San Angelo, Texas 2007 Mission Trip...with a side of ranch
June 18–24, 2007 

12 junior high youth and their 2 adult leaders traveled to San Angelo and a Student Life Mission Camp to put others before self and perform mission outreach work, to worship with 1,200 others daily and study the theme, "Here and Now," growing in their faith. Over the weekend they visited the Carroll-Wilkinson ranch in  Menard, Texas (640 acres; cattle and sheep) to see what a real Texas working ranch is like.

Quick Links (Most recent photos are on top)

• Sunday, June 17—Commissioning

• Monday, June 18—Traveling & Day One

• Tuesday, June 19—Day Two: Mission Work Begins

• Wednesday, June 20—Day Three, we continue

Wednesday, June 20

Mrs. Atwood talked with Mr. Schlirf late Wednesday afternoon:

The camp pastor, Neil McClendon, continues to raise theological themes in ways that are not of our Presbyterian traditions (but are protestant). This approach continues to spur our students in conversation and action. 

On Tuesday night there was an alter call and Mr. Schlirf and Mrs. Graham let the students know that they should feel free to respond if they felt transformed, but if not that there was no pressure to answer the call, also indicating that we do this in our own church every Sunday, just in a printed message in our Worship Bulletin. 

Tonight there was a call to confession, and again the students were encouraged by our leaders to participate with another if they felt led to do so, but that they need not if they did not feel led to do so.  

Student Life supports the churches by not counseling the kids with their questions or concerns, but referring them back to their home church as those are the people who will continue to support, counsel, and encourage them once the week is over.

Wow! We didn't realize that one of the free-time options at Mission Camp was to form a synchronized swimming team! Don't they look all together?

Many hands make light work, right?

What a great looking group!  Could we be prouder?

Tuesday, June 19

Mrs. Atwood talked with Mr. Schlirf late Tuesday evening:

The kids are working really hard in a very nice park called Kid's Kingdom. It has a lot of wood equipment and fences and they are staining and staining and staining. It was very hot today so they took frequent breaks to cool off. As you can see from the pictures, they find time to have fun too!

Worship at night is quite the production with music, drama, and preaching. While the preaching is a little tough, Mr. Schlirf and Mrs. Graham have the students talking lots about what is said, weighing what they are told with what they believe. Great conversations are happening and it is very exciting!

They have access to a pool and as a treat tomorrow Mr. Schlirf and Mrs. Graham have found a city pool with a water slide that they hope to take them to. 

Look at all the smiling going on!

Working hard, or taking a break?  Guess this must be early in the day, as there isn't any stain on Rachel, Anne or Dominique!

Anne, Sara, and Gabby are spending some time bonding.

Mr. Schlirf working some things out with our mission coordinators.

Andrew taking a dunk to cool off.

Now it's Tom's turn, although he looks like he is being helped a little.

Ryan, Andrew and Ian—looks like it's time for lunch!

Paul, Andrew and Tom are glad they brought 2 water coolers! And who's that sleeping on the grass? Is that you Ryan?

Gabby and Katie hard at work.

Katie looks like a professional in that painter's stance!

Ian taking his turn at cooling off his head!

Austin even looks happy to be working on his section of the staining!

Katie, Ian and Andrew working on their sections—looks like there is plenty of wood to go around!

Is it the beginning of the day or the end? They all look too clean to have worked hard yet.

Zach seems to be surveying the kingdom, Kid's Kingdom, that is.

Katie is just testing out the swings to make sure they are safe.

Monday, June 18

From Mr. Schlirf in an email Tuesday morning:

"Most of the kids are enjoying the celebration and service. They put a lot of money and preparation into the presentation."

Back in the van. Hmmm. Look at the traffic behind us, maybe that is what delayed our arrival a bit?

Not even at camp yet, and we are already finding fun things to do!
(Left to right: Austin, Katie, Sara, Gabby, Ian, Zach, and Tom)

Stopping for some food along the way, and a little recreation!
(Left to right: Zach, Ryan (behind Zach), Tom, and Austin)

The Trip Begins...

On Monday, June 18, we met in the church parking lot at 6:00am with the students, the trip's leaders, those sponsors who could attend, and our mission outreach rep. After figuring out where that extra luggage was going to go, along with the 4 coolers, and Mr. Schlirf's guitar, we were finally able to take our photos, gather in a prayer circle, load everyone into the van, and they were off at 6:31am. We received a call at 3:00pm that they had arrived safely!

Mr. Schlirf just realized his seat mates are a suitcase and a guitar!

Now get in there! Mr. Schlirf tries to get Katie in before shutting the door!

Gabby and Ian are settling in for the ride. 

Final goodbyes

Final goodbyes

The mission team: 12 junior high students and their 2 leaders, Paul Schlirf and Bonnie Graham.

Paul Schlirf (leader), Sylvia Campbell (mission rep), and John Thompson (sponsor) all agree this is a terrific group!

The whole group at 6:20am! The students, their parents, the leaders, some sponsors, and our mission rep are ready to pray with the students before the group leaves.

Okay, it's time for photos!

Paul and Bonnie, making sure they know how they are getting there.

Andrew, Zach, Ian and Ryan looking forward to that 7 hour drive and considering their options: van vs. car?

What an excited group!

What! Another bag! 

Okay. we're all here!

A little more light, and are we all here yet? 

Sponsors and parents keeping an eye on the packing.

Sylvia, wide eyed and preparing to send this 3rd mission team of the summer out! (It is the 5th mission team of the year.)

Dark, but there is a little more light, and more students seem to be arriving. Or are we just getting better able to see them?

Okay, Sasha (the dog) can't go, but is there still enough room?

Hmm. It's still dark, but we are gathering.

Tom and Zach arrive in the dark, ready to depart.

Gabby and her mother, Brandi. Gabby sure looks like she is ready for anything!

The sponsors gather. Yes, it is dark at 6:00am and they still came out to pray us off. Thanks!

Paul Schlirf, looking exhausted already, just trying to get everything in the van!

Sunday, June 17

The junior high mission trip is commissioned on Sunday, June 17, 2007, before departing for San Angelo on Monday, June 18. There are a total of 12 students going with 2 leaders. Each student has a sponsor who is praying for them and interacting with them about their experiences.