Most of the staff and TAP students gathered in the foyer to pray and wave us off at 8:30. Travel went smoothly and we soaked up the beauty of the calico leaves the entire three-hour trip to State College.

Our destination was Sowers Harvest for lunch. We’ll enjoy other meals there this week and take turns the team in the bustling café. They use hospitality as a bridge to connect with people, and see the business as a Kingdom embassy. The food and drinks were top-notch, and gave us energy for the afternoon.

We walked from the café with Ernest Eby, who took us an hour-long tour of the campus of Penn State University Park. We saw where student clubs can organize events and projects for other students. Ernest and Shawn Miller head up the student club called Happy Valley Christian Community and find ways to connect with college students who are lonely and/or want friendship, English practice, or Bible study. Over the next few days, we’ll come back here to engage with students by taking a survey that assesses their American experience as a foreign student and their interest in having a conversation partner or Bible study.

 

After the tour around the vast campus (we didn’t tour the 700 buildings) we settled into our lodging at All-Nations Bible Translation headquarters, which locals call “the hill.” The ladies have a lovely cabin, and the men stay across the parking lot in Ernest’s family’s basement.

We gathered in a circle to hear from Ernest, Shawn, Bryant, and Brian–all involved with various forms of outreach in State College. They told us their goals, stories, and visions for how we can join them this week. It was good to hear some of the back stories and framework of what we’ll be doing with them later.

Javon and Genny are staying at an Airbnb about twelve minutes away from the hill, and they hosted us for chili soup, corn bread, and lemon pie that we had brought for supper. We ate quickly and headed back to the café for culture night, an event they host every month. They invite college students from various countries to share about their country’s culture.

A student from Medina, Saudi Arabia gave a delightful presentation for an hour. His friend with him helped him serve Arabic coffee (with strong cardamom), dates, and a sweet pastry. He gave us time for a brief Q&A, then we mingled briefly before heading back to Javon’s for debrief and prayer.

 

 

The group is exhausted, but we are excited with what we learned today, and grateful for the ways we experienced beauty and goodness in many forms.

 

We had a self-serve and self-clean breakfast, and headed for September Farms by 7:30. But before we left, we said goodbye to Caleb and Sandra and their children, who returned home today. At the country store, we met the owners, Dave and Roberta Rotelle, who welcomed us with coffee and oriented us for our job.

They had an order for over 300 gift boxes but had a production glitch that delayed them, so today was the day they could have us help them assemble the boxes.

We worked until we ran out of cheese curds, so while we waited for those to be replenished, we helped in various parts of the store, labelling, wrapping muffins, and forming boxes. Dave treated us to a great lunch at the sandwich shop, which included their signature fried cheese curds. After lunch on the heated porch, we completed the boxed gift order. We also met Dave upstairs to hear his story of starting the business and their vision for it. He treated us to ice cream and coffee before we headed out.

Matthew and Kyle had arrived at our base before we got there and we circled up for a final debrief. We all shared memories of the trip, as well as low points, discussed ways it went well, and how we might plan it differently next time. It was good to hear from everyone and laugh over inside jokes.

Some people started to leave for home, and the group dwindled to seven students. We cleaned up and started putting things in boxes, then enjoyed a fire in the outdoor fireplace until we got too cold.

It’s been a good ministry apprenticing trip! We are deeply grateful for good connections with each other and the people we met, and for the privilege to see places and ways that God’s people are working with Him to accomplish His purposes.

After yesterday’s storm, this morning was bright and cloudless. Schools were cancelled because of the bad roads, and we waited until 10:00 to venture out. Even then, some roads were covered or deep with slush, but the sun cleared them by afternoon.

At Freedom Thrift store in New Holland, we helped the staff in their enormous job of moving into a new location next door. We scattered throughout the two buildings and sorted clothes on racks, attached price tags, and moved merchandise, furniture, and shelving.

The women worked there until 12:30, then ate our packed lunches in the van on the way to Aquilla Villa. The men stayed on at the thrift store until 4:00. They also got a tour of Revelations of Freedom Ministries, a residential discipleship program for men struggling with addictions. The thrift store helps with the financial support of the ministry.

