Today we continued our journey home. As we settled into the bus there was a clear sense of community that was not developed when we travelled through Wisconsin a little over a week ago. People were comfortably changing seats and interacting with anyone and everyone in this new expanded sense of family. We had the opportunity to more deeply reflect on all that we saw through out our time together, shared some sticker pranks and examined how utterly grateful we are to have had this experience.

We are staying at the Metropolis Resort which includes the Chaos Waterpark and Action City. We shared our last big group meal and enjoyed laughing and relaxing. We were able to spend the whole evening in fellowship together that included go carts, laser tag, mini golf, bumper cars, arcade games and waterslides.

As we spend our last minutes in small group, we are able to see how much our lives have been expanded by this experience. We have been fortunate to experience playing and self examination, service and laughter, faith and wonder. We are blessed beyond measure and are so ready to share all of these things with everyone at home.

Today we started out our last day at the National Youth Gathering in Detroit. We woke up, packed our bags, and loaded the busses. We then headed to Ford Field and participated with 30,000 other people in the closing worship. We listened to lots of amazing musicians including a gospel choir that will be competing in Americas got Talent. Listened to a inspirational sermon led by Bishop Eaton and also to a poet named Natasha T Miller who was a repeat performer who was just as great the second time. We had communion with 30,000 of our new friends and then sang a song with Rachel Kurtz. It was then announced that in 2018 the National Youth Gathering will take place in Houston, Texas. Next, after a closing prayer and group pictures, we then left Ford Field and had a picnic lunch provided by Old Lutheran. We then left and headed to Comerica Field for the Detroit Tigers game. It was a very hot day but the game was great. Next we loaded the busses again and headed to Portage, IN. After a fun filled, hot, and long day we are now ready for bed. Love, Tom and Larry’s small groups. Allison, Catie, Ethan, Jake, Emma, Tory, Hans, and Kayla.

Greetings from Carmen and Eric’s small groups (Amy, Brook, McKinnon, Noah F., Erin, Catherine, Marty and Noah Y.). Today was our day of service to the people of Detroit and our chance to Proclaim Justice.  It was MOVEMENT in the MOTOR CITY as nearly 10,000 youth worked throughout the Highland Park Neighborhood.  We partnered with Focus Hope (a local organization) who is working to improve a 100 block area.  We were part of “Keep it 100! (keeping things 100% livable).   We were assigned to help clean up, paint, prune weeds and generally help a neighborhood become more livable.  It was hot and muggy but it was a fantastic day.

We were struck by the beauty of the homes that had fallen in disrepair and had questions about why things had gotten that bad.  In between these broken down houses, there were neat and well kept homes – signs that people had not given up. Some people, like neighborhood historian, Miss Cleveland, joined us in our work.  Everyone we encountered was so thankful and many people offered us refreshments like water, cheeseburgers and freeze pops.

Some of the many highlights were:

• Learning about the neighborhood and the recovery program before we started
• Clearing piles of construction debris like cinder blocks, shingles and broken fixtures
• Playing football with the kids in the neighborhood
• Chopping down trees and pruning  bushes
• Pulling weeds
• Clearing a giant woodpile from a vacant lot
• Eating ice cream off an ice cream truck with the neighbors
• Talking to all the people and hearing their stories
• Painting curbs
• Carmen’s splitting pants
• Dancing with Azarria who does a mean “whip”

We are including pictures of Amy and Azarria, our group painting curbs and Larry, a 10 year old future football star, with his football crew.

As we were walking back to our buses, one more person called to us from his porch.  It was Everett Ferguson, a 95 year old Navy veteran who told one of our adult leaders, Erika Yoney, that seeing us in his neighborhood was the “best thing he’d ever seen.”  God gave us the chance to serve and build bridges today. It was a joy to be helpful to the wonderful people we met and it might just be the “best thing we’ve ever done.”

Today was the last day we got to spend at the Cobo Center. Many people from our group participated in the Walk for Water, which raises money for an organization that is in pursuit to provide clean water. Also at Cobo, we watched some other people sing to Rachel Kurtz Karaoke, which was both painful and entertaining to watch. A few people in our group dressed up as the disciples and Jesus and posed as the famous “Last Supper”. Another fun thing that happened at the Cobo today was the lip syncing battle in the afternoon. We stood by and watched while other people from the gathering duked it out to their favorite songs. And last, but definitely not least, Jon Theige was giving out “never ending hugs” which was cute at first but they eventually turned into wrestling matches when they realized he wasn’t going to let go.

