building at camp, trimmed trees along the main road, and mowed (Dylan) the grass. It was pretty hot and humid, so the conditions weren't ideal, but we still got through without anyone fainting and not having to make a trip to the ER! -Jesse

A very hot job

Resting at lunch (Luke, Jesse, Taylor)

After working outside in the flower beds we were rewarded with a delicious lunch of sandwiches and veggies. After that we went to a lake to try and pull a bunch of weeds called cat-tails. I was assured that the cat-tails would only take a small tug to get out. It turns put it took upwards to five people just to get one cat-tail out of the ground. Not to mention that the water which we were in was covered in grimy sludge and the majority of us were barefoot. This coupled with the constant fear of alligators and snakes (Dylan especially) made for a hard work day. Although we didn't finish everything, we are excited for tomorrow to get back at it. After we finished pulling cat-tails we had chicken and potato casserole, salad, homemade rolls, and pie. It was delicious. -Jacob

The whole group hard at work.  Our work leader did give us praise on being hard working!

The Lake.  Note: The water is NOT cool and the bottom is slimy and might be snakes, but we persevered.

Day 2 - Are we there yet?

Luke listening to his headcones -the latest in green music technology

 Day 2 - We have arrived!

We started the day in Walterboro, SC.  After breakfast and packing the van we met behind the hotel for morning devotions.

We hit the road for a very long day of travel.  Perhaps because we were tired, or perhaps because it was hot today's travel seemed much longer than yesterday.

We arrived at Gator Wilderness camp a little before 8 o'clock and are getting settled in.  Catching up with Sara (Byler) has been a highlight of the whole trip so far.  She has been here working at the camp for the past year, so she is our native guide!

After devotions and debriefing tonight everyone plans an early bedtime.  For whatever reason, just riding in a car all day makes us tired.  And tomorrow the real work begins!

We were so happy to meet up with Sara!!

Day 1 - On the Way

Getting Ready to head out

Picnic lunch on the way

Our morning started off with much excitement and anticipation.  Meeting at Weavers at 9:30 we were so thankful for all the friends and family that surrounded us and came to see us off.  Pastor Phil had a prayer with us and for us, then we piled into the van and were off.

Some highlights from the first part of the drive included:

By the way... its hot

• Looking at the semi-truck passing us and see a skeleton buckled in riding shotgun
• Seeing a black bear wandering up a road beside the interstate
• The unbelievable beauty of the blue ridge mountains in southern Virginia
• Lots and lots of laughter

We stopped for lunch at a rest area just beyond Christiansburg.  We ate quickly and were back on the road in about a half hour.  

The drive was, thankfully, uneventful and we arrived at the hotel in South Carolina at a little before 7pm.  That left just the right amount of time for dinner and a quick swim in an oddly warm pool.  Apparently that is what 100 degree temps does to an outdoor pool.

We met together for group time and debriefed, had devotions and prayed together.

Now we find we are very tired, so bedtime is eminent. Peace Out.

A little game of Hackey Sack upon arrival at the hotel

Debriefing on Night 1

- Holly, Anna & Jessica

Back to Gator - Six Years Later

In 2010 Kevin & Sandi Byler led a team of Weavers youth to Gator Wilderness Camp School for a week of service in the hot Florida sun. Six years later we are going back on another adventure of service.  

Feel free to look back and reminisce on how far so many of our youth have come.  Teenagers on the previous trip are now college grads.  But come back as we add new posts and document our new adventure, our time of service and the ways we see God at work through it all.  We will be updating here as time and internet connections permit with pictures and stories of our journey.

The 2016 Crew

• Jesse Byler
• Luke Hertzler
• Cameron Brown
• Cameron Byer
• Jessica Hess
• Holly Mumaw
• Anna Layton
• Jacob Yoder
• Dylan Slabach-Brubaker
• Adi Monsour
• Taylor Longnecker

The Fearless Leaders

• Micah Hurst
• Carla Hurst
• Brenda Early Layton
• Owen Byer

We ask for your prayers as we go out, for travel safety & that the whole trip will be giving honor and glory to God!

In conclusion we had a good time at Gator Wilderness Camp School and it was interesting to see a different type of ministry being done. The camp is a good idea: the structure, routine and discipline for the campers and staff. These are basic life skills everyone needs to learn and make a part of their life. Campers learn to do various tent and campsite chores such as making their bed a certain way, folding their clothes and keeping a neat foot locker, raking trails and generally keeping a neat and organized campsite. Other details of camp include learning a correct way to set a table and how to interact positively at mealtimes. What really holds the camp together is the focus on Jesus. Campers are involved in group activities that include work schedules, cooking, games, swimming, canoeing, etc. The location of the camp is important. It was out of the way and provides a place for boys to explore God's creation.

We chose to participate in this service trip because it allowed us to get to know our group members better, experience live at a camp like this, and work in a way that would serve God. It was a way to sacrifice some of our time to serve others.

More of the same + the beach

Yesterday, we worked all morning digging another ditch in the Cowboys camp for their air conditioning. Before lunch, we took a break and swam in the pond. After lunch, we went back to working and finished what we had to do. To finish the afternoon, we swam again in the pond, and were accompanied by Sam, the dog. Then, we had a cookout with the campers. We made mountain pies which are similar to grilled cheese sandwiches but with pizza fillings. While eating dessert, we watched the campers have fun swinging off of a rope. During the sunset, we drove the old, squeaky truck out to the "prairie" to watch the stars come out.


Quote of the day:
Daniel - "Kristi, everyone else has a stupid quote, it's your turn."
Kristi - "It will take me a little to think of one since it doesn't come naturally."
Daniel - "She's too cool for us."

This morning, we woke up to the aroma of biscuits and sausage gravy before packing up and leaving for the beach. We enjoyed a nice day of relaxation, swimming, and searching for sand dollars.


Quote of the day:
N/A...yet

Instead, try saying these a few times fast:
- Toy boat
- Irish wristwatch *have fun*
- Unique New York
- She sells sea shells by the sea shore
- The skunk ran around the stump; the stump said the skunk stunk; the skunk said the stump stunk

...like its hot

When we arrived yesterday after a safe trip, we unloaded the van and settled in. The guys went swimming in the small lake while the girls hung out at Greg and Sharon's house. Greg is director of the camp. Then we ate supper along with the boy campers in the Chuckwagon, which is the main building. After supper, some went swimming, and the rest of us road in the back of a pick-up truck on a tour around the camp.

Quote of the day:
Greg - "On the left you will see some endangered storks."
Daniel - "Those look a lot like chickens."
Everyone else - "Those are chickens."

This morning after breakfast we had a group devotional time. We started working at about 9:30 and worked until 11:45. This included laying an electrical wire from the shower house to the Cowboy camp site. We took a lunch break, and then went back out to finish the job. To cool off we went swimming with catfish in the big lake. Tonight we are planning on watching a movie at the Kanagy's house with the campers.

Quote of the day:
We're working outside in the humidity and heat, sweating, and ready for a break. Then Kevin says, "It's like, really hot out here." This gave us all a good laugh.