Training Camp Day 2

Our morning started bright and early at 6:30am, with both our group and the group leaving for the Dominican tomorrow meeting at the rec sports field for a bonding activity. Not knowing what to expect, we came wondering what to expect and just a little tired, but ready to start the day. What we saw were three crosses fashioned together by our leader Aaron Faro, with the help of some soccer players who were here at Messiah for a camp. Aaron explained to us that we would be going on a run throughout the fitness trail carrying the three crosses in groups. Throughout the run we were able to stop for breathers as we listened to devotionals. On one stop we got the opportunity to symbolically nail our sins to the cross to represent us giving our burdens over to Christ. At one of the last stops, we also took communion as a group. Finally, at the end of our run we laid our crosses down and sprinted up cemetery hill, where we eventually stopped to sit down and sing worship songs together while overlooking the campus. This was a very moving and thought-provoking experience for all of us throughout the cross run and was a great way to start our day (video of this is hopefully coming soon so stay tuned). Before the end of the morning we went down to the track to spray our clothes with bug/mosquito repellent, which is pretty serious stuff supplied to us by Sawyer. The one picture in the post before this one shows two of our team members, David and Derek, from the basketball team spraying their clothing. The spray is meant to last through 6 washings or 42 days. We also were instructed by our team member Amy on how to properly set up and use the water filtration systems we will be passing out during our whole week. It is great to know that we have been blessed with the opportunity to provide fresh drinking water to the people of certain parts of Panama and we will keep you updated on this as we go along throughout next week. Before the end of our day we met with just our team once more to finalize some things and prepare ourselves one last time for the trip and now all that is left for us to do is hop on the plane tomorrow and go. Again, thank you for all of your prayers and support and we look forward to keeping you updated throughout our trip. Finally, an update on the plights of Jeremiah and Kira from yesterday. Kira was up bright and early this morning traveling to Philly to pick up her passport, and was lucky to get it around lunch! Also, Jeremiah had a doctor's appointment today and is ready to go on the trip but still is experiencing considerable pain in his knee. Please pray for healing in order for us to have a bit more agile of a Jeremiah, however we are confident that regardless Jeremiah will have a great impact and is a very important aspect of our team heading to Panama. Thanks again for your prayers, may God do great things this week!!!------Taylor Groff
Group Picture from Previous Post:
           Bottom Row- John Brubaker, Taylor Miller, Wes Hollenbach, Zach Adams, Megan Shipe
           Top Row- Coach Rick VanPelt, Jeremiah Runkle, Derek Mosley, David Fernandez, Taylor Groff
           Not Pictured- Kira Maier, Amy Snead