We had to leave the Cobo center early because we had rehearsal for the mass cast portion of the gathering. Our group, along with one thousand other people showed up for rehearsal and ran the number over and over for three hours. While we were working our butts off just standing and looking pretty, the REAL star of the show was a ten year old boy named Rudy. However, one of our own had a word with their agent to maximize our time in the spotlight… Midge (AKA Kirsten Johnson) was ready to show off her moves to Love Can Build A Bridge during tonight’s performance!

Between rehearsal and the gathering, some members of our group went to Greektown. We ate some stellar Greek food, played soccer with some other youth from around the country, and souvenir shopped (of course.) Meanwhile, Erika Yoney visited a local grocer and overheard our impact on his life here in Detroit. “You had only been there for 10 minutes and my neighborhood already looked cleaner!”

Our Gathering Experience consisted of some awesome Steppers, seeing old TIM pastors, and listening to the greatest Motown music we had ever heard BECAUSE…. LEGENDS WERE IN THE HOUSE! Two original members of The Temptations, one from The Capitols, and one from The Miracles rocked it out with classic Motown hits as we danced the night away!

Goodnight and sleep tight!

Love Sarah, Anna, Ariel, Ben C., Ben O., Emily M., Blake, Mike, Riley L., & Maren!

Today we got the opportunity to go to Cobo Center and go through the Proclaim Community area as well as attend morning worship for our Proclaim Story day. We had a great morning and one of our highlights was having Ben Cavalier get on stage to perform the rap section of Make a Difference in front of what we are guessing is bigger crowd than he’s used to.   But with the support of the rest of the Friends In Faith he did a great job. Later that day, several of the FIF group were invited to get on stage with Rachel Kurtz and perform same song and ultimately were joined by AGAPE who performed “Ben’s” part of the song.

Meeting new people has been a highlight for many of us although sometimes this forces us to step outside our comfort zone. So far we have met people from MANY different states including Pennsylvania, New York, Alaska, Montana and Connecticut,

Catie Kallander chose to take a BIG step outside her comfort zone by allowing a complete stranger to cut her hair in the Proclaim Community room but it was for a great cause. The hair will be donated to Children With Hair Loss where it will be made into hairpieces. These pieces will go to kids up to the age of 21.

Lily and others painted boards for the purpose of boarding up houses on our service day, Proclaim Justice, which is Saturday. This helps prevent vandalism to the abandoned and boarded up houses. The theme was love so they painted hearts as leaves on a tree with the word “love” on the trunk.

Some of our adult leaders had a conversation with one of the food vendors at dinner that had run out of food as he was under prepared. According to this gentleman, they have been told many times that big groups will be coming to town but it never materializes. So, he had not ordered enough food. He said he was sorry that he was out but that he would do better tomorrow. He was so impressed that the “Lutherans” came through and stayed true to their word.

Kathy’s and Tony’s Crews

Hannah B., lily C., Annie B., Tyra D., Noah M., Christian T., Abby O., Zach S., and guest contributor Catie K.

It was a mad rush to room 407 to gather milk, cold cinnamon rolls, and a juice for our breakfast. It was going to be hard to leave the luxurious hotel rooms but we managed to depart at 9:30 for the Detroit History Museum where we would spend a few hours learning about how Detroit became the known city it is today. Did you know that Detroit was the last stop on the Underground Railroad before reaching Canada and freedom? Or that the French named the city after the French word “narrow”. 

We had lunch at a park called “Belle Isle” only few miles away from the museum where we ate yummy sandwiches, until we ran out of bread. The next few hours we spent time either tanning, playing games, socializing or exploring our surroundings. 

It was roughly 4 o’clock when we finally made it to the Cobo Center, in down town Detroit. We shopped around, met new friends and explored the building. It was a few blocks to walk to ford field where this awesome event would kick off! It was a struggle to wait to get in the stadium but to pass the time we started singing song, and more and more groups started joining in. We settled into our seats after what felt like hours. We sang our hearts out, danced to the songs, and listened to the speakers. Each one of us took something away from day one. Below are some great quotes from night one! 

“God was in Detroit, before any of us were.” 

“Some places that need help the most, are where God already is.”

“Rise up, but rise up together.”

It was an incredible first day in Detroit, and there’s only better experiences ahead of us, waiting to be born. Trinity is ready to rise up, as one. Watch out Detroit. We are here. 

