Classic good intention, poor execution! I apologize for the lack of postings this week. The WiFi (only works in fellowship hall) and cell service (like FPCLG, God is blocking cell phone service in the building) is spotty, and the schedule is more crowded than I expected. Frankly, the kids are NOT interested in writing on this blog (boy am I surprised about that). So you are stuck with me today. The week has gone quite well (save the appendectomy). The kids are getting along better than ever, the work is meaningful, and the staff here is well organized.

We have had a group at the Cleveland Food Bank and at soup kitchens every day. We are taking public transportation (so that we understand how time consuming getting around can be), and the kids REALLY don’t like it. 

The church in which we are staying has provided wonderful facilities, and many members of the congregation have been engaged with us. The senior pastor is around everyday, and is way cool. He bottles his own label of wine from his home, and this years Pinot Noir is titled “Total Depravity”, and no, we haven’t had the opportunity to assist in quality control.

Ben is one tough dude. Twenty four hours after an appendectomy he was strolling around the RockHall. It was nice to see Gina on the worktrip even if for just a day...so know this, when I tell you I will only ask the parents to join a worktrip if its a true emergency.....I’m not kidding! Ben & Gina flew home yesterday, and they are both missed.

Did you know if you don’t have an address, you can’t collect financial assistance from the government? Think about that for a moment. Makes it a little tougher to “pull yourself up by the bootstraps”, yes? 

The efficiency at the Cleveland Food Bank is incredible (even the kids are impressed). They move, on average, 90,000 lbs of food a day. Bulk donations are broken down if in bulk packaging, sorted (with the help of many hands), or prepared into servings (I think we made like, a BILLION bologna and cheese sandwiches) for different social service agencies, some of which we visited this week.

We learned a new game that the kids love to play called “Terradactyl”, ask your kids about it. A lot of fun, a lot of noise, Begs (Kevin Beglen) is QUITE good at it. A game that is both fun to watch, AND play!

Signing off for now, the animals are getting restless......