The ladies visited Aquilla Villa, a residential home for struggling women. Mel and Barbie Esh, the parent figures, hosted us in the office and served us coffee and cookies while they shared their vision and experiences, and answered our questions.

They gave us a tour of the rest of the house, and introduced us to the staff and resident ladies. We saw where they cook for and host events as well as where they produce a craft project that they sell. It was a privilege to sit with these people and hear their vision and passion for this ministry.

Back at our base, we loaded up at 5:30 and headed for our hosts, Marvin and Miriam Weaver. They have been long-term supporters of Faith Builders and invited us to a delicious spread of food in their dining room. After the meal, they told us stories and answered our questions about their life experiences.

Today was a day off. We headed for Philly at 9:00, with Larry and Karen Weaver, Katrina’s parents, leading the way. By 10:30, we parked in the center of the city and walked to City Hall to look around. The Christmas German Market was closed because of today’s bad weather coming.

We walked to Reading Terminal, a bustling, colorful indoor market. We took 45 minutes to explore and find lunch. We found good food, coffee, ice cream, and souvenirs then returned to the parked vans. We had intended to see more sights in the city but with the severe storm that was coming early afternoon, we headed back to the base early in effort to stay ahead of the snow.

In the parking lot, we said goodbye to Patrick and Bethany. We are so grateful for their leadership and investment in our group. The Weavers took the Heatwoles to their hotel near the airport so they can return to their home in SC tomorrow.

We drove into the snow in the last half hour or so, but the roads were mostly clear and we arrived back safely.

We had leftovers for supper, at a leisurely pace, and enjoyed a relaxing evening while the snow and sleet fell. It looks like we got about 6″ of snow so far.

We started the day’s activities with Piercing Word and their executive director, Aaron House. Aaron shared a passionate workshop that demonstrated how to memorize the Bible in fun, life-giving ways. Their organization gives presentations where their script is the Scriptures in the ESV.

Aaron gave us a mini workshop on leading discussion-based Bible studies. The level of experience he spoke from and the tools he gave us made the time very valuable.

We enjoyed a pizza lunch back at the home base, and rested before heading back out, this time to Twin Valley Food Bank. This organization supplies a monthly drive-through food bank for families in need. Today’s drive-through was more extensive, with provisions for Christmas dinner.

At 5:00, we rolled loaded carts out to cars, gave toy baskets to the children, asked people for their choice of turkey or ham, and placed the food parcels in their car.

By 5:40, most of the cars had come through the line. We stayed to put all the food away and clean up, and left at 7:00.

Patrick and Bethany had a delicious supper ready for us when we got back!

While enjoying their dessert of Biscoff cookies, we circled up for a final debrief while Patrick and Bethany are with us. Everyone has been working hard and is ready to call it a day!

After breakfast and worship, everyone worked on various jobs:

• bake scones for this evening
• write notes for the care packages
• arrange fruit plates for this evening
• assemble 200 snack packages
• grill burgers for lunch

Right after lunch, the men went to Lancaster City and met Mark Nisly, a nurse who works at Lancaster General Hospital. They had coffee with him, then took the snack packages to his break room so he could pass them out to his co-workers.

Meanwhile, the ladies went to Meadows of Hope, a home for troubled girls. Along with other wholesome ways of building a healthy life, they use equine therapy. We toured the barn and admired the eight horses that the girls work with. In the house, we saw their classroom and living quarters Our tour guides, Marcus Beiler and Deb Strite, are the supervisors. They explained the program and answered our questions. They clearly love what they do!

Patrick had chipotle bowls ready for us for supper when we got back. The men divided into two groups, took scones, coffee, and fruit, and spent the evening with small groups of nurses who wanted to tell us their stories and their experiences during the pandemic.

The ladies stayed at the home base and hosted two women who came for the evening. One of them told us her story of serving in a country near Mongolia for nearly a year. She passed around a box of oriental slippers that we got to wear for the evening. She told us about the hard parts and the ways God has been faithful. Our three hours together went very fast.