Sincerely, 

Ira and Lori’s small group:  Ian, Mckenzie, Lana, Taylor, Evan, Addy, Signe, Zailey, Grace

Bright and early this morning we closed the hotel door in Sandusky, loaded the bus, and headed on our way to our next adventure. Our first stop on this crazy journey was the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. We were in awe at the vast collection that awaited us. Highlights include the dymaxion home as well as the Rosa Park bus and all of the classic cars.

After enjoying lunch at a park, we stopped at a nearby Walmart to purchase a plethora of diapers for the Detroit community. We were pleasantly surprised when a local women offered us money to go towards the diapers. While at Walmart, Pastor Simon felt he was in need of a haircut that was long overdue.

Cheers erupted from Bus 2 as the Detroit skyline came into view. We dropped off the diapers and proceeded downtown to the Hard Rock Café for our very first Detroit experience. Along the way, as well as inside the restaurant, we came across some fellow friends in Christ.

Back at the hotel, we gathered for large group worship and sang songs until we welcomed Oneita Jackson, a local cab driver and satirist. We listened, laughed, and loved the thought provoking stories she shared about her experiences and people’s assumptions. After an exciting and eventful day, we are all tired and ready for bed.

Goodnight from Kirsten’s small group: Sadie, Kara, Zach, and Trevor.

Everyone woke this morning with sunburn,

and then the day took a real quick turn.

As we began the journey to Cedar Point,

we were the largest group in the whole joint.

Cedar Point was expensive

and our sunburns were extensive.

At the amusement park we explored,

not a single one was bored.

Miranda rode every coaster but one,

Sophie spent a lot of time in the sun.

Jon spent the day just hangin’ out

while Nathan spent the day walking about.

Ellie was just hangin’ around

while watching bags safely on the ground.

Miranda got a rash,

and we spent a LOT of cash.

As the kids expected rain

the gutters were left dry

with nothing to drain.

As they returned to the Comfort Inn

faces were covered with a grin.

Everyone tonight was relaxing by the pool

while staying cool.

We will arrive in Detroit happy as can be

and excited for everything we get to do, experience and see!

Momma Ell and her cubs (Nathan, Jon, Sophie & Miranda)

Left Chicago this a.m. for the Indiana Sand Dunes State Park and a spirited worship service of Holy Communion on Lake Michigan. Tried to locate a “pink slip” for the visitor who joined us – whoo hoo!

After worship we hit the water – chilly but refreshing. Then, hit the sunscreen. Then, hit the lunch. Needed more pink slips for the visitors who thought we were selling concessions. Told them we were Lutherans – it’s free!  Nice couple from Dyer, Indiana.

After lunch, smart people added more sunscreen as we spent the afternoon playing in the sand and running up and down the steep dunes.

Left the burning sand and headed for Sandusky, Ohio. Checking in to the hotel took forever because of the mile long hallway. Celebrated our “attitude of gratitude” at devotions and now headed for bed.

By the way, during our worship at the beach, someone thought they could hear the Trinity children greeting us during their sermon time in Moorhead – what was that about? 😎

Beach out!  Ian Bahe, Teagan Carlsrud, Madi Mercil, Pastor Simon 🇬🇧 and Dumbo

Hello everyone!!!! On day 2 of our trip we woke up in Chicago ready for a day of adventure! We are continuing to transition to “what do we have to offer each other”. Our day was filled with strengthening our relationships, living in the moment, and sharing the energy to keep us all going!

We loaded our buses and headed to the Lincoln Park Zoo. We left our worries behind, enjoyed the animals and the company of our fellow FIFers 🙂 We took lots of pictures and snapchat stories! We hopped back on the buses to head to the Navy Pier. We divided into smaller groups to see the beautiful city of Chicago. First, we found a place to eat, from there we saw various sites such as The Bean, a Farris wheel, fountains, Michigan Ave, downtown Chicago, and the Trump tower! We made our way to the Shedd Aquarium by late afternoon and got VIP’d right to the main show. In the show they brought out an adopted dog that had been rejected by previous families and demonstrated the similarities in training the sea animals and the dog. They used only positive reinforcement. This reminded us of how important staying positive is. (We saw some whales, sharks, and lots of different fish too.) Shortly leaving Shedd, our buses ran into a tangle and got delayed in traffic. So we chillaxed on some green grass and rested our weary hoofers. Our supper was delayed but was SUPER AWESOME deep dish pizza!! With our tummies full, we came back to the hotel and jammed out with sweet gospel music. We are so darn tired so we’ll wrap it up with a quote from Leo Buscaglia: “Your relationships will be as vital and alive as you are”.

Peace out homies – Jana, Kaleb, Alie, Emily, and Riley