We drove about 20 minutes to a church that was hosting Piercing Word. This ministry performs passages from the Bible. This morning’s presentation featured the Christmas story, quoting from John 1, Luke 2, John 3, and passages from Romans and Isaiah. We found it beautiful and profound.

Before dinner at our base, we circled up for a debriefing and brief orientation for the next days’ activities. We enjoyed a classic Sunday dinner with roast beef and vegetables, then spent the rest of the afternoon resting.

Some of us made a solid start in writing notes on 200 gift tags for medical workers’ care packages we’ll assemble tomorrow.

Katrina’s parents live five minutes away and generously invited us there for supper. Afterward, we caroled for their elderly friends and neighbors. It was very enjoyable!

By 8:30, we were back in Reading (a 30-minute drive from our base) and went to the Fairview Christian School gym to take down the stage, chairs, and decorations from last night’s Christmas program.

After everything was cleaned up, we drove to the church and met Marcus Fox, pastor at Fairview Mennonite Church. He oriented us for the project of picking up trash. He explained that over the years, picking up trash has helped them stay connected to the townspeople and its leaders.

We broke into groups of four and Marcus told us which streets each group is responsible for. The morning was foggy and pleasant to be walking up and down the sidewalks. Not many people were out, but several stuck their heads out of their doors and thanked us for picking up trash.

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We finished soon after 12 and headed to the school. We walked up the street to the corner store where Arlan is friends with the Dominican proprietor. We had fun finding ethnic drinks, snacks, and empanadas with various fillings, and took our food to the school to eat. Anyone for soursop juice? Aloe vera drink? Plantain chips? Giant avocadoes? Fresh mango? It was a great quick trip into the Dominican Republic!

We came back to our house by 2:00 and people took naps, walked, played with children, and did laundry.

By 6:00, six former FB students arrived with food for supper. We had a lovely evening of good food and conversation.

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We ate breakfast and loaded up in our two vans by 7:20 then headed for Reading. By 8:00, we arrived at Fairview Mennonite School and met the administrator, Arlan King. He was our guide and took us to the gym to hear the school practice for their Christmas program. The school has a strong singing culture, and we loved listening to the 150 students as they rehearsed.

Arlan led us on a tour throughout the four-story school building. From there, the men headed to the church where they hung insulation and organized the Fairview Church shop.

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Meanwhile, the ladies scattered throughout the classrooms and helped tutor students where needed.

They served us delicious empinadas for lunch, then we went back to various jobs. The women cleaned bathrooms or helped with art classes until 3:00. School dismissed then, the men returned, and we met with Marcus Fox. He gave us a presentation of the church, school, and outreaches, and gave many stories of their experiences since his parents moved into the city 52 years ago.

Two men guided us up the mountain to the famous Reading landmark: the pagoda. We arrived just in time to see a perfect, beautiful sunset.

Back at The Welcoming Place, we made supper and enjoyed a relaxing evening catching up on journals and talking. The ladies even had time to make a quick trip to the MCC thrift store and Walmart before 9:00.

We started the day with a quiet morning. After breakfast, Ryan led in devotions with the group and then we had an hour to scatter for solitude and reflection. We circled up again and Patrick led a debrief where everyone shared something that they learned or observed on the trip so far.

Soon after 11:00, we headed for Blessings of Hope in Leola. They immediately ushered us upstairs for a luncheon where we got to meet the founders of the ministry, Aaron and Dave, and heard their stories and passion for service.

At 1:00, we were guided to various posts along the box production line. We joined a group of 50-60 people on the line and in two hours we packed 1,500 grocery boxes that will go to neighboring states. Our experience at Blessings of Hope was a beautiful one of seeing what vision and passion can do. Several men wanted to use the resources around them to help the less fortunate. They used what they had–immense amounts of food that would have been discarded, and ministries who needed food and storage space–and brought the needs and the resources together.

Around 5:00 we headed into Lancaster City to explore the shops that were open late. Students were given the assignment to try a new food and engage in conversation with someone they don’t know. It was a beautiful evening to be out, and the streets were festive and relatively empty, so we didn’t have many chances to talk